Certification updates: Upcoming changes to the Jira Cloud Administration exams

[#1]

Hey Community 👋

As part of the ongoing effort to keep Atlassian credentials current and valuable, the Managing Jira Projects for Cloud (ACP-620) and Jira Administration for Cloud (ACP-120) exams will be merged into a single exam in January 2027.

As part of this effort, the Managing Jira Projects for Cloud (ACP-620) exam and certification will be retired. Critical content from that exam will be incorporated into the Jira Administration for Cloud (ACP-120) exam, resulting in a single Jira Administration for Cloud exam and credential.

Please note that these changes do not impact the Managing Jira Service Projects for Cloud (ACP-420) exam or certification, and there are no plans to retire that credential.

A few important dates and details:

• Both the ACP-120 and ACP-620 exams, with their current content, will be available until early January 2027, when the ACP-620 will be retired and the new version of the ACP-120 will be released.

• If you would like to earn the Managing Jira Projects for Cloud before the retirement, be sure to plan on taking it before January 8th, 2027.

• Starting September 8, 2026, the Managing Jira Projects for Cloud exam will be available for half price. 🎉

• If you currently hold the Managing Jira Projects for Cloud certification, the suspension and expiration dates will be extended for an additional two years. Expect to see the extension sometime in October/November 2026.

• The Managing Jira Projects for Cloud certification will continue to be included in the Expert Designation.

Keep an eye on the Community for more details as we get closer to the updated Jira Administration for Cloud certification launch. We believe Jira admins will be excited to see the updated topics and other changes planned for the exam.

[Arkadiusz Wroblewski]

I mean it makes sense, a lot of content overlaps these both exams.

[Stephen_Lugton]

Thanks @Kristján Geir Mathiesen , this makes sense.

I really wish though that there was an easy way to see what the exam number actually relates to; it doesn't show up on the learning page, or on the credentials in you profile.

Do you know if there will be a practice exam like there is for ACP-520?

[Jay]

AAAAAAAA!!!!!!! I have been studying for weeks for ACP-620! They are merging now! I might as just wait for the new exam.

[Marcelo Montaño Sánchez]

Thanks for the update! I understand the reasoning behind consolidating the certifications, but as an ACP-620 holder, I have a question about the transition.

Since the new ACP-120 will incorporate critical content from ACP-620, would it be possible to have some kind of transition or bridge assessment for existing ACP-620 holders? Rather than taking the full ACP-120 exam, we could be assessed only on the areas that are not already covered by the ACP-620. This would still ensure we have the knowledge required for the new credential while recognizing what we have already demonstrated.

I also wonder about the other side of the transition: if ACP-620 content is being incorporated into ACP-120, does this mean that current ACP-120 holders will somehow receive recognition for ACP-620 as well?

I know ACP-620 holders can take the current ACP-120 before the changes, but that feels more like purchasing a second certification than a transition mechanism for a credential that is being retired.

It would be great to see a transition path that recognizes the certifications people have already earned.

[Matthew Sinclair]

Oh this is too funny.

I took both of these tests BACK-TO-BACK with @Rob Hean telling me not to do that - managed to pass.

I thought it very strange that they had a lot of overlap - makes sense.

Makes me wonder if the 120 exam content will change all that much.

Here's hoping the content/learning paths will shift in our favor - its not an easy test to be honest.

Although 420 was the hardest of the bunch so far.

(My difficulty curve - 420 > 620 > 120)

[Maximiliano Javier Julio]

Great update for streamlining the certification paths!

I do have a quick technical question regarding the transition.

Since the new version of the ACP-120 will incorporate critical content from the ACP-620, is Atlassian planning any sort of bridge assessment or transition path for those of us who already hold the ACP-620, so we can earn the new combined credential without having to retake a full exam from scratch?

Thanks for sharing the news!

[Matthew Sinclair]

@Maximiliano Javier Julio unless the ACP-120 is changing in designation/overall terms to the point of being an entirely new certification - "Continuing Education" still applies.

In other words - so long as you keep up on learning path's, event's, and other qualified content - you won't need to take the exam again - let alone pay for recertification.

At least from what I've understood on how it works.

[Lalithesh]

Hi @Kristján Geir Mathiesen 

Is the discounted pricing available yet? When we attempt to book the exam, the price is still showing as $249

Cheers!

[Kristján Geir Mathiesen]

Hi @Stephen_Lugton  Good point with the numbers, yes... And excellent question about the practice exam: yes, we will have a practice exam for the ACP-120 Jira Administration for Cloud. That will go live the same time as the refreshed ACP-120.

Hi @Lalithesh The reduced pricing will happen today so please check back and refresh the tab.

Hi @Marcelo Montaño Sánchez and @Maximiliano Javier Julio There are no plans for a bridge assessment at this time. And like @Matthew Sinclair mentions, continuing education is very important in this fast moving tech world we live in now.

You could, @Jay  or take the 620 for half off and add that to your wall of fame...

[Julia Foden]

Hi @Kristján Geir Mathiesen 

Thanks for the information. Is this an official Atlassian announcement or do you somehow have insider info? You're appearing here as a Community Champion rather than an Atlassian team member. (I realise there could be funky stuff going on in the forums because of the upcoming move to a new platform)

[Kristján Geir Mathiesen]

Excellent question, @Julia Foden  This is official Atlassian announcement. Sorry for the profile thingy. I am currently, though temporarily, working for Atlassian on this project.

[Matthew Sinclair]

@Julia Foden can vouch for Kristjan - very influential/big help to the learning communities along side @Rob Hean who runs hean.tech site.

They have a big influence on this stuff and a ton of knowledge on certifications.

[Gerardo Martín]

I’ve just obtained the ACP-120, and the plan was to continue with the ACP-620. I’ll change my plan and go for another certification instead. Or maybe is a good opportunity to obtain it for a half price 🤔

Thanks @Kristján Geir Mathiesen !!!

[Marcelo Montaño Sánchez]

Hi @Kristján Geir Mathiesen 

Thanks for clarifying. I completely agree that continuing education is important, especially in the Atlassian ecosystem where things change so quickly.

My question was more about how the knowledge already demonstrated through the ACP-620 will be recognized after the certification is retired.

I understand that the new ACP-120 will include critical content from the ACP-620, and I’m happy to continue learning and prepare for the new topics. My concern is whether existing ACP-620 holders will have any way to receive credit for the knowledge we have already demonstrated, rather than having to retake an entire certification assessment.

If there are currently no plans for a bridge assessment, will there be any other transition mechanism or recognition for existing ACP-620 holders when the new ACP-120 launches?

Also, one point I’m still curious about: will current ACP-120 holders receive any recognition related to ACP-620 when its content is incorporated into the new ACP-120, or is the transition only applicable in one direction?

Thanks again for the clarification!

[Andy _ Fun Inc]

No, Jay! You got it all wrong... you need to do both exams NOW AND then the new in the new year. Otherwise you are not a cool nerd. Hahahah!

[Jay]

@Andy _ Fun Inc well in that case, who am I turn deny being a cool nerd. Till all are one! 

[Stephen_Lugton]

We so need a 'Cool Nerd' designation for having both certifications!

[Matthew Sinclair]

And here I though taking both exams in the same weekend was reckless and insane!

I'll take that designation too please!

[Kristján Geir Mathiesen]

Hi @Marcelo Montaño Sánchez ACP-120 and ACP-620 will not be connected in any way, in either direction. However, those holding the Managing Jira Projects for Cloud certification (ACP-620), the suspension and expiration dates will be extended for an additional two years. Expect to see the extension sometime in October/November 2026. So this is an opportunity to take the ACP-620 for a half price, @Gerardo Martín , since it will be valid for two years.