The State of VCDX (2026)

The VMware Certified Design Expert (original VCDX) program has been retired and all original VCDX certifications expired in June 2026. Original VCDX has been replaced by the VMware Certified Distinguished Expert (revamped VCDX) program, which was announced in 2025. The rest of this article will use original VCDX and revamped VCDX to distinguish between the old and new.

The original VCDX program had four technology tracks: Data Center Virtualization (VMware vSphere), Cloud Management Automation (VMware vCloud Director and VMware vRealize/Aria Automation), Network Virtualization (VMware NSX), and Desktop/End User Computing (VMware Horizon and VMware Workspace ONE). The certification pre-requisites included technology specific VCP, VCIX (VCAP deploy exam via live lab administration), and a VCAP design exam before submitting an architectural design package to the VCDX program before being invited to a panel defense.

That all changed when Broadcom acquired VMware from Dell Technologies in November 2023 and proceeded to revamp the VMware organization and solution stack. VMware Horizon and VMware Workspace ONE were spun off to become Omnissa, and Broadcom doubled down on VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) as being the way to consume the entire suite at scale. No more picking and choosing which solution and license components you wanted to use. The first exception was vSphere customers could consume vSphere and VCF Operations Manager with VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF). The second exception was the VMware Application Networking and Security (ANS) solution stack being an optional add-on to VCF.

These changes have been executed in VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 (2025), VMware Cloud Foundation 9.1 (2026), with future versions of VCF coming each year. Major architectural changes in the VCF control plane have been made as Broadcom moves VCF to their desired target state. The first major change to mention is the move from license keys to license files with a dedicated License Manager running in VCF paired with the customer’s Broadcom Business Console tracking license usage. The second major change is the containerization of the control plane with the VCF Management Services Platform (VMSP/VSP) where services like VCF Fleet Manager and VCF Operations for Logs run as containers (no more OVA appliances). The third major change is the convergence of vCloud Director (vCD) and Aria Automation into VCF Automation.

The revamped VCDX program has changed from being technology-based to role-based, with the Architect, Administrator, and Support roles (see diagram below). To achieve the revamped VCDX, you have to complete the relevant role-based VCP and VCAP, and three technology domain VCAPs (VKS VCAP is mandatory) and then apply to the revamped VCDX program as a VCDX candidate.

This diagram was sourced from NTPRO.NL. I have not seen it anywhere on the Broadcom site.

Has the revamped VCDX program fully launched?

I would say not yet. There were reports on LinkedIn of a revamped VCDX VCF Architect defense panel being held at VMware Explore 2026 last week. The revamped VCDX VCF Architect Credly badge has been published by Broadcom, but I have not seen it awarded to anyone yet (myself included). The revamped VCDX VCF Administrator and VCDX VCF Support badges do not exist yet. Original VCDX holders will be grandfathered into revamped VCDX when they complete the VCP and VCAP certification requirements; they will not need to defend before a panel again (see program overview PDF link in next section below).

The three role-based VCF VCP exams are available (Architect, Administrator, and Support). Five of the eight technology VCF VCAP exams (Network, Storage, VKS, Automation, and Operations) are available, and the three role-based VCF VCAP exams are available (Architect, Administrator, and Support). Pearson VUE also lists the revamped VCDX Architect Candidate exam (4V0-01.26) as available (not sure if this is another exam or a way to apply for the panel defense).

Where can I find out more about the revamped VCDX program?

Visit these Broadcom resources:

Is the revamped VCDX at the same level of validation as the original VCDX?

Too soon to tell. The revamped VCDX role-based exam blueprints have not been published yet.

How can you tell if someone is an original VCDX?

The Broadcom academic transcript does not show expired certifications (see image below), so you will have to rely upon Credly badges from the original VCDX certified individual. The Credly badge with the original VCDX number will still list the technology tracks and is current (not expired).

Some examples:

How to tell if someone is a revamped VCDX?

Their Broadcom academic transcript will list it and their Credly badge for the revamped VCDX role will be valid. No examples as yet.

Nutanix Technology Champion 2026 Applications Now Open

Are you a passionate user of Nutanix solutions? Want to be a part of a global community of Nutanix enthusiasts? Apply here.

As an NTC you get access to other Nutanix experts and product briefings. Regular interaction with Nutanix product management for user feedback. Opportunity to meet with other NTCs at Nutanix .NEXT each year.

NTC Tech Connect @ Nutanix HQ, SJC

This coming week I will be with a group of 30+ Nutanix Technology Champions for the NTC Tech Connect event being held at the Nutanix HQ in San Jose, California.

We will be hearing from the Nutanix Product Group and Engineering about all things Nutanix over 2-days. Whatever is non-NDA we will be allowed to blog and podcast about.

Looking forward to connecting with Nutants both old and new. I have dug through my store of unused Nutanix swag, which I am bringing with me to hand out to those that are interested.

Kudos goes to NTC Community Manager, Angelo Luciani, for setting this up. I know it took a ton of effort to secure the approvals, budget, and resources to make this event happen.

My Interview with The Tech Barometer Podcast by Nutanix

 

I recently had an interesting interview with the team who run “The Forecast by Nutanix” a few months ago. They asked many insightful and in-depth questions about the state of the cloud and where technology is heading in the future. They published the podcast episode last week, titled “Architecting Paths from Private Data Centers to Azure Public Cloud”.

They also published this profile a few months ago based upon the same interview, titled “Simplifying Hybrid Cloud and Migrations to Azure Public Cloud”.

How to Verify Someone is VCDX Certified

Last week, Broadcom deactivated the public VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) directory. It now points to a Broadcom digital property covering the VCDX program.

Previously, you were able to lookup the names and VCDX numbers for current VCDX certified individuals. You could also check for VCDX mentors and panelists and see who worked where. Not any more.

With the exit of VMware EUC to Omnissa, the VCDX program is now reduced to three tracks (DCV, CMA, and NV). However, past VCDX-DTM and VCDX-EUC certifications are still active in a VCDX holder’s certification profile with Broadcom.

So you are looking to hire or partner with someone that claims to be a VCDX. How do you validate this is true? Use the following options to verify their VCDX certification.

Option 1 – Ask them to send you the link to their Broadcom CertMetrics transcript.

Using my CertMetrics link as an example.

  1. Click on the Broadcom CertMetrics transcript link.
  2. Verify the person’s name is listed in the top left hand corner.
  3. Search for “Design Expert” and filter the list.
  4. Verify the person is a VMware Certified Design Expert for the tracks they claim and their certifications are current (look for 2023 and 2024).

Option 2 – Ask them to provide the links to their VCDX Credly badges.

Using my Credly badges as an example:

  1. To verify their tracks and VCDX number, select the Credly badge with the VCDX#.
  2. Then select the Credly badges for each VCDX version and track. Before 2019, no version number or a version number matching the track software was used (e.g VCDX-Cloud, VCDX 5, 6, or 7). In 2019, the VCDX version switched to the year the VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP) Design exam was completed (e.g. VCDX 2019 – 2024).
  3. Select the “Verify” button for each Credly badge. Make sure the issued name matches the person you are trying to validate and each verification check box is ticked.

VMware End-User Computing Advanced Design 2024 Exam (3V0-61.24) Study Links

I took the VMware End-User Computing Advanced Design 2024 Exam recently.

It took me two tries to pass this exam. It was one of the most poorly constructed exams I have seen from VMware. I suspect with the Broadcom acquisition, this exam build was rushed. I did not see the usual polish and quality that VMware is known for. Examples include, substandard grammar, bad spelling, obtuse and confusing questions. If I was not motivated by upgrading my VCDX-EUC certification to 2024, I would not have bothered with the resit.

In addition, Objective 3.3 of the blueprint did not appear in any of the questions I saw. Frankly, that part of the blueprint did not make any sense to me.

Reserve some patience for the Broadcom/VMware/Omnissa link clicking extravaganza to find URLs that actually work. Obviously Omnissa is a newly spun-off company from Broadcom for the EUC portfolio, and there are many questions that need to be answered:

  • Will Omnissa continue with their version of the VCA/VCP/VCAP/VCIX/VCDX certification programs?
  • Will they create a new design expert program called OCDX?
  • What will happen to the current twenty VCDX-EUC certified individuals? Will those holders be invited into the Omnissa certification program?

With that being said, I am still a fan of the VMware/Omnissa EUC product suite, I think it delivers a ton of business value and I am sure these things will be resolved in the coming months.

These are the study links I used (all links worked at time of publishing):