Note: Windows is the recommended operating system for AutoCAD.
Build your AutoCAD skills in this online certification course, from navigating the interface to creating precise construction documents. The self-paced training prepares you for the Autodesk Certified User (ACU) exam in AutoCAD, which is included, and builds a foundation for the more advanced Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) exam.
This course develops core AutoCAD competencies by covering interface navigation, essential 2D drafting techniques for symbols and floor plans, and layer management for well-organized CAD files. Students learn to apply dimensioning, annotation, block creation, and external references to streamline workflows, while advancing into sheet layouts, plotting, and the production of detailed, professional construction documents.
Unit 1 30 Hours
Learn AutoCAD in this beginner-friendly online course. You’ll start by drawing drafting symbols and common kitchen and bath fixtures, then create a complete floor plan and assemble everything into a single deliverable sheet file. The course introduces the AutoCAD interface and commands, including drawing and modifying tools, layering standards, text, dimensioning, and plotting.
Unit 2 30 Hours
In this course, you’ll create an abbreviated set of CAD construction documents for a Habitat for Humanity project, including floor, roof, foundation, and electrical plans, plus building elevations. You’ll use blocks and external references to link drawings and improve workflows while reinforcing core AutoCAD skills and learning advanced techniques such as file referencing, coordinate systems, dynamic viewing, and model and paper space conventions.
Loading lessons…
Unit 3 30 Hours
In this course, we use AutoCAD to develop titleblock drawings from scratch, draft a floor plan, multi-scale enlarged plans, roof plan and building elevations for a more complicated one-story residence. You will learn important, relevant & practical CAD workflow skills, including AutoCAD commands, menuing systems and project workflow. The course covers two-dimensional (2D) drawing commands and drafting techniques for developing construction documents, including dimensioning, layout environments, layering systems and plotting.
Loading lessons…
Unit 4 30 Hours
This is an advanced-level course designed to elevate your expertise in producing professional construction documents using AutoCAD. This course builds upon fundamental drafting and AutoCAD skills, focusing on the creation of precise, detailed construction drawings that meet industry standards. You will learn how to create cohesive and technically accurate sets of plans, allowing for better communication across various teams.
Loading lessons…
Unit 5 30 Hours
Create detail drawings in this course. Students learn the two dominant CAD standards that AEC firms use, making detail drawings from scratch and by referencing and clipping information from other drawings. Learn drawing standards and about organizing your details.
Loading lessons…
This program includes this certification exam as well as the exam proctoring. The exam is optional.
The Autodesk Certified User (ACU) in AutoCAD is Autodesk’s entry-level AutoCAD certification. The exam shows you can create, organize, annotate, and plot drawings, edit and hatch objects, work with layouts, add dimensions, and use blocks. Certiport recommends about 150 hours of hands-on experience.
Exam detailsIf you prefer to pay your tuition over time, we have payment options to meet your needs. Finance your education through an installment plan. We also assist with documentation should your employer offer tuition reimbursement.
See the Installment plan FAQ for more information.
If you’re a company enrolling your employee or an employee seeking tuition reimbursement from your company, choose Corporate Invoice at checkout.
Work on projects proven to boost retention
Refined over many years for an optimal learning experience
Very good! Overall, I am satisfied with the course material and pace. The instructor was also very responsive when answering questions or concerns.
- Zunjie Jed Hu
Experienced educators who are driven to help you succeed
Get help when you need it
Our instructors are industry experts and experienced educators, driven to help you succeed.
.png)
We want you to leverage the skills you’ll learn. In addition to 140 hours of hands-on, self-paced training, you’ll receive one live 1-on-1 training session where you can:
Upon completion of this course, you’ll receive an official certificate testifying to your mastery of the curriculum. We’ll send you a link where you can download your certificate, share it online with your friends, post it to your professional network on LinkedIn, and view all your earned certificates. Congratulations on your achievement!
Shareable on
.jpg)
Learn practical skills by working on real projects with instructor guidance and lectures to strengthen and improve your skill.
This course is designed for people who want to build or strengthen their AutoCAD skills, including:
Yes. The course prepares you for the Autodesk Certified User (ACU) in AutoCAD exam, which is included in your tuition. It teaches core skills the exam covers, such as creating and organizing drawings, dimensioning and annotation, blocks, layouts, and plotting. It also builds a foundation for the more advanced Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) exam, which is not included. VDCI is an Autodesk Authorized Training Center, and VDCI’s instructors include Autodesk Certified Instructors. Read more about Autodesk certifications and VDCI training.
Yes. Your tuition includes one voucher for the Autodesk Certified User (ACU) in AutoCAD exam, one retake if you do not pass the first time, and exam proctoring. There is no separate exam fee. VDCI provides the voucher after you finish the required coursework, and taking the exam is optional.
The ACU exam is delivered through Certiport, Autodesk’s testing partner for Autodesk Certified User exams. After you finish the required coursework, VDCI arranges your Certiport exam voucher and online proctoring, and you choose an exam time that works for you. You take the exam online with a live remote proctor. Pearson VUE delivers the separate Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) exam, which is not part of this course.
When you finish the required coursework, email learn@vdci.edu. After we confirm your completion, we arrange your exam voucher and online proctoring and send you the voucher code with instructions for scheduling your exam at a time that works for you. Before exam day, create a Certiport account if you do not have one. You sign in with it to start the exam, and your results and certificate are saved there. Certiport vouchers expire and cannot be extended, so plan to take the exam soon after you finish the course.
You take the exam online with a live remote proctor, so you do not need to visit a testing center. Proctoring is included in your tuition. The exam runs in Certiport’s Compass Cloud app, and AutoCAD runs in the cloud as part of the exam, so you do not need it installed on your computer. You will need:
Be ready 5 minutes before your start time. The session lasts up to about 2 hours, and if you join more than 30 minutes late you will need to reschedule.
The course and the included Autodesk Certified User (ACU) exam fit beginners and early-career drafters, designers, architects, and engineers who want an Autodesk credential that shows they can use AutoCAD. Experienced users aiming for the advanced Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) credential can use the course to strengthen their skills, but the ACP exam is not included, and Autodesk recommends about 400 to 1,200 hours of AutoCAD experience before taking it.
The recommendation depends on the exam:
The exam has 30 to 35 questions with a 50-minute time limit. Some tasks are done in a live copy of AutoCAD, where you perform the step yourself, such as matching one object’s properties to other objects. The rest are standard questions, such as multiple choice. Scores run from 1 to 1,000, and 700 is a passing score. You get your score report as soon as you finish.
Your tuition includes one retake. Certiport requires you to wait at least 24 hours after your first attempt, and the retake must be used for the same exam within 60 days of the failed attempt. Email learn@vdci.edu so we can set up your retake. Any further attempt needs a new voucher, and Certiport requires a five-day wait after the second attempt. Email learn@vdci.edu if you need one.
This course includes the Autodesk Certified User (ACU) exam. The Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) is a separate, more advanced exam that is not included.
An ACU certification earned on or after June 18, 2025, is valid for 5 years. To renew it, you buy a new voucher and pass the current version of the exam. When you pass, the certification appears on your transcript in your Certiport account, where you can also download a PDF certificate, and you can claim a Credly digital badge to share online.
Yes, this course is open to beginners. Students must be comfortable using a computer. No other prior knowledge is required.
Yes, this course is eligible for our installment plan.
Learn more in the Tuition section above.
This program is available for 150 days. You can choose when to start your access period. Once you activate, you will have 150 days to complete it (access the course materials, quizzes, projects and videos). You may request one extension of seven (7) days. Other extension requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Videos are not downloadable.
For this series of 5 courses, you are entitled to a 90% refund (your payment less the nonrefundable 10% registration fee) within 30 days of purchase for any course in the bundle that you have not accessed.
There are no extra fees or taxes for our courses. The price you see on this page is the maximum you’ll pay us.
Yes. A limited-time promotion of $596 is already applied to the price shown.
This program has a single package price. No other discounts apply.
