# 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.
## 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, Event Gateway, and Identity
- - **Applications:** Developer Portal, Catalog, Metering & Billing, and Observability
- - **Management & Operations: **Analytics and Organizations
Furthermore, candidates must be able to articulate how these functional areas integrate to architect a scalable, production-ready system that effectively delivers business value.
*For a detailed overview of the topics to study before the exam, please refer to the ****Kong Associate Certification – Study Guide ****course**** ****in**** Kong Academy.**** The course also includes a practice exam to help you assess your readiness.*
## 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-220 Konnect Observability
- - KKLL-209 Troubleshooting on Kong Konnect
- - 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
- - KKSC-260 Konnect Dev Portal
- - KALL-101 Kong AI Gateway Introduction
Learning Journey's
- - KGAC-101 Kong Gateway Foundations
- - KKAC-201 Konnect Quick Launch (consists of KKSC-101 to KKSC-204 above)
- - KAAC-201 AI Gateway Operations
- - KEAC-101 Kong Event Gateway Foundations
## 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 Journeys 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/2026/10/6ac3fa9a-kong-certification-faq---version4-sept26.pdf)FAQ