The 11 most popular AWS certification exams in 2023 and detailed learning paths for all certification exams are shared online. By the end of this article, you will be able to understand the differences between these different certifications and easily choose the one that is right for your career.
What’s more important is to help you cope with the exam easily!
The 11 popular AWS certifications are:
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner- Foundational
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- AWS Certified Developer – Associate
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
- AWS Certified Security – Specialty
- AWS Certified Big Data – Speciality
- AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Speciality
- AWS Certified Machine Learning – Speciality
- AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder -Speciality
Before discussing the different types of AWS certifications and their certification exam paths let’s talk about what AWS certifications are and their value.
What is AWS Certification
Amazon Web Services offers more services and features than any other cloud provider. Amazon Cloud offers over 200 full-featured services, over 40 of which are not available in other cloud service providers. AWS certifications can give you more recognition for your technical skills and help you stand out as a brand with knowledge beyond using AWS services.
AWS Certifications turn your knowledge of this technology into industry-recognized credentials. AWS certifications describe a candidate’s technical skills, design skills, and strategies for deploying and operating applications. and IT professionals’ stability in how to implement infrastructure on the Amazon Web Services platform.
Choosing the Right AWS Certification – What’s the Value?
Choosing the right AWS certification can help you grow in your career or you can jump to the next level within your current organization. So getting AWS certified shows that you are one of the skilled professionals in the cloud computing market.
If you are interested in continuing or moving into cloud computing then getting certified is highly recommended. So becoming AWS certified can especially help you stand out from the competition. It not only helps you to get a job in an organization but also helps you to get a high-paying job in any organization.
Now we will discuss the different types of AWS certifications and provide in-depth information about each one.
AWS Certification List and Learning Paths
Amazon Web Services certification is divided into three different levels Foundational, Professional, and Specialty.
The difference between AWS Professional and Specialty certifications:
Professional is a general in-depth exploration of services that are also common to other fields. AWS SAP covers provided services like EC2, S3, Cloudformation, RDS, etc. These services are common in all other fields such as big data, DevOps, containerization, etc.
The specialty has a special focus on a specific area and will cover all AWS Big Data and its related services available in AWS. It prepares you for all the solutions required for big data platforms. It tests you on all the big data-related services available in AWS like NoSQL, Data Warehousing, and Hadoop.
Now we will discuss in detail the list of all types of AWS certifications and the AWS certification learning paths – a roadmap including exam format, duration, certification cost, and delivery methods.
AWS Certification Learning Path
#1. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner – Foundational
The AWS Cloud Practitioner certification gives you a detailed understanding of AWS Cloud concepts such as security, pricing, services, architecture, and support. This entry-level certification exam is designed to validate candidates’ overall understanding of the AWS Cloud.
Topics Covered in Cloud Practitioner Certification:
- Fundamentals of AWS cloud and global infrastructure.
- Principles of AWS cloud architecture.
- The AWS Cloud value proposition and key services on the AWS platform and their use cases.
- Describe the characteristics of deployment and operation in the AWS platform.
- Identify technical assistance and documentation.
- Explain the basics of security and compliance on the AWS platform.
- Define pricing models, account management, and billing.
Recommended knowledge:
We recommend that you have at least six months’ experience in any role including management, technology, sales, finance, or procurement.
You should also have the ability to understand the basics of IT services and their use in the AWS cloud platform.
Exam Overview:
| Category | Foundational |
| Exam name | AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner |
| Exam code | CLF-C01 -> CLF-C02 (2023 Coming soon) |
| Exam duration | 90 minutes |
| Exam format | 65 questions; either multiple-choice or multiple-response |
| Cost | 100 USD |
| Test in-person or online | Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam |
| Languages offered | English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Bahasa (Indonesian), Spanish (Spain), Spanish (Latin America), French (France), German, Italian, and Portuguese (Brazil) |
Study and exam resources:
[Free exam practice questions download] AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C01) PDF
[Online Practice Test] Latest CLF-C01 dumps exam questions
[Exam Solution] leads4pass
#2. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
This certification gives you a broad understanding of the AWS Cloud. It focuses on core AWS services including Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), Identity and Access Management (IAM), EC2, and S3. Learning these services will help you understand how AWS handles networking, data storage, security, and computing power.
Topics Covered in Solutions Architect Certification:
- How to deploy and build powerful applications on AWS technology.
- Define the solution using architectural principles.
Recommended knowledge:
You should have practical experience in storage, database, computing, and network services.
You need to identify services that meet user requirements.
You should know how to manage and deploy services.
Exam Overview:
| Category | Associate |
| Exam name | AWS Certified Solutions Architect |
| Exam code | SAA-C03 |
| Exam duration | 130 minutes |
| Exam format | 65 questions, either multiple choice or multiple responses. |
| Cost | 150 USD |
| Test in-person or online | Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam |
| Languages offered | English, French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, Spanish (Latin America), Spanish (Spain), and Traditional Chinese |
Study and exam resources:
[Free exam practice questions download] AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) PDF
[Online Practice Test] Latest SAA-C03 dumps exam questions
[Exam Solution] leads4pass
#3. AWS Certified Developer – Associate
You might think that this certification is only for developers but that’s not the case here. It says development but it applies to everyone using AWS.
In this certification, you will learn AWS services including Elastic Beanstalk, DynamoDB, SNS, and SQS. But you need to understand how to use these services within the AWS platform and how they expose themselves to the outside world through SDKs and APIs.
Topics covered by AWS Certified Developer:
- Working knowledge of core AWS architecture and fundamental knowledge of AWS services.
- You should have hands-on experience developing, deploying, designing, and maintaining applications.
Recommended knowledge:
- You should have experience in any high-level programming language.
- You should know how to use the AWS CLI, AWS services, and SDKs to write applications.
- You need to understand application lifecycle management.
- You should know how to use and interact with AWS services.
Exam Overview:
| Category | Associate |
| Exam name | AWS Certified Developer |
| Exam code | DVA-C02 |
| Exam duration | 130 minutes |
| Exam format | 65 questions, either multiple choice or multiple responses. |
| Cost | 150 USD |
| Test in-person or online | Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam |
| Languages offered | English, French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, and Spanish (Latin America). |
Study and exam resources:
[Online Practice Test] Latest DVA-C02 dumps exam questions
[Exam Solution] leads4pass
# 4. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
This certification is not just for SysOps administrators but for everyone running on AWS. In this certification, you can dive deep into Cloudwatch and you’ll learn what’s actually going on in AWS architecture.
SysOps Administrator certification is the hardest Associate certification but once you complete the exam it is the most valuable certification compared to other AWS certifications.
Now let’s take a look!
Topics covered in SysOps Administrator Certification:
- How to deploy, operate, and manage applications in the AWS cloud platform.
- Choose an AWS service to meet your organization’s requirements.
- You’ll learn how to control the flow of data to and from AWS.
Recommended knowledge:
- You should understand AWS principles – Cloud Architecture.
- You need to understand how networking technologies relate to AWS.
- Visualization technology.
- Ability to translate architectural requirements.
Exam Overview:
| Category | Associate |
| Exam name | AWS Certified SysOps Administrator |
| Exam code | SOA-C02 |
| Exam duration | 130 minutes |
| Exam format | 65 scoring opportunities that may be multiple choice or multiple responses |
| Cost | 150 USD |
| Test in-person or online | Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam |
| Languages offered | English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. |
Study and exam resources:
[Free exam practice questions download] AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate (SOA-C02) PDF
[Online Practice Test] Latest SOA-C02 dumps exam questions
[Exam Solution] leads4pass
#5. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
The Solutions Architect Professional certification requires advanced technical skills and two years of experience designing AWS-based applications
Topics covered by AWS Solutions Architect:
- How to build reliable and secure applications on the AWS platform.
- You’ll learn the basics of networking technologies and how they work on the AWS platform.
- Implement cost control strategies.
- Deploy hybrid systems.
Recommended knowledge:
- You will need two or more years of experience designing and deploying cloud architecture on AWS.
- You will need to be able to assess application requirements and make architectural recommendations for the implementation of designing and deploying applications on the AWS platform.
- You must know how to apply the five pillars of the AWS Well-Architected Framework.
- You must be familiar with scripting languages.
Exam Overview:
| Category | Professional |
| Exam name | AWS Certified Solutions Architect |
| Exam code | SAP-C02 |
| Exam duration | 180 minutes |
| Exam format | 75 questions, either multiple-choice or multiple-response |
| Cost | 300 USD |
| Test in-person or online | Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam |
| Languages Offered | English, French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, and Spanish (Latin America). |
Study and exam resources:
[Free exam practice questions download] AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (SAP-C02) PDF
[Online Practice Test] Latest SAP-C02 dumps exam questions
[Exam Solution] leads4pass
#6. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
This certification is all about operating, provisioning, and managing applications on the AWS platform. It mainly focuses on two basic concepts of automated processes, continuous delivery and DevOps.
Topics covered by DevOps Engineer:
- You will learn how to implement continuous delivery systems and management systems on the AWS platform.
- How to design, maintain, and manage tools to automate operational processes.
- Implement highly scalable systems on the AWS platform.
Recommended knowledge:
- You should know how to develop code using any high-level programming language.
- Understand modern operational processes, developments, and methodologies.
- You should have experience administering operating systems.
Exam Overview:
| Category | Professional |
| Exam name | AWS Certified DevOps Engineer |
| Exam code | DOP-C02 |
| Exam duration | 180 minutes |
| Exam format | 75 questions, either multiple choice or multiple responses. |
| Cost | 300 USD |
| Test in-person or online | Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam |
| Languages Offered | English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. |
Study and exam resources:
[Online Practice Test] Latest DOP-C02 dumps exam questions
[Exam Solution] leads4pass
So far we have discussed various types of core certifications. Now we look at the five types of professional certifications.
#7. AWS Certified Security – Specialty
This certification is designed to validate your AWS knowledge in security topics such as infrastructure security, data protection, incident response, identity and access management, encryption, monitoring, and logging.
AWS Certified Security Topics Covered:
- You can learn about data classification and AWS data protection and mechanisms.
- You will learn data encryption methods and how to implement security mechanisms on the AWS cloud platform.
Recommended knowledge:
- Security controls for workloads on the AWS platform.
- Implement security solutions.
Exam Overview:
| Category | Specialty |
| Exam name | AWS Certified Security |
| Exam code | SCS-C02 |
| Exam duration | 170 minutes |
| Exam format | 65 questions; either multiple-choice or multiple-response |
| Cost | 300 USD |
| Test in-person or online | Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam |
| Languages Offered | English, French (France), Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, and Spanish (Latin America) |
Study and exam resources:
[Exam Solution] leads4pass
# 8. AWS Certified Data Analytics – Speciality
This certification is designed to validate your experience using AWS services to extract value from data.
Topics covered by AWS Certified Data Analytics:
- How to maintain and design big data
- How to implement core AWS big data services against AWS infrastructure.
- Use tools for data analysis.
Recommended knowledge:
- Five years of experience with common data analytics technologies
- Two years of hands-on experience and expertise working with AWS services to design, build, secure, and maintain analytics solutions
- Ability to define AWS data analytics services and understand how they integrate with each other
- Ability to explain how AWS data analytics services fit in the data lifecycle of collection, storage, processing, and visualization
Exam Overview:
| Category | Specialty |
| Exam name | AWS Certified Data Analytics |
| Exam code | DAS-C01 |
| Exam duration | 180 minutes |
| Exam format | 65 questions, either multiple choice or multiple responses. |
| Cost | 300 USD |
| Test in-person or online | Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam |
| Languages Offered | English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. |
Study and exam resources:
[Online Practice Test]Latest DAS-C01 dumps exam questions
[Exam Solution] leads4pass
#9. AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty
To pursue the Advanced Networking certification you should have a background in architecting and implementing network solutions and advanced knowledge of AWS networking.
Topics Covered in Advanced Networking Certification:
- You’ll learn how to design and deploy cloud-based solutions using AWS.
- How to design and maintain the network architecture for all AWS services.
- Implement core AWS big data services against AWS infrastructure.
- Learn how to use automated tools for data analysis.
Recommended knowledge:
- You need to hold AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and Associate level certifications.
- You should have up to 5 years of hands-on experience in data analysis.
- Learn how to design a scalable and cost-effective architecture to process data.
- IPv6 transition challenges.
- Subnetting and CIDR.
Exam Overview:
| Category | Specialty |
| Exam name | AWS Certified Advanced Networking |
| Exam code | ANS-C00 -> ANS-C01 (2023 Coming soon) |
| Exam duration | 170 minutes |
| Exam format | 65 questions, either multiple-choice or multiple-response |
| Cost | 300 USD |
| Test in-person or online | Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam |
| Languages Offered | English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. |
Study and exam resources:
[Online Practice Test]Latest ANS-C00 dumps exam questions
[Exam Solution] leads4pass
#10. AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
This certification validates your ability to create, implement, and maintain machine-learning solutions to business problems. This certification can be written by anyone with experience in development and data science roles.
Topics covered in AWS Machine Learning Certification:
- You’ll learn how to select and justify appropriate ML methods for a given business problem.
- Identify the right AWS services to implement ML solutions.
- Design and implement cost-optimized, scalable, secure, and reliable machine learning solutions.
Recommended knowledge:
- You will need 1-2 years of experience developing and running ML/deep learning workloads on the AWS platform.
- You need to be able to express the mechanisms behind basic ML algorithms.
- You should have experience with ML and deep learning frameworks.
Exam Overview:
| Category | Specialty |
| Exam name | AWS Certified Machine Learning |
| Exam code | MLS-C01 |
| Exam duration | 180 minutes |
| Exam format | 65 questions, either multiple-choice or multiple-response |
| Cost | 300 USD |
| Test in-person or online | Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam |
| Languages Offered | English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. |
Study and exam resources:
[Online Practice Test]Latest MLS-C01 dumps exam questions
[Exam Solution] leads4pass
#11. AWS Certified: SAP on AWS – Specialty
This certification validates expertise in designing, implementing, migrating, and operating SAP workloads on AWS. Organizations can now identify and develop the right talent with critical knowledge and skills in optimizing SAP workloads on AWS.
Topics Covered in SAP on AWS Certification:
- Design an SAP solution that runs in the AWS Cloud in adherence with the AWS Well-Architected Framework
- Design an SAP solution that runs in the AWS Cloud in adherence with SAP certification and support requirements.
- Implement new SAP workloads on AWS.
- Migrate existing SAP workloads to AWS.
- Operate SAP workloads on AWS.
Recommended knowledge:
The target candidate should have SAP knowledge or general IT knowledge of the
following areas:
- SAP Basis and SAP NetWeaver administration
- SAP-supported databases (including SAP HANA)
- SAP-supported operating systems (Linux and Windows)
- SAP migration and installation tools
- Sizing
- Identity management
Exam Overview:
| Category | Specialty |
| Exam name | AWS Certified: SAP on AWS |
| Exam code | PAS-C01 |
| Exam duration | 170 minutes |
| Exam format | 65 questions, either multiple-choice or multiple-response |
| Cost | 300 USD |
| Test in-person or online | Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam |
| Languages Offered | English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese. |
Study and exam resources:
[Online Practice Test]Latest PAS-C01 dumps exam questions
[Exam Solution] leads4pass
AWS Recertification – How do I recertify with AWS?
AWS certifications are valid for three years Amazon continues to add features and services to AWS to stay at the forefront of the rapidly growing cloud market. AWS recertification means upgrading to the next level of your AWS certification, Associate to Professional, or taking the recertification exam for your current certification at a reduced cost.
In the next section, we’ll discuss why AWS certification is important and how it can help your career.
The Importance of AWS Certification
Here are the key factors that illustrate the importance of AWS certification.
1. Cloud is the future of the business world Most organizations are adopting AWS services. This is because AWS services have fast, advanced and better features compared to other competing technologies and AWS provides all features in a single platform.
2. Digital Badge You will receive a digital badge after completing AWS Certification. You can showcase your accomplishments on social media and use it as an email signature to gain access to AWS-sponsored certification events.
3. Exam Discount You will get a 50% off coupon when applying for recertification or any other exam.
4. Free practice exam You can use practice exam vouchers to prepare for your next AWS certification.
5. AWS Certified Global Community You also get access to certified LinkedIn communities. It helps you connect with peers to learn more about the latest updates on AWS certifications, job opportunities, and more.
6. Activity recognition Once you complete your AWS certification you will receive an invitation to a regional reception. You can use your digital badge to gain access to AWS Certification Lounges at select AWS Summit events.
7. Skills needed always make more money You can get more salary compared to other cloud technologies like Azure, Google Cloud, IBM, Oracle, etc. It also depends on your technical skills.
8. AWS Certified Store You’ll get unlocked access to AWS Certified offers.
How to Become an AWS Certified
AWS certifications are easy to qualify for and there are many testing centers around the world. Sign up for the exam and pass it to become AWS certified. AWS certifications are only valid for three years so you need to upgrade yourself with the latest updates on AWS.
How to start preparing for AWS certification
Step 1 Plan for the certification you want to pursue as we discuss further in this blog and sign up for any AWS training course (along with AWS exam practice)
Step 2 Create your free AWS account.
Step 3 Start studying by watching the video and reviewing any available study or exam guides(AWSexamdumps).
Step 4 Read the various AWS white papers and FAQs which contain valuable information to help you get answers to many of your questions.
Step 5 Practice, practice…it will help you learn a lot Amazon provides you with practice exams. You can write these and increase your confidence level by passing AWS certification exams. Preparation for this will take 80-120 hours depending on your experience and the certification you are pursuing.
Step 6 Schedule your AWS exam when you are ready.
Amazon Web Services Certification Path – FAQ
1. Can I reschedule or cancel my AWS certification exam?
Yes, you can reschedule or cancel your AWS exam within 24 hours of your appointment without paying any additional fees.
2. How to reschedule or cancel an AWS certification exam?
Here are the steps to cancel or reschedule your AWS exam:
Step 1 Log in to your AWS-certified account.
Step 2 Click the PSI Exam or Manage Pearson VUE Exam button.
Step 3 If you use PSI to schedule exams, please click the View Details button to manage your scheduled exams. Or if you plan to use Pearson VUE you can reschedule your exam using the Upcoming Appointments menu.
Step 4 Select the date you need to confirm the rescheduled exam date and click the Submit button.
3. Can I get a refund for my exam fee if I miss my scheduled exam?
No. If you miss your scheduled exam your exam fee will not be refunded. You must register for the exam again within 24 hours of missing your AWS exam time.
4. How many times can I reschedule my exam?
You may reschedule your exam date up to 2 times after scheduling your original appointment. Once the limit is reached you will need to cancel your original appointment 24 hours before your appointment time and re-register for the exam.
5. How long does it take to get the AWS certification results?
You will receive your results within five business days of completing your exam. You will receive the “Achieved Certification” result in your AWS Certification account.
6. What happens if I fail AWS certification
No need to worry in case you fail the AWS exam. You have unlimited opportunities to retake the exam. But you will need to wait 14 days before retaking the AWS exam.
7. What is the passing score for AWS certification?
AWS does not publish exam passing scores. This is because exam questions and passing scores are updated as content is updated to reflect changes in the exam form.
8. How soon can I take my practice exam?
You can take practice exams for 180 days. Once you start the exam you need to complete it within 30 days or the exam will expire.
9. Is AWS difficult to learn?
No. Learning AWS is not difficult and it’s easy to qualify for the exam if you find great resources and learning paths.
10. Which AWS certification is required?
We’ve found the following series of certifications to be the most impactful pathways to a career at AWS.
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer
- AWS Certified Developer
Not only that you can also build your career with other AWS certifications.
Last words:
In this article, we provide a list of all AWS certifications along with learning paths and FAQs. Hopefully, you now have enough understanding of the AWS certification process.
AWSexamdumps has a lot of necessary AWS certification exam materials and related practice questions for you to study and use.