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Okta Certified Developer

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Okta Certified Developer tutorial

Okta Certified Developers have knowledge in creating secure, seamless experiences, using Okta APIs and SDKs. Okta Certified Developers have knowledge and experience in operating RESTful APIs and developing web applications. They have a basic understanding of authentication and authorization standards like OpenID Connect (OIDC) and OAuth. Moreover, they know how Okta supports these standards for creating authentication, flexible authorization, and role-based access control.

Knowledge requirement for the exam

For this exam, candidates must have:

  • Firstly, four-plus years of experience in a software development role and six-plus months of hands-on experience implementing custom identity solutions with Okta.
  • Secondly, knowledge and experience in using Okta API Access Management for securing APIs, building custom authorization servers, and defining scopes and claims.
  • Thirdly, experience using Okta REST APIs, building client apps, configuring OIDC and OAuth apps in Okta, and assigning and unassigning apps to users using Okta Users and Groups APIs.
  • Fourthly, knowledge about validating an authenticated user’s session and understanding of the design principles of Okta APIs.
  • Next, knowledge for identifying and working with Okta API rate limits as well as they must know where to find the most current documentation and resources on Okta APIs.
  • Then, experience using Okta APIs for querying logs and events and in creating, updating, and deleting users, groups, and apps using Okta APIs.
  • After that, knowledge of how to enforce Okta multifactor authentication for users in client apps and how to interpret the common Okta API error codes.
  • Next, understanding of the several ways of creating Okta sessions for Single Sign-On, including redirectUrl, OIDC authorize, and Legacy Sessions API.
  • Then, experience in implementing the Okta Sign-in Widget with customizations and the process of performing implicit and hybrid flows from the Okta Sign-in Widget.
  • Lastly, knowledge of how to create sessions in Okta using Okta APIs and SDKs as well as in configuring trusted origins (CORS, Redirect).

Okta Certified Developer Interview Questions

Okta Certified Developer Interview Questions

Exam Format

exam details

Okta Certified Developer exam will have two parts. In part 1, there will be 45 Discrete Option Multiple Choice Questions. Whereas in part 2, there will be four Performance-Based and Hands-on Use Cases types of questions. The candidates have to first complete Part I and then are permitted to start Part II. Most importantly, candidates cannot return to Part I after they have completed it and submitted their responses for grading. Talking about the time, the time duration for the part 1 exam is 60 minutes and for part 2 it is of 90 minutes. And, the exam will cost USD 250.

Important Points:

  • Every part of exam is timed separately. That s to say, any time left over from Part I does NOT carry over to Part II.
  • Secondly, the exam is for a two-hour and 30 minutes exam, so come fully prepared to sit through the entire exam. Because there will be no break in between parts I and II of this exam.
Schedule the Exam

Okta certification exams are administered and proctored by Examity ( secure online proctoring service). Okta has partnered with Examity for protecting the integrity of our certification exams. 

This offers online proctoring in which you can take the exam from almost any location at a time that is convenient for you, without any need for traveling to a test center. However, the Okta Certified Developer Exam must be scheduled at least 24 hours in advance of the time you plan for sitting for the test in order to avoid the additional fee associated with on-demand testing.

Exam Course Outline

Okta Certified Developer exam validates candidate’s performance on the basis of the following topics:

exam topics

Part I

1. Authentication

1.1 Compare and Evaluate Authentication Methods

  • Understand pros and cons of authentication types (e.g., custom login page vs. Okta login page)
  • Understand the Authentication API transactional model

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1.2 Understand Methods for Creating an Okta Session

  • Contrast the different ways to set a session in Okta
  • Retrieve a Session Cookie using OIDC Connect Az Endpoint
  • Manage an Okta Session via the Okta Sessions API

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2. SSO and API Access Management with OIDC and OAuth

2.1 Enable an OAuth Client Application to Securely Access Services

  • Use the authorization code flow to obtain tokens
  • Validate tokens
  • Use a refresh token to obtain a new access token
  • Use the /revoke endpoint to revoke a token
  • Identify trusted and untrusted clients and the proper flows to use with each

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2.2 Describe client types and flows

  • Explain why is authorization code flow more secure than implicit flow
  • Define which flow to use when software or service needs to access an API using the access token
  • Explain how OIDC achieves SSO
  • Explaining which flow is appropriate for app types
  • Explain the difference between introspect call and signature validation
  • List all possible actors in an OIDC flow

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2.3 Optimize the API consumption

  • Optimize the API consumption (performance)
  • Optimizing the API consumption (security)

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3. Lifecycle Management

3.1 Use the Core API to Manage Users

  • Demonstrate understanding of the User API and which operations can be performed
  • Manage Users via the Users API

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3.2 User Objects, User States, and User Profile Sourcing

  • Demonstrate understanding of User Objects, User States, and User Profile Sourcing Options

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3.3 Use the Core API – Groups

  • Manage Groups using the Groups API
  • Manage Group membership using the Groups API

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3.4 Just-in-Time Provisioning (JIT)

  • Demonstrate understanding of how JIT works as well as when to use JIT

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4. Administrative APIs

4.1 Use the Core API – Schemas

  • Demonstrate understanding of the Okta User Schema
  • Demonstrate understanding of Okta Application Schemas

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4.2 Use the Core API – Policy

  • Demonstrate understanding of Okta Policies and Rules and how these affect operations

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4.3 Use the Core API – Factors

  • Demonstrate understanding of multi-factor authentication in Okta
  • Demonstrate understanding of the Factors API and which operations can be performed

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4.4 Use the Core API – OAuth

  • Understand OAuth configuration in Okta
  • Understand API Access Management

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4.5 Use the Core API – Apps

  • Understand applications in Okta

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5. Debug Techniques

5.1 Debug API-Related Issues

  • Investigate API-related issues using sys log, Administrator Dashboard, APIs, and tasks

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5.2 Debug API Requests

  • Determine when to make API calls
  • Valid user states for API calls

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6. Design Principles

6.1 Apply the Okta API Design Principles

  • Make Okta API requests with the correct HTTP Verbs
  • Making Okta API requests using HTTP headers correctly
  • Make Okta API requests identifying the origin using User-Agent and X-Forwarded-For
  • Read and Understand the Okta API response headers
  • Reading and Understanding the Okta API response errors
  • Read and Understand the Okta API HTTP response codes

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6.2 Okta API Rate Limiting

  • Read and Understand the Okta API Rate Limiting

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6.3 Redirect or CORS as Trusted Origin

  • Identify when to use Redirect or CORS as Trusted Origin

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6.4 App Logout and Global Logout

  • Implement App Logout and Global Logout (Okta)

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7. Okta Hooks

7.1 Inline Hooks

  • Implement token inline hooks
  • Implement registration inline hooks
  • Implementing SAML assertion inline hooks
  • Implement password import inline hooks

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7.2 Event Hooks

  • Create event hooks
  • Implement event hook objects
  • Implement event hook auth scheme objects

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8. Working with the Sign-In widget for Authentication

8.1 Okta Sign-in Widget Customization and Configuration

  • Configure and customize the Okta Sign-In Widget

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Part II

1. Onboard new users using Okta’s Management SDK and User and Group APIs
  • Manage users with Okta’s Management SDK and User and Group APIs

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2. Federate an App through OIDC
  • Provide federated access to an app using OIDC
  • Display claim data from the ID token

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3. Securing an API using OAuth and Securely accessing an API from a client app using OAuth
  • Secure an API using OAuth by verifying there is a valid bearer of token
  • Securely access API from a client application using OAuth in Okta

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4. Implement the Okta Sign-In Widget for Authentication Purposes
  • Implement a custom authentication experience with the Okta Sign-In Widget
  • Implementing and enforce multifactor authentication
  • Create a session for a user

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Check Okta Certified Developer Exam FAQS

Okta Certified Developer faqs

For Part 1:

Understanding the DOMC item type

Okta Certified Developer exam consists entirely of DOMC items. DOMC refers to a powerful measurement tool that produces reliable test scores. It does so by removing several “contaminants” that affect test outcomes but are unrelated to the knowledge and skills being tested. The DOMC item type levels the playing field, and more fairly measures your skills by improving:

  • Readability
    • However, you are required to read less text, the exam likely to take less time and places little demands on the slower reader or the non-native English speaker.
  • Fairness
    • When sharp test takers are unsure of an answer, they search for clues by comparing options or obtaining information from other items on an exam. However, DOMC eliminates the test-taking advantage and serves as a strong technique for assessing your knowledge.
  • Security
    • Rather than displaying all options at the same time, options are randomly presented one at a time. For every option presented, you must make a YES or NO decision for indicating whether you think the option is correct. Answer options are provided in random order, and you are NOT presented with all the available options linked with a DOMC item.

For Part 2:

Understanding the performance-based use cases in Part II of this exam

Part II of this exam will have four performance-based hands-on use cases. In which, every use case consists of three or more tasks that you are asked for completing within Okta Preview Orgs. Moreover, this part of the exam allows you to illustrate your skill with the Okta service and Okta APIs in a natural way that mimics how developers use Okta on the job.

A use case starts with some general instructions that apply to all the tasks in that use case. And, you can go back to previous tasks and make modifications as necessary. However, it is important to note how modifications made to a preceding task affect other tasks within the use case.

Exam Scoring

DOMC item type is scored fairly and with precision. However,

  • Firstly, if you are given with a correct option and respond YES, then that response is scored as “correct”. A DOMC item can be programmed to need one or more correct responses for completing and to be considered answered correctly.
  • Secondly, if you are given with a correct option and respond NO, then that item is scored as “incorrect”.
  • Thirdly, if you are given with an incorrect option and respond YES, then that item is scored as “incorrect”.
  • Lastly, if you are given with an incorrect option, and respond NO , the item is not scored until additional options are presented and responded to.

Exam Retakes

Exam retakes are subject to the following conditions:

  • Firstly, a candidate can retake a failed exam 24 hours after his or her first failed attempt
  • Secondly, a candidate must wait 14 days after each subsequent failed attempt prior to retaking a failed exam
  • Thirdly, candidates cannot not retake passed exams
  • Next, the exam fees must be paid for each attempt. And, the fees paid will not be refunded for a failed exam
  • Lastly, the exam fees for retaking an Okta certification exam is $100 USD for each retake attempt.

Okta Certified Developer Exam Study Guide

Okta Certified Developer guide

Understanding the Exam Topics

The Okta Certified Developer exam measures your knowledge and skills in various areas. These areas consist of topics and sections that will help you understand the areas as well as you will be able to apply your practical knowledge and skill in these. However, the topics for the exam are:

Part I

  • Firstly, authentication
  • Secondly, SSO and API Access Management with OIDC and OAuth
  • Thirdly, lifecycle Management
  • Administrative APIs
  • Then, debug Techniques
  • After that, design Principles
  • Okta Hooks
  • Lastly, working with the Sign-In widget for Authentication

Part II

  • Firstly, onboard new users using Okta’s Management SDK and User and Group APIs
  • Secondly, federate an App through OIDC
  • Thirdly, securing an API using OAuth and Securely accessing an API from a client app using OAuth
  • Lastly, implement the Okta Sign-In Widget for Authentication Purposes

Okta Training

Okta Education Services offers various classes and training materials for helping you in preparing for the certification exam. Some of the training courses for the Okta Certified Developer exam are:

Okta Customer Identity for Developers

This course provides knowledge about Okta customization scenarios and APIs. Here, candidates can use your developer skills for creating integrations from a web application to the Okta login and registration services, using the Okta SDK, Sign-In Widget, and REST APIs. Further, during the course, candidates will get knowledge in:

  • Firstly, describing key Okta Customer Identity Use Cases + features. 
  • Secondly, using the Okta REST APIs to manage users, groups, applications, and configurations. 
  • Thirdly, planning, designing, and developing Sign-On and Registration pages using the Okta API and SDKs. 
  • Then, developing a sign-in page using the Okta Sign-in Widget and the Okta-hosted Sign-in Widget.
  • After that, implementing security controls, such as password, MFA, and Sign-in Policies.
  • Lastly, troubleshooting problems and working effectively with Okta support.
SSO Enable Custom Apps and Sites with OIDC

In this, candidates will get knowledge about working of JSON Web Tokens and OIDC, and how to implement OpenID Connect with Okta for federating access to your custom apps and sites through completion of extensive Javascript coding labs. However, the course is perfect for Developers and Architects having familiarity with using Okta REST APIs, Widgets, and SDKs. Further, during the course, candidates will get knowledge in:

  • Firstly, taking the use of OpenID Connect and JSON Web Tokens (JWTs) from theory to practice. 
  • Secondly, using Okta’s SDKs for federating both customer-facing sites and internal applications. 
  • Thirdly, developing Single Sign-On (SSO) to a custom application using Okta and OpenID Connect. 
  • Then, understanding OpenID Connect actors and flows and when to use them. 
  • Lastly, using Proof Key for Code Exchange (PKCE) to secure hybrid flows for mobile apps. 
API Access Management with OAuth

In this course, candidates will get knowledge about OAuth factors and flows as well as the process for securely protecting APIs using Okta API Access Management. Moreover, this course will cover the common access scenarios supported by each standard for helping in making the right authentication and authorization decision for your application. Further, during the course, the candidates will get knowledge in:

  • Firstly, securely protecting custom REST APIs with Okta API Access Management and OAuth. 
  • Secondly, taking the use of OAuth in the enterprise from theory to practice. 
  • Thirdly, understanding OAuth actors and flows.
  • Then, setting up custom Authorization Servers for designing custom Access Tokens for your services. 
  • Lastly, integrating API Access Management with Universal Directory for creating adaptive access for APIs. 
Automate Lifecycle Management with SCIM

In this course, candidates will get knowledge in SCIM standards and the process of using this with Okta to automate user lifecycle management in applications. Moreover, this course covers the common user mastering and provisioning scenarios, the process of facilitating data mappings, and designing data flow. And, candidates will also learn about SCIM supported group management operations. Further, during the course, candidates will get knowledge in:

  • Firstly, describing the SCIM standard HTTP operations and JSON payloads.
  • Secondly, understanding the process for Creating, Reading, Updating, and Deleting (CRUD) operations relate to provisioning activity.
  • Thirdly, incorporating best practices of user model design.
  • Then, configuring applications in Okta to support user lifecycle events.
  • After that, designing and developing a SCIM server for integrating with a SCIM-compliant identity provider such as Okta.
  • Lastly, publishing a SCIM-enabled application connector to the Okta Integration Network (OIN).

Instructor-led Training

Okta Developer Certification Exam Prep Webinar

Using this course, you will be able to explore the areas like:

  • Firstly, key strategies for preparing for the Developer Exam, including how to use the exam study guide efficiently.
  • Secondly, knowing the typical background of a successful candidate for the Okta Developer Certification. 
  • Thirdly, participating in Kahoot quiz and benefit firsthand from the instructor discussing the answers to questions on the quiz.
  • The, getting tips from the instructor on the topics that most candidates for certification struggle with while preparing for the exam.
  • Lastly, exam taking strategies.

Okta Developer Portal

Okta offers a developer portal for candidates preparing for the exam. using this, they connect to other developers for creating a network and for interaction. Moreover, they can quickly deploy auth that protects apps, APIs, and infrastructure using this portal.

Okta Community

During your preparation, you can join the Okta community to connect with people of familiar interests. Here, you can submit new ideas, communicate with Okta, find answers, or join the conversation in the community forums. Moreover, you will hear from customers and partners, as well as Okta’s engineers and product leaders.

Using Practice Tests

Using the practice tests will help you to find out your weak areas and it will improve your answering skills. Further, practice tests also enhance your knowledge level help you get a strong revision by evaluating after every topic. So, start practicing using the Okta Certified Developer practice exam tests and pass the exam.

Okta Certified Developer practice tests

Prepare for the Okta Certified Developer exam Now!

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