GitHub Foundations GH-900 Certification

The GitHub Foundations GH-900 certification validates your understanding of collaborating, contributing, and working on GitHub.

This exam is designed for developers, administrators, DevOps engineers, app makers, and solution architects who want to show they know Git fundamentals, GitHub products, and core repository workflows.

This certification is maintained by GitHub and delivered by Microsoft through Pearson VUE. It stays valid for two years from the date you earn it.

Audience Profile

• Have hands-on experience with Git basics and common commands
• Know how to create and manage repositories on GitHub
• Can collaborate using issues, pull requests, reviews, labels, milestones, and projects
• Understand basic automation with GitHub Actions and healthy code review practices
• Can set simple security controls like branch protection and manage basic permissions

Domains and Weightings

• Introduction to Git and GitHub: 22%
• Working with GitHub Repositories: 8%
• Collaboration Features: 30%
• Modern Development: 13%
• Project Management: 7%
• Privacy, Security, and Administration: 10%
• Benefits of the GitHub Community: 10%

Domain	Description	Weight
1. Introduction to Git and GitHub	Covers what Git is, basic workflow, local vs remote repos, branching and merging, and GitHub navigation.	22%
2. Working with GitHub Repositories	Focuses on repo settings, permissions, templates, file management, and version history.	8%
3. Collaboration Features	Centers on forking, creating and reviewing pull requests, merging, and using projects, labels, and milestones.	30%
4. Modern Development	Introduces DevOps principles, GitHub Actions automation, CI/CD pipelines, and code review best practices.	13%
5. Project Management	Uses GitHub Projects to plan work, track tasks, and connect issues and pull requests.	7%
6. Privacy, Security, and Administration	Applies branch protection, Dependabot alerts, access control, and basic organization administration.	10%
7. Benefits of the GitHub Community	Explores open source participation, GitHub Discussions, and contributing effectively.	10%

Domain Highlights

1: Introduction to Git and GitHub

Learn core concepts and why version control matters. Practice the basic workflow from clone to commit to push and pull. Understand local vs remote repositories and how to branch and merge safely. Get comfortable with the GitHub interface, issues, and pull requests.

2: Working with GitHub Repositories

Configure repository settings and permissions. Use repository templates to standardize new projects. Add, edit, and delete files and review version history. Try GitHub Desktop if you prefer a graphical workflow.

3: Collaboration Features

Fork a repository and propose changes with pull requests. Review and merge pull requests using comments and suggestions. Use labels, milestones, and projects to organize work. Run simple checks with GitHub Actions on pull requests.

4: Modern Development

Apply DevOps ideas like small changes and continuous feedback. Automate common tasks with Actions and build simple CI workflows. Use code review tools to keep quality high and feedback clear.

5: Project Management

Create a project board, define columns, and track issues across the workflow. Link issues, pull requests, and milestones so status stays visible and current.

6: Privacy, Security, and Administration

Set branch protection rules and require reviews before merging. Enable Dependabot to keep dependencies safer and up to date. Manage access and permissions for collaborators and teams. Learn the basics of creating and administering an organization.

7: Benefits of the GitHub Community

Join discussions, contribute to open source, and learn from community patterns. Use GitHub Discussions to gather feedback and share knowledge.

How to practice for the Exam

If you’d like to get started preparing for the GitHub Foundations exam, start by working through the hundreds of free certification exam questions here:

Free GitHub Foundations GH-900 Practice Exams

For those interested in an GitHub Foundations course, the official Udemy GitHub Foundations Practice Tests are highly recommended. GitHub Actions and GitHub Copilot Udemy exams are also available for those who want to obtain a trifecta of GitHub certifications.

Taking the GitHub Foundations Exam

• Duration: 100 minutes
• Question Types: Multiple choice and multiple response
• Delivery: Proctored online or at a test center
• Cost: 99 USD in the United States, varies by region
• Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Korean, and Japanese

If you don’t pass on your first attempt, you can retake it after 24 hours. Wait times for additional retakes vary.

Accessibility and Accommodations

Testing accommodations are available for candidates who need them. Details are provided during registration.

Registration and Certification Management

The GH-900 exam is delivered through Pearson VUE. It’s best to register with a personal Microsoft Account so your records stay with you even if you change organizations.

Key Details at a Glance

• Level: Beginner
• Product: GitHub
• Roles: Administrator, App Maker, Developer, DevOps Engineer, Solution Architect
• Domains: 7
• Validity: 2 years
• Provider: GitHub (administered by Microsoft)

Practice Questions and Study Resources

Work through GH-900 style practice questions to build confidence and speed: exam9, plus additional sets like exam2 and exam3. For fundamentals deep dives, revisit exam4 and repository topics in exam5. Explore projects and community in exam6 and exam7, with security and admin refreshers in exam8.