diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index c56024ac..9306bb4f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ You need the following permissions to run this module.
 
 | Name | Version |
 |------|---------|
-| <a name="requirement_terraform"></a> [terraform](#requirement\_terraform) | >= 1.3.0 |
+| <a name="requirement_terraform"></a> [terraform](#requirement\_terraform) | >= 1.9.0 |
 | <a name="requirement_ibm"></a> [ibm](#requirement\_ibm) | >= 1.70.0, <2.0.0 |
 | <a name="requirement_time"></a> [time](#requirement\_time) | >= 0.9.1 |
 
diff --git a/examples/backup-restore/version.tf b/examples/backup-restore/version.tf
index 8ab45aae..b417a942 100644
--- a/examples/backup-restore/version.tf
+++ b/examples/backup-restore/version.tf
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 terraform {
-  required_version = ">= 1.3.0"
+  required_version = ">= 1.9.0"
   required_providers {
     # Pin to the lowest provider version of the range defined in the main module's version.tf to ensure lowest version still works
     ibm = {
diff --git a/examples/basic/version.tf b/examples/basic/version.tf
index 9badb28b..3fe68a52 100644
--- a/examples/basic/version.tf
+++ b/examples/basic/version.tf
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 terraform {
-  required_version = ">= 1.3.0"
+  required_version = ">= 1.9.0"
   required_providers {
     # Pin to the lowest provider version of the range defined in the main module's version.tf to ensure lowest version still works
     ibm = {
diff --git a/examples/complete/version.tf b/examples/complete/version.tf
index 8ab45aae..b417a942 100644
--- a/examples/complete/version.tf
+++ b/examples/complete/version.tf
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 terraform {
-  required_version = ">= 1.3.0"
+  required_version = ">= 1.9.0"
   required_providers {
     # Pin to the lowest provider version of the range defined in the main module's version.tf to ensure lowest version still works
     ibm = {
diff --git a/examples/fscloud/version.tf b/examples/fscloud/version.tf
index 05dee1cd..be412f48 100644
--- a/examples/fscloud/version.tf
+++ b/examples/fscloud/version.tf
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 terraform {
-  required_version = ">= 1.3.0"
+  required_version = ">= 1.9.0"
   required_providers {
     # Use latest version of provider in non-basic examples to verify latest version works with module
     ibm = {
diff --git a/main.tf b/main.tf
index 7c652a32..23d1faab 100644
--- a/main.tf
+++ b/main.tf
@@ -5,18 +5,6 @@
 # TODO: Replace with terraform cross variable validation: https://github.ibm.com/GoldenEye/issues/issues/10836
 ########################################################################################################################
 
-locals {
-  # Validation (approach based on https://github.com/hashicorp/terraform/issues/25609#issuecomment-1057614400)
-  # tflint-ignore: terraform_unused_declarations
-  validate_kms_values = var.use_ibm_owned_encryption_key && (var.kms_key_crn != null || var.backup_encryption_key_crn != null) ? tobool("When passing values for 'kms_key_crn' or 'backup_encryption_key_crn', you must set 'use_ibm_owned_encryption_key' to false. Otherwise unset them to use default encryption.") : true
-  # tflint-ignore: terraform_unused_declarations
-  validate_kms_vars = !var.use_ibm_owned_encryption_key && var.kms_key_crn == null ? tobool("When setting 'use_ibm_owned_encryption_key' to false, a value must be passed for 'kms_key_crn'.") : true
-  # tflint-ignore: terraform_unused_declarations
-  validate_backup_key = !var.use_ibm_owned_encryption_key && var.backup_encryption_key_crn != null && (var.use_default_backup_encryption_key || var.use_same_kms_key_for_backups) ? tobool("When passing a value for 'backup_encryption_key_crn' you cannot set 'use_default_backup_encryption_key' to true or 'use_ibm_owned_encryption_key' to false.") : true
-  # tflint-ignore: terraform_unused_declarations
-  validate_backup_key_2 = !var.use_ibm_owned_encryption_key && var.backup_encryption_key_crn == null && !var.use_same_kms_key_for_backups ? tobool("When 'use_same_kms_key_for_backups' is set to false, a value needs to be passed for 'backup_encryption_key_crn'.") : true
-}
-
 ########################################################################################################################
 # Locals
 ########################################################################################################################
diff --git a/modules/fscloud/README.md b/modules/fscloud/README.md
index 8dd05ef0..00ed6104 100644
--- a/modules/fscloud/README.md
+++ b/modules/fscloud/README.md
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ The IBM Cloud Framework for Financial Services mandates the application of an in
 
 | Name | Version |
 |------|---------|
-| <a name="requirement_terraform"></a> [terraform](#requirement\_terraform) | >= 1.3.0 |
+| <a name="requirement_terraform"></a> [terraform](#requirement\_terraform) | >= 1.9.0 |
 | <a name="requirement_ibm"></a> [ibm](#requirement\_ibm) | >=1.70.0, <2.0.0 |
 
 ### Modules
diff --git a/modules/fscloud/version.tf b/modules/fscloud/version.tf
index 36ba5643..54b13cac 100644
--- a/modules/fscloud/version.tf
+++ b/modules/fscloud/version.tf
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 terraform {
-  required_version = ">= 1.3.0"
+  required_version = ">= 1.9.0"
   required_providers {
     # The below tflint-ignore is required because although the below provider is not directly required by this submodule,
     # it is required by consuming modules, and if not set here, the top level module calling this module will not be
diff --git a/solutions/standard/main.tf b/solutions/standard/main.tf
index 748de4f4..484f4a05 100644
--- a/solutions/standard/main.tf
+++ b/solutions/standard/main.tf
@@ -16,13 +16,6 @@ module "resource_group" {
 # TODO: Replace with terraform cross variable validation: https://github.ibm.com/GoldenEye/issues/issues/10836
 #######################################################################################################################
 
-locals {
-  # tflint-ignore: terraform_unused_declarations
-  validate_kms_1 = var.existing_rabbitmq_instance_crn != null ? true : var.use_ibm_owned_encryption_key && (var.existing_kms_instance_crn != null || var.existing_kms_key_crn != null || var.existing_backup_kms_key_crn != null) ? tobool("When setting values for 'existing_kms_instance_crn', 'existing_kms_key_crn' or 'existing_backup_kms_key_crn', the 'use_ibm_owned_encryption_key' input must be set to false.") : true
-  # tflint-ignore: terraform_unused_declarations
-  validate_kms_2 = var.existing_rabbitmq_instance_crn != null ? true : !var.use_ibm_owned_encryption_key && (var.existing_kms_instance_crn == null && var.existing_kms_key_crn == null) ? tobool("When 'use_ibm_owned_encryption_key' is false, a value is required for either 'existing_kms_instance_crn' (to create a new key), or 'existing_kms_key_crn' to use an existing key.") : true
-}
-
 #######################################################################################################################
 # KMS encryption key
 #######################################################################################################################
@@ -253,10 +246,6 @@ module "rabbitmq_instance_crn_parser" {
 locals {
   existing_rabbitmq_guid   = var.existing_rabbitmq_instance_crn != null ? module.rabbitmq_instance_crn_parser[0].service_instance : null
   existing_rabbitmq_region = var.existing_rabbitmq_instance_crn != null ? module.rabbitmq_instance_crn_parser[0].region : null
-
-  # Validate the region input matches region detected in existing instance CRN (approach based on https://github.com/hashicorp/terraform/issues/25609#issuecomment-1057614400)
-  # tflint-ignore: terraform_unused_declarations
-  validate_existing_instance_region = var.existing_rabbitmq_instance_crn != null && var.region != local.existing_rabbitmq_region ? tobool("The region detected in the 'existing_rabbitmq_instance_crn' value must match the value of the 'region' input variable when passing an existing instance.") : true
 }
 
 # Do a data lookup on the resource GUID to get more info that is needed for the 'ibm_database' data lookup below
@@ -328,13 +317,6 @@ locals {
 
 locals {
   ## Variable validation (approach based on https://github.com/hashicorp/terraform/issues/25609#issuecomment-1057614400)
-  # tflint-ignore: terraform_unused_declarations
-  validate_sm_crn = length(local.service_credential_secrets) > 0 && var.existing_secrets_manager_instance_crn == null ? tobool("`existing_secrets_manager_instance_crn` is required when adding service credentials to a secrets manager secret.") : false
-  # tflint-ignore: terraform_unused_declarations
-  validate_sm_sg = var.existing_secrets_manager_instance_crn != null && var.admin_pass_secrets_manager_secret_group == null ? tobool("`admin_pass_secrets_manager_secret_group` is required when `existing_secrets_manager_instance_crn` is set.") : false
-  # tflint-ignore: terraform_unused_declarations
-  validate_sm_sn = var.existing_secrets_manager_instance_crn != null && var.admin_pass_secrets_manager_secret_name == null ? tobool("`admin_pass_secrets_manager_secret_name` is required when `existing_secrets_manager_instance_crn` is set.") : false
-
   create_sm_auth_policy = var.skip_rabbitmq_sm_auth_policy || var.existing_secrets_manager_instance_crn == null ? 0 : 1
 }
 
diff --git a/solutions/standard/variables.tf b/solutions/standard/variables.tf
index 777fbb8b..7e6e492e 100644
--- a/solutions/standard/variables.tf
+++ b/solutions/standard/variables.tf
@@ -34,6 +34,11 @@ variable "region" {
   description = "The region where you want to deploy your instance."
   type        = string
   default     = "us-south"
+
+  validation {
+    condition     = var.existing_rabbitmq_instance_crn != null && var.region != local.existing_rabbitmq_region ? false : true
+    error_message = "The region detected in the 'existing_rabbitmq_instance_crn' value must match the value of the 'region' input variable when passing an existing instance."
+  }
 }
 
 variable "rabbitmq_version" {
@@ -127,6 +132,30 @@ variable "use_ibm_owned_encryption_key" {
   type        = bool
   description = "IBM Cloud Databases will secure your deployment's data at rest automatically with an encryption key that IBM hold. Alternatively, you may select your own Key Management System instance and encryption key (Key Protect or Hyper Protect Crypto Services) by setting this to false. If setting to false, a value must be passed for `existing_kms_instance_crn` to create a new key, or `existing_kms_key_crn` and/or `existing_backup_kms_key_crn` to use an existing key."
   default     = false
+
+  # this validation ensures IBM-owned key is not used when KMS details are provided
+  validation {
+    condition = (
+      var.existing_rabbitmq_instance_crn != null ||
+      !(var.use_ibm_owned_encryption_key && (
+        var.existing_kms_instance_crn != null ||
+        var.existing_kms_key_crn != null ||
+        var.existing_backup_kms_key_crn != null
+      ))
+    )
+    error_message = "When setting values for 'existing_kms_instance_crn', 'existing_kms_key_crn' or 'existing_backup_kms_key_crn', the 'use_ibm_owned_encryption_key' input must be set to false."
+  }
+
+  # this validation ensures key info is provided when IBM-owned key is disabled and no RabbitMQ instance is given
+  validation {
+    condition = !(
+      var.existing_rabbitmq_instance_crn == null &&
+      var.use_ibm_owned_encryption_key == false &&
+      var.existing_kms_instance_crn == null &&
+      var.existing_kms_key_crn == null
+    )
+    error_message = "When 'use_ibm_owned_encryption_key' is false, you must provide either 'existing_kms_instance_crn' (to create a new key) or 'existing_kms_key_crn' (to use an existing key)."
+  }
 }
 
 variable "existing_kms_instance_crn" {
@@ -293,6 +322,14 @@ variable "service_credential_secrets" {
     ])
     error_message = "service_credentials_source_service_role_crn must be a serviceRole CRN. See https://cloud.ibm.com/iam/roles"
   }
+
+  validation {
+    condition = (
+      length(var.service_credential_secrets) == 0 ||
+      var.existing_secrets_manager_instance_crn != null
+    )
+    error_message = "`existing_secrets_manager_instance_crn` is required when adding service credentials to a secrets manager secret."
+  }
 }
 
 variable "skip_rabbitmq_sm_auth_policy" {
@@ -305,6 +342,14 @@ variable "admin_pass_secrets_manager_secret_group" {
   type        = string
   description = "The name of a new or existing secrets manager secret group for admin password. To use existing secret group, `use_existing_admin_pass_secrets_manager_secret_group` must be set to `true`. If a prefix input variable is specified, the prefix is added to the name in the `<prefix>-<name>` format."
   default     = "rabbitmq-secrets"
+
+  validation {
+    condition = (
+      var.existing_secrets_manager_instance_crn == null ||
+      var.admin_pass_secrets_manager_secret_group != null
+    )
+    error_message = "`admin_pass_secrets_manager_secret_group` is required when `existing_secrets_manager_instance_crn` is set."
+  }
 }
 
 variable "use_existing_admin_pass_secrets_manager_secret_group" {
@@ -317,6 +362,14 @@ variable "admin_pass_secrets_manager_secret_name" {
   type        = string
   description = "The name of a new rabbitmq administrator secret. If a prefix input variable is specified, the prefix is added to the name in the `<prefix>-<name>` format."
   default     = "rabbitmq-admin-password"
+
+  validation {
+    condition = (
+      var.existing_secrets_manager_instance_crn == null ||
+      var.admin_pass_secrets_manager_secret_name != null
+    )
+    error_message = "`admin_pass_secrets_manager_secret_name` is required when `existing_secrets_manager_instance_crn` is set."
+  }
 }
 
 ##############################################################
diff --git a/solutions/standard/version.tf b/solutions/standard/version.tf
index c8bf2659..237325e6 100644
--- a/solutions/standard/version.tf
+++ b/solutions/standard/version.tf
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 terraform {
-  required_version = ">= 1.3.0"
+  required_version = ">= 1.9.0"
   # Lock DA into an exact provider version - renovate automation will keep it updated
   required_providers {
     ibm = {
diff --git a/variables.tf b/variables.tf
index d9c9e904..26e14b4a 100644
--- a/variables.tf
+++ b/variables.tf
@@ -184,6 +184,34 @@ variable "use_ibm_owned_encryption_key" {
   type        = bool
   description = "IBM Cloud Databases will secure your deployment's data at rest automatically with an encryption key that IBM hold. Alternatively, you may select your own Key Management System instance and encryption key (Key Protect or Hyper Protect Crypto Services) by setting this to false. If setting to false, a value must be passed for the `kms_key_crn` input."
   default     = true
+
+  validation {
+    condition     = var.use_ibm_owned_encryption_key && (var.kms_key_crn != null || var.backup_encryption_key_crn != null) ? false : true
+    error_message = "When 'use_ibm_owned_encryption_key' is true, 'kms_key_crn' and 'backup_encryption_key_crn' must both be null."
+  }
+
+  validation {
+    condition     = var.use_ibm_owned_encryption_key || var.kms_key_crn != null
+    error_message = "When setting 'use_ibm_owned_encryption_key' to false, a value must be passed for 'kms_key_crn'."
+  }
+
+  validation {
+    condition = (
+      var.use_ibm_owned_encryption_key ||
+      var.backup_encryption_key_crn == null ||
+      (!var.use_default_backup_encryption_key && !var.use_same_kms_key_for_backups)
+    )
+    error_message = "When passing a value for backup_encryption_key_crn, you should set use_same_kms_key_for_backups to false, use_default_backup_encryption_key to false and use_ibm_owned_encryption_key to false."
+  }
+
+  validation {
+    condition = (
+      var.use_ibm_owned_encryption_key ||
+      var.backup_encryption_key_crn != null ||
+      var.use_same_kms_key_for_backups
+    )
+    error_message = "When 'use_same_kms_key_for_backups' is set to false, a value needs to be passed for 'backup_encryption_key_crn'."
+  }
 }
 
 variable "use_default_backup_encryption_key" {
diff --git a/version.tf b/version.tf
index 5925e1af..5bd3dcf1 100644
--- a/version.tf
+++ b/version.tf
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 terraform {
-  required_version = ">= 1.3.0"
+  required_version = ">= 1.9.0"
   # Add any required providers below and uncomment
   required_providers {
     ibm = {