What it is
NCA-GENL (NVIDIA-Certified Associate: Generative AI LLMs) is NVIDIA's entry-level exam validating foundational knowledge of generative AI and large language models. It is a knowledge test, not a taught course: candidates study independently, then sit a proctored exam.
Format and syllabus
The exam has 50 multiple-choice questions with a 60-minute time limit, delivered online and "proctored remotely" via the Certiverse platform, per NVIDIA's certification page. Content is weighted across five domains: Core Machine Learning and AI Knowledge (30%), Software Development (24%), Experimentation (22%), Data Analysis and Visualisation (14%), and Trustworthy AI (10%). Topics named on the page include prompt engineering, model alignment, Python libraries for working with LLMs, LLM integration and deployment, and neural network fundamentals.
Who it suits
NVIDIA's page lists the intended audience as AI DevOps engineers, data scientists, machine learning engineers, software engineers and cloud solution architects. The only stated prerequisite is "a basic understanding of generative AI and large language models" - no prior NVIDIA-specific tooling experience is required.
Price and logistics
The exam is $125 per attempt on NVIDIA's own page (this was the price shown even on the UK/en-gb URL when checked). It is offered in English only. A pass earns a digital badge and optional certificate (NVIDIA's page does not name the badge platform), valid for two years, after which recertification requires retaking the exam. NVIDIA also lists optional self-paced and instructor-led prep courses, priced and booked separately, alongside free study guides and videos.
