Pegasystems Exams

The Pegasystems Ecosystem

Alan Trefler founded Pegasystems in 1983 to automate business processes using a rules-based system. Four decades later, the company generates over $1.7 billion in annual revenue. Its core product, the Pega Infinity platform, handles workflow automation, customer relationship management, and AI-driven decisioning for large enterprises in finance, healthcare, and insurance.

Because Pega targets massive, complex environments, the platform relies on specialized practitioners. You do not learn Pega over a weekend. Organizations invest millions into these deployments and expect certified professionals to configure the architecture, map out business logic, and maintain the infrastructure.

Certification Roles and Paths

Pegasystems divides its certifications into tracks based on job function rather than broad technology categories. The primary paths cover System Architects, Business Architects, Decisioning Consultants, and specialized roles like Robotics.

The most common starting point for technical staff is the PEGAPCSA87V1 (Pega Certified System Architect (PCSA) 87V1). This exam tests baseline knowledge of Pega application design, data modeling, and user interface configuration. Instead of writing raw Java code, System Architects configure rules within Pega's model-driven architecture. The certification proves you understand how to manipulate these rules without breaking the application.

Once you hold the base certification, the next step is the Senior System Architect credential. Exams like the PEGAPCSSA87V1 (Certified Pega Senior System Architect (PCSSA) 87V1) introduce complex data integration, application security, and advanced rule management.

Bridging Business and IT

Not every Pega professional writes code or configures deep system architecture. The platform's low-code environment requires users who can translate business requirements directly into Pega workflows.

This is where the Business Architect track fits in. The PEGAPCBA87V1 (Pega Certified Business Architect (PCBA) 87V1) focuses on case management, application planning, and workflow design. Pega relies on a methodology called Direct Capture of Objectives (DCO), which allows teams to record requirements directly within the application model. Business Architects use this feature to map out processes before the System Architects implement the technical back-end.

For professionals working with Pega Customer Decision Hub, the PEGACPDC88V1 (Certified Pega Decisioning Consultant) proves your ability to design predictive models and configure next-best-action strategies. This path appeals to data analysts and marketing technologists who manage customer interactions. The exam covers decision strategies, adaptive models, and real-time behavioral data analysis.

Specialized Automation

Beyond the core application and business tracks, Pegasystems offers credentials for specific platform capabilities.

The PEGAPCRSA80V1_2019 (Pega Certified Robotics System Architect 80V1 2019) validates your ability to automate repetitive tasks using Pega Robotic Process Automation (RPA). This exam covers UI interrogation, automation workflows, and debugging robotic solutions. It targets developers who build bots to interact with legacy applications that lack modern APIs.

Inside the Exams

Pega exams are administered through Pearson VUE. Most tests run 90 minutes and contain around 60 multiple-choice and scenario-based questions. The testing fee typically sits around $175 to $190.

The passing score usually hovers around 65% to 70%, depending on the specific exam version.

These exams test practical application. You will see questions presenting a specific business problem and asking which Pega rule or configuration best solves it. Memorizing terminology will not get you a passing score. You must know how the platform behaves in a live environment.

Career Value and Market Demand

Pega skills command a premium. The platform operates almost exclusively in the enterprise space. The companies hiring for these roles are Fortune 500 banks, global insurance carriers, and large healthcare providers.

These organizations pay well for proven expertise. According to 2026 salary data, Pega System Architects in the United States average over $140,000 annually, with senior roles pushing much higher. Business Architects also see strong compensation, frequently clearing $120,000.

Because Pega updates its platform architecture frequently, holding a recent certification version like 87V1 or 88V1 proves your familiarity with their modern Constellation UI and updated AI capabilities. Hiring managers look at the version number on your credential just as closely as the title itself, using it to gauge whether your skills match their current deployment.