Zavops AI-Certified

The vetting framework behind the badge.

15–25% of applicants pass. Not because we are selective for its own sake — because the badge only means something if it is hard to earn.

3-stage live assessment 15–25% overall pass rate Competency tested live — not by CV
94Applicants assessed to date
9.6%Overall pass rate
3 stagesEvery applicant completes all three
Stage 1

Portfolio Submission

30–45 min async review Most complete submissions pass

Submit 3 outcome evidence pieces with measurable before/after metrics. Plus AI tool stack evidence, one live workflow example, and two client references.

Portfolio submission assessment
Stage 2

Live Workflow Build

90 minutes · Live with assessor This is the stage most applicants fail

You receive a brief you have not seen. 90 minutes to build a working AI-augmented marketing workflow in front of the assessor. Tests what you can actually do — not what you say.

Live workflow build assessment
Stage 3

Reference Validation

48 hours · Async Most Stage 2 passes complete this

We contact two references from your portfolio. We ask specific questions about the outcomes you documented and your actual AI fluency in practice.

Reference validation assessment

The 12 competencies every AI-certified expert is assessed against.

01AI Workflow Architecture
02Prompt Engineering for Marketing
03Performance Data Interpretation
04Competitive Intelligence Automation
05Attribution Modelling
06Lead Scoring Configuration
07Content Performance Analysis
08AI Creative Strategy
09GEO / AI Search Optimisation
10Agentic System Deployment
11Data Visualisation & Reporting
12Sales-Marketing Alignment

Hiring? Browse AI-Certified Experts.

Browse Experts

An Expert? Apply to be assessed.

Apply to be assessed

What you are buying when you hire a Zavops AI-Certified expert.

The badge guarantees:

Live, demonstrable AI workflow capability — tested under assessment conditions

Outcome evidence from real engagements — documented and reference-validated

Ongoing accountability — every engagement updates their Outcome Index score

Tier-appropriate scope — Associate for projects, Principal for Zavops 90

The badge does not guarantee:

Domain expertise in every vertical — we match by vertical

Perfect outcomes — our guarantee is on the Sprint, not individual output

Cultural fit — the intro call is where you assess this

Immediate availability — badge status is not a slot guarantee

Frequently asked questions

How long does the full assessment take, start to finish?

Typically 2–3 weeks. Stage 1 review: 2–3 working days. Stage 2 scheduling: within 5 days of passing Stage 1. Stage 3 reference check: 48 hours. You can track your status throughout.

Can I re-apply if I fail Stage 2?

Yes, after a 90-day waiting period. We send written Stage 2 feedback within 48 hours of your assessment — specific to what to work on. Most candidates who reapply with that feedback in mind pass on the second attempt.

What tools do I need for Stage 2?

Your own laptop, internet connection, and accounts in the tools you plan to use. We do not provide tool access during the session. The brief is solvable with multiple tool combinations — there is no single right answer.

Is the assessment different for different roles?

The brief is role-relevant. A GEO Specialist gets an AI search visibility brief. An Agentic Workflow Builder gets a pipeline automation brief. The Core 12 competencies apply to all assessments.

How is the Outcome Index score calculated?

After each completed engagement, the client completes a structured outcome review — not a star rating. It measures whether KPIs were met, exceeded, or missed. The score is weighted toward recent engagements and is publicly visible on the expert’s profile.