# Kong Konnect Certified Associate
The Kong Konnect Certified Associate is the foundational certification for operators and architects. Those who achieve this certification can demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the Kong Konnect SaaS platform and its role within the wider API and microservices ecosystem.
**CURRICULUM**
### **Preparation & Practice**
While Kong's educational materials and documentation provide the necessary foundation for the certification exams, hands-on practice and continuous knowledge expansion are essential for success. There is no substitute for using the system in real-world scenarios.
## Required Knowledge
The Kong Konnect Certified Associate certification requires candidates to demonstrate a strong comprehension of the following core components and capabilities:
- - **Platform Fundamentals**: Business Value Proposition and High-Level Architecture
- - **Core Services**: API Gateway, AI Gateway, and Service Mesh
- - **Developer Experience**: Dev Portal and Service Catalog
- - **Management & Operations**: Analytics and Organizations
- - **Integration**: Cross-Platform Scenarios
Furthermore, candidates must be able to articulate how these functional areas integrate to architect a scalable, production-ready system that effectively delivers business value.
## Recommended Self-Paced Training
The following self-paced and instructor-led training courses will give you a solid base knowledge on Kong Gateway, and cover all theoretical and practical aspects of the exam:
Individual Courses
- - KGLL-115 Getting started with Kong Konnect Gateway
- - KKLL-209 Troubleshooting on Kong Konnect
- - KKLL-220 Konnect Observability
- - KKLL-241 Konnect Terraform Provider
- - KKSC-101 Konnect for Beginners
- - KKSC-201 Konnect Deployment Architecture & Design
- - KKSC-202 Konnect Platform Setup
- - KKSC-203 Konnect Hybrid Data Plane Installation
- - KKSC-204 Deploy Your First API to Production with APIOps
Learning Paths
- - KGAC-10 Kong Gateway Foundations
- - KKAC-201 Konnect Quick Launch (consists of KKSC-101 to KKSC-204 above)
## Recommended Self-Paced Training
### **Recommended Instructor Led Training**
- - KGIL-203 Kong Gateway Operations for Konnect
- - KDIL-202 Kong Konnect for Developers
***Note****: Completion badges are earned for the completion of Learning Paths and Instructor Led Training, but not for individual courses.*
*For more information on Kong Certification, please refer to the *[FAQ](https://assets.prd.mktg.konghq.com/files/2026/04/69e68804-kong-certification-faq-2026.pdf)FAQ