The Broadcom Knight designation is the highest technical recognition Broadcom gives to its partners. If you are a partner pre-sales engineer, consultant, or architect who works with Broadcom software, this guide breaks the whole journey down into plain language — what the program is, who qualifies, the exact kinds of certifications you need, and the step-by-step path to earning your knighthood.
IN A NUTSHELL
- Knighthood is awarded to individuals (not companies), by nomination, and is renewed yearly.
- You earn it by combining certifications (sales + technical), a specialization, and proven real-world delivery.
- The single fastest way in: go deep on one product (like VCF), collect delivery evidence, and line up a sponsor early.
What exactly is a Broadcom Knight?
Broadcom Knights are the most elite group of partner technical professionals recognized by Broadcom. They are an organization of technical champions — drawn from Broadcom’s best partners and treated as an extension of Broadcom’s own internal technical teams, with access to resources and tools that non-Knights don’t get.
A few things make knighthood distinct:
- It’s the top of the ladder. Knighthood is the highest level of recognition and certification Broadcom provides for partners.
- It’s personal. The badge is awarded to an individual, based on your own skills and impact — not to your company.
- It’s earned, then validated. It’s more than passing exams; it’s backed by in-field delivery evidence that you can actually design, implement, and deliver solutions.
- It’s renewed annually. You keep the status by continuing to meet the program’s expectations each year.
Why it’s worth it: the benefits
For you
- Elite, recognized “expert” status that sets you apart from the field
- Exclusive technical training, certifications and Knights-only content
- Early access to product roadmaps and upcoming technology
- Demo & Proof-of-Concept labs, focused webinars, and NFR / SaaS access
- A rewards program plus invitations to Knights events for training & networking
For your company
- Faster deals and higher win rates on Knight-led engagements
- Clear market differentiation and customer preference for Knight-backed solutions
- Public recognition in Broadcom’s trusted-partner directory
- A stronger path toward higher partner tiers
Am I eligible?
Two boxes need to be ticked — one about you, one about your organization:
- You are a partner pre-sales engineer, implementation/architecture specialist, or consultant with genuine depth in a Broadcom product.
- Your organization is an active Broadcom partner in a qualifying tier or program. Membership is held at the individual level, but your company needs to be a recognized partner — confirm the exact tiers for your product division on the Broadcom partner program pages.
What you’ll need to certify
You achieve certifications in at least one focus product, across both a sales and a technical track, rising from Proven Professional to Certified Expert. Tap each level below to see what it involves:
SALES TRACK
Proven Professional
- VSP Assessment – multiple-choice (SR.VSP.1)
- iSIM Assessment – unproctored (SR.VSP.2)
Certified Expert
TECHNICAL TRACK
one of Pre-Sales, Implementation, Architecture, or Support
Proven Professional
- VCP – VCF Architect (2V0-13.25)
- VCP – VCF Administrator (2V0-17.25)
- VCP – VCF Support (2V0-15.25)
- VCP – vSphere Foundation Administrator (2V0-16.25)
- VCP – vSphere Foundation Support (2V0-18.25)
Certified Expert
- VCAP – VCF Architect (3V0-12.26)
- VCAP – VCF Administrator (3V0-11.26)
- VCAP – VCF Support (3V0-13.26)
- VCAP – VCF Automation (3V0-21.25)
- VCAP – VCF Operations (3V0-22.25)
- VCAP – VCF Storage (3V0-23.25)
- VCAP – VCF Networking (3V0-25.25)
- VCAP – VCF VKS (3V0-24.25)
On top of those two tracks, you add:
- A specialization — go deep in an area such as Networking, Storage, Automation, or AI (for the VCF platform).
- A Solution Lab validation (sponsor-validated) where applicable — you build a lab, run real-world use cases, and submit the results as proof you can deliver, not just pass an exam.
The journey, at a glance
Here is the full path from “interested” to “fully badged Knight”:
Step-by-step: how to become a Broadcom Knight
1. Explore the program
Log in to the Broadcom Partner Portal and read the Knight Program info page. Get familiar with the requirements before you invest time.
2. Pick your focus product
Choose one platform to master first — for many engineers that’s VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF). Depth beats breadth here. If VCF is your path, my free guides, walkthroughs and tools are built to help you get there.
3. Earn the required certifications
Register as a Broadcom Partner user, create a CertMetrics profile, then work through the enablement for your role and pass the exams — Proven Professional first, then Certified Expert, on both the sales and technical tracks.
4. Build and validate a Solution Lab
When you have reached Certified Expert on both your platform and your specialization, the final gate is a hands-on VCF Solution Lab, run with a Knight-level mentor. Less exam, more proof — you show you can genuinely build and operate the solution. Rehearsing with resources like my VCF 9 interactive deployment guides makes this far smoother.
Inside the lab you choose and prove three or more real-world scenarios, such as:
5. Secure a sponsor
You need a Broadcom SME or an existing sponsor to nominate you. Start building that relationship early — through field engagements, events, and by demonstrating consistent impact.
6. Complete the nomination
Once nominated, answer any follow-up questions or additional requirements during the review process.
7. Get accepted & sign the NDA
On acceptance, you sign the Knights NDA — and you’re in. If you’re not accepted this round, you’ll receive guidance on exactly what to strengthen for next time.
How the exams actually work (the certification quest)
If the certification maze feels confusing, here’s the flow in order:
- Broadcom Partner Portal → click your platform or product of interest.
- Open the Certification Playlist for your functional role — this takes you into Learning@Broadcom (the LMS).
- Consume the curated courses to build capability and activate the certification triggers.
- Where each exam lives: sales assessments are in the LMS; technical Proven Professional exams run through CertMetrics / Pearson VUE; Certified Expert is earned via an online application form where you upload an “Evidence Pack” of your real experience.
- Complete the Solution Lab (if applicable) and submit for validation.
- 🏆 You’re a fully badged Broadcom Knight.
Tips to get there faster
- Go deep on one product. Master a single focus product end-to-end rather than spreading thin across many.
- Collect delivery evidence as you go. Certified Expert needs proof of real delivery — keep outcomes, architectures and proof-of-delivery notes from every project.
- Line up your sponsor early. Don’t wait until the certs are done; build the relationship in parallel.
- Keep certifications current. Knighthood renews annually — treat it as an ongoing commitment, not a one-time sprint.
- Practice hands-on. Labs and walkthroughs turn exam knowledge into delivery confidence — exactly what the Solution Lab validates.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply directly? Not exactly — you build the credentials and get nominated by a sponsor. Focus on the certs and delivery evidence first.
Is it for me or my company? You earn it as an individual; your company simply needs to be a qualifying partner.
How long does it take? It varies with your starting point, but plan for a few months of focused enablement and at least one real delivery to draw evidence from.
Does it expire? It’s reviewed annually and renewed only if you keep meeting the expectations.
Building your VCF depth? Start here.
A huge part of the Knight journey — especially on the VCF path — is genuine depth in design, deployment and operations. That’s exactly what I publish, for free.
Explore the VCF 9 guides & tools →
Ask DrJhaGPT a VCF question →
Found this useful? Subscribe so you catch the next deep-dive, and if you’re on the Knight path, share this with a colleague who should be too. Questions or your own tips? Drop them in the comments — I read every one.
Disclaimer: This is an independent, educational guide based on publicly available information about the Broadcom Knights program. It is not affiliated with, authorized, or endorsed by Broadcom Inc. or its subsidiaries. All product and program names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. For official and current requirements, always refer to the Broadcom Partner Portal.
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DrJha