FAC-C (Professional) 2026: Four Courses, One 150-Question Exam at 70%, and No Way to Waive It
The FAC-C (Professional) is not a single test you book when you feel ready. FAI requires four specific courses — CON 1100V, CON 1200V, CON 1300V, and CON 1400V — followed by CON 3990V, a 150-question closed-book proctored exam with a minimum passing score of 70%. FAI states plainly that the exam requirement cannot be met through fulfillment, so unlike much of the federal training stack there is no equivalency route around it. Two details catch people out. Training must come from a WarU equivalent provider, not the DAU branding many older guides still reference, and CON 1400V carries CON 1100V as a prerequisite, so the sequence is not fully parallel. This page sets out the current requirements, the maintenance clock, and honest procurement wage benchmarks.
FAC-C (Professional) requires four training courses from a WarU equivalent provider, a minimum of 12 months of full-time experience applying representative technical contracting competencies, and CON 3990V — a 150-question closed-book proctored exam passed at 70% or better. Once certified, maintenance is 80 continuous learning points every two years; the current common CL period runs May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2028.
Last updated on August 30, 2026
How we verified this page
Requirements, the course list, the exam specification, experience minimum, and maintenance rules were verified against FAI.gov’s FAC-C (Professional) requirements page and its continuous-learning page on August 30, 2026. Note one correction: FAI now specifies a WarU equivalent training provider, not DAU as this page previously stated. Federal acquisition policy shifts more often than most credential rules, so verify the live FAI source before budgeting training or claiming a maintenance timeline. Wage data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 figures.
Verified federal contracting facts
| Fact | Current detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| The certification exam | CON 3990V: Contracting Certification Exam — 150 questions, closed book, proctored, with a minimum passing score of 70% | FAI FAC-C Professional requirements |
| The exam cannot be waived | FAI states the CON 3990V requirement cannot be met through fulfillment — there is no equivalency or experience-based substitution for the exam itself | FAI FAC-C Professional requirements |
| Required training courses | CON 1100V Contract Foundational Skills, CON 1200V Contract Pre-Award, CON 1300V Contract Award, and CON 1400V Contract Post-Award. CON 1400V carries CON 1100V as a prerequisite | FAI FAC-C Professional requirements |
| Training provider | Training must be taken from a WarU equivalent provider. Guides still citing DAU as the provider are using outdated branding | FAI FAC-C Professional requirements |
| Minimum experience requirement | At least 12 months of full-time experience applying a representative sample of the technical contracting competencies | FAI FAC-C Professional requirements |
| Education requirement | No separate certification education requirement. OPM’s 1102 Individual Qualification Standards still apply for hiring into contracting positions | FAI FAC-C Professional requirements |
| Agency-specific additions | FAI notes that federal agencies may impose unique certification requirements on top of the FAC-C (Professional) baseline — check your agency before assuming the FAI list is complete | FAI FAC-C Professional requirements |
| Maintenance requirement | 80 continuous learning points every two years once certified | FAI FAC-C Professional requirements |
| Current common CL period | May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2028 | FAI continuous learning |
Contracting and procurement salary benchmarks
This certification aligns with acquisition and contracting pathways, so the rows below use BLS benchmarks for purchasing and procurement roles rather than credential-marketing estimates.
| Role / benchmark | Pay | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers and purchasing agents | $77,710 median annual wage | May 2025 figure. Benchmark for procurement-adjacent entry and midlevel paths BLS Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents |
| Purchasing managers | $148,080 median annual wage | May 2025 figure. Longer-run leadership benchmark for procurement-heavy career ladders BLS Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents |
| Management analysts | $101,860 median annual wage | May 2025 figure. Benchmark for candidates who use contracting knowledge in advisory or operations roles BLS Management Analysts |
Related jobs for this exam path
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Official resources
The authoritative source for the course list, the CON 3990V exam specification, experience minimum, and maintenance rules.
Official CL policy and the current common period for acquisition workforce certifications.
Official workflow for finding and booking the required CON courses.
Where policy and continuous-learning changes are announced — worth checking before you plan a certification timeline.
External resources and benchmarks
Neutral salary benchmark for procurement-aligned careers.
Benchmark for consulting and operations-adjacent paths tied to contracting expertise.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the FAC-C (Professional) exam?
CON 3990V, the Contracting Certification Exam: 150 questions, closed book, proctored, with a minimum passing score of 70%. FAI states the requirement cannot be met through fulfillment, so there is no equivalency route around the exam.
Which courses are required for FAC-C (Professional)?
Four: CON 1100V Contract Foundational Skills, CON 1200V Contract Pre-Award, CON 1300V Contract Award, and CON 1400V Contract Post-Award. CON 1400V has CON 1100V as a prerequisite, so the sequence is not fully parallel.
Who can provide the training?
A WarU equivalent provider. Older guides referencing DAU as the provider are using outdated branding, so check the FAI requirements page before paying for a course you assume will count.
How much experience do I need?
A minimum of 12 months of full-time experience applying a representative sample of the technical contracting competencies. There is no separate education requirement for the certification itself, though OPM’s 1102 standards apply for hiring into contracting positions.
How do I maintain the certification?
80 continuous learning points every two years. The current common CL period runs from May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2028.
Are FAI’s requirements the complete list?
Not necessarily. FAI notes that federal agencies may have unique certification requirements in addition to the FAC-C (Professional) baseline, so confirm with your own agency before planning a timeline.