The ForgeRock Certified IDM Specialist certification validates your expertise in implementing and managing ForgeRock Identity Management solutions. This guide provides everything you need to prepare for and pass the exam.

What is ForgeRock IDM?

ForgeRock Identity Management (IDM) is an enterprise-grade identity governance and provisioning platform that enables:

  • User Lifecycle Management – Joiner, mover, leaver automation
  • Identity Synchronization – Real-time sync between systems
  • Self-Service Capabilities – Password reset, profile management
  • Workflow Orchestration – Approval workflows and business processes
  • Reconciliation – Detecting and resolving identity data discrepancies

IDM Core Components:

graph TB
    subgraph "ForgeRock IDM Architecture"
        UI[Admin & Self-Service UI]
        REST[REST API Layer]
        ENGINE[Provisioning Engine]
        SYNC[Sync Engine]
        REPO[(Repository)]

        UI --> REST
        REST --> ENGINE
        REST --> SYNC
        ENGINE --> REPO
        SYNC --> REPO
    end

    subgraph "Connected Systems"
        LDAP[LDAP/AD]
        HR[HR Systems]
        CLOUD[Cloud Apps]
        DB[Databases]
    end

    ENGINE --> LDAP
    ENGINE --> HR
    SYNC --> CLOUD
    SYNC --> DB

    style ENGINE fill:#667eea,color:#fff
    style SYNC fill:#764ba2,color:#fff
    style REPO fill:#f093fb,color:#fff

Exam Overview

Aspect Details
Exam Name ForgeRock Certified IDM Specialist
Format Multiple choice and scenario-based questions
Questions 55-65 questions
Duration 90 minutes
Passing Score 70%
Prerequisites 6+ months hands-on ForgeRock IDM experience recommended
Validity 2 years
Delivery Online proctored or testing center

Exam Domains and Objectives

Domain 1: IDM Architecture and Installation (15%)

Key Topics:

  • IDM deployment models (standalone, clustered)
  • Repository configuration (embedded DS, external DS, JDBC)
  • Boot properties and system configuration
  • Project structure and file organization
  • Upgrade and migration procedures

What You Should Know:

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Domain 2: Managed Objects and Schema (20%)

This is a critical domain covering how IDM stores and manages identity data.

Key Concepts:

  • Managed object definitions
  • Schema design and properties
  • Relationships between objects
  • Virtual properties and calculated values
  • Object lifecycle states

Example Managed Object Schema:

{
  "name": "user",
  "schema": {
    "properties": {
      "userName": { "type": "string", "required": true },
      "givenName": { "type": "string" },
      "sn": { "type": "string" },
      "mail": { "type": "string", "format": "email" },
      "accountStatus": {
        "type": "string",
        "enum": ["active", "inactive", "staged"]
      },
      "manager": {
        "type": "relationship",
        "reverseRelationship": true,
        "properties": {
          "_ref": { "type": "string" },
          "_refProperties": {
            "type": "object"
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Domain 3: Connectors and External Systems (25%)

The most heavily weighted domain. Focus extensively on:

  • Connector types (LDAP, Scripted, Database, REST)
  • Connector configuration and pooling
  • Object type mappings
  • Attribute flow (source → IDM → target)
  • Scripted connectors (Groovy)

Common Connector Configurations:

Connector Type Use Case Key Settings
LDAP Active Directory, OpenLDAP Host, port, credentials, base DN
Database SQL databases JDBC URL, table mappings
Scripted SQL Complex DB operations Groovy scripts
Scripted REST Cloud APIs HTTP client, authentication
CSV File-based imports File path, delimiter

Scripted Connector Example:

// SearchScript.groovy
import org.forgerock.openicf.connectors.groovy.OperationType
import org.identityconnectors.framework.common.objects.*

def operation = operation as OperationType
def objectClass = objectClass as ObjectClass
def filter = filter
def options = options as OperationOptions

// Query external system
def results = httpClient.get("/api/users")

results.each { user ->
    handler {
        uid user.id
        id user.username
        attribute 'firstName', user.firstName
        attribute 'lastName', user.lastName
        attribute 'email', user.email
    }
}

Domain 4: Synchronization and Reconciliation (20%)

Critical for exam success:

  • Mapping configurations
  • Source and target sync
  • Correlation and situation handling
  • Reconciliation types (full, incremental)
  • LiveSync configuration
  • Conflict resolution

Synchronization Situations:

Situation Description Typical Action
ABSENT Source exists, target doesn’t CREATE
FOUND Both exist, data matches UPDATE or IGNORE
UNQUALIFIED Source doesn’t meet conditions IGNORE
MISSING Target exists, source doesn’t DELETE or UNLINK
AMBIGUOUS Multiple targets match EXCEPTION

Mapping Configuration Example:

{
  "name": "systemHrAccounts_managedUser",
  "source": "system/hr/account",
  "target": "managed/user",
  "correlationQuery": {
    "type": "text/javascript",
    "source": "{'_queryFilter': 'employeeId eq \"' + source.empId + '\"'}"
  },
  "properties": [
    {
      "source": "empId",
      "target": "employeeId"
    },
    {
      "source": "firstName",
      "target": "givenName"
    },
    {
      "source": "",
      "transform": {
        "type": "text/javascript",
        "source": "source.firstName + '.' + source.lastName + '@company.com'"
      },
      "target": "mail"
    }
  ]
}

Domain 5: Workflows and Business Processes (10%)

  • BPMN workflow definitions
  • Approval processes
  • Task management
  • Email notifications
  • Custom workflow nodes

Domain 6: Security and Access Control (10%)

  • Authentication configuration
  • Authorization policies
  • Role-based access control
  • Audit logging
  • Secure communication (TLS)

Hands-On Lab Exercises

Lab 1: Basic Connector Setup

Set up a CSV connector to import users:

  1. Create a CSV file with user data
  2. Configure the CSV connector in provisioner.openicf-csv.json
  3. Define object mappings
  4. Run reconciliation
  5. Verify users in managed/user

Lab 2: Synchronization Mapping

Create a mapping from HR system to IDM:

  1. Define source (HR connector)
  2. Define target (managed/user)
  3. Configure correlation rules
  4. Set up attribute mappings with transforms
  5. Handle all synchronization situations

Lab 3: Scripted Connector Development

Build a custom REST connector:

  1. Create Groovy scripts for CRUD operations
  2. Configure HTTP client settings
  3. Implement pagination for large datasets
  4. Add error handling
  5. Test with reconciliation

Study Resources

Official ForgeRock Resources

  1. ForgeRock University

    • IDM Fundamentals
    • IDM Administration
    • IDM Customization

  2. Documentation

Week Focus Activities
1 Architecture & Setup Install IDM, explore project structure
2 Managed Objects Create custom schemas, test CRUD
3-4 Connectors Configure LDAP, CSV, scripted connectors
5-6 Synchronization Build mappings, run reconciliations
7 Workflows & Security Create approval flows, configure access
8 Review & Practice Mock exams, weak area focus

Sample Exam Questions

Question 1

Which file would you modify to change the IDM repository from embedded DS to an external PostgreSQL database?

A) conf/boot/boot.properties B) conf/repo.ds.json C) conf/datasource.jdbc-default.json D) conf/system.properties

Show Answer

C) conf/datasource.jdbc-default.json - This file configures the JDBC datasource for external database repositories. You would also need to update repo.jdbc.json.

Question 2

During reconciliation, a source record matches multiple target records. What synchronization situation is this?

A) FOUND B) UNQUALIFIED C) AMBIGUOUS D) CONFIRMED

Show Answer

C) AMBIGUOUS - This situation occurs when the correlation query returns multiple matches, and IDM cannot determine which target record is correct.

Question 3

What is the correct order of script execution during a CREATE operation in IDM?

A) onCreate → postCreate → onValidate B) onValidate → onCreate → postCreate C) onCreate → onValidate → postCreate D) postCreate → onValidate → onCreate

Show Answer

B) onValidate → onCreate → postCreate - Validation runs first, then the creation script, and finally any post-creation actions.

Key Differences: AM vs IDM Certification

Aspect AM Specialist IDM Specialist
Focus Authentication, SSO, Federation Provisioning, Sync, Lifecycle
Key Topics Auth Trees, OAuth, SAML Connectors, Mappings, Workflows
Scripting JavaScript in nodes Groovy in connectors
Integration Identity Providers HR, databases, directories

Exam Day Tips

  1. Time Management – 90 minutes for ~60 questions = ~90 seconds per question
  2. Read Carefully – Scenario questions require understanding the full context
  3. Eliminate Obviously Wrong – Narrow down to 2 options, then decide
  4. Flag and Return – Don’t get stuck; mark difficult questions for review
  5. Trust Your Experience – Real-world IDM work is the best preparation

After passing IDM Specialist, consider:

  • ForgeRock Certified AM Specialist – Authentication and SSO
  • ForgeRock Certified DS Specialist – Directory Services
  • ForgeRock Certified Expert – Advanced multi-product certification

ForgeRock IDM Tutorials

Developer Tools

Conclusion

The ForgeRock IDM Specialist certification demonstrates your ability to implement enterprise identity management solutions. Focus on connectors and synchronization (45% of the exam), get hands-on experience with real IDM deployments, and understand the complete identity lifecycle.

Good luck with your certification journey!