Some of the most valuable learning happens in peer discussion. Architecture is full of trade-offs, and hearing how others think through similar challenges can be just as useful as the session content itself. 

Whether you’re stepping into architecture or already making technical decisions, learning with a peer group gives you different perspectives, helps you build confidence, and makes it easier to apply what you learn in your own work. That’s why this program is designed around a confidential peer group, live exercises, expert facilitation, and group-based project assignments, and not just self-paced study.

Participants who registered for the online cohorts will receive an email with detailed instructions on how to join the sessions. This email will be sent out during the week prior to the start of the cohort, so be sure to check your inbox (and spam folder, just in case!) for the access information.

This is for senior software architects, software engineers, and technical leaders with at least 5 years of experience who are involved in setting technical strategy.

Certification is awarded based on two factors: consistent attendance and active participation in the live sessions, and the successful completion of the group Capstone project.

Because the real work happens when you have to defend the trade-offs in your own context.

This cohort gives you the confidential peer group and expert mentorship to do that work, and you'll earn the InfoQ Certified Software Architect in Emerging Technologies (ICSAET) certification as a result.

No. This program assumes you already have deep technical expertise.

Our focus is on the skills that define the next level of leadership: justifying long-term investments and securing buy-in from complex stakeholders.

Each weekly session is a 4-hour deep-dive workshop. This is a significant time investment because we are not just watching talks.

We are undertaking the challenging, practical work of applying these frameworks to real-world challenges alongside your senior peer group.

To ensure an optimal experience, you will need:

• A stable internet connection: High-speed access for video conferencing.
• Zoom: The latest version of the Zoom desktop client.
• Slack: Access to our private workspace for peer networking and coordination.
• A laptop or desktop: While mobile devices are supported, a computer is highly recommended for collaborative work and session participation.

The Capstone project is the final milestone of the program. Working in groups of 3–4, you will co-author a professional technical article (typically 2,000–3,000 words) applying the concepts covered in the sessions. Capstone articles are published on InfoQ.com as standalone pieces or featured in an InfoQ eMag, providing you with global visibility. Explore Capstone examples from previous cohorts here.

The program consists of five live sessions held over five weeks. Each weekly session lasts four hours. In addition to weekly practical assignments (2–3 hours/week), participants join a private Slack workspace for peer discussion and collaborate in small groups to produce a Capstone article for publication on InfoQ.com. 

We accept PayPal and major credit cards. A payment charged to your credit card or Paypal account is processed directly by us in the funds stated on the website. Please note that QCon and InfoQ are trademarked and wholly-owned brand of C4Media Inc., which is located in Canada. Customers outside Canada or cards denominated in other currencies may incur foreign transaction or exchange fees from their issuing bank. C4Media does not control nor collect these fees. 

You can contact us for any payment questions at payments@qconferences.com.

Yes, QCon and InfoQ offer in-person cohorts as part of our International Software Development Conferences. These cohorts will take place at the following events:

• QCon London 2026: March 16–19, 2026
• QCon San Francisco 2026: November 16–20, 2026

Please note that registration for these cohorts will be handled through each respective conference's website.

We've developed a template you can use to explain to your boss how you can benefit from the cohort participation.

Registration fees are not refundable.

You can opt to pay by invoice during the registration process by selecting the "Do You Want to Pay Later by Invoice?" checkbox.

Your invoice reflects the ticket price in effect at the time your payment is due. Invoices are generally due 30 days from the date the order is submitted, or 7 days before the event start date—whichever comes first. To ensure all funds are cleared, the "Pay by Invoice" option will be disabled 14 days prior to each event (subject to change without notice). All invoices must be paid in full no later than 7 days before the event begins.

Please note that only participants who have paid in full will be admitted or receive access credentials. Credit card or PayPal payment is required if you are registering after the invoice deadline or prefer immediate confirmation. Once processed, a receipt marked "Paid" will be emailed to you for your records.

The Terms of Participation can be found at https://certification.qconferences.com/terms-conditions.

QCon does not sell attendee lists or provide your contact details to data brokers. If you receive unsolicited emails claiming to offer QCon attendee data, these are not authorized by us. Should you feel that someone is using the QCon name in an inappropriate or misleading way, please email us at certification@qconferences.com.

At the event, sponsors can only access your contact information if you choose to share it by allowing them to scan the QR code on the back of your badge. This is entirely your decision, and no sponsor can access your details without your active participation.

For full details, see our Policy Notice.

Yes. The program is open to freelancers and the self-employed. When registering, simply enter your trading name or "Independent" in the Company Details section.

We designed the InfoQ Certified Architect program to be place where everyone feels safe to express themselves, learn, and succeed in adopting new technology and practices. We enforce this through the Code of Conduct to provide a safe and inclusive learning space for our thousands of inspiring attendees.

By joining the cohorts, you agree to our Code of Conduct. All participants, trainers, and staff are required to abide by our code of conduct.

The InfoQ Certified Architect Program is a collaborative initiative between InfoQ and QCon, designed to help professionals advance their expertise in software architecture.

InfoQ is a global community-driven platform that provides software engineers with high-quality, peer-reviewed content to help them adopt new technologies and practices. It serves over 550,000 senior developers monthly, offering insights into emerging trends and best practices in software development.

We do not offer scholarships or complimentary seats for the InfoQ Certification at this time. Should this change for future cohorts, we will announce it via our official channels.