Ainsley If you’re pursuing your ArcGIS Enterprise Administration Professional certification, you should know that Esri officially announced the ArcGIS Enterprise Administration Professional 2025 (EAEP_2025) on November 4, 2025. This marks a significant evolution in professional-level ArcGIS Enterprise administrator exams. According to Esri’s official community and certification updates, EAEP_2025 is the direct upgrade and successor to EAEP2201, and will gradually replace the older version as the primary professional credential.
Today, we will help you know all about the EAEP_2025 and EAEP2201, including:
- What EAEP_2025 is and who it is designed for
- How it differs from EAEP2201
- Whether EAEP_2025 is truly an upgrade
- How should you choose between the two exams
What Is EAEP_2025?
ArcGIS Enterprise Administration Professional 2025 (EAEP_2025) is Esri’s latest Professional-level certification for experienced ArcGIS Enterprise administrators. The exam is designed to validate real-world, enterprise-scale administration skills rather than basic configuration knowledge.
Key Exam Information
- Exam Name: ArcGIS Enterprise Administration Professional 2025
- Exam Code: EAEP_2025
- Certification Level: Professional
- Number of Questions: 75
- Exam Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Exam Language: English
- Delivery Provider: Pearson VUE
Intended Audience
Esri explicitly positions EAEP_2025 for professionals with at least four years of hands-on ArcGIS Enterprise experience, including:
- ArcGIS Enterprise Administrators
- GIS System Administrators
- Enterprise GIS Engineers
- Technical Support Analysts and Consultants
This shows that EAEP_2025 is designed for senior-level operational competence, not entry-level knowledge.
Is EAEP_2025 an Upgrade of EAEP2201?
EAEP_2025 is the official upgraded replacement for EAEP2201. Esri has confirmed that:
- EAEP_2025 is the next-generation version of the EAEP certification
- EAEP2201 is expected to be retired by the end of 2025
- Future professional-level ArcGIS Enterprise certifications will align with the 2025 blueprint
This upgrade reflects Esri’s broader effort to modernize its certification program and better align exams with current ArcGIS Enterprise versions and real enterprise workflows.
EAEP_2025 vs EAEP2201: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | EAEP_2025 | EAEP2201 |
|---|---|---|
| Certification Level | Professional | Professional |
| Exam Questions | 75 (expanded) | 65 |
| Exam Duration | 1h 45m | 1h 45m |
| Recommended Experience | 4+ years | ~2+ years |
| Blueprint Structure | Rebuilt and refined | Legacy structure |
| Content Depth | More advanced and operational | Moderate |
| Software Alignment | Latest ArcGIS Enterprise versions | Older versions |
| Long-term Value | High (future-proof) | Limited (near retirement) |
What Has Changed in EAEP_2025?
Stronger Focus on Real Enterprise Administration
EAEP_2025 shifts the emphasis from basic setup knowledge to ongoing enterprise operations, including:
- Enterprise architecture understanding
- System monitoring and health checks
- Log analysis and troubleshooting
- Performance tuning and capacity planning
- Security, access control, and best practices
- Backup, recovery, and maintenance strategies
Candidates are expected to think like real administrators—not just answer theoretical questions.
Rebuilt Blueprint with Clear Role Separation
One key goal of the EAEP_2025 update is to reduce overlap between Foundation, Associate, and Professional levels. As a result, EAEP_2025 focuses exclusively on:
- Advanced administrative responsibilities
- Cross-component integration (Portal, Server, Data Store, Web Adaptor)
- Decision-making in enterprise scenarios
This makes the certification more meaningful and better differentiated.
Increased Question Count for Broader Coverage
The increase from 65 to 75 questions allows Esri to:
- Cover more operational scenarios
- Reduce the impact of memorization
- Better assess consistency and depth of knowledge
The exam is not simply “harder,” but more comprehensive and realistic.
Which Exam Should You Choose?
Choose EAEP_2025 if:
- You have 4+ years of ArcGIS Enterprise experience
- You currently work in or aim for a senior Enterprise Administrator role
- You want a certification with long-term professional value
- You are not rushing to certify immediately and prefer the latest standard
The EAEP2201 exam has retired on December 31, 2025. So choose to pass the EAEP_2025 exam today. EAEP_2025 is not just a version update—it is a professional-level reset. It reflects:
- Esri’s higher expectations for Enterprise administrators
- A shift toward real operational competence
- Greater long-term value for certified professionals
If ArcGIS Enterprise administration is part of your long-term career path, EAEP_2025 is worth preparing for seriously—not just passing quickly.
Ainsley