Question 206 of 519

Implement and maintain state →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

TF-003 Implement and maintain state Practice Question

This TF-003 practice question tests your understanding of implement and maintain state. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.

Exhibit

terraform {
  backend "s3" {
    bucket = "my-company-terraform-state"
    key    = "prod/terraform.tfstate"
    region = "us-east-1"
    encrypt = true
  }
}

Refer to the exhibit. A developer runs `terraform apply` but receives an error that the state file is locked. Which of the following is a likely cause?

Question 1mediummultiple choice

Full question →

Exhibit

terraform {
  backend "s3" {
    bucket = "my-company-terraform-state"
    key    = "prod/terraform.tfstate"
    region = "us-east-1"
    encrypt = true
  }
}

A
The DynamoDB table for locking is not configured
Why wrong: If DynamoDB is required but missing, it would cause a different error during initialization.
B
The S3 bucket does not exist
Why wrong: A missing bucket would cause an error during initialization or apply, not a lock error.
C
The IAM user lacks s3:ListBucket permission
Why wrong: Permission errors typically manifest as 'AccessDenied', not as a lock error.
D
The encryption key is incorrect
Why wrong: An encryption key issue would result in a different error.
E
Another user has an active plan or apply running
This is the most common cause of a state lock error.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

Another user has an active plan or apply running

A state lock error typically occurs when another process (e.g., another user's plan or apply) is currently holding the lock. Other issues like bucket existence or permissions would cause different errors.

Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

✗
The DynamoDB table for locking is not configured
Why it's wrong here
If DynamoDB is required but missing, it would cause a different error during initialization.
✗
The S3 bucket does not exist
Why it's wrong here
A missing bucket would cause an error during initialization or apply, not a lock error.
✗
The IAM user lacks s3:ListBucket permission
Why it's wrong here
Permission errors typically manifest as 'AccessDenied', not as a lock error.
✗
The encryption key is incorrect
Why it's wrong here
An encryption key issue would result in a different error.
✓
Another user has an active plan or apply running
Why this is correct
This is the most common cause of a state lock error.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.

KKey Concepts to Remember

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.

TExam Day Tips

Underline the problem statement mentally.
Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.

Key takeaway

Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Real-world example

How this comes up in practice

A practitioner preparing for the TF-003 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which TF-003 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this TF-003 question test?

Implement and maintain state — This question tests Implement and maintain state — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: Another user has an active plan or apply running — A state lock error typically occurs when another process (e.g., another user's plan or apply) is currently holding the lock. Other issues like bucket existence or permissions would cause different errors.

What should I do if I get this TF-003 question wrong?

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026

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This TF-003 practice question is part of Courseiva's free HashiCorp certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the TF-003 exam.