Jobs and career pathways
GSA Contracting Certification jobs, salary benchmarks, and career pathways
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.
Updated October 6, 2026
Where this exam tends to lead
These roles centre on related jobs and career pathways. The role targets below are the main search patterns this jobs page is built around.
This page is built around related job searches now, with room for richer direct-ingestion job feeds later.
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 |
Search live openings now
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 Guides still citing DAU as the provider are using outdated branding | FAI FAC-C Professional requirements |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 |
Fetched job listings
These listings come from the latest automated jobs update run. If a board blocks or limits retrieval, use the live search links above.
7 listings captured
Jobicy
Director, Talent Acquisition
Rockbot
USA
USD 160,000 / yearly
The Muse
Store Associate
CVS Health
Litchfield, CT
The Muse
(USA) Tire and Battery Service Advisor
Walmart
Eau Claire, WI
The Muse
Café Associate
Walmart
Clive, IA
The Muse
Maintenance Custodian Associate
Walmart
Ellicott City, MD
The Muse
Retail Customer Service Associate
Walmart
El Paso, TX
The Muse
PRODUCE/CLERK
Kroger
Bowling Green, OH
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.
Questions people ask before choosing this path
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.