Why Platform Architecture Is Now a Business-Critical Skill
In today’s enterprise landscape, platform architecture is the difference between scalable innovation and costly gridlock. Organizations increasingly struggle not with tools, but with platform cohesion, governance, and scale. As platforms grow more complex, the margin for architectural missteps shrinks—leading to performance issues, security gaps, rework cycles, and rising total cost of ownership. What organizations need now is confidence: confidence that their platform will support consistent governance, enable faster onboarding, and evolve without disruption. That confidence comes from experienced professionals who can design platforms with long-term value, performance, and extensibility in mind. That’s why OneStream is introducing the Core Platform Architect Certification. Introducing the Core Platform Architect Certification The OneStream Core Platform Architect certification validates that you can design and architect a OneStream platform that delivers maximum value and functionality—not just today, but over time. Whether you’re leading consolidation, planning, data integration, reporting, or security design, this certification proves you have the architect-level skills to build platforms that scale, perform, and adapt as business needs change. This is not just about knowing where to click. It’s also about understanding why design decisions matter—and how they impact performance, governance, and business outcomes across the entire platform. Not Just a Technologist: The Architect Mindset Core Platform Architects are not implementers executing tasks in isolation. They are decision-makers. They balance trade-offs between flexibility and control, speed and sustainability, innovation and governance. They understand how every design choice—cube structure, workflow configuration, security model, data integration approach—creates ripple effects across the platform. This role bridges business and technology. Core Platform Architects: See the full picture across finance, IT, and operations Design with implementation, scalability, and governance in mind Ensure platforms remain healthy, performant, and aligned with strategic goals Unlike Solution Architects or Administrators, Core Platform Architects focus on architecting the platform itself, guiding both technical and business teams toward durable, future-ready solutions. When this role is done well, organizations realize faster value from OneStream. When it’s not, critical capabilities may be missed—limiting adoption and long-term impact. Is This Certification Right for You? This certification is designed for experienced professionals who take ownership of platform design and long-term success. You may be a strong candidate if you are responsible for questions like these: Will you design and tune platform architecture—cube properties, FX rates, and member settings—to optimize performance? Are you expected to structure workflows, embed calculations, and configure profiles that simplify processes for business users? Do you integrate multiple data sources, configure pipelines, and troubleshoot data loads to ensure reliable information flows? Are you responsible for standardizing reporting, building workspaces, and delivering trusted insights to executives and controllers? Do you manage security, governance, and compliance across users, roles, and data access? Are you the go-to person for automation, system tools, and business rules that extend and future-proof the platform? If this sounds like your role—or the role you’re growing into—this certification is built to validate your architect-level expertise and leadership. What to Expect from the Exam At a high level, the exam includes: Multiple-choice questions covering core architectural knowledge Performance-based, scenario-driven tasks that assess real-world decision-making A proctored, remote delivery experience This certification is intentionally rigorous. It’s designed for professionals who bridge business and technology, and who drive digital transformation through sound platform design. Preparing for Success Most candidates prepare over 6–10 weeks, combining hands-on experience with targeted study. Successful preparation typically includes: Real-world project experience across consolidation, planning, data integration, reporting, workflows, security, rules, and MarketPlace solutions Focused review of core concepts and architecture principles Use of official study guides, prep webinars, and community discussions Perfection isn’t required—but practical understanding is essential. This exam rewards professionals who know how to apply concepts, not just to describe them. A practice exam will launch in 2026 to help candidates benchmark readiness. Special Offer: Save 15% on ILT Classes If you’re planning to prepare for the Core Platform Architect exam, now is a great time to take advantage of our instructor-led training (ILT) classes. All ILT classes are available at a 15% discount during January, February, and March. Simply use coupon code ILT15%Q1_2026 when registering to claim your savings. This limited-time offer is designed to help you strengthen your skills, deepen your understanding of key concepts, and boost your confidence ahead of exam day. Why This Certification Matters—for You and Your Organization Certified Core Platform Architects are in high demand as organizations seek experts who can deliver the full value of their OneStream investment. Earning this certification: Sets you apart as a trusted platform leader Strengthens your credibility with stakeholders and executives Opens doors to greater responsibility and career growth Connects you to an elite community of certified professionals Beyond technical mastery, this certification gives you the confidence and authority to lead platform design initiatives, drive adoption, and ensure your organization’s OneStream platform evolves with emerging technologies and business needs. As enterprise platforms continue to evolve—through automation, advanced analytics, and new architectural patterns—architects who can bridge strategy and execution will be even more valuable. Take the Next Step If you’re ready to elevate your expertise and be recognized as a leader in platform architecture, now is the time. Register for the Core Platform Architect exam Download the official study guide Design platforms with purpose. Lead with confidence. And ensure your OneStream platform delivers value—now and into the future. Frequently Asked Questions Who should take this exam? This certification is ideal for professionals who: Lead platform design and architecture for OneStream implementations Have experience with consolidation, planning, data integration, reporting, workflows, security, and MarketPlace solutions Are responsible for optimizing performance, ensuring governance, and driving business transformation How difficult is it? The Architect-level exam is a more challenging exam compared to others due to the breadth and depth of experience and knowledge required. Do I need all six recommended courses? Not necessarily. The courses are designed to cover all core areas, but you can select those that fill your specific knowledge gaps based on your experience. How long is the certification valid? Certification is valid for 2 years. Can I retake the exam if I don’t pass? Yes, you may retake the exam. Waiting periods apply; please verify current policies with your program coordinator. How do I recertify? Recertification is achieved by earning OnePoints. For more details, visit the https://onestream.com/onepoints.All New Certification Resource
The OneStream Community just got a new resource—and if you’re on the path to certification, this will help you on your journey. We’re excited to unveil the brand‑new Certification area, a dedicated space designed to support your certification path. Whether you’re preparing for your first exam or looking to deepen your expertise, this new hub brings essential resources directly into the Community experience. A New Home for Certification Webinars To kick things off, the Certification area now features our growing library of Certification Webinars. These sessions were previously available only through Navigator and required Passport access. Now, they’re right here in the Community—easier to find, easier to access, and easier to incorporate into your study plan. Certification has always been a powerful way to validate your OneStream skills, stand out professionally, and stay aligned with best practices. By bringing these resources into the Community, we’re making it simpler than ever to learn, prepare, and connect with others on the same journey. The Certification area is launching with webinars today, but there’s much more on the horizon. Throughout the year, we’ll be expanding this space with additional materials and new ways to support your learning. Stay tuned—2026 is shaping up to be a big year for certification in the OneStream Community.
New Exam Announcement: Core Platform Architect Exam
The OneStream Certification Program is pleased to announce the availability of the OneStream Certified Professional (OCP) Core Platform Architect exam! Description Individuals who successfully earn the OneStream Certified Professional Core Platform Architect certification have the knowledge, skills, and experience to design and implement OneStream’s unified financial platform. They have experience with consolidation, planning, data integration, reporting, workspaces, workflows, dimensionality, security, rules, MarketPlace Solutions, and data management. They are knowledgeable in the areas of accounting, finance, and information technology. This exam is based on six courses in the OneStream Essential Series and OneStream Architecture Series: Getting Started with OneStream Building Basic Reports Implementing OneStream Configuring Core Application Security OneStream Administration Designing an Application Design Decisions Instructor Led To prepare for the exam, including exam objectives, learning of recommended courses and real-world experience, download the exam study guide. Register today by logging into CM Connect (formerly known as CertMetrics) and SSO to TestWise! Delivery Type Remote, Live-proctored via webcam Exam Fee $1,000.00 USD Duration 2.5 hours Number of Items 60 to 70 Multiple Choice and 3 to 5 Performance-based tasks Digital Credential Yes For any additional questions, please contact the Certification Team by opening a ServiceNow ticket with credentialing. Thank you to the Exam Subject Matter Experts and Contributors! The OneStream Certification Program thanks the following subject matter experts for their valuable contributions throughout the exam development process. Without their dedication and expertise, this exam would not have been possible. Ben Holladay-McCann, Finit Cindy Eichner, Finit Henning Windhagen, OneStream Software Lara Sturm, OneStream Software Michelle Casey, Finit Rich House, OneStream Software Ryann Hristovsky, Black Diamond Sumeet Dwesar, OneStream Software Wayne Hulshof, Nova Advisory Werner Nindl, Nova AdvisoryCertification Prep Webinar - Reports and Dashboards
Are you ready to schedule your OneStream certification exam, but need a little more preparation? The OneStream Certification Program is pleased to announce our first Certification Prep Webinar for the OneStream Certified Specialist (OCS) - Reports and Dashboards exam! Join us on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 10:00am ET as we will have experts from OneStream facilitate a 60-minute session on these exam topics: Workspaces Dashboard Parameters Dashboard Components ...and more! Our experts presenting will be: Kurt Mayer, Senior Solutions Architect, Perficient Matt Grundey, Principal Software Instructor, OneStream Nicki Baretta, Manager, Remote Consulting, OneStream Register today to reserve your space!OneStream Certified Associate (OCA) - Implementation Foundations
Do you know how to transform your theoretical knowledge into practical skills? The Implementation Foundations Exam is your gateway to proving your technical proficiency for your first project. Dive into these essential learning resources to ensure you're fully prepared: Course: Getting Start with OneStream Course: Implementing OneStream Course: Building Reports Course: Configuring Core Application Security Webinar Series: Exam Prep for Implementation Foundations on OneStream Navigator Passport Unlock your potential and become OneStream Certified! Visit the Certification website today to learn more about the OCA – Implementation Foundations exam and other certification opportunities.OneStream Certified Associate (OCA) - Administration Exam
Does your OneStream Administrator know how to modify security settings and application properties? Expertise in managing security settings and application properties is crucial. Validate these skills and proficiencies with the Administration R2 certification exam! Prepare with these key learning resources: Course: OneStream Administration Course: Getting Started with OneStream Course: Configuring Core Application Security Webinar Series: Administration R2 Exam Prep on OneStream Navigator Empower your Administrators with the knowledge required to maximize your OneStream implementation! Work with them to support them in their certification journey! Visit the Certification website today to learn more about the OCA – Administration exam and other certification opportunities.OneStream Certified Specialist (OCS) - Reports and Dashboards
Do you excel at creating insightful reports and dynamic dashboards? Are you fluent using Report Designer in a dashboard? Validate your skills with the OneStream Certified Specialist (OCS) – Reports and Dashboards Exam. Equip yourself with these key resources: Course: Getting Started with OneStream Course: Building Reports OneStream Design and Reference Guide OneStream Press Book: Advanced Reporting and Dashboards Webinar Series: Reports and Dashboards Exam Prep on OneStream Navigator Prove your technical competency and become a certified specialist in Reports and Dashboards! Visit the Certification website today to learn more about the OCS – Reports and Dashboards exam and other certification opportunities.Transitioning from Lead Architect to Core Platform Architect
Have you heard? The OCP - Lead Architect certification is being replaced by the OCP – Core Platform Architect certification. What is the OCP – Core Platform Architect exam? The OCP – Core Platform Architect exam is based on OneStream version 8.x and will be replacing the existing OCP – Lead Architect exam in October. Like the Lead Architect exam, this new exam is comprised of both multiple-choice and performance-based items. When will the new exam be available? OCP – Core Platform Architect BETA exam – August 25, 2025 OCP – Core Platform Architect GA exam – Late October, 2025 When will the Lead Architect Exam Retire? Typically, OneStream Certification exams will be retired 60 calendar days following the release of a new version. I have an existing OCP – Lead Architect certification. What action must I take? Certification Status Required Action I have a valid, non-expired OCP - Lead Architect certification Complete the newly released Design Decisions Instructor-led course (you MUST complete this training BEFORE your certification expires or you will be required to take the new exam) Or Pass the new OCP – Core Platform Architect exam How do I know when my OCP – Lead Architect certification expires? To locate the expiration date of an existing OneStream certification, log into CertMetrics, expand the “Certifications” menu in the left navigation pane and select “Status”. My OCP - Lead Architect certification has expired Pass the new OCP – Core Platform Architect exam What if I have been preparing for the OCP – Lead Architect exam, and am NOT yet certified? Candidates that have been preparing for the Lead Architect will still be able to take the exam for 60 calendar days after the release of the OCP – Core Platform Architect exam. Where can I learn more about the new Core Platform Architect exam and the Design Decisions course? Please visit the GES Website where the OCP – Core Platform Architect exam details are provided. Candidates are also able to download the exam study guide. For information regarding the Design Decisions course, please visit the OneStream Training website. For Certification questions regarding the OCP - Core Platform Architect exam, please open a ServiceNow ticket with Credentialing via the OneStream Portal.Core Platform Architect Beta Exam
REGISTRATION AVAILABLE: OneStream Certified Professional (OCP) Core Platform Architect BETA Exam OneStream is pleased to invite you to participate in the OCP Core Platform Architect Beta exam! What is it? The OCP – Core Platform Architect exam is based on OneStream version 8.x and will be replacing the existing OCP – Lead Architect exam in the coming months. Like the Lead Architect exam, this new exam is comprised of both multiple-choice and performance-based items. The beta exam period will be open from August 25, 2025 through September 11, 2025. Registration for this exam will begin on August 25, 2025! Beta exams are crucial in the development process of new certification exams. Beta exams provide the data necessary for OneStream to select the best performing items so that we can build a valid, reliable, and fair certification exam. What’s in it for me when I become a BETA candidate? You have the opportunity to see the entire pool of questions and to provide feedback. You have the opportunity to take the Beta exam for $300 USD, saving 70% off the standard price of the exam ($700 savings). If you pass the exam, you will become OneStream Certified! How do I register? Log into your CertMetrics account and SSO to TestWise. Select the OneStream Certified Professional (OCP) – Core Platform Architect Beta Exam. Follow the on-screen instructions to register and schedule your exam. Proceed to checkout. Registration is available for up to 200 participants. For more details and screenshots, view the complete step-by-step registration guide here. How much knowledge and skill do I need to take the Beta exam? Knowledge, skill, and experience vary from individual to individual. During the beta exam, OneStream seeks all candidates who are interested. This includes candidates who are considered above qualified, below qualified, and minimally qualified to pass the exam. For additional details on knowledge and recommended experience, please refer to the Study Guide. How long will the Beta exam take to complete? The Beta exam has 240 minutes (4 hours) allotted. However, depending on your knowledge, skill, and experience, you may NOT need the entire time to complete the exam. How long will the Beta exam be available? The Beta exam period opens August 25, 2025, and will close at the end of the day on September 11, 2025. You must register for and complete the exam by the end of the day on September 11, 2025. When will candidates see the results of their completed Beta exam? Beta analysis and re-scores are completed within eight (8) weeks after the close of the beta period. Following the beta analysis period, you will receive an email from CertMetrics notifying you that your exam results are available. What can I do to prepare for the exam? For more information about how to prepare for this exam, review the exam Study Guide. Test Day Requirements: There are several systems that work together to deliver OneStream’s certification exams. It is essential that you test the requirements of each system PRIOR to your scheduled reservation to avoid issues on test day. Use a supported browser: Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. (TIP: Safari and Internet Explorer are unsupported.) Chromebooks are UNSUPPORTED. Turn off your popup blocker. Verify you can complete this 5-question quiz PRIOR to exam day. o For the best results, test on a non-work computer. There may be security configurations on your work computer that could affect exam performance. o If you experience issues using a company computer or sitting at work, ask your IT department to follow the instructions in this guide, which may resolve the issues. To launch your exam: o Log into CertMetrics o SSO to TestWise o Click Start Exam Thank you for your support of the OneStream Certification Program! ***If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Certification team by submitting a case at https://onestreamsoftware.service-now.com/.***Maintaining your OneStream Certification is easier than you think! Have you heard about the OnePoints Program?
What is it? OnePoints is a non-prescriptive program that allows certified individuals to earn points for activities such as OneStream training, Tech Talks, and technical webinars among many others. Achieving 40 OnePoints PRIOR to a certification expiration date extends a certified status for an additional 24 months! Who is it for? The OnePoints Program is applicable to anyone that holds an active OneStream certification. OneStream Certified individuals have a choice when it comes to certification renewals and extensions to demonstrate their technical knowledge and continued learning through various courses and activities that are meaningful to them. Certified individuals still have the option to sit for an updated exam to extend their certifications instead. Which activities are OnePoints-eligible? Visit the OnePoints webpage on the Certification website to learn more about the OnePoints Program, including a complete list of OnePoints-eligible activities with the associated number of OnePoints and how to submit your request for extension. Earn Forty (40) OnePoints to renew or extend any OneStream Certification Points can be accrued over a 24-month period How do I participate? Completion statues for Instructor-led and on-demand training are automatically being tracked in your CertMetrics account. Certain activities, however, require a self-upload of evidence to CertMetrics for the Certification Team to process and award OnePoints. For the full list, visit the OnePoints webpage. These include activities such as: OneStream Webinars Tech Talks Writing a OneStream Community Blog Post Attending Splash and Wave Please log into CertMetrics and select “History” then “Upload Items” from the left-hand navigation pane to visit your OnePoints dashboard and upload your evidence of completion. Once you’ve earned 40 OnePoints, your certified status will automatically be extended for an additional 24 months. Candidates can view their OnePoints progress by clicking “History” and “Continuing Education Progress.” For further questions regarding the OnePoints Program, visit the OnePoints webpage. If further assistance is needed, please open a ServiceNow case with Credentialing via the OneStream Portal.
