Which kinds of AI certification are there?
| Kind | What it shows | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor exam | You can use one company’s AI tools, tested under exam conditions | Microsoft AI-901, AWS Certified AI Practitioner |
| BCS Essentials exam | You know the basics of AI, in a 30-minute multiple-choice exam | BCS Essentials Certificate in Artificial Intelligence |
| Partner-only exam | Skills for staff of a vendor’s partner firms | Claude certifications |
| Apprenticeship | A nationally set standard, with paid work and training | AI data specialist (Level 7) |
| Certificate of completion | You finished a course | Most free online courses |
Which AI exams can I book in the UK?
We list 11 AI exams today, with fees as each provider shows them in the table below.The BCS Essentials Certificate in Artificial Intelligence is the UK-specific option: BCS shows “UK Price: £160”, excluding VAT and including remote proctoring, for a 30-minute exam of 20 multiple-choice questions. BCS also says it is not regulated by Ofqual, Qualifications Wales, CCEA Regulation or SQA.
How much do AI certifications cost?
Paid AI exams we list start at £160 excluding VAT for the BCS Essentials Certificate in Artificial Intelligence, as the provider shows it, and AWS shows its AI Practitioner exam fee as USD 100. Courses that include training and the exam cost more.| Course | Provider | Fee | Certificate |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS Artificial Intelligence Practitioner Learning Plan | Amazon Web Services | Free to learn. Exam USD 100 | Paid exam certification |
| BCS Essentials Certificate in Artificial Intelligence | BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT | £160 | Exam certification |
| BCS* Essentials Certificate in Artificial Intelligence (AI) (PLA) | Cardiff and Vale College | Free under Personal Learning Accounts | Exam certification |
| BCS Foundation Award: Award in Understanding the Role of Ethics in the Responsible Use of AI (PLA) | Cardiff and Vale College | Free under Personal Learning Accounts | Exam certification |
| BCS Foundation Award: How AI Can Support Your Organisation (PLA) | Cardiff and Vale College | Free under Personal Learning Accounts | Exam certification |
| BCS Foundation Award: Award in Machine Learning (PLA) | Cardiff and Vale College | Free under Personal Learning Accounts | Exam certification |
| BCS* Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence (AI) (PLA) | Cardiff and Vale College | Free under Personal Learning Accounts | Exam certification |
| BCS Essentials Certificate in Artificial Intelligence (AI) | ILX Group | £735 | Exam certification |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Apps and Agents Developer Associate | Microsoft | Paid. Price not recorded yet | Exam certification |
| AI-Driven Project Manager Certification | Provek | £599 | Exam certification |
| BCS Foundation in Artificial Intelligence | QA | £1,720 | Exam certification included in fee |
Who can take Claude certifications?
Only staff of member firms. Claude’s announcement says: “Exams are available to members of the Claude Partner Network.” See Claude certifications explained.
How do I prepare for an AI exam?
These courses prepare for the exams above:| Course | Provider | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to AI in Azure (AI-901T00) | Microsoft | Free |
| AWS Artificial Intelligence Practitioner Learning Plan | Amazon Web Services | Free to learn. Exam USD 100 |
| BCS Essentials Certificate in Artificial Intelligence (AI) | ILX Group | £735 |
Is an AI apprenticeship a qualification?
Yes. Apprenticeships in England follow a standard set by Skills England, at a stated level, and lead to an assessment. See AI apprenticeships for the standards, their levels and funding.