Slack Certified Developer Exam Guide

Overview
We are excited you are interested in becoming a Slack Certified Developer!
If you have experience developing apps for Slack, then becoming a Slack Certified Developer will let you put your skills to the test and share your credentials. You’ll be able to show the world that you have deep knowledge of Slack’s APIs and how to build an effective app within Slack.
By getting certified, you’ll have the knowledge and skills of successful Slack Developers, leading the way to grow in your career and to change the way that organizations work together.
You’ll be able to show off your credential to others in your organization or in the broader community of developers building on Slack’s Platform.
Qualifications
The Slack Certified Developer Exam is tailored for individuals with prior experience in Slack app development. We suggest that you have at least six months of hands-on experience with Slack’s APIs and have previously built a Slack app.
A deep understanding of the Slack Platform and app building techniques is crucial for success. We encourage you to take the exam when you feel ready and confident in your journey.
This program aims to sharpen skills and confirm your expertise as a Slack developer. Before taking the exam, you should be comfortable with the following:
- Understanding the general structure and functionality of Slack.
- Familiarity with the components and workings of Slack apps.
- Proficiency in reading and creating JSON objects.
- Knowledge of Web APIs and event-based API protocols, including JSON over HTTP and, to a lesser extent, WebSockets.
- Competence in at least one programming language. While NodeJS, Python, and Java are commonly used for building Slack apps, any language capable of handling HTTP API calls is suitable.
- Experience in developing and deploying a web application, possibly to a cloud service provider.
It’s important to ensure that you have these foundational skills and knowledge to increase your chances of success in the exam. We’re here to support you and look forward to seeing you excel as a Slack Certified Developer.
About the exam
Our online proctored Slack Developer Certification exam is designed to assess and validate your expertise in Slack development.
Exam Format
- Type: The exam consists of up to 60 questions, which can be either multiple choice or multiple-select.
- Adaptive Ending: The exam concludes as soon as you reach a passing or failing score. This means you might not need to answer all 60 questions.
Time Allocation
- Duration: You have a total of 90 minutes for the exam.
- Adaptive Timing: The exam will automatically end once a passing or failing score is determined. This is based on the number of correct or incorrect answers you’ve provided. Thus, you may not use the full 90 minutes.
Scoring and Pass Rate
- Passing Score: To pass, you need to score at least 66%.
Registration and Fees
- Fee: The exam registration fee is USD $150.
Retake Policy
- One free retake is available if needed, but this does not apply to partners who receive an exam voucher. Please refer to our detailed exam retake policy for more information.
Validity and Access
- Expiration: You must attempt the exam within six months from the date of purchase.
Delivery and Preparation
- Delivery Method: The exam is delivered online, proctored remotely.
- Prerequisites: There are no formal prerequisites, but we highly recommend the Slack Certified Developer Practice Exams for optimal preparation.
- Available Languages: The exam is currently available in English.
This comprehensive structure ensures a fair and effective assessment of your Slack development skills, giving you a chance to showcase your proficiency in this field.
Exam outline
+ Apps in the Slack Platform (7%)
- Recommend how to automate and/or enhance operations on a Slack workspace.
- Recommend when to use Slack’s different surfaces (user touchpoints including App home, modals and messages) for a range of use cases.`
- Identify when to set up a team to collaborate on a Slack app.
+ Design the interactive flow of your app (20%)
- Build common workflows (business processes) and use cases for Slack apps.
- Recommend an app design that interacts effectively with Slack’s architecture.
- Handle possible user entry points for an app’s workflow.
- Recommend when to use different Slack components and features (such as incoming webhooks, slash commands, shortcuts, interactive components, and bots) for common use cases.
- Build a UI for your app’s surfaces using Block Kit.
+ Design your workflows: Spotlight on Slack’s APIs (13%)
- Recommend when to implement Slack’s different APIs for different use cases.
- Implement the Web API in your app.
- Implement the Events API in your app.
- Discriminate between Socket Mode and HTTP-based event delivery.
- Differentiate between current Slack terms and legacy language in the APIs.
- Process rate limits throughout the Slack platform.
+ Design a great user experience (8%)
- Build a great user experience that aligns with Slack’s commitment to make work life simpler, more pleasant and more productive.
+ Design for security (19%)
- Design for security.
- Implement the OAuth installation flow.
- Request the appropriate scopes for your app’s use case.
- Request the appropriate tokens for your app’s use case.
- Identify the steps you could take to make your app communicate securely in Slack.
- Store and retrieve data and tokens safely.
+ Design for scale (9%)
- Design your app to match the unique platform architecture, features and roles of Enterprise Grid impact your app’s design.
- Describe the characteristics of an Enterprise Grid Sandbox.
- Recommend when to add support for channels that are shared externally with Slack Connect.
+ Tools (5%)
- Recommend when to use sample code and external resources.
- Recommend when to use the Bolt development framework to build Slack apps.
- Explain the purpose and value of Block Kit Builder.
- List some use cases for Slack Developer Tools (SDT).
+ APIs for managing your Slack (12%)
- Recommend when an Admin API could be used to automate Slack workspace and/or org administration.
- Use the SCIM API to manage Slack users and user groups.
- Monitor workspace events with the Audit Logs API.
- Recommend when to use the Discovery API for data-loss prevention, compliance archiving or eDiscovery.
- Identify the required user role to generate a token to use APIs to automate Slack workspace or org administration.
+ Distribute your app (7%)
- Examine why you would want to contain an app to a single workspace.
- Share an app with other workspaces.
- Differentiate between a single workspace app, a distributed app and a published App Directory app.
- Explain the best practices, expectations and process to submit an app to the Slack Directory.
Resources
ForceDigest: Slack Certified Developer Practice Exam – Slack Certified Consultant Study Guide
- Platform Developer Tools
Prepare for the exam
To ensure a smooth and successful experience with your Slack Developer Certification exam, please follow these essential preparation steps:
Identification Requirements
- Government-Issued Photo ID: Bring a valid, non-expired government-issued photo ID. Ensure that the name on your ID matches the name used for exam registration.
Review Exam Materials
- Study the exam guide and prep course materials thoroughly.
- Note: These materials must be put away before you start the exam.
System Checks
- Conduct all required system checks in advance to ensure your computer meets the requirements for the online exam.
Technical Setup
- Ensure you have a reliable device equipped with a webcam and microphone.
- Secure a strong and stable internet connection to avoid any disruptions during the exam.
Scheduling the Exam
- Schedule your exam ideally at least one week in advance. This helps in avoiding any last-minute issues and potential fees.
- Minimum Notice: Schedule the exam more than 24 hours in advance to avoid extra fees.
Compliance with Technical Requirements
- Familiarize yourself with the technical requirements as outlined on Examity’s test-taker FAQs page.
- Make sure you can comply with all these requirements to prevent any issues on the day of the exam.
Candidate agreement
By enrolling in the Slack certification exam, you are agreeing to adhere to specific rules and guidelines. Non-compliance may result in your exam being flagged for review.
During the Exam:
- Mobile Phone Usage: Keep your mobile phone on silent and out of reach. It should only be used for customer support if the chat feature fails.
- Camera Visibility: Ensure you remain within the camera’s view throughout the exam.
- Awareness of Content Updates: Be aware that product and/or content updates may occur. Slack updates its exam content biannually; check slackcertified.com for any updates.
Prohibited Actions:
- Restriction on Personal Items: Do not use or access personal items, including mobile phones, tablets, electronic devices, writing utensils, paper, or notes. The exam is entirely closed-book and closed-notes.
- Stay in Camera View: Do not leave the camera view or allow another person to enter the camera view.
- Confidentiality of Exam Content: Do not share or discuss exam questions before, during, or after the exam.
- Recording Prohibition: Avoid taking screenshots, photos, or notes of exam content. No screen or camera recordings are allowed.
- Identity Integrity: Do not take the exam on behalf of someone else or allow someone else to take it for you.
Consequences for Violation:
- Exam Misconduct: If suspected of misconduct or compromising the exam’s integrity, your exam may be terminated, and your results or certification status may be revoked.
Participant Agreement: By registering or participating in Slack’s programs, you agree to the terms and conditions outlined in the Participant Agreement and Customer Agreement.
Exam Retake Policy:
- First Retake: One additional attempt at no extra cost. Subsequent retakes are 50% of the standard exam price. Partners with an exam voucher are not eligible for free or discounted retakes.
- Waiting Periods: 24 hours before a second attempt; 14 days before a third attempt; 28 days before any subsequent attempts.
- Retake Window: You have three months to retake the exam after re-enrollment.
Retake Exemptions: If you encounter technical, internet connectivity, hardware, or software issues, contact the Examity team to reschedule.
Exam Reschedule Policy:
- Advance Rescheduling: Reschedule 24 hours before the exam to avoid late fees.
- Late Rescheduling: Late rescheduling or cancellation within 24 hours of the exam incurs late fees.
Cancellation Refund Policy:
- Cancel two or more business days before the scheduled exam for a full refund. Contact us for a refund if you paid for but did not schedule the exam within your exam period.
Certification Maintenance:
- Slack certifications are valid for 24 months. After 12 months, complete one maintenance module per year. It’s your responsibility to track and maintain your certification status before expiration.