CEA-C01

The FEAC Institute lists the CEA Black Belt at USD 9,995.00. The same price appears for each of the three 2027 virtual cohorts shown on its training dates page: Winter 2027 (W27BB), Spring 2027 (S27BB), and Fall 2027 (F27BB). Budget separately for any travel if you attend in-person sessions.

Cohorts are multi-week, not single-day exams. The Winter 2027 (W27BB) session is listed as January 18, 2027 through March 19, 2027. The Spring 2027 (S27BB) session runs April 26, 2027 to June 25, 2027, and Fall 2027 (F27BB) runs September 13, 2027 to November 12, 2027. All three are delivered through the Virtual University.

They are tiers of one ladder. The FEAC Institute says each certification delivers a different level of mastery: the Yellow Belt (CEAP) suits people who need to get going right away, the Green Belt (ACEA) builds the theory to tailor a program, and the Black Belt (CEA) targets building an entire EA practice. Start at the tier matching your scope of responsibility.

The four 500-level modules map directly onto the Black Belt domains: EA Concepts and Framework Basics (502C), Framework Models, Views and Implementation (503C), Planning for Architecture Development and Use (504C), and Architecture Modeling, Analysis and Integration (505C). The Enterprise Architecture Practicum and Thesis (506C) follows. Each is listed at USD 2,499.00 through the Virtual University.

Expect it to be demanding. It is the highest tier offered, priced well above the Green and Yellow Belts, and assumes you can apply framework concepts rather than just recall definitions. The FEAC Institute frames its programs as competency-based, with hands-on practice and active mentorship, so passive reading is unlikely to be enough.

The source page does not publish the Black Belt exam format, question count, time limit, or passing score. Treat any specific figures you see elsewhere as unverified and confirm directly with the provider before you register. Plan your study around the four published domains rather than around a rumored item count.

The source page does not state a retake policy for the Black Belt. The only retake-adjacent item listed is a FEAC CEA and ACEA Recertification Exam at USD 249.95, which is for maintaining an existing credential, not for repeating a failed attempt. Ask the provider in writing before enrolling.

The source page lists renewal resources but does not publish a validity period for the Black Belt. It does list a Recertification Fee of USD 99.00 and a separate FEAC CEA and ACEA Recertification Exam at USD 249.95, both dated January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026. Confirm your renewal window with the provider.

Three recur. First, treating the framework as a memorization exercise instead of practicing it on a real architecture problem. Second, skipping the planning and modeling modules because they feel less urgent than framework basics. Third, underestimating the time commitment of a multi-week cohort and falling behind on mentorship checkpoints. Build a study schedule around the cohort dates.

Follow the catalog sequence: Concepts and Framework Basics first, then Framework Models, Views and Implementation, then Planning for Architecture Development and Use, then Architecture Modeling, Analysis and Integration. Each builds vocabulary the next assumes. Finish with the Practicum and Thesis (506C) to consolidate everything into applied work.