An exception is considered a handled exception when there is a boundary error event in the process model to process the exception. Handled exceptions occur when the model was drawn to anticipate failure and the execution pattern changes as a result of the error handler. Depending on the error handler, the process may continue its execution.

Handled exceptions do not interrupt or stop the execution of the process. The status of the step that causes the exception is changed to Failed (or Interrupted) and the process instance status continues to be Running. A step resulting in a handled exception cannot be restarted by definition.