Elevating Terraform Providers: The Partner Premier Tier Explained

The Terraform Registry has introduced an advanced tier for technology partners, called the Partner Premier tag. This new designation builds upon the original Partner program, offering deeper insights into provider capabilities and security practices. Below, we answer common questions about this development.

What is the new Partner Premier tier on the Terraform Registry?

Announced at HashiConf 2025, the Partner Premier tier is a premium status for technology partners on the Terraform Registry. It replaces the prior Partner tag by adding stringent technical and feature requirements. Partners earning this distinction must include a software bill of materials (SBOM) for their provider and implement at least one advanced feature: ephemeral resources, Terraform search, or Terraform actions. This tier gives end users quick visibility into which providers support cutting-edge capabilities directly from the Registry, making it easier to choose providers that go beyond basic resource creation. The Partner Premier tag signals a commitment to quality, security, and innovation in the Terraform ecosystem.

How does the Partner Premier tier differ from the original Partner tag?

The original Partner tag, launched in 2022, recognized Terraform providers that met baseline integration criteria. The new Partner Premier tier builds on that foundation by adding advanced requirements. Partners must first hold the original Partner status, then supply an SBOM for transparency, and integrate at least one of three advanced features: ephemeral resources to improve security, Terraform search for provider exploration, or Terraform actions for imperative workflows. This differentiation helps customers identify providers that invest in deeper automation and security practices. The Premier tag is displayed prominently on the registry, allowing users to sort and filter by this status, making it clear which providers offer enhanced functionality beyond the standard CRUD model.

What are the benefits for end users and customers?

End users gain confidence knowing that Partner Premier providers adhere to rigorous security best practices and offer transparent, verifiable components through SBOMs. They get immediate access to advanced Terraform features like ephemeral resources, which minimize exposure of sensitive data, and Terraform search or actions for automating common Day-2 operations. The ability to sort and filter by the Partner Premier tag on the Registry saves time when evaluating providers. Moreover, these providers are committed to ongoing support and innovation, ensuring that integrations stay current with Terraform's latest capabilities. Ultimately, customers can build more robust, secure, and automated infrastructure pipelines with providers that have earned this elite designation.

What technical and feature requirements must partners meet?

To earn the Partner Premier tag, technology partners must first satisfy all existing requirements for the standard Partner tag. Then they must meet two additional criteria:

• Technical: Provide a software bill of materials (SBOM) for their provider, making internal components visible and verifiable.
• Feature: Implement at least one of these advanced features: ephemeral resources (security best practice), Terraform search (provider discovery), or Terraform actions (imperative workflows).

These requirements ensure that Partner Premier providers prioritize transparency, security, and next-generation automation. By integrating an SBOM, partners demonstrate their commitment to supply chain security, and by supporting advanced features, they enable users to codify tasks that previously required external scripts or manual intervention.

Who are the launch partners for the Partner Premier tier?

The Partner Premier tier launched alongside industry leaders who exemplify advanced Terraform usage. Scaleway and Cisco are among the first partners to qualify. Scaleway enables users to orchestrate the full lifecycle beyond CRUD, handling tasks like server reboots, instance snapshots, database actions, and VPN management. Cisco provides automation for configuration saves and commits in both Cisco IOS and NX-OS environments. These partners demonstrate how the new tier recognizes providers that solve complex challenges in security, lifecycle management, and sovereignty. As infrastructure as code matures, the Partner Premier tag distinguishes providers that move beyond Day-0 provisioning to address iterative, Day-2 operations directly within Terraform.

Why is the Partner Premier tier important for the Terraform ecosystem?

As infrastructure as code becomes the foundation of modern enterprise operations, basic resource creation is no longer sufficient. The Partner Premier tier incentivizes providers to adopt imperative, cutting-edge features that extend Terraform's automation capabilities. It brings previously external tasks—like server restarts, configuration backups, and database snapshots—into the Terraform pipeline, making workflows more seamless and auditable. The requirement for SBOMs enhances supply chain security, while the focus on ephemeral resources helps protect sensitive data. By creating a visible, high-quality tier, HashiCorp encourages a culture of transparency and ongoing improvement among partners, ultimately empowering users to build more resilient and secure infrastructure.