Updated Vault associate 003 + removed 002 from dev site (#2662)

* Updated 003 + removed 002 from dev site * Added content differences section * Update vault-associate-003.mdx * replaced changed objectives and fixed tables * Re-add prereqs FAQ Prereqs accidentally removed at some point. Adding them back in with other Vault 003 changes. * Update recertification language Update to match Consul and Pro exams --------- Co-authored-by: laurencknows <[email protected]>
hashicorp · Jan 16, 2025 · dc61e64 · dc61e64
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diff --git a/src/content/certifications/exam-faqs/vault-associate-003.mdx b/src/content/certifications/exam-faqs/vault-associate-003.mdx
@@ -1,41 +1,10 @@
 <!-- Each "## Heading Two" section in this document will be used to populate an FAQ item -->
 
-## Exam Availability
+## Prerequisites
+* Basic terminal skills
+* Basic understanding of on premises/cloud architecture
+* Basic level of security understanding
 
-The Vault Associate 002 exam will be replaced by the Vault Associate 003 exam version in January 2025. 
-
-**Advanced scheduling is now available for Vault Associate 003.** 
-- **January 15**: Last day to schedule Vault Associate 002.
-- **January 17**: Last day to take Vault Associate 002.
-   - _If you take the (002) version at this time and fail, you will need to take the (003) version when you reattempt the exam._ 
-- **January 18**: First day to take Vault Associate 003. Vault 002 is now retired. 
-
-## Which Exam to Take
-
-The new Vault Associate 003 exam accounts for how Vault has evolved since we released the (002) exam version. 
-
-Both exams are valid ways to verify your Vault knowledge at the associate level. Either should be accepted as validation of Vault knowledge until the credential's expiration date.
-
-- Take (002) if
-   - you are required by your employer to sit the exam this year.
-   - you hold a (002) credential that will expire before January and cannot have a lapse in your certification status.
-   - you are unfamiliar with the new objectives added to the (003) exam.
-
-- Take (003) if
-   - you can wait until January to get Vault Associate certified.
-
-**Exam updates summary:**
-
-- 2 new topics
-- Tests on Vault version 1.16
-- Includes HCP Vault content
-
-**New topics covered in (003):**
-
-- 8e: Differentiate between self-managed and HashiCorp-managed Vault clusters
-- 9b: Describe the Vault Secrets Operator
-
-Review the full list of objectives below.
 ## Exam Details
 
 |                     |                                                                                   |
@@ -49,8 +18,8 @@ Review the full list of objectives below.
 
 ## Exam Objectives
 
-|       |                                                                                   |
-| ----- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+|                     |                                                                                   |
+| ------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
 | **1** | **Authentication methods**                                                        |
 | 1a    | Define the purpose of authentication methods                                      |
 | 1b    | Choose an authentication method based on use case                                 |
@@ -108,28 +77,27 @@ Review the [rules and policies](https://hashicorp-certifications.zendesk.com/hc/
 
 ## Renewing Your Certification
 
-### Renew by passing a professional-level exam
+To renew your Vault Associate certification, you will need to take and pass either the Vault Associate 003 exam or the Vault Operations Professional exam.
 
-**_Unexpired_ Vault Associate 002 or 003 credentials:**
+**If you hold an *unexpired* Vault Associate 002 certification:** You can take the new (003) exam starting 18 months after your previous exam date. When you pass the exam, you will receive a new, separate set of credentials (badge and certificate) that reflect your recertification date. The expiration date of your Vault Associate 002 credentials will remain unchanged.
 
-When you pass the Vault Operations Professional exam, you will receive the professional-level credentials (badge and corresponding certificate). You will also extend the expiration of your Vault Associate 002 or 003 credentials.
+**If you hold an *unexpired* Vault Associate 003 certification:** You can retake the Vault Associate 003 exam starting 18 months after your previous exam date. When you pass the exam, the expiration date on your credentials will be extended.
 
-### Renew by passing an associate-level exam
+**You can also renew any *unexpired* Vault Associate certification by passing the Vault Operations Professional exam.** This will extend the expiration date of your unexpired Vault Associate 002 or 003 certification and grant you professional-level credentials.
 
-**_Unexpired_ Vault Associate 002 credential:**
+**If you hold any *expired* Vault Associate certification:** You are eligible to recertify at any time. When you pass the Vault Associate 003 exam, you will receive a new set of credentials with a new expiration date.
 
-* You can take the Vault Associate 003 exam starting 18 months after your previous exam date.
-* You will receive a new, separate set of credentials that will reflect your recertification date.
-* The expiration date of Vault Associate 002 credentials will not be updated.
+Learn more about recertification in our [Knowledgebase](https://hashicorp-certifications.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/9677396620941).
 
-**_Unexpired_ Vault Associate 003 credential:**
+### Content differences between the 002 and 003 exams
 
-* You can retake the Vault Associate 003 exam starting 18 months after your previous exam date.
-* The expiration date on your credentials will be extended.
+**Exam updates summary:**
 
-### Have an expired Vault Associate credential?
+- 2 new topics
+- Tests on Vault version 1.16
+- Includes HCP Vault content
 
-* You are eligible to recertify at any time by passing the Vault Associate 003 exam.
-* You will receive a new, separate set of credentials with a new expiration date.
+**New topics covered in (003):**
 
-Learn more about recertification in our [Knowledgebase](https://hashicorp-certifications.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/9677396620941).
+- 8e: Differentiate between self-managed and HashiCorp-managed Vault clusters
+- 9b: Describe the Vault Secrets Operator
diff --git a/src/content/certifications/programs/security-automation.json b/src/content/certifications/programs/security-automation.json
@@ -9,24 +9,12 @@
 		"description": "HashiCorp offers certifications to validate your Security Automation skills with Vault and Consul. There are two levels of Vault exams. Start with the Vault Associate certification, which validates your foundational knowledge of Vault. Continue your journey with the Professional lab-based exam to prove your extensive production experience. For Consul, take the Associate certification to showcase your skills in building, securing, and maintaining Consul."
 	},
 	"exams": [
-		{
-			"title": "Vault Associate",
-			"examCode": "002",
-			"productSlug": "vault",
-			"versionTested": "Vault 1.6.0 and higher",
-			"description": "Vault Associate 002 is currently available but will be replaced by Vault Associate 003 in January 2025. Compare the differences between the 002 and 003 exam versions below. The Vault Associate certification is for Cloud Engineers specializing in security, development, or operations who know the basic concepts, skills, and use cases associated with Vault. You understand what Vault Enterprise features exist and can differentiate between Enterprise and Community Edition. You will be best prepared for this exam if you have professional experience using Vault in production, but performing the exam objectives in a personal demo environment may be sufficient.",
-			"links": {
-				"prepare": "/vault/tutorials/associate-cert",
-				"register": "https://cp.certmetrics.com/hashicorp/en/login"
-			},
-			"faqSlug": "vault-associate-002"
-		},
 		{
 			"title": "Vault Associate",
 			"examCode": "003",
 			"productSlug": "vault",
 			"versionTested": "Vault 1.16",
-			"description": "Vault Associate 003 is a new version of the Vault Associate exam. Compare the differences between the 002 and 003 exam versions below. The Vault Associate 003 is for Cloud Engineers specializing in security, development, or operations who know the basic concepts, skills, and use cases associated with Vault. You will be best prepared for this exam if you have professional experience using Vault in production, but performing the exam objectives in a personal demo environment may be sufficient.",
+			"description": "The Vault Associate 003 certification is for Cloud Engineers specializing in security, development, or operations who know the basic concepts, skills, and use cases associated with Vault. You will be best prepared for this exam if you have professional experience using Vault in production, but performing the exam objectives in a personal demo environment may be sufficient.",
 			"links": {
 				"prepare": "/vault/tutorials/associate-cert-003",
 				"register": "https://cp.certmetrics.com/hashicorp/en/login"