diff --git a/builtin/logical/ssh/backend_test.go b/builtin/logical/ssh/backend_test.go
index d461686189..5b28e6ea20 100644
--- a/builtin/logical/ssh/backend_test.go
+++ b/builtin/logical/ssh/backend_test.go
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/api"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/logical"
-
 	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
 
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/builtin/credential/userpass"
@@ -519,7 +519,7 @@ func newTestingFactory(t *testing.T) func(ctx context.Context, conf *logical.Bac
 		defaultLeaseTTLVal := 2 * time.Minute
 		maxLeaseTTLVal := 10 * time.Minute
 		return Factory(context.Background(), &logical.BackendConfig{
-			Logger:      vault.NewTestLogger(t),
+			Logger:      corehelpers.NewTestLogger(t),
 			StorageView: &logical.InmemStorage{},
 			System: &logical.StaticSystemView{
 				DefaultLeaseTTLVal: defaultLeaseTTLVal,
diff --git a/command/auth_tune_test.go b/command/auth_tune_test.go
index 635a70f44b..ca5a6d78c5 100644
--- a/command/auth_tune_test.go
+++ b/command/auth_tune_test.go
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/go-test/deep"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/api"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/consts"
-	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/vault"
 	"github.com/mitchellh/cli"
 )
 
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ func TestAuthTuneCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("integration", func(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Run("flags_all", func(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Parallel()
-			pluginDir, cleanup := vault.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
+			pluginDir, cleanup := corehelpers.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
 			defer cleanup(t)
 
 			client, _, closer := testVaultServerPluginDir(t, pluginDir)
diff --git a/command/plugin_deregister_test.go b/command/plugin_deregister_test.go
index fc3bc5801e..f517dac63c 100644
--- a/command/plugin_deregister_test.go
+++ b/command/plugin_deregister_test.go
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/api"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/consts"
-	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/vault"
 	"github.com/mitchellh/cli"
 )
 
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ func TestPluginDeregisterCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("integration", func(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Parallel()
 
-		pluginDir, cleanup := vault.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
+		pluginDir, cleanup := corehelpers.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
 		defer cleanup(t)
 
 		client, _, closer := testVaultServerPluginDir(t, pluginDir)
@@ -135,7 +135,7 @@ func TestPluginDeregisterCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("integration with version", func(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Parallel()
 
-		pluginDir, cleanup := vault.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
+		pluginDir, cleanup := corehelpers.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
 		defer cleanup(t)
 
 		client, _, closer := testVaultServerPluginDir(t, pluginDir)
@@ -183,7 +183,7 @@ func TestPluginDeregisterCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("integration with missing version", func(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Parallel()
 
-		pluginDir, cleanup := vault.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
+		pluginDir, cleanup := corehelpers.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
 		defer cleanup(t)
 
 		client, _, closer := testVaultServerPluginDir(t, pluginDir)
diff --git a/command/plugin_info_test.go b/command/plugin_info_test.go
index 714ac1e59b..4e4924ed44 100644
--- a/command/plugin_info_test.go
+++ b/command/plugin_info_test.go
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ import (
 	"strings"
 	"testing"
 
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/versions"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/consts"
-	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/vault"
 	"github.com/mitchellh/cli"
 )
 
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ func TestPluginInfoCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("default", func(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Parallel()
 
-		pluginDir, cleanup := vault.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
+		pluginDir, cleanup := corehelpers.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
 		defer cleanup(t)
 
 		client, _, closer := testVaultServerPluginDir(t, pluginDir)
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ func TestPluginInfoCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("version flag", func(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Parallel()
 
-		pluginDir, cleanup := vault.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
+		pluginDir, cleanup := corehelpers.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
 		defer cleanup(t)
 
 		client, _, closer := testVaultServerPluginDir(t, pluginDir)
@@ -152,7 +152,7 @@ func TestPluginInfoCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("field", func(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Parallel()
 
-		pluginDir, cleanup := vault.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
+		pluginDir, cleanup := corehelpers.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
 		defer cleanup(t)
 
 		client, _, closer := testVaultServerPluginDir(t, pluginDir)
diff --git a/command/plugin_register_test.go b/command/plugin_register_test.go
index c2047d070f..f2522a61e1 100644
--- a/command/plugin_register_test.go
+++ b/command/plugin_register_test.go
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/api"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/consts"
-	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/vault"
 	"github.com/mitchellh/cli"
 )
 
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ func TestPluginRegisterCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("integration", func(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Parallel()
 
-		pluginDir, cleanup := vault.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
+		pluginDir, cleanup := corehelpers.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
 		defer cleanup(t)
 
 		client, _, closer := testVaultServerPluginDir(t, pluginDir)
@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ func TestPluginRegisterCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("integration with version", func(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Parallel()
 
-		pluginDir, cleanup := vault.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
+		pluginDir, cleanup := corehelpers.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
 		defer cleanup(t)
 
 		client, _, closer := testVaultServerPluginDir(t, pluginDir)
diff --git a/command/plugin_reload_test.go b/command/plugin_reload_test.go
index 5713d1a150..1554bf947f 100644
--- a/command/plugin_reload_test.go
+++ b/command/plugin_reload_test.go
@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/api"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/consts"
-	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/vault"
 	"github.com/mitchellh/cli"
 )
 
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ func TestPluginReloadCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("integration", func(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Parallel()
 
-		pluginDir, cleanup := vault.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
+		pluginDir, cleanup := corehelpers.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
 		defer cleanup(t)
 
 		client, _, closer := testVaultServerPluginDir(t, pluginDir)
diff --git a/command/secrets_tune_test.go b/command/secrets_tune_test.go
index 41c6bd2f6f..2d2799bb50 100644
--- a/command/secrets_tune_test.go
+++ b/command/secrets_tune_test.go
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/go-test/deep"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/api"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/consts"
-	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/vault"
 	"github.com/mitchellh/cli"
 )
 
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ func TestSecretsTuneCommand_Run(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("integration", func(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Run("flags_all", func(t *testing.T) {
 			t.Parallel()
-			pluginDir, cleanup := vault.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
+			pluginDir, cleanup := corehelpers.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
 			defer cleanup(t)
 
 			client, _, closer := testVaultServerPluginDir(t, pluginDir)
diff --git a/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers/corehelpers.go b/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers/corehelpers.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..db94ecc94a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers/corehelpers.go
@@ -0,0 +1,420 @@
+// Package corehelpers contains testhelpers that don't depend on package vault,
+// and thus can be used within vault (as well as elsewhere.)
+package corehelpers
+
+import (
+	"bytes"
+	"context"
+	"crypto/sha256"
+	"io/ioutil"
+	"os"
+	"path/filepath"
+	"sync"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/hashicorp/go-hclog"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/audit"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/builtin/credential/approle"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/plugins/database/mysql"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/framework"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/consts"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/salt"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/logical"
+	"github.com/mitchellh/go-testing-interface"
+)
+
+// RetryUntil runs f until it returns a nil result or the timeout is reached.
+// If a nil result hasn't been obtained by timeout, calls t.Fatal.
+func RetryUntil(t testing.T, timeout time.Duration, f func() error) {
+	t.Helper()
+	deadline := time.Now().Add(timeout)
+	var err error
+	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
+		if err = f(); err == nil {
+			return
+		}
+		time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
+	}
+	t.Fatalf("did not complete before deadline, err: %v", err)
+}
+
+// MakeTestPluginDir creates a temporary directory suitable for holding plugins.
+// This helper also resolves symlinks to make tests happy on OS X.
+func MakeTestPluginDir(t testing.T) (string, func(t testing.T)) {
+	if t != nil {
+		t.Helper()
+	}
+
+	dir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "")
+	if err != nil {
+		if t == nil {
+			panic(err)
+		}
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	// OSX tempdir are /var, but actually symlinked to /private/var
+	dir, err = filepath.EvalSymlinks(dir)
+	if err != nil {
+		if t == nil {
+			panic(err)
+		}
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+
+	return dir, func(t testing.T) {
+		if err := os.RemoveAll(dir); err != nil {
+			if t == nil {
+				panic(err)
+			}
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+func NewMockBuiltinRegistry() *mockBuiltinRegistry {
+	return &mockBuiltinRegistry{
+		forTesting: map[string]mockBackend{
+			"mysql-database-plugin":      {PluginType: consts.PluginTypeDatabase},
+			"postgresql-database-plugin": {PluginType: consts.PluginTypeDatabase},
+			"approle":                    {PluginType: consts.PluginTypeCredential},
+			"pending-removal-test-plugin": {
+				PluginType:        consts.PluginTypeCredential,
+				DeprecationStatus: consts.PendingRemoval,
+			},
+			"aws":    {PluginType: consts.PluginTypeCredential},
+			"consul": {PluginType: consts.PluginTypeSecrets},
+		},
+	}
+}
+
+type mockBackend struct {
+	consts.PluginType
+	consts.DeprecationStatus
+}
+
+type mockBuiltinRegistry struct {
+	forTesting map[string]mockBackend
+}
+
+func toFunc(f logical.Factory) func() (interface{}, error) {
+	return func() (interface{}, error) {
+		return f, nil
+	}
+}
+
+func (m *mockBuiltinRegistry) Get(name string, pluginType consts.PluginType) (func() (interface{}, error), bool) {
+	testBackend, ok := m.forTesting[name]
+	if !ok {
+		return nil, false
+	}
+	testPluginType := testBackend.PluginType
+	if pluginType != testPluginType {
+		return nil, false
+	}
+
+	switch name {
+	case "approle", "pending-removal-test-plugin":
+		return toFunc(approle.Factory), true
+	case "aws":
+		return toFunc(func(ctx context.Context, config *logical.BackendConfig) (logical.Backend, error) {
+			b := new(framework.Backend)
+			b.Setup(ctx, config)
+			b.BackendType = logical.TypeCredential
+			return b, nil
+		}), true
+	case "postgresql-database-plugin":
+		return toFunc(func(ctx context.Context, config *logical.BackendConfig) (logical.Backend, error) {
+			b := new(framework.Backend)
+			b.Setup(ctx, config)
+			b.BackendType = logical.TypeLogical
+			return b, nil
+		}), true
+	case "mysql-database-plugin":
+		return mysql.New(mysql.DefaultUserNameTemplate), true
+	case "consul":
+		return toFunc(func(ctx context.Context, config *logical.BackendConfig) (logical.Backend, error) {
+			b := new(framework.Backend)
+			b.Setup(ctx, config)
+			b.BackendType = logical.TypeLogical
+			return b, nil
+		}), true
+	default:
+		return nil, false
+	}
+}
+
+// Keys only supports getting a realistic list of the keys for database plugins,
+// and approle
+func (m *mockBuiltinRegistry) Keys(pluginType consts.PluginType) []string {
+	switch pluginType {
+	case consts.PluginTypeDatabase:
+		// This is a hard-coded reproduction of the db plugin keys in
+		// helper/builtinplugins/registry.go. The registry isn't directly used
+		// because it causes import cycles.
+		return []string{
+			"mysql-database-plugin",
+			"mysql-aurora-database-plugin",
+			"mysql-rds-database-plugin",
+			"mysql-legacy-database-plugin",
+
+			"cassandra-database-plugin",
+			"couchbase-database-plugin",
+			"elasticsearch-database-plugin",
+			"hana-database-plugin",
+			"influxdb-database-plugin",
+			"mongodb-database-plugin",
+			"mongodbatlas-database-plugin",
+			"mssql-database-plugin",
+			"postgresql-database-plugin",
+			"redis-elasticache-database-plugin",
+			"redshift-database-plugin",
+			"redis-database-plugin",
+			"snowflake-database-plugin",
+		}
+	case consts.PluginTypeCredential:
+		return []string{
+			"pending-removal-test-plugin",
+			"approle",
+		}
+	}
+	return []string{}
+}
+
+func (m *mockBuiltinRegistry) Contains(name string, pluginType consts.PluginType) bool {
+	for _, key := range m.Keys(pluginType) {
+		if key == name {
+			return true
+		}
+	}
+	return false
+}
+
+func (m *mockBuiltinRegistry) DeprecationStatus(name string, pluginType consts.PluginType) (consts.DeprecationStatus, bool) {
+	if m.Contains(name, pluginType) {
+		return m.forTesting[name].DeprecationStatus, true
+	}
+
+	return consts.Unknown, false
+}
+
+func TestNoopAudit(t testing.T, config map[string]string) *NoopAudit {
+	n, err := NewNoopAudit(config)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return n
+}
+
+func NewNoopAudit(config map[string]string) (*NoopAudit, error) {
+	view := &logical.InmemStorage{}
+	err := view.Put(context.Background(), &logical.StorageEntry{
+		Key:   "salt",
+		Value: []byte("foo"),
+	})
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+
+	n := &NoopAudit{
+		Config: &audit.BackendConfig{
+			SaltView: view,
+			SaltConfig: &salt.Config{
+				HMAC:     sha256.New,
+				HMACType: "hmac-sha256",
+			},
+			Config: config,
+		},
+	}
+	n.formatter.AuditFormatWriter = &audit.JSONFormatWriter{
+		SaltFunc: n.Salt,
+	}
+	return n, nil
+}
+
+func NoopAuditFactory(records **[][]byte) audit.Factory {
+	return func(_ context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
+		n, err := NewNoopAudit(config.Config)
+		if err != nil {
+			return nil, err
+		}
+		if records != nil {
+			*records = &n.records
+		}
+		return n, nil
+	}
+}
+
+type NoopAudit struct {
+	Config         *audit.BackendConfig
+	ReqErr         error
+	ReqAuth        []*logical.Auth
+	Req            []*logical.Request
+	ReqHeaders     []map[string][]string
+	ReqNonHMACKeys []string
+	ReqErrs        []error
+
+	RespErr            error
+	RespAuth           []*logical.Auth
+	RespReq            []*logical.Request
+	Resp               []*logical.Response
+	RespNonHMACKeys    [][]string
+	RespReqNonHMACKeys [][]string
+	RespErrs           []error
+
+	formatter audit.AuditFormatter
+	records   [][]byte
+	l         sync.RWMutex
+	salt      *salt.Salt
+	saltMutex sync.RWMutex
+}
+
+func (n *NoopAudit) LogRequest(ctx context.Context, in *logical.LogInput) error {
+	n.l.Lock()
+	defer n.l.Unlock()
+	if n.formatter.AuditFormatWriter != nil {
+		var w bytes.Buffer
+		err := n.formatter.FormatRequest(ctx, &w, audit.FormatterConfig{}, in)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		n.records = append(n.records, w.Bytes())
+	}
+
+	n.ReqAuth = append(n.ReqAuth, in.Auth)
+	n.Req = append(n.Req, in.Request)
+	n.ReqHeaders = append(n.ReqHeaders, in.Request.Headers)
+	n.ReqNonHMACKeys = in.NonHMACReqDataKeys
+	n.ReqErrs = append(n.ReqErrs, in.OuterErr)
+
+	return n.ReqErr
+}
+
+func (n *NoopAudit) LogResponse(ctx context.Context, in *logical.LogInput) error {
+	n.l.Lock()
+	defer n.l.Unlock()
+
+	if n.formatter.AuditFormatWriter != nil {
+		var w bytes.Buffer
+		err := n.formatter.FormatResponse(ctx, &w, audit.FormatterConfig{}, in)
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		n.records = append(n.records, w.Bytes())
+	}
+
+	n.RespAuth = append(n.RespAuth, in.Auth)
+	n.RespReq = append(n.RespReq, in.Request)
+	n.Resp = append(n.Resp, in.Response)
+	n.RespErrs = append(n.RespErrs, in.OuterErr)
+
+	if in.Response != nil {
+		n.RespNonHMACKeys = append(n.RespNonHMACKeys, in.NonHMACRespDataKeys)
+		n.RespReqNonHMACKeys = append(n.RespReqNonHMACKeys, in.NonHMACReqDataKeys)
+	}
+
+	return n.RespErr
+}
+
+func (n *NoopAudit) LogTestMessage(ctx context.Context, in *logical.LogInput, config map[string]string) error {
+	n.l.Lock()
+	defer n.l.Unlock()
+	var w bytes.Buffer
+	tempFormatter := audit.NewTemporaryFormatter(config["format"], config["prefix"])
+	err := tempFormatter.FormatResponse(ctx, &w, audit.FormatterConfig{}, in)
+	if err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	n.records = append(n.records, w.Bytes())
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (n *NoopAudit) Salt(ctx context.Context) (*salt.Salt, error) {
+	n.saltMutex.RLock()
+	if n.salt != nil {
+		defer n.saltMutex.RUnlock()
+		return n.salt, nil
+	}
+	n.saltMutex.RUnlock()
+	n.saltMutex.Lock()
+	defer n.saltMutex.Unlock()
+	if n.salt != nil {
+		return n.salt, nil
+	}
+	salt, err := salt.NewSalt(ctx, n.Config.SaltView, n.Config.SaltConfig)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	n.salt = salt
+	return salt, nil
+}
+
+func (n *NoopAudit) GetHash(ctx context.Context, data string) (string, error) {
+	salt, err := n.Salt(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return salt.GetIdentifiedHMAC(data), nil
+}
+
+func (n *NoopAudit) Reload(ctx context.Context) error {
+	return nil
+}
+
+func (n *NoopAudit) Invalidate(ctx context.Context) {
+	n.saltMutex.Lock()
+	defer n.saltMutex.Unlock()
+	n.salt = nil
+}
+
+type TestLogger struct {
+	hclog.Logger
+	Path string
+	File *os.File
+	sink hclog.SinkAdapter
+}
+
+func NewTestLogger(t testing.T) *TestLogger {
+	var logFile *os.File
+	var logPath string
+	output := os.Stderr
+
+	logDir := os.Getenv("VAULT_TEST_LOG_DIR")
+	if logDir != "" {
+		logPath = filepath.Join(logDir, t.Name()+".log")
+		// t.Name may include slashes.
+		dir, _ := filepath.Split(logPath)
+		err := os.MkdirAll(dir, 0o755)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		logFile, err = os.Create(logPath)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatal(err)
+		}
+		output = logFile
+	}
+
+	// We send nothing on the regular logger, that way we can later deregister
+	// the sink to stop logging during cluster cleanup.
+	logger := hclog.NewInterceptLogger(&hclog.LoggerOptions{
+		Output:            ioutil.Discard,
+		IndependentLevels: true,
+	})
+	sink := hclog.NewSinkAdapter(&hclog.LoggerOptions{
+		Output:            output,
+		Level:             hclog.Trace,
+		IndependentLevels: true,
+	})
+	logger.RegisterSink(sink)
+	return &TestLogger{
+		Path:   logPath,
+		File:   logFile,
+		Logger: logger,
+		sink:   sink,
+	}
+}
+
+func (tl *TestLogger) StopLogging() {
+	tl.Logger.(hclog.InterceptLogger).DeregisterSink(tl.sink)
+}
diff --git a/helper/testhelpers/logical/testing.go b/helper/testhelpers/logical/testing.go
index 4740ff6be3..79be91f7a6 100644
--- a/helper/testhelpers/logical/testing.go
+++ b/helper/testhelpers/logical/testing.go
@@ -9,11 +9,11 @@ import (
 	"sort"
 	"testing"
 
-	log "github.com/hashicorp/go-hclog"
-
 	"github.com/hashicorp/errwrap"
+	log "github.com/hashicorp/go-hclog"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/api"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/namespace"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/http"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/logging"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/logical"
@@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ func Test(tt TestT, c TestCase) {
 	config := &vault.CoreConfig{
 		Physical:        phys,
 		DisableMlock:    true,
-		BuiltinRegistry: vault.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 	}
 
 	if c.LogicalBackend != nil || c.LogicalFactory != nil {
diff --git a/http/logical_test.go b/http/logical_test.go
index fc6fc76581..52c77151ac 100644
--- a/http/logical_test.go
+++ b/http/logical_test.go
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/api"
 	auditFile "github.com/hashicorp/vault/builtin/audit/file"
 	credUserpass "github.com/hashicorp/vault/builtin/credential/userpass"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/internalshared/configutil"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/consts"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/logging"
@@ -474,13 +475,10 @@ func TestLogical_RespondWithStatusCode(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestLogical_Audit_invalidWrappingToken(t *testing.T) {
 	// Create a noop audit backend
-	var noop *vault.NoopAudit
+	noop := corehelpers.TestNoopAudit(t, nil)
 	c, _, root := vault.TestCoreUnsealedWithConfig(t, &vault.CoreConfig{
 		AuditBackends: map[string]audit.Factory{
 			"noop": func(ctx context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
-				noop = &vault.NoopAudit{
-					Config: config,
-				}
 				return noop, nil
 			},
 		},
@@ -636,7 +634,7 @@ func TestLogical_AuditPort(t *testing.T) {
 
 	// workaround kv-v2 initialization upgrade errors
 	numFailures := 0
-	vault.RetryUntil(t, 10*time.Second, func() error {
+	corehelpers.RetryUntil(t, 10*time.Second, func() error {
 		resp, err := c.Logical().Write("kv/data/foo", writeData)
 		if err != nil {
 			if strings.Contains(err.Error(), "Upgrading from non-versioned to versioned data") {
diff --git a/http/sys_auth_test.go b/http/sys_auth_test.go
index 2d1fdf8144..0071ab030c 100644
--- a/http/sys_auth_test.go
+++ b/http/sys_auth_test.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/go-test/deep"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/versions"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/consts"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/vault"
@@ -485,7 +486,7 @@ func TestSysRemountAuth(t *testing.T) {
 	// Poll until the remount succeeds
 	var remountResp map[string]interface{}
 	testResponseBody(t, resp, &remountResp)
-	vault.RetryUntil(t, 5*time.Second, func() error {
+	corehelpers.RetryUntil(t, 5*time.Second, func() error {
 		resp = testHttpGet(t, token, addr+"/v1/sys/remount/status/"+remountResp["migration_id"].(string))
 		testResponseStatus(t, resp, 200)
 
diff --git a/http/sys_generate_root_test.go b/http/sys_generate_root_test.go
index f226d0042b..36e25f8211 100644
--- a/http/sys_generate_root_test.go
+++ b/http/sys_generate_root_test.go
@@ -12,8 +12,10 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/go-test/deep"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/audit"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/namespace"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/pgpkeys"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/xor"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/logical"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/vault"
@@ -224,9 +226,11 @@ func enableNoopAudit(t *testing.T, token string, core *vault.Core) {
 
 func testCoreUnsealedWithAudit(t *testing.T, records **[][]byte) (*vault.Core, [][]byte, string) {
 	conf := &vault.CoreConfig{
-		BuiltinRegistry: vault.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		AuditBackends: map[string]audit.Factory{
+			"noop": corehelpers.NoopAuditFactory(records),
+		},
 	}
-	vault.AddNoopAudit(conf, records)
 	core, keys, token := vault.TestCoreUnsealedWithConfig(t, conf)
 	return core, keys, token
 }
diff --git a/http/sys_metrics_test.go b/http/sys_metrics_test.go
index 241caac2db..e8770a1bfa 100644
--- a/http/sys_metrics_test.go
+++ b/http/sys_metrics_test.go
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
+
 	"github.com/armon/go-metrics"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/metricsutil"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/internalshared/configutil"
@@ -14,7 +16,7 @@ func TestSysMetricsUnauthenticated(t *testing.T) {
 	inm := metrics.NewInmemSink(10*time.Second, time.Minute)
 	metrics.DefaultInmemSignal(inm)
 	conf := &vault.CoreConfig{
-		BuiltinRegistry: vault.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 		MetricsHelper:   metricsutil.NewMetricsHelper(inm, true),
 	}
 	core, _, token := vault.TestCoreUnsealedWithConfig(t, conf)
diff --git a/http/sys_mount_test.go b/http/sys_mount_test.go
index 09ca8c8c35..ae33a25816 100644
--- a/http/sys_mount_test.go
+++ b/http/sys_mount_test.go
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/fatih/structs"
 	"github.com/go-test/deep"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/versions"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/consts"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/vault"
@@ -436,7 +437,7 @@ func TestSysRemount(t *testing.T) {
 	// Poll until the remount succeeds
 	var remountResp map[string]interface{}
 	testResponseBody(t, resp, &remountResp)
-	vault.RetryUntil(t, 5*time.Second, func() error {
+	corehelpers.RetryUntil(t, 5*time.Second, func() error {
 		resp = testHttpGet(t, token, addr+"/v1/sys/remount/status/"+remountResp["migration_id"].(string))
 		testResponseStatus(t, resp, 200)
 
diff --git a/vault/audit_test.go b/vault/audit_test.go
index ebd7de504d..de23b4cf45 100644
--- a/vault/audit_test.go
+++ b/vault/audit_test.go
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
+
 	"github.com/hashicorp/errwrap"
 	log "github.com/hashicorp/go-hclog"
 	uuid "github.com/hashicorp/go-uuid"
@@ -30,7 +32,8 @@ func TestAudit_ReadOnlyViewDuringMount(t *testing.T) {
 		if err == nil || !strings.Contains(err.Error(), logical.ErrSetupReadOnly.Error()) {
 			t.Fatalf("expected a read-only error")
 		}
-		return &NoopAudit{}, nil
+		factory := corehelpers.NoopAuditFactory(nil)
+		return factory(ctx, config)
 	}
 
 	me := &MountEntry{
@@ -46,11 +49,7 @@ func TestAudit_ReadOnlyViewDuringMount(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestCore_EnableAudit(t *testing.T) {
 	c, keys, _ := TestCoreUnsealed(t)
-	c.auditBackends["noop"] = func(ctx context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
-		return &NoopAudit{
-			Config: config,
-		}, nil
-	}
+	c.auditBackends["noop"] = corehelpers.NoopAuditFactory(nil)
 
 	me := &MountEntry{
 		Table: auditTableType,
@@ -71,11 +70,7 @@ func TestCore_EnableAudit(t *testing.T) {
 		AuditBackends: make(map[string]audit.Factory),
 		DisableMlock:  true,
 	}
-	conf.AuditBackends["noop"] = func(ctx context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
-		return &NoopAudit{
-			Config: config,
-		}, nil
-	}
+	conf.AuditBackends["noop"] = corehelpers.NoopAuditFactory(nil)
 	c2, err := NewCore(conf)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("err: %v", err)
@@ -104,12 +99,7 @@ func TestCore_EnableAudit(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestCore_EnableAudit_MixedFailures(t *testing.T) {
 	c, _, _ := TestCoreUnsealed(t)
-	c.auditBackends["noop"] = func(ctx context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
-		return &NoopAudit{
-			Config: config,
-		}, nil
-	}
-
+	c.auditBackends["noop"] = corehelpers.NoopAuditFactory(nil)
 	c.auditBackends["fail"] = func(ctx context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failing enabling")
 	}
@@ -158,12 +148,7 @@ func TestCore_EnableAudit_MixedFailures(t *testing.T) {
 // correctly
 func TestCore_EnableAudit_Local(t *testing.T) {
 	c, _, _ := TestCoreUnsealed(t)
-	c.auditBackends["noop"] = func(ctx context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
-		return &NoopAudit{
-			Config: config,
-		}, nil
-	}
-
+	c.auditBackends["noop"] = corehelpers.NoopAuditFactory(nil)
 	c.auditBackends["fail"] = func(ctx context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("failing enabling")
 	}
@@ -249,11 +234,7 @@ func TestCore_EnableAudit_Local(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestCore_DisableAudit(t *testing.T) {
 	c, keys, _ := TestCoreUnsealed(t)
-	c.auditBackends["noop"] = func(ctx context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
-		return &NoopAudit{
-			Config: config,
-		}, nil
-	}
+	c.auditBackends["noop"] = corehelpers.NoopAuditFactory(nil)
 
 	existed, err := c.disableAudit(namespace.RootContext(nil), "foo", true)
 	if existed && err != nil {
@@ -357,8 +338,8 @@ func verifyDefaultAuditTable(t *testing.T, table *MountTable) {
 func TestAuditBroker_LogRequest(t *testing.T) {
 	l := logging.NewVaultLogger(log.Trace)
 	b := NewAuditBroker(l)
-	a1 := &NoopAudit{}
-	a2 := &NoopAudit{}
+	a1 := corehelpers.TestNoopAudit(t, nil)
+	a2 := corehelpers.TestNoopAudit(t, nil)
 	b.Register("foo", a1, nil, false)
 	b.Register("bar", a2, nil, false)
 
@@ -406,12 +387,13 @@ func TestAuditBroker_LogRequest(t *testing.T) {
 		Request:  reqCopy,
 		OuterErr: reqErrs,
 	}
-	err = b.LogRequest(context.Background(), logInput, headersConf)
+	ctx := namespace.RootContext(context.Background())
+	err = b.LogRequest(ctx, logInput, headersConf)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("err: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	for _, a := range []*NoopAudit{a1, a2} {
+	for _, a := range []*corehelpers.NoopAudit{a1, a2} {
 		if !reflect.DeepEqual(a.ReqAuth[0], auth) {
 			t.Fatalf("Bad: %#v", a.ReqAuth[0])
 		}
@@ -429,13 +411,13 @@ func TestAuditBroker_LogRequest(t *testing.T) {
 		Auth:    auth,
 		Request: req,
 	}
-	if err := b.LogRequest(context.Background(), logInput, headersConf); err != nil {
+	if err := b.LogRequest(ctx, logInput, headersConf); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("err: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	// Should FAIL work with both failing backends
 	a2.ReqErr = fmt.Errorf("failed")
-	if err := b.LogRequest(context.Background(), logInput, headersConf); !errwrap.Contains(err, "no audit backend succeeded in logging the request") {
+	if err := b.LogRequest(ctx, logInput, headersConf); !errwrap.Contains(err, "no audit backend succeeded in logging the request") {
 		t.Fatalf("err: %v", err)
 	}
 }
@@ -443,8 +425,8 @@ func TestAuditBroker_LogRequest(t *testing.T) {
 func TestAuditBroker_LogResponse(t *testing.T) {
 	l := logging.NewVaultLogger(log.Trace)
 	b := NewAuditBroker(l)
-	a1 := &NoopAudit{}
-	a2 := &NoopAudit{}
+	a1 := corehelpers.TestNoopAudit(t, nil)
+	a2 := corehelpers.TestNoopAudit(t, nil)
 	b.Register("foo", a1, nil, false)
 	b.Register("bar", a2, nil, false)
 
@@ -503,12 +485,13 @@ func TestAuditBroker_LogResponse(t *testing.T) {
 		Response: respCopy,
 		OuterErr: respErr,
 	}
-	err = b.LogResponse(context.Background(), logInput, headersConf)
+	ctx := namespace.RootContext(context.Background())
+	err = b.LogResponse(ctx, logInput, headersConf)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("err: %v", err)
 	}
 
-	for _, a := range []*NoopAudit{a1, a2} {
+	for _, a := range []*corehelpers.NoopAudit{a1, a2} {
 		if !reflect.DeepEqual(a.RespAuth[0], auth) {
 			t.Fatalf("Bad: %#v", a.ReqAuth[0])
 		}
@@ -531,14 +514,14 @@ func TestAuditBroker_LogResponse(t *testing.T) {
 		Response: resp,
 		OuterErr: respErr,
 	}
-	err = b.LogResponse(context.Background(), logInput, headersConf)
+	err = b.LogResponse(ctx, logInput, headersConf)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("err: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	// Should FAIL work with both failing backends
 	a2.RespErr = fmt.Errorf("failed")
-	err = b.LogResponse(context.Background(), logInput, headersConf)
+	err = b.LogResponse(ctx, logInput, headersConf)
 	if !strings.Contains(err.Error(), "no audit backend succeeded in logging the response") {
 		t.Fatalf("err: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -549,8 +532,8 @@ func TestAuditBroker_AuditHeaders(t *testing.T) {
 	b := NewAuditBroker(logger)
 	_, barrier, _ := mockBarrier(t)
 	view := NewBarrierView(barrier, "headers/")
-	a1 := &NoopAudit{}
-	a2 := &NoopAudit{}
+	a1 := corehelpers.TestNoopAudit(t, nil)
+	a2 := corehelpers.TestNoopAudit(t, nil)
 	b.Register("foo", a1, nil, false)
 	b.Register("bar", a2, nil, false)
 
@@ -591,7 +574,8 @@ func TestAuditBroker_AuditHeaders(t *testing.T) {
 		Request:  reqCopy,
 		OuterErr: respErr,
 	}
-	err = b.LogRequest(context.Background(), logInput, headersConf)
+	ctx := namespace.RootContext(context.Background())
+	err = b.LogRequest(ctx, logInput, headersConf)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("err: %v", err)
 	}
@@ -601,7 +585,7 @@ func TestAuditBroker_AuditHeaders(t *testing.T) {
 		"x-vault-header": {"bar"},
 	}
 
-	for _, a := range []*NoopAudit{a1, a2} {
+	for _, a := range []*corehelpers.NoopAudit{a1, a2} {
 		if !reflect.DeepEqual(a.ReqHeaders[0], expected) {
 			t.Fatalf("Bad audited headers: %#v", a.Req[0].Headers)
 		}
@@ -614,14 +598,14 @@ func TestAuditBroker_AuditHeaders(t *testing.T) {
 		Request:  req,
 		OuterErr: respErr,
 	}
-	err = b.LogRequest(context.Background(), logInput, headersConf)
+	err = b.LogRequest(ctx, logInput, headersConf)
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("err: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	// Should FAIL work with both failing backends
 	a2.ReqErr = fmt.Errorf("failed")
-	err = b.LogRequest(context.Background(), logInput, headersConf)
+	err = b.LogRequest(ctx, logInput, headersConf)
 	if !errwrap.Contains(err, "no audit backend succeeded in logging the request") {
 		t.Fatalf("err: %v", err)
 	}
diff --git a/vault/auth_test.go b/vault/auth_test.go
index 408fe66cd7..c895fc987c 100644
--- a/vault/auth_test.go
+++ b/vault/auth_test.go
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
+
 	"github.com/armon/go-metrics"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/metricsutil"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/namespace"
@@ -118,7 +120,7 @@ func TestCore_DefaultAuthTable(t *testing.T) {
 	conf := &CoreConfig{
 		Physical:        c.physical,
 		DisableMlock:    true,
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 		MetricSink:      metricsutil.NewClusterMetricSink("test-cluster", inmemSink),
 		MetricsHelper:   metricsutil.NewMetricsHelper(inmemSink, false),
 	}
@@ -150,7 +152,7 @@ func TestCore_BuiltinRegistry(t *testing.T) {
 		PluginDirectory: "/Users/foo",
 
 		DisableMlock:    true,
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 	}
 	c, _, _ := TestCoreUnsealedWithConfig(t, conf)
 
@@ -201,7 +203,7 @@ func TestCore_EnableCredential(t *testing.T) {
 	conf := &CoreConfig{
 		Physical:        c.physical,
 		DisableMlock:    true,
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 		MetricSink:      metricsutil.NewClusterMetricSink("test-cluster", inmemSink),
 		MetricsHelper:   metricsutil.NewMetricsHelper(inmemSink, false),
 	}
@@ -260,7 +262,7 @@ func TestCore_EnableCredential_aws_ec2(t *testing.T) {
 	conf := &CoreConfig{
 		Physical:        c.physical,
 		DisableMlock:    true,
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 		MetricSink:      metricsutil.NewClusterMetricSink("test-cluster", inmemSink),
 		MetricsHelper:   metricsutil.NewMetricsHelper(inmemSink, false),
 	}
@@ -462,7 +464,7 @@ func TestCore_DisableCredential(t *testing.T) {
 	conf := &CoreConfig{
 		Physical:        c.physical,
 		DisableMlock:    true,
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 		MetricSink:      metricsutil.NewClusterMetricSink("test-cluster", inmemSink),
 		MetricsHelper:   metricsutil.NewMetricsHelper(inmemSink, false),
 	}
diff --git a/vault/cluster_test.go b/vault/cluster_test.go
index c98f70df94..845259063b 100644
--- a/vault/cluster_test.go
+++ b/vault/cluster_test.go
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import (
 	"time"
 
 	log "github.com/hashicorp/go-hclog"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/consts"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/logging"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/logical"
@@ -320,7 +321,7 @@ func testCluster_ForwardRequests(t *testing.T, c *TestClusterCore, rootToken, re
 	if isLeader {
 		t.Fatal("core should not be leader")
 	}
-	RetryUntil(t, 5*time.Second, func() error {
+	corehelpers.RetryUntil(t, 5*time.Second, func() error {
 		state := c.ActiveNodeReplicationState()
 		if state == 0 {
 			return fmt.Errorf("heartbeats have not yet returned a valid active node replication state: %d", state)
diff --git a/vault/core_test.go b/vault/core_test.go
index 84e6300949..090f871c9b 100644
--- a/vault/core_test.go
+++ b/vault/core_test.go
@@ -13,9 +13,11 @@ import (
 	"github.com/go-test/deep"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/errwrap"
 	log "github.com/hashicorp/go-hclog"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/go-secure-stdlib/strutil"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/go-uuid"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/audit"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/namespace"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/internalshared/configutil"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/consts"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/jsonutil"
@@ -1130,10 +1132,10 @@ func TestCore_HandleLogin_Token(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestCore_HandleRequest_AuditTrail(t *testing.T) {
 	// Create a noop audit backend
-	noop := &NoopAudit{}
+	noop := &corehelpers.NoopAudit{}
 	c, _, root := TestCoreUnsealed(t)
 	c.auditBackends["noop"] = func(ctx context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
-		noop = &NoopAudit{
+		noop = &corehelpers.NoopAudit{
 			Config: config,
 		}
 		return noop, nil
@@ -1194,10 +1196,10 @@ func TestCore_HandleRequest_AuditTrail(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestCore_HandleRequest_AuditTrail_noHMACKeys(t *testing.T) {
 	// Create a noop audit backend
-	var noop *NoopAudit
+	var noop *corehelpers.NoopAudit
 	c, _, root := TestCoreUnsealed(t)
 	c.auditBackends["noop"] = func(ctx context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
-		noop = &NoopAudit{
+		noop = &corehelpers.NoopAudit{
 			Config: config,
 		}
 		return noop, nil
@@ -1288,17 +1290,17 @@ func TestCore_HandleRequest_AuditTrail_noHMACKeys(t *testing.T) {
 	if _, err := c.HandleRequest(namespace.RootContext(nil), req); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("err: %v", err)
 	}
-	if len(noop.RespNonHMACKeys) != 1 || noop.RespNonHMACKeys[0] != "baz" {
+	if len(noop.RespNonHMACKeys) != 1 || !strutil.EquivalentSlices(noop.RespNonHMACKeys[0], []string{"baz"}) {
 		t.Fatalf("Bad: %#v", noop.RespNonHMACKeys)
 	}
-	if len(noop.RespReqNonHMACKeys) != 1 || noop.RespReqNonHMACKeys[0] != "foo" {
+	if len(noop.RespReqNonHMACKeys) != 1 || !strutil.EquivalentSlices(noop.RespReqNonHMACKeys[0], []string{"foo"}) {
 		t.Fatalf("Bad: %#v", noop.RespReqNonHMACKeys)
 	}
 }
 
 func TestCore_HandleLogin_AuditTrail(t *testing.T) {
 	// Create a badass credential backend that always logs in as armon
-	noop := &NoopAudit{}
+	noop := &corehelpers.NoopAudit{}
 	noopBack := &NoopBackend{
 		Login: []string{"login"},
 		Response: &logical.Response{
@@ -1319,7 +1321,7 @@ func TestCore_HandleLogin_AuditTrail(t *testing.T) {
 		return noopBack, nil
 	}
 	c.auditBackends["noop"] = func(ctx context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
-		noop = &NoopAudit{
+		noop = &corehelpers.NoopAudit{
 			Config: config,
 		}
 		return noop, nil
@@ -2022,7 +2024,7 @@ func testCore_Standby_Common(t *testing.T, inm physical.Backend, inmha physical.
 		HAPhysical:      inmha,
 		RedirectAddr:    redirectOriginal,
 		DisableMlock:    true,
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("err: %v", err)
diff --git a/vault/external_plugin_test.go b/vault/external_plugin_test.go
index a1e8b5316d..a604cd44d4 100644
--- a/vault/external_plugin_test.go
+++ b/vault/external_plugin_test.go
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/namespace"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/framework"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/consts"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/pluginutil"
@@ -42,7 +43,7 @@ type testPlugin struct {
 // version is used to override the plugin's self-reported version
 func testCoreWithPlugins(t *testing.T, typ consts.PluginType, versions ...string) (*Core, []testPlugin) {
 	t.Helper()
-	pluginDir, cleanup := MakeTestPluginDir(t)
+	pluginDir, cleanup := corehelpers.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
 	t.Cleanup(func() { cleanup(t) })
 
 	var plugins []testPlugin
@@ -50,7 +51,7 @@ func testCoreWithPlugins(t *testing.T, typ consts.PluginType, versions ...string
 		plugins = append(plugins, compilePlugin(t, typ, version, pluginDir))
 	}
 	conf := &CoreConfig{
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 		PluginDirectory: pluginDir,
 	}
 	core := TestCoreWithSealAndUI(t, conf)
@@ -280,7 +281,7 @@ func TestCore_EnableExternalPlugin_MultipleVersions(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCore_EnableExternalPlugin_Deregister_SealUnseal(t *testing.T) {
-	pluginDir, cleanup := MakeTestPluginDir(t)
+	pluginDir, cleanup := corehelpers.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
 	t.Cleanup(func() { cleanup(t) })
 
 	// create an external plugin to shadow the builtin "pending-removal-test-plugin"
@@ -291,7 +292,7 @@ func TestCore_EnableExternalPlugin_Deregister_SealUnseal(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	conf := &CoreConfig{
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 		PluginDirectory: pluginDir,
 	}
 
@@ -352,7 +353,7 @@ func TestCore_EnableExternalPlugin_Deregister_SealUnseal(t *testing.T) {
 // version store is cleared.  Vault sees the next unseal as a major upgrade and
 // should immediately shut down.
 func TestCore_Unseal_isMajorVersionFirstMount_PendingRemoval_Plugin(t *testing.T) {
-	pluginDir, cleanup := MakeTestPluginDir(t)
+	pluginDir, cleanup := corehelpers.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
 	t.Cleanup(func() { cleanup(t) })
 
 	// create an external plugin to shadow the builtin "pending-removal-test-plugin"
@@ -363,7 +364,7 @@ func TestCore_Unseal_isMajorVersionFirstMount_PendingRemoval_Plugin(t *testing.T
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	conf := &CoreConfig{
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 		PluginDirectory: pluginDir,
 	}
 	c := TestCoreWithSealAndUI(t, conf)
@@ -431,7 +432,7 @@ func TestCore_Unseal_isMajorVersionFirstMount_PendingRemoval_Plugin(t *testing.T
 }
 
 func TestCore_EnableExternalPlugin_PendingRemoval(t *testing.T) {
-	pluginDir, cleanup := MakeTestPluginDir(t)
+	pluginDir, cleanup := corehelpers.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
 	t.Cleanup(func() { cleanup(t) })
 
 	// create an external plugin to shadow the builtin "pending-removal-test-plugin"
@@ -442,7 +443,7 @@ func TestCore_EnableExternalPlugin_PendingRemoval(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 	conf := &CoreConfig{
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 		PluginDirectory: pluginDir,
 	}
 
@@ -466,7 +467,7 @@ func TestCore_EnableExternalPlugin_PendingRemoval(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCore_EnableExternalPlugin_ShadowBuiltin(t *testing.T) {
-	pluginDir, cleanup := MakeTestPluginDir(t)
+	pluginDir, cleanup := corehelpers.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
 	t.Cleanup(func() { cleanup(t) })
 
 	// create an external plugin to shadow the builtin "approle"
@@ -477,7 +478,7 @@ func TestCore_EnableExternalPlugin_ShadowBuiltin(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	pluginName := "approle"
 	conf := &CoreConfig{
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 		PluginDirectory: pluginDir,
 	}
 	c := TestCoreWithSealAndUI(t, conf)
@@ -545,7 +546,7 @@ func TestCore_EnableExternalPlugin_ShadowBuiltin(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCore_EnableExternalKv_MultipleVersions(t *testing.T) {
-	pluginDir, cleanup := MakeTestPluginDir(t)
+	pluginDir, cleanup := corehelpers.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
 	t.Cleanup(func() { cleanup(t) })
 
 	// new kv plugin can be registered but not mounted
@@ -556,7 +557,7 @@ func TestCore_EnableExternalKv_MultipleVersions(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	pluginName := "kv"
 	conf := &CoreConfig{
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 		PluginDirectory: pluginDir,
 	}
 	c := TestCoreWithSealAndUI(t, conf)
@@ -598,7 +599,7 @@ func TestCore_EnableExternalKv_MultipleVersions(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCore_EnableExternalNoop_MultipleVersions(t *testing.T) {
-	pluginDir, cleanup := MakeTestPluginDir(t)
+	pluginDir, cleanup := corehelpers.MakeTestPluginDir(t)
 	t.Cleanup(func() { cleanup(t) })
 
 	// new noop plugin can be registered but not mounted
@@ -609,7 +610,7 @@ func TestCore_EnableExternalNoop_MultipleVersions(t *testing.T) {
 	}
 	pluginName := "noop"
 	conf := &CoreConfig{
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 		PluginDirectory: pluginDir,
 	}
 	c := TestCoreWithSealAndUI(t, conf)
diff --git a/vault/external_tests/identity/login_mfa_totp_test.go b/vault/external_tests/identity/login_mfa_totp_test.go
index bab6800743..9c2300589a 100644
--- a/vault/external_tests/identity/login_mfa_totp_test.go
+++ b/vault/external_tests/identity/login_mfa_totp_test.go
@@ -8,13 +8,13 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
-	upAuth "github.com/hashicorp/vault/api/auth/userpass"
-	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers"
-
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/api"
+	upAuth "github.com/hashicorp/vault/api/auth/userpass"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/audit"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/builtin/credential/userpass"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/builtin/logical/totp"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	vaulthttp "github.com/hashicorp/vault/http"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/logical"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/vault"
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ func doTwoPhaseLogin(t *testing.T, client *api.Client, totpCodePath, methodID, u
 }
 
 func TestLoginMfaGenerateTOTPTestAuditIncluded(t *testing.T) {
-	var noop *vault.NoopAudit
+	noop := corehelpers.TestNoopAudit(t, nil)
 
 	cluster := vault.NewTestCluster(t, &vault.CoreConfig{
 		CredentialBackends: map[string]logical.Factory{
@@ -59,9 +59,6 @@ func TestLoginMfaGenerateTOTPTestAuditIncluded(t *testing.T) {
 		},
 		AuditBackends: map[string]audit.Factory{
 			"noop": func(ctx context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
-				noop = &vault.NoopAudit{
-					Config: config,
-				}
 				return noop, nil
 			},
 		},
diff --git a/vault/external_tests/metrics/core_metrics_int_test.go b/vault/external_tests/metrics/core_metrics_int_test.go
index cc19ae0a7b..ff0fd87c68 100644
--- a/vault/external_tests/metrics/core_metrics_int_test.go
+++ b/vault/external_tests/metrics/core_metrics_int_test.go
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
+
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/api"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers"
 	vaulthttp "github.com/hashicorp/vault/http"
@@ -17,7 +19,7 @@ import (
 func TestMountTableMetrics(t *testing.T) {
 	clusterName := "mycluster"
 	conf := &vault.CoreConfig{
-		BuiltinRegistry: vault.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 		ClusterName:     clusterName,
 	}
 	cluster := vault.NewTestCluster(t, conf, &vault.TestClusterOptions{
@@ -107,7 +109,7 @@ func gaugeConditionCheck(comparator string, compareVal int, compareToVal int) er
 func TestLeaderReElectionMetrics(t *testing.T) {
 	clusterName := "mycluster"
 	conf := &vault.CoreConfig{
-		BuiltinRegistry: vault.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 		ClusterName:     clusterName,
 	}
 	cluster := vault.NewTestCluster(t, conf, &vault.TestClusterOptions{
diff --git a/vault/external_tests/raft/raft_test.go b/vault/external_tests/raft/raft_test.go
index 8b4e40e19f..f14604ee10 100644
--- a/vault/external_tests/raft/raft_test.go
+++ b/vault/external_tests/raft/raft_test.go
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/constants"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/namespace"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/teststorage"
 	vaulthttp "github.com/hashicorp/vault/http"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/internalshared/configutil"
@@ -236,7 +237,7 @@ func TestRaft_Retry_Join(t *testing.T) {
 			}
 
 			// Handle potential racy behavior with unseals. Retry the unseal until it succeeds.
-			vault.RetryUntil(t, 10*time.Second, func() error {
+			corehelpers.RetryUntil(t, 10*time.Second, func() error {
 				return cluster.AttemptUnsealCore(core)
 			})
 		}(t, clusterCore)
@@ -248,7 +249,7 @@ func TestRaft_Retry_Join(t *testing.T) {
 
 	vault.TestWaitActive(t, leaderCore.Core)
 
-	vault.RetryUntil(t, 10*time.Second, func() error {
+	corehelpers.RetryUntil(t, 10*time.Second, func() error {
 		return testhelpers.VerifyRaftPeers(t, cluster.Cores[0].Client, map[string]bool{
 			"core-0": true,
 			"core-1": true,
diff --git a/vault/logical_system_integ_test.go b/vault/logical_system_integ_test.go
index db35987783..3287fdaf04 100644
--- a/vault/logical_system_integ_test.go
+++ b/vault/logical_system_integ_test.go
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/go-test/deep"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/go-hclog"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/api"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	vaulthttp "github.com/hashicorp/vault/http"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/logging"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/physical"
@@ -169,7 +170,7 @@ func TestSystemBackend_HAStatus(t *testing.T) {
 	cluster.Start()
 	defer cluster.Cleanup()
 
-	vault.RetryUntil(t, 15*time.Second, func() error {
+	corehelpers.RetryUntil(t, 15*time.Second, func() error {
 		// Use standby deliberately to make sure it forwards
 		client := cluster.Cores[1].Client
 		resp, err := client.Sys().HAStatus()
diff --git a/vault/logical_system_test.go b/vault/logical_system_test.go
index 2a0e3cf4fb..033beefdaf 100644
--- a/vault/logical_system_test.go
+++ b/vault/logical_system_test.go
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ package vault
 
 import (
 	"context"
-	"crypto/sha256"
 	"encoding/base64"
 	"encoding/hex"
 	"fmt"
@@ -19,20 +18,19 @@ import (
 	"github.com/go-test/deep"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/go-hclog"
 	semver "github.com/hashicorp/go-version"
-	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/audit"
 	credUserpass "github.com/hashicorp/vault/builtin/credential/userpass"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/builtinplugins"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/experiments"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/identity"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/namespace"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/random"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/versions"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/framework"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/compressutil"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/consts"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/jsonutil"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/pluginutil"
-	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/salt"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/testhelpers/schema"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/logical"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/version"
@@ -742,7 +740,7 @@ func TestSystemBackend_remount_auth(t *testing.T) {
 	req.Data["config"] = structs.Map(MountConfig{})
 	resp, err := b.HandleRequest(namespace.RootContext(nil), req)
 
-	RetryUntil(t, 5*time.Second, func() error {
+	corehelpers.RetryUntil(t, 5*time.Second, func() error {
 		req = logical.TestRequest(t, logical.ReadOperation, fmt.Sprintf("remount/status/%s", resp.Data["migration_id"]))
 		resp, err = b.HandleRequest(namespace.RootContext(nil), req)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -894,7 +892,7 @@ func TestSystemBackend_remount(t *testing.T) {
 	req.Data["to"] = "foo"
 	req.Data["config"] = structs.Map(MountConfig{})
 	resp, err := b.HandleRequest(namespace.RootContext(nil), req)
-	RetryUntil(t, 5*time.Second, func() error {
+	corehelpers.RetryUntil(t, 5*time.Second, func() error {
 		req = logical.TestRequest(t, logical.ReadOperation, fmt.Sprintf("remount/status/%s", resp.Data["migration_id"]))
 		resp, err = b.HandleRequest(namespace.RootContext(nil), req)
 		if err != nil {
@@ -2175,11 +2173,7 @@ func TestSystemBackend_policyCRUD(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestSystemBackend_enableAudit(t *testing.T) {
 	c, b, _ := testCoreSystemBackend(t)
-	c.auditBackends["noop"] = func(ctx context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
-		return &NoopAudit{
-			Config: config,
-		}, nil
-	}
+	c.auditBackends["noop"] = corehelpers.NoopAuditFactory(nil)
 
 	req := logical.TestRequest(t, logical.UpdateOperation, "audit/foo")
 	req.Data["type"] = "noop"
@@ -2196,22 +2190,7 @@ func TestSystemBackend_enableAudit(t *testing.T) {
 func TestSystemBackend_auditHash(t *testing.T) {
 	c, b, _ := testCoreSystemBackend(t)
 	paths := b.(*SystemBackend).auditPaths()
-	c.auditBackends["noop"] = func(ctx context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
-		view := &logical.InmemStorage{}
-		view.Put(namespace.RootContext(nil), &logical.StorageEntry{
-			Key:   "salt",
-			Value: []byte("foo"),
-		})
-		config.SaltView = view
-		config.SaltConfig = &salt.Config{
-			HMAC:     sha256.New,
-			HMACType: "hmac-sha256",
-			Location: salt.DefaultLocation,
-		}
-		return &NoopAudit{
-			Config: config,
-		}, nil
-	}
+	c.auditBackends["noop"] = corehelpers.NoopAuditFactory(nil)
 
 	req := logical.TestRequest(t, logical.UpdateOperation, "audit/foo")
 	req.Data["type"] = "noop"
@@ -2271,11 +2250,7 @@ func TestSystemBackend_enableAudit_invalid(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestSystemBackend_auditTable(t *testing.T) {
 	c, b, _ := testCoreSystemBackend(t)
-	c.auditBackends["noop"] = func(ctx context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
-		return &NoopAudit{
-			Config: config,
-		}, nil
-	}
+	c.auditBackends["noop"] = corehelpers.NoopAuditFactory(nil)
 
 	req := logical.TestRequest(t, logical.UpdateOperation, "audit/foo")
 	req.Data["type"] = "noop"
@@ -2310,11 +2285,7 @@ func TestSystemBackend_auditTable(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestSystemBackend_disableAudit(t *testing.T) {
 	c, b, _ := testCoreSystemBackend(t)
-	c.auditBackends["noop"] = func(ctx context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
-		return &NoopAudit{
-			Config: config,
-		}, nil
-	}
+	c.auditBackends["noop"] = corehelpers.NoopAuditFactory(nil)
 
 	req := logical.TestRequest(t, logical.UpdateOperation, "audit/foo")
 	req.Data["type"] = "noop"
diff --git a/vault/mount_test.go b/vault/mount_test.go
index e217879cfe..7b45e788ed 100644
--- a/vault/mount_test.go
+++ b/vault/mount_test.go
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ import (
 	"testing"
 	"time"
 
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
+
 	"github.com/armon/go-metrics"
 	"github.com/go-test/deep"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/audit"
@@ -118,7 +120,7 @@ func TestCore_DefaultMountTable(t *testing.T) {
 	conf := &CoreConfig{
 		Physical:        c.physical,
 		DisableMlock:    true,
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 		MetricSink:      metricsutil.NewClusterMetricSink("test-cluster", inmemSink),
 		MetricsHelper:   metricsutil.NewMetricsHelper(inmemSink, false),
 	}
@@ -163,7 +165,7 @@ func TestCore_Mount(t *testing.T) {
 	conf := &CoreConfig{
 		Physical:        c.physical,
 		DisableMlock:    true,
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 		MetricSink:      metricsutil.NewClusterMetricSink("test-cluster", inmemSink),
 		MetricsHelper:   metricsutil.NewMetricsHelper(inmemSink, false),
 	}
@@ -235,7 +237,7 @@ func TestCore_Mount_kv_generic(t *testing.T) {
 	conf := &CoreConfig{
 		Physical:        c.physical,
 		DisableMlock:    true,
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 		MetricSink:      metricsutil.NewClusterMetricSink("test-cluster", inmemSink),
 		MetricsHelper:   metricsutil.NewMetricsHelper(inmemSink, false),
 	}
@@ -449,7 +451,7 @@ func TestCore_Unmount(t *testing.T) {
 	conf := &CoreConfig{
 		Physical:        c.physical,
 		DisableMlock:    true,
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 		MetricSink:      metricsutil.NewClusterMetricSink("test-cluster", inmemSink),
 		MetricsHelper:   metricsutil.NewMetricsHelper(inmemSink, false),
 	}
@@ -720,7 +722,7 @@ func TestCore_MountTable_UpgradeToTyped(t *testing.T) {
 	c, _, _ := TestCoreUnsealed(t)
 
 	c.auditBackends["noop"] = func(ctx context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
-		return &NoopAudit{
+		return &corehelpers.NoopAudit{
 			Config: config,
 		}, nil
 	}
diff --git a/vault/testing.go b/vault/testing.go
index 6f69598e47..4e2de9cfb8 100644
--- a/vault/testing.go
+++ b/vault/testing.go
@@ -35,19 +35,17 @@ import (
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/api"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/audit"
 	auditFile "github.com/hashicorp/vault/builtin/audit/file"
-	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/builtin/credential/approle"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/command/server"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/constants"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/metricsutil"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/namespace"
+	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/helper/testhelpers/corehelpers"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/internalshared/configutil"
-	dbMysql "github.com/hashicorp/vault/plugins/database/mysql"
 	v5 "github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/database/dbplugin/v5"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/framework"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/consts"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/logging"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/pluginutil"
-	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/helper/salt"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/logical"
 	"github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/physical"
 	physInmem "github.com/hashicorp/vault/sdk/physical/inmem"
@@ -129,7 +127,7 @@ func TestCoreWithSeal(t testing.T, testSeal Seal, enableRaw bool) *Core {
 		Seal:            testSeal,
 		EnableUI:        false,
 		EnableRaw:       enableRaw,
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 		AuditBackends: map[string]audit.Factory{
 			"file": auditFile.Factory,
 		},
@@ -154,7 +152,7 @@ func TestCoreWithCustomResponseHeaderAndUI(t testing.T, CustomResponseHeaders ma
 		RawConfig:       confRaw,
 		EnableUI:        enableUI,
 		EnableRaw:       true,
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 	}
 	core := TestCoreWithSealAndUI(t, conf)
 	return testCoreUnsealed(t, core)
@@ -164,7 +162,7 @@ func TestCoreUI(t testing.T, enableUI bool) *Core {
 	conf := &CoreConfig{
 		EnableUI:        enableUI,
 		EnableRaw:       true,
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 	}
 	return TestCoreWithSealAndUI(t, conf)
 }
@@ -246,26 +244,7 @@ func TestCoreWithSealAndUINoCleanup(t testing.T, opts *CoreConfig) *Core {
 func testCoreConfig(t testing.T, physicalBackend physical.Backend, logger log.Logger) *CoreConfig {
 	t.Helper()
 	noopAudits := map[string]audit.Factory{
-		"noop": func(_ context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
-			view := &logical.InmemStorage{}
-			view.Put(context.Background(), &logical.StorageEntry{
-				Key:   "salt",
-				Value: []byte("foo"),
-			})
-			config.SaltConfig = &salt.Config{
-				HMAC:     sha256.New,
-				HMACType: "hmac-sha256",
-			}
-			config.SaltView = view
-
-			n := &noopAudit{
-				Config: config,
-			}
-			n.formatter.AuditFormatWriter = &audit.JSONFormatWriter{
-				SaltFunc: n.Salt,
-			}
-			return n, nil
-		},
+		"noop": corehelpers.NoopAuditFactory(nil),
 	}
 
 	noopBackends := make(map[string]logical.Factory)
@@ -304,7 +283,7 @@ func testCoreConfig(t testing.T, physicalBackend physical.Backend, logger log.Lo
 		CredentialBackends: credentialBackends,
 		DisableMlock:       true,
 		Logger:             logger,
-		BuiltinRegistry:    NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry:    corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 	}
 
 	return conf
@@ -383,7 +362,7 @@ func SetupMetrics(conf *CoreConfig) *metrics.InmemSink {
 func TestCoreUnsealedWithMetrics(t testing.T) (*Core, [][]byte, string, *metrics.InmemSink) {
 	t.Helper()
 	conf := &CoreConfig{
-		BuiltinRegistry: NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry: corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 	}
 	sink := SetupMetrics(conf)
 	core, keys, root := testCoreUnsealed(t, TestCoreWithSealAndUI(t, conf))
@@ -668,112 +647,6 @@ func AddTestLogicalBackend(name string, factory logical.Factory) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-type noopAudit struct {
-	Config    *audit.BackendConfig
-	salt      *salt.Salt
-	saltMutex sync.RWMutex
-	formatter audit.AuditFormatter
-	records   [][]byte
-	l         sync.RWMutex
-}
-
-func (n *noopAudit) GetHash(ctx context.Context, data string) (string, error) {
-	salt, err := n.Salt(ctx)
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", err
-	}
-	return salt.GetIdentifiedHMAC(data), nil
-}
-
-func (n *noopAudit) LogRequest(ctx context.Context, in *logical.LogInput) error {
-	n.l.Lock()
-	defer n.l.Unlock()
-	var w bytes.Buffer
-	err := n.formatter.FormatRequest(ctx, &w, audit.FormatterConfig{}, in)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	n.records = append(n.records, w.Bytes())
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (n *noopAudit) LogResponse(ctx context.Context, in *logical.LogInput) error {
-	n.l.Lock()
-	defer n.l.Unlock()
-	var w bytes.Buffer
-	err := n.formatter.FormatResponse(ctx, &w, audit.FormatterConfig{}, in)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	n.records = append(n.records, w.Bytes())
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (n *noopAudit) LogTestMessage(ctx context.Context, in *logical.LogInput, config map[string]string) error {
-	n.l.Lock()
-	defer n.l.Unlock()
-	var w bytes.Buffer
-	tempFormatter := audit.NewTemporaryFormatter(config["format"], config["prefix"])
-	err := tempFormatter.FormatResponse(ctx, &w, audit.FormatterConfig{}, in)
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	n.records = append(n.records, w.Bytes())
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (n *noopAudit) Reload(_ context.Context) error {
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (n *noopAudit) Invalidate(_ context.Context) {
-	n.saltMutex.Lock()
-	defer n.saltMutex.Unlock()
-	n.salt = nil
-}
-
-func (n *noopAudit) Salt(ctx context.Context) (*salt.Salt, error) {
-	n.saltMutex.RLock()
-	if n.salt != nil {
-		defer n.saltMutex.RUnlock()
-		return n.salt, nil
-	}
-	n.saltMutex.RUnlock()
-	n.saltMutex.Lock()
-	defer n.saltMutex.Unlock()
-	if n.salt != nil {
-		return n.salt, nil
-	}
-	salt, err := salt.NewSalt(ctx, n.Config.SaltView, n.Config.SaltConfig)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	n.salt = salt
-	return salt, nil
-}
-
-func AddNoopAudit(conf *CoreConfig, records **[][]byte) {
-	conf.AuditBackends = map[string]audit.Factory{
-		"noop": func(_ context.Context, config *audit.BackendConfig) (audit.Backend, error) {
-			view := &logical.InmemStorage{}
-			view.Put(context.Background(), &logical.StorageEntry{
-				Key:   "salt",
-				Value: []byte("foo"),
-			})
-			n := &noopAudit{
-				Config: config,
-			}
-			n.formatter.AuditFormatWriter = &audit.JSONFormatWriter{
-				SaltFunc: n.Salt,
-			}
-			if records != nil {
-				*records = &n.records
-			}
-			return n, nil
-		},
-	}
-}
-
 type rawHTTP struct{}
 
 func (n *rawHTTP) HandleRequest(ctx context.Context, req *logical.Request) (*logical.Response, error) {
@@ -1135,7 +1008,7 @@ func (c *TestClusterCore) TLSConfig() *tls.Config {
 
 func (c *TestCluster) Cleanup() {
 	c.Logger.Info("cleaning up vault cluster")
-	if tl, ok := c.Logger.(*TestLogger); ok {
+	if tl, ok := c.Logger.(*corehelpers.TestLogger); ok {
 		tl.StopLogging()
 	}
 
@@ -1319,58 +1192,6 @@ type certInfo struct {
 	keyPEM    []byte
 }
 
-type TestLogger struct {
-	log.Logger
-	Path string
-	File *os.File
-	sink log.SinkAdapter
-}
-
-func NewTestLogger(t testing.T) *TestLogger {
-	var logFile *os.File
-	var logPath string
-	output := os.Stderr
-
-	logDir := os.Getenv("VAULT_TEST_LOG_DIR")
-	if logDir != "" {
-		logPath = filepath.Join(logDir, t.Name()+".log")
-		// t.Name may include slashes.
-		dir, _ := filepath.Split(logPath)
-		err := os.MkdirAll(dir, 0o755)
-		if err != nil {
-			t.Fatal(err)
-		}
-		logFile, err = os.Create(logPath)
-		if err != nil {
-			t.Fatal(err)
-		}
-		output = logFile
-	}
-
-	// We send nothing on the regular logger, that way we can later deregister
-	// the sink to stop logging during cluster cleanup.
-	logger := log.NewInterceptLogger(&log.LoggerOptions{
-		Output:            ioutil.Discard,
-		IndependentLevels: true,
-	})
-	sink := log.NewSinkAdapter(&log.LoggerOptions{
-		Output:            output,
-		Level:             log.Trace,
-		IndependentLevels: true,
-	})
-	logger.RegisterSink(sink)
-	return &TestLogger{
-		Path:   logPath,
-		File:   logFile,
-		Logger: logger,
-		sink:   sink,
-	}
-}
-
-func (tl *TestLogger) StopLogging() {
-	tl.Logger.(log.InterceptLogger).DeregisterSink(tl.sink)
-}
-
 // NewTestCluster creates a new test cluster based on the provided core config
 // and test cluster options.
 //
@@ -1420,7 +1241,7 @@ func NewTestCluster(t testing.T, base *CoreConfig, opts *TestClusterOptions) *Te
 	case opts != nil && opts.Logger != nil:
 		testCluster.Logger = opts.Logger
 	default:
-		testCluster.Logger = NewTestLogger(t)
+		testCluster.Logger = corehelpers.NewTestLogger(t)
 	}
 
 	if opts != nil && opts.TempDir != "" {
@@ -1649,7 +1470,7 @@ func NewTestCluster(t testing.T, base *CoreConfig, opts *TestClusterOptions) *Te
 		DisableMlock:       true,
 		EnableUI:           true,
 		EnableRaw:          true,
-		BuiltinRegistry:    NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
+		BuiltinRegistry:    corehelpers.NewMockBuiltinRegistry(),
 	}
 
 	if base != nil {
@@ -1755,7 +1576,7 @@ func NewTestCluster(t testing.T, base *CoreConfig, opts *TestClusterOptions) *Te
 
 	addAuditBackend := len(coreConfig.AuditBackends) == 0
 	if addAuditBackend {
-		AddNoopAudit(coreConfig, nil)
+		coreConfig.AuditBackends["noop"] = corehelpers.NoopAuditFactory(nil)
 	}
 
 	if coreConfig.Physical == nil && (opts == nil || opts.PhysicalFactory == nil) {
@@ -1868,7 +1689,7 @@ func NewTestCluster(t testing.T, base *CoreConfig, opts *TestClusterOptions) *Te
 		for _, c := range testCluster.cleanupFuncs {
 			c()
 		}
-		if l, ok := testCluster.Logger.(*TestLogger); ok {
+		if l, ok := testCluster.Logger.(*corehelpers.TestLogger); ok {
 			if t.Failed() {
 				_ = l.File.Close()
 			} else {
@@ -2320,264 +2141,3 @@ func (testCluster *TestCluster) getAPIClient(
 	}
 	return apiClient
 }
-
-func toFunc(f logical.Factory) func() (interface{}, error) {
-	return func() (interface{}, error) {
-		return f, nil
-	}
-}
-
-func NewMockBuiltinRegistry() *mockBuiltinRegistry {
-	return &mockBuiltinRegistry{
-		forTesting: map[string]mockBackend{
-			"mysql-database-plugin":      {PluginType: consts.PluginTypeDatabase},
-			"postgresql-database-plugin": {PluginType: consts.PluginTypeDatabase},
-			"approle":                    {PluginType: consts.PluginTypeCredential},
-			"pending-removal-test-plugin": {
-				PluginType:        consts.PluginTypeCredential,
-				DeprecationStatus: consts.PendingRemoval,
-			},
-			"aws":    {PluginType: consts.PluginTypeCredential},
-			"consul": {PluginType: consts.PluginTypeSecrets},
-		},
-	}
-}
-
-type mockBackend struct {
-	consts.PluginType
-	consts.DeprecationStatus
-}
-
-type mockBuiltinRegistry struct {
-	forTesting map[string]mockBackend
-}
-
-func (m *mockBuiltinRegistry) Get(name string, pluginType consts.PluginType) (func() (interface{}, error), bool) {
-	testBackend, ok := m.forTesting[name]
-	if !ok {
-		return nil, false
-	}
-	testPluginType := testBackend.PluginType
-	if pluginType != testPluginType {
-		return nil, false
-	}
-
-	switch name {
-	case "approle", "pending-removal-test-plugin":
-		return toFunc(approle.Factory), true
-	case "aws":
-		return toFunc(func(ctx context.Context, config *logical.BackendConfig) (logical.Backend, error) {
-			b := new(framework.Backend)
-			b.Setup(ctx, config)
-			b.BackendType = logical.TypeCredential
-			return b, nil
-		}), true
-	case "postgresql-database-plugin":
-		return toFunc(func(ctx context.Context, config *logical.BackendConfig) (logical.Backend, error) {
-			b := new(framework.Backend)
-			b.Setup(ctx, config)
-			b.BackendType = logical.TypeLogical
-			return b, nil
-		}), true
-	case "mysql-database-plugin":
-		return dbMysql.New(dbMysql.DefaultUserNameTemplate), true
-	case "consul":
-		return toFunc(func(ctx context.Context, config *logical.BackendConfig) (logical.Backend, error) {
-			b := new(framework.Backend)
-			b.Setup(ctx, config)
-			b.BackendType = logical.TypeLogical
-			return b, nil
-		}), true
-	default:
-		return nil, false
-	}
-}
-
-// Keys only supports getting a realistic list of the keys for database plugins,
-// and approle
-func (m *mockBuiltinRegistry) Keys(pluginType consts.PluginType) []string {
-	switch pluginType {
-	case consts.PluginTypeDatabase:
-		// This is a hard-coded reproduction of the db plugin keys in
-		// helper/builtinplugins/registry.go. The registry isn't directly used
-		// because it causes import cycles.
-		return []string{
-			"mysql-database-plugin",
-			"mysql-aurora-database-plugin",
-			"mysql-rds-database-plugin",
-			"mysql-legacy-database-plugin",
-
-			"cassandra-database-plugin",
-			"couchbase-database-plugin",
-			"elasticsearch-database-plugin",
-			"hana-database-plugin",
-			"influxdb-database-plugin",
-			"mongodb-database-plugin",
-			"mongodbatlas-database-plugin",
-			"mssql-database-plugin",
-			"postgresql-database-plugin",
-			"redis-elasticache-database-plugin",
-			"redshift-database-plugin",
-			"redis-database-plugin",
-			"snowflake-database-plugin",
-		}
-	case consts.PluginTypeCredential:
-		return []string{
-			"pending-removal-test-plugin",
-			"approle",
-		}
-	}
-	return []string{}
-}
-
-func (m *mockBuiltinRegistry) Contains(name string, pluginType consts.PluginType) bool {
-	for _, key := range m.Keys(pluginType) {
-		if key == name {
-			return true
-		}
-	}
-	return false
-}
-
-func (m *mockBuiltinRegistry) DeprecationStatus(name string, pluginType consts.PluginType) (consts.DeprecationStatus, bool) {
-	if m.Contains(name, pluginType) {
-		return m.forTesting[name].DeprecationStatus, true
-	}
-
-	return consts.Unknown, false
-}
-
-type NoopAudit struct {
-	Config         *audit.BackendConfig
-	ReqErr         error
-	ReqAuth        []*logical.Auth
-	Req            []*logical.Request
-	ReqHeaders     []map[string][]string
-	ReqNonHMACKeys []string
-	ReqErrs        []error
-
-	RespErr            error
-	RespAuth           []*logical.Auth
-	RespReq            []*logical.Request
-	Resp               []*logical.Response
-	RespNonHMACKeys    []string
-	RespReqNonHMACKeys []string
-	RespErrs           []error
-
-	salt      *salt.Salt
-	saltMutex sync.RWMutex
-}
-
-func (n *NoopAudit) LogRequest(ctx context.Context, in *logical.LogInput) error {
-	n.ReqAuth = append(n.ReqAuth, in.Auth)
-	n.Req = append(n.Req, in.Request)
-	n.ReqHeaders = append(n.ReqHeaders, in.Request.Headers)
-	n.ReqNonHMACKeys = in.NonHMACReqDataKeys
-	n.ReqErrs = append(n.ReqErrs, in.OuterErr)
-	return n.ReqErr
-}
-
-func (n *NoopAudit) LogResponse(ctx context.Context, in *logical.LogInput) error {
-	n.RespAuth = append(n.RespAuth, in.Auth)
-	n.RespReq = append(n.RespReq, in.Request)
-	n.Resp = append(n.Resp, in.Response)
-	n.RespErrs = append(n.RespErrs, in.OuterErr)
-
-	if in.Response != nil {
-		n.RespNonHMACKeys = in.NonHMACRespDataKeys
-		n.RespReqNonHMACKeys = in.NonHMACReqDataKeys
-	}
-
-	return n.RespErr
-}
-
-func (n *NoopAudit) LogTestMessage(ctx context.Context, in *logical.LogInput, options map[string]string) error {
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (n *NoopAudit) Salt(ctx context.Context) (*salt.Salt, error) {
-	n.saltMutex.RLock()
-	if n.salt != nil {
-		defer n.saltMutex.RUnlock()
-		return n.salt, nil
-	}
-	n.saltMutex.RUnlock()
-	n.saltMutex.Lock()
-	defer n.saltMutex.Unlock()
-	if n.salt != nil {
-		return n.salt, nil
-	}
-	salt, err := salt.NewSalt(ctx, n.Config.SaltView, n.Config.SaltConfig)
-	if err != nil {
-		return nil, err
-	}
-	n.salt = salt
-	return salt, nil
-}
-
-func (n *NoopAudit) GetHash(ctx context.Context, data string) (string, error) {
-	salt, err := n.Salt(ctx)
-	if err != nil {
-		return "", err
-	}
-	return salt.GetIdentifiedHMAC(data), nil
-}
-
-func (n *NoopAudit) Reload(ctx context.Context) error {
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (n *NoopAudit) Invalidate(ctx context.Context) {
-	n.saltMutex.Lock()
-	defer n.saltMutex.Unlock()
-	n.salt = nil
-}
-
-// RetryUntil runs f until it returns a nil result or the timeout is reached.
-// If a nil result hasn't been obtained by timeout, calls t.Fatal.
-func RetryUntil(t testing.T, timeout time.Duration, f func() error) {
-	t.Helper()
-	deadline := time.Now().Add(timeout)
-	var err error
-	for time.Now().Before(deadline) {
-		if err = f(); err == nil {
-			return
-		}
-		time.Sleep(100 * time.Millisecond)
-	}
-	t.Fatalf("did not complete before deadline, err: %v", err)
-}
-
-// MakeTestPluginDir creates a temporary directory suitable for holding plugins.
-// This helper also resolves symlinks to make tests happy on OS X.
-func MakeTestPluginDir(t testing.T) (string, func(t testing.T)) {
-	if t != nil {
-		t.Helper()
-	}
-
-	dir, err := os.MkdirTemp("", "")
-	if err != nil {
-		if t == nil {
-			panic(err)
-		}
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-
-	// OSX tempdir are /var, but actually symlinked to /private/var
-	dir, err = filepath.EvalSymlinks(dir)
-	if err != nil {
-		if t == nil {
-			panic(err)
-		}
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-
-	return dir, func(t testing.T) {
-		if err := os.RemoveAll(dir); err != nil {
-			if t == nil {
-				panic(err)
-			}
-			t.Fatal(err)
-		}
-	}
-}