Is the Claude exam open book? The proctored exam is not, and the renewal assessment is

Checked against the official sources on 10 November 2026: Anthropic’s certification FAQ, policies page (Validity and recertification; Proctoring and exam conduct) and Computer and Network Setup page, and Pearson VUE’s Anthropic OnVUE page. The sources also include the Exam Policy, last updated 25 June 2026 (section 2), and the four v1.0 exam guides, sections 12 and 14 (13 and 15 in CCAR-F).

Is the Claude exam open book? What Anthropic’s FAQ says

Claude certification exams are closed book. Anthropic’s FAQ asks “Can I use notes, documentation, translation tools, or AI assistants during the exam?” and answers “No. Exams are closed book.” It adds that browser translation tools are not permitted under the Pearson proctoring platform. Each v1.0 exam guide describes a proctored sitting, online or at a Pearson VUE test centre.

“Not stated” means no page read on 10 November 2026 says it. The closed-book rule covers all four exams. They are the Claude Certified Associate - Foundations (CCAO-F), Claude Certified Developer - Foundations (CCDV-F), Claude Certified Architect - Foundations (CCAR-F) and Claude Certified Architect - Professional (CCAR-P). The exam language post covers the translation rule and sitting in Japanese.

Claude exam second monitor, phone and screen rules

An online Claude exam allows one screen and no phone within reach. Pearson’s OnVUE page for Anthropic requires “One display screen only (multi-monitor setups are not permitted)”. Its prohibited technology includes “Secondary or touchscreen displays (disconnect and cover if not removable)” and “Mobile phones, tablets, headphones, earbuds, styluses, and watches”.

For the desk, Pearson says “You must remove all items on, under, or within arm’s reach of your desk”, including electronics and “Books, notes, paper, pens, writing tools”. During the exam, its list of things not to do includes “Access your phone unless explicitly permitted by a proctor”.

The only allowance the page lists for Anthropic is a digital whiteboard, and it adds: “This does not grant permission to use physical whiteboards or writing materials of any kind”. The published rules for the screen and desk run as three steps, in Cred Farmer’s order.

Who watches and what is recorded are in Claude exam online proctoring.

The same workspace rule online and at a test centre

The v1.0 guides for all four Claude exams set one workspace rule for both delivery modes. Whether you test online or at a Pearson VUE test centre, each says you must “Keep your workspace clear of notes, books, phones, secondary monitors, and other materials”. The line is in section 12 of three guides and section 13 of the CCAR-F guide.

Each guide goes on: “Prohibited items include mobile phones, smart watches, headphones, study materials, and any recording device”. It then says “Permitted items, if any, such as scratch paper provided by the proctor, are specified by Pearson VUE”. Anthropic’s policies page says Pearson will send instructions covering what you can bring.

These lines are from Exam Guide v1.0. Updated CCAO-F, CCDV-F and CCAR-P guides are due on 17 November 2026, for sittings from 7 December 2026, and Pearson’s notice omits CCAR-F. The FAQ’s answer and Pearson’s OnVUE rules name no guide version.

Can you use Claude or another AI tool during the exam?

Using AI to assist you during a Claude exam is prohibited, Claude included. Anthropic’s Exam Policy lists “Using AI products or services to assist you during the Exam” among prohibited activities in section 2. The FAQ answers no to AI assistants, and Partner Academy’s setup page lists the Claude desktop application among Windows applications to close.

Section 2 also bars “Possessing unauthorized items while taking an Exam or during any breaks, including electronic devices, more than one monitor, notes or other documentation”. Its exceptions are what is “expressly permitted as part of the Exam” and a reasonable accommodation Anthropic expressly approves: see the ID and accommodations post.

The setup page’s Windows list of applications that can stop the exam launching includes Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome and Claude, meaning “the Claude desktop application”. Its macOS list does not name Claude. Pearson’s minimum requirements include “Ability to close all applications except OnVUE”.

Claude certification open book renewal: what the pages print

In Claude certification, the open-book test is the renewal assessment. Anthropic’s policies page says that before your certification expires, “you can renew it for free by passing an open-book online assessment on Anthropic Partner Academy”. It adds: “You can retake that assessment as many times as you need”. A pass adds 12 months from the current expiration date.

The FAQ and all four v1.0 guides describe renewal without the word open-book: after a review of what has changed, you complete “a free, non-proctored assessment”. The FAQ adds: “Full details will be shared before the first certifications come up for renewal.”

No page read on 10 November 2026 defines open-book or says what it allows, such as notes, documentation or AI tools. None gives the assessment’s length, time limit or passing bar. Each guide says “Holders remain subject to the rules of conduct”, without saying how that applies to the renewal assessment.

After a lapse, the FAQ says you retake the full exam at the full fee. The guides add that if exam content changes significantly, Anthropic may require holders to retake the full exam. Dates and costs are in Claude certification renewal and expiry.

What breaking the closed-book rule can cost

Breaking the closed-book rule on a Claude exam can cost the attempt. Pearson’s OnVUE page says “Violations will result in your exam being revoked and your fee forfeited”. Anthropic’s policies page says that if it finds you cheated or committed fraud, it may, among other steps, invalidate your result, revoke a certification, or bar you from the programme.

The same page adds: “Where we see a pattern of misconduct involving people from the same partner organization, we may also take action under that partner’s agreement with Anthropic”. Fees are not refunded, and you can appeal. The Claude exam policies post has the route, and Claude exam integrity for firms covers a firm’s controls.

Cred Farmer’s advice is to use Claude while you study, then sit timed papers closed book. The CCDV-F v1.0 guide’s preparation list includes “Build and operate at least one Claude application that exercises the API”. The Claude certification study plan sets the weeks, the practice exams guide lists the papers, and the Claude certification study guide has the routine.

Key takeaways

• Claude certification exams are closed book. Anthropic’s FAQ rules out notes, documentation, translation tools and AI assistants, as read on 10 November 2026.
• An online Claude exam allows one display screen. Pearson’s OnVUE page for Anthropic bars multi-monitor setups and prohibits phones and watches.
• Anthropic’s Exam Policy lists using AI during a Claude exam as prohibited. Partner Academy’s setup page lists the Claude desktop application among Windows applications to close.
• The Claude renewal assessment is open-book, in the policies page’s words. It is free before expiry, and you can retake it as many times as you need.
• Neither the policies page nor the FAQ, read 10 November 2026, says what open book allows. The FAQ says full details will be shared before the first certifications come up for renewal.