Frequently asked questions

Q. What is the Adobe Certified Professional World Championship?
A. Previously called the Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) World Championship, the Adobe Certified Professional World Championship presented by Certiport is a global competition that identifies and recognizes the next generation of design professionals using Adobe® design software. The World Championship Round, from July 28 – 31, 2024 in Anaheim, California, USA, will bring together all Regional Champions to compete in the final design challenge. Competitors will be given instructions, project requirements, and assets to complete a real-world design challenge. Students will use Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign (or their chosen combination of the three) to complete the design challenge.

Q. How do I participate in the Championship?
A. To participate, a student must pass one of the following exams by the deadline:

  • Adobe Certified Professional Visual Communication using Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Certified Professional in Print & Digital Media Publication using Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Certified Professional in Graphic Design & Illustration using Adobe Illustrator

*Individual partners/countries may have additional published rules. Please contact your specific partner or refer to your specific regional competition rules for details.

Q. Who can participate in the Championship?
A. Candidates must be students who are enrolled in an approved, degree–seeking academic institution recognized by the state or country in which it operates in order to be eligible to participate in the Adobe Certified Professional World Championship presented by Certiport. Students must also be 13 to 22 years of age (as of June 15, 2023). Students participating in the World Championship must be able to provide proof of age and student status upon request. Employees of Adobe, Certiport, the Sponsoring Certiport Authorized Partner, their affiliates, subsidiaries, parent and related companies and agencies and those individuals living in the same household as employees are not eligible. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. By taking an eligible Exam and entering this Championship, participants agree to abide by all terms of these Official Rules.

Q. When is the Championship taking place in my country?
A. Although this Championship is available worldwide, availability, rules, and dates vary by country. During the Qualification Round, countries all around the world are hosting local competitions to determine Regional/Country Champions. Contact your local testing center to find out more.

Q. How is the Adobe Certified Professional World Champion selected?
A. Regional champions will attend the World Championship Round and participate in a design competition using Adobe® design software, where a first, second and third place World Champion will be identified based on an evaluation of the contestant’s design work.

All participants in the World Championship Round will be responsible for preparing themselves to compete in their respective exams. Certiport, Adobe, and/or Certiport’s partners may provide students with preparation materials to help facilitate each student’s training on the software.

Q. Where can I take an eligible exam?
A. Eligible exams can be taken at any Certiport Authorized Testing Center.

Q. Can I take an exam in any language?
A. Yes. During the Qualification Round of the Competition, students may take the eligible exam in any available language.

Q. How many times can I take an exam for the Championship?
A. There is no limit to the number of times a student may sit for any particular eligible exam as long as he/she is not in violation of the Adobe Certified Professional exam retake policy. Students who fail to abide by the Adobe Certified Professional exam retake policy will be immediately disqualified from the Championship. Certiport retains the right to disqualify students for appropriate cause.

Q. Is the exam at the Adobe Certified Professional World Championship the same as the certification exam
A. No, the World Championship is actually quite different. You’ll be creating a project for a non-profit client. This means that you’ll use the skills from the certification exam, and apply them in a real-world design scenario!