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HashiCorp · HC-TFA · Associate

HashiCorp Terraform Associate (004) — Practice Questions and Mock Exam

The HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate (004) credential validates foundational proficiency in infrastructure as code using Terraform.

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Checked against HashiCorp · October 2026 · Current exam version

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Terraform Fundamentals2 / 5

A developer adds a new provider requirement to a configuration and runs terraform plan, but receives an error stating the required provider plugin is not installed. What is the correct command to install the provider and prepare the working directory?

AlexFull explanation from Alex

terraform init is the first command you run in any new or changed configuration. It performs several initialization tasks: it configures the backend for state storage, downloads and installs the provider plugins declared in required_providers, downloads any referenced modules, and creates or updates the .terraform.lock.hcl dependency lock file. When a provider requirement is added or changed, you must re-run init so Terraform can fetch the appropriate plugin version that satisfies your version constraints. Other commands like validate, plan, and apply assume providers are already installed. Exam tip: any error about a missing provider, module, or backend almost always means you need to run terraform init.

Sourcedeveloper.hashicorp.com

Terraform Modules3 / 5

Which `source` value in a `module` block references a module whose files live in a sibling directory of the calling configuration?

AlexFull explanation from Alex

Terraform treats any source starting with ./ or ../ as a local filesystem path relative to the calling module's directory. The value ../network resolves to a sibling directory one level up. Local modules are read directly from disk with no download or caching required. (Ref: developer.hashicorp.com/terraform/language/modules/sources#local-paths) Distractors: “"hashicorp/network/aws"”) hashicorp/network/aws is Terraform Registry shorthand syntax. “"git::network"”) git::network is an incomplete/invalid Git URL source. “"registry:network"”) registry:network is not a supported source scheme.

Sourcedocs.hashicorp.com

Core Terraform Workflow4 / 5

A user wants `terraform apply` to execute without pausing to ask for interactive confirmation. Which option accomplishes this?

AlexFull explanation from Alex

The -auto-approve flag tells terraform apply to skip the interactive confirmation prompt and immediately execute the plan. This is the standard flag for CI/CD pipelines and automation. Terraform uses single-dash flags (e.g., -auto-approve), not GNU-style double-dash options. (Ref: developer.hashicorp.com/terraform/cli/commands/apply#auto-approve) Distractors: “`terraform apply --force`”) --force is not valid; -force was once used with terraform destroy but is deprecated in favor of -auto-approve. “`terraform apply --skip-confirm`”) --skip-confirm does not exist in Terraform. “`terraform apply --yes`”) --yes does not exist in Terraform.

Sourcedeveloper.hashicorp.com

HCP Terraform5 / 5

In HCP Terraform, what is the effect of setting a workspace's execution mode to `local`?

AlexFull explanation from Alex

Setting execution mode to local in HCP Terraform means terraform plan and terraform apply run on the operator's own CLI while HCP Terraform serves as the remote state backend (and optionally variables store). This contrasts with remote mode (HCP workers execute) and agent mode (self-hosted agents execute). (Ref: developer.hashicorp.com/terraform/cloud-docs/workspaces/settings#execution-mode) Distractors: “Plans and applies run on HCP Terraform but logs stay…”) Logs appear on the local CLI, not stored remotely. “The HCP Terraform UI runs plans…”) HCP Terraform never runs plans in the browser. “The workspace can only run speculative plans triggered…”) Speculative VCS plans are independent of execution mode.

Sourcedeveloper.hashicorp.com

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Conversation preview · HC-TFA

Applying unchanged configuration

  1. You

    Does apply recreate everything each time?

  2. Alex · AI tutor

    No. Terraform plans the changes needed to reconcile configuration and infrastructure.

    Read the documentation ↗
  3. You

    What if they already match?

  4. Alex · AI tutor

    An unchanged configuration with matching infrastructure needs no resource changes in this example.

    Read the documentation ↗

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HC-TFA · Question excerpt

Applying unchanged configuration

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True or false: Running `terraform apply` against an unchanged configuration and matching infrastructure will re-create all managed resources to guarantee consistency.

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False

terraform apply does not recreate matching resources merely for consistency.

Read the documentation ↗

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Exam domains

What you practice for HC-TFA.

Exam topics, relevant practice and sources you can check.

Infrastructure as codeSee the guide for weighting50 QuestionsPass-IT questions

Understand what Terraform manages and why configuration is useful.

  • Explain how infrastructure as code describes resources in configuration files.
  • Describe how repeatable IaC patterns support consistent infrastructure changes.
  • Explain Terraform workflows across multiple clouds, hybrid environments and different services.
Official certification objectives
Terraform fundamentalsSee the guide for weighting52 QuestionsPass-IT questions

Connect providers, configuration and state.

  • Explain how provider plugins let Terraform interact with services.
  • Install and version providers and use multiple providers in one configuration.
  • Explain how state connects the configuration to managed infrastructure.
Official certification objectives
The core workflowSee the guide for weighting49 QuestionsPass-IT questions

Follow a configuration from setup to infrastructure changes.

  • Initialize the working directory, format the configuration and validate it.
  • Generate an execution plan and review the proposed changes before applying them.
  • Apply planned changes or destroy managed infrastructure using the appropriate workflow.
Official certification objectives
Writing configurationSee the guide for weighting49 QuestionsPass-IT questions

Express resources, relationships and constraints in Terraform.

  • Distinguish resource and data blocks and connect resources through attributes and dependencies.
  • Use variables, outputs and complex types to pass structured values.
  • Build dynamic configuration with expressions and functions and validate it with custom conditions.
  • Handle sensitive values appropriately, including secrets managed with Vault.
Official certification objectives
Using modulesSee the guide for weighting45 QuestionsPass-IT questions

Reuse configuration while controlling its inputs and versions.

  • Identify module sources and add modules to a configuration.
  • Explain variable scope and pass values into modules.
  • Choose and manage module versions for predictable reuse.
Official certification objectives
Managing stateSee the guide for weighting45 QuestionsPass-IT questions

Choose where state lives and keep it aligned with infrastructure.

  • Explain how the local backend stores state.
  • Configure remote state with a backend block and explain state locking.
  • Identify resource drift and manage state to reconcile configuration with infrastructure.
Official certification objectives
Maintaining existing infrastructureSee the guide for weighting46 QuestionsPass-IT questions

Inspect and bring existing resources under Terraform management.

  • Import existing resources into a Terraform workspace.
  • Use command-line tools to inspect Terraform state.
  • Choose verbose logging when troubleshooting requires more diagnostic detail.
Official certification objectives
Working with HCP TerraformSee the guide for weighting49 QuestionsPass-IT questions

Organize shared infrastructure workflows in HCP Terraform.

  • Use HCP Terraform runs to create infrastructure.
  • Organize workspaces and projects and explain collaboration and governance features.
  • Configure integrations that connect HCP Terraform with other workflow tools.
Official certification objectives
Question formats you can practice
Multiple Choice
Select one answer.
Multiple Response
Select multiple applicable answers.
True / False
Decide whether statements are true or false.

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Frequently asked questions

Your preparation

How much study time should I plan for HC-TFA?

For planning, Pass-IT estimates roughly 25–60 hours. Relevant experience may put you toward the lower end; starting from scratch may put you toward the higher end. Your needs may fall outside this range. This is not a time requirement from HashiCorp or a promise that you will be exam-ready within that time.

What do you need before the Terraform Associate exam?

Basic terminal skills and an understanding of on-premises and cloud architecture. HashiCorp recommends professional experience but does not require it, and no certification gates the booking. The catalog budget is around 40 hours, which is short because the exam stays close to the core workflow.

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Questions in the app are currently in English. Translations of the sample questions on this page apply only to this preview. Check with HashiCorp for the languages available for the official exam.

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Access covers this certification for 12 months. You pay once, with no automatic renewal.

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The guarantee refunds the Pass-IT purchase price for this certification. You need eligible paid access and a Readiness Score of at least 80% from your practice results when you take the exam. This score can only reach 80% after at least 50 answered questions and is not a validated probability of passing. Take the exam during your access period and submit official proof of failing within 14 days. Guarantee terms

About the HC-TFA exam

Where can I take the HC-TFA exam?

Online proctored via Certiverse.

How long is the HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate (004) exam?

The HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate (004) exam has 57 questions and a 60-minute time limit.

How long is the Terraform Associate valid?

Two years. You renew by passing the current version of the Associate exam again, or by passing the Terraform Authoring and Operations Advanced exam, which extends the credential instead. There is no credit or continuing-education route.

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Guarantee terms

The guarantee refunds the Pass-IT purchase price for this certification. You need eligible paid access and a Readiness Score of at least 80% from your practice results when you take the exam. This score can only reach 80% after at least 50 answered questions and is not a validated probability of passing. Take the exam during your access period and submit official proof of failing within 14 days.

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Related certifications

HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Authoring and Operations AdvancedHashiCorp Certified: Vault Associate (003)HashiCorp Certified: Vault Operations AdvancedAll HashiCorp certifications →