What does a forward deployed engineer do? +
A forward deployed engineer works with the client, inside the client's systems. They learn the client's process, build the software inside the client's systems and stay until it works in production. The title comes from Palantir, and AI companies now hire for it to put models to work at their customers.
How does the program get me to forward deployed work? +
Through the work itself. We staff client AI projects from the collective, and a member whose profile fits a brief gets an offer to join the project. Around that you get the Claude certifications through our partner organisation, the prep pack and live sessions with consultants who run client projects.
Is this the same program as the Certified AI Consultant Program? +
Yes. Same membership, same price, same application. This page describes it from the side of forward deployed work.
Does applying cost anything? +
No. Applying is free and commits you to nothing. You pay for membership only once you pass selection and we send you a payment link.
How does selection work? +
We read every application and look at what you have already built: repositories, projects on your CV or LinkedIn, work shipped with language models. We look for people who have a working project behind them and can work with clients in English. Places are limited, so we accept only some of the applications.
Which countries do you accept applications from? +
Any. What counts is your experience and whether you can work with clients in English, not where you live.
Which exams do I get access to? +
Today, all four Anthropic certifications: Claude Certified Associate – Foundations, Claude Certified Developer – Foundations, Claude Certified Architect – Foundations and Claude Certified Architect – Professional. You can sit more than one exam, and each one is paid separately.
Is the exam fee included in membership? +
No. Membership covers the program: exam access through our partner organisation, the prep pack, live sessions, the Discord and projects. The exam itself is paid separately, at the certifying vendor's prices. As of September 2026, Anthropic exams cost $99 to $175 each.
What is the exam like? +
Anthropic exams are proctored and delivered by Pearson VUE. The certificate is issued by Anthropic, not by us, so it is the same certificate that employees of other partner companies earn.
What if I fail the first time? +
You can sit it again. Anthropic treats a retake as a new exam, so you pay the full exam fee again. That is why, before you sit it, you get the prep pack and a practice exam that shows where your gaps are. If, before your attempt, you scored 720+ on our practice exam for that exam in exam mode and sent that result with your membership address, the retake guarantee makes your next two months of membership free.
How does the two-month subscription work? +
Membership is paid for two months upfront. The subscription renews automatically for further two-month periods. Your first payment is only after acceptance into the program. Two months give you time to study, take the practice exam and sit the certification exam.
How do people get onto projects? +
When a brief comes in, we put together a team from the collective for that specific client. If your experience fits the brief, you get an offer to join the project.
Do I have to take your practice exam first? +
No, but it is worth it. Each of the four exams has one: free, full length and no sign-up. The result is broken down by exam domain, so you see straight away what you have covered and what you still need to read up on.
What happens after I apply? +
We review your application. If we accept you, you get an email with the next steps and a payment link. Nothing is charged before that.
