The AWS Certification Path is a learning journey designed by Amazon Web Services to help people learn cloud computing skills and prove their knowledge through official exams.
It includes different levels of certifications from beginners to experts, and each one matches specific cloud job roles like:
- Cloud Practitioner (beginner),
- Developer or Solutions Architect (Intermediate)
- DevOps Engineer or Security Expert (advanced).
You can choose a path based on your skills or the kind of job you want in cloud computing.
Why AWS Certification is Important
Below are the reasons why AWS certification matters:
- Learn real-world skills that companies are looking for
- Earn a higher salary: Certified cloud pros are in high demand
- You can show your expertise with a globally recognized certificate
- Work from anywhere: AWS is used by businesses worldwide.
In short, AWS Certification helps you build a strong cloud career, whether you're just getting started or want to get a senior role.
AWS Certification Overview
AWS Certifications are organized to match your career goals and expertise. They are divided into specific job roles and skill level to help you build your cloud knowledge step by step:
| Level | Certification | Experience Needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundational | Cloud Practitioner | 6 months of basic AWS/cloud knowledge | $100 |
| Associate | Solutions Architect – Associate | 1 year designing systems on AWS | $150 |
| Developer – Associate | 1 year developing with AWS | $150 | |
| SysOps Administrator – Associate | 1 year managing AWS deployments | $150 | |
| Professional | Solutions Architect – Professional | 2+ years designing AWS architectures | $300 |
| DevOps Engineer – Professional | 2+ years managing AWS environments | $300 | |
| Specialty | Advanced Networking – Specialty | 2+ years in AWS networking | $300 |
| Data Analytics – Specialty | 2+ years with data lakes/analytics on AWS | $300 | |
| Security – Specialty | 2+ years securing AWS workloads | $300 | |
| Machine Learning – Specialty | 1–2 years in ML with AWS | $300 | |
| Database – Specialty | 2+ years in AWS database management | $300 | |
| SAP on AWS – Specialty | 5+ years SAP, 1+ year on AWS | $300 |
This structure allows you to progress from learning fundamental cloud concepts to mastering advanced cloud skills in your chosen role. Let's now explore each level and the exam available.
Foundational Level
This is the ideal starting point for those new to cloud computing on AWS. It covers the essential concepts you need to understand the AWS ecosystem and prepares you for more specialized certifications.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
It is an entry-level AWS Certification that comes under the Foundational level. It is specifically designed for the individuals who are having a basic understanding of the AWS Cloud platform and you're strongly recommended to have at least 6 months of industrial experience in the AWS Cloud domain before opting for this exam.
Moreover, this foundational level exam covers the following aspects of AWS Cloud - basic global infrastructure, architectural principles, value proposition, basic security and compliance aspects, pricing models, and several others.
- Level: Foundational
- Exam Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Exam Duration: 90 Minutes
- Cost: 100 USD (Practice Exam: 20 USD)
Associate Level
This level is designed for professionals with some hands-on AWS experience who want to deepen their knowledge in specific roles. It includes three key certifications tailored to different job functions.
1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
This certification is designed for the individuals who are having an experience of at least 1 year in designing distributed applications and implementation of solutions in AWS Cloud. You'll be required to showcase your skills in designing, managing, and deployment of applications on the AWS platform to earn this certification.
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification exam covers the following aspects - knowledge of architecture and deployment of applications on AWS, solution giving abilities using architectural design principles, implementation guidance throughout the entire project life cycle, etc.
- Level: Associate
- Exam Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Exam Duration: 130 Minutes
- Cost: 150 USD (Practice exam: 20 USD
2. AWS Certified Developer – Associate
The AWS Certified Developer (Associate) certification is designed for those who are having at least 1 year of development experience and proficient with the development & maintenance of applications on the AWS platform. To earn this certification, you're required to have a sound knowledge of programming language along with an in-depth understanding of core AWS services and basic AWS architecture best practices.
Furthermore, you also need to know about the development, deployment, and debugging processes of cloud-based applications along with various other related concepts.
- Level: Associate
- Exam Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Exam Duration: 130 Minutes
- Cost: 150 USD (Practice exam: 20 USD)
3. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator (Associate) is designed for the systems administrators professionals with at least one year of industry experience in deployment and operations on AWS.
The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator certification exam covers the following aspects - deployment & management of applications on the AWS platform, data transfer between data centers and AWS, picking out the relevant AWS services for the organization as per the requirements, estimation of AWS cost-usage & identification of operational cost control mechanisms, etc.
- Level: Associate
- Exam Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Exam Duration: 130 Minutes
- Cost: 150 USD (Practice exam: 20 USD)
Professional Level
After Foundation & Associate Level, here comes the Professional Level which demands the expert level of knowledge for the selected role-based certification. The certifications that fall under the Foundational & Associate level can be considered as the prerequisite for this Professional Level.
In this level, there come 2 Certifications - AWS Certified DevOps Engineer & AWS Certified Solutions Architect.
1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Professional) certification is designed for those individuals who are possessing an experience of at least 2 years as a Solutions Architect in the cloud industry. Meanwhile, you're recommended to hold AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Associate) before opting for the respective professional level exam.
Moreover, this professional-level certification concerns with your skill & abilities in various areas such as evaluation of cloud application requirements, design & deployment of cloud architecture on AWS, cost-control strategies implementation, etc.
- Level: Professional
- Recommended Prerequisite Exam: AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Associate)
- Exam Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Exam Duration: 180 Minutes
- Cost: 300 USD (Practice Exam: 40 USD)
2. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
Here comes another professional-level certification - AWS Certified DevOps Engineer (Professional) which is designed for the individuals who are having industry experience of two or more years in provisioning and managing AWS architectures.
You're recommended to hold AWS Certified Developer - Associate or AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate before appearing for this certification exam. Also, the AWS Certified DevOps Engineer certifications majorly concern with Continuous Delivery (CD) methodologies, AWS automation processes, monitoring & log systems on AWS, etc.
- Level: Professional
- Recommended Prerequisite Exam: AWS Certified Developer (Associate), AWS Certified SysOps Administrator (Associate)
- Exam Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Exam Duration: 180 Minutes
- Cost: 300 USD (Practice Exam: 40 USD)
Specialty Certifications
You can also opt from 6 specialty certifications provided by AWS. However, you're required to have a deep knowledge of the chosen domain as the exam level of the specialty certifications is quite higher. These 6 specialty domains are listed below:
1. AWS Certified Data Analytics - Specialty
The AWS Certified Data Analytics - Specialty certification validates your expertise in Data Analytics and the ability to design & model Big Data solutions using AWS services. You're recommended to have an experience of at least 5 years with data analytics technologies along with 2 years of hands-on experience on the AWS platform before appearing for this certification exam.
- Exam Duration: 180 Minutes
- Cost: 300 USD (Practice exam: 40USD)
2. AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder - Specialty
The AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder - Specialty certification helps you to validate your skills in building, testing & publishing of Amazon Alexa skills. To earn this certification, you're recommended to possess at least 6 months of industry experience in building Alexa skills using Alexa Skills Kit and also have a sound knowledge of programming languages.
- Exam Duration: 170 Minutes
- Cost: 300 USD (Practice exam: 40USD)
3. AWS Certified Security - Specialty
The AWS Certified Security - Specialty certification validates your expertise in the security domain in AWS. You're recommended to possess industrial experience of at least 2 years of securing AWS workloads along with an experience of a minimum of 5 years of designing and implementing security solutions in the IT security domain to earn this certification.
- Exam Duration: 170 Minutes
- Cost: 300 USD (Practice exam: 40USD)
4. AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
The AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty certification validates your expertise in the development, implementation, and maintenance of Machine Learning solutions using AWS Cloud. To earn this certification, you're recommended to have one or two years of experience in the development and architecture of Machine Learning or Deep Learning workloads on the AWS Cloud.
- Exam Duration: 180 Minutes
- Cost: 300 USD (Practice exam: 40USD)
5. AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty
The AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty certification validates your expertise in handling complex networking tasks on AWS. You're recommended to hold AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification or any other Associate-Level certifications such as Architect, Operations, Developer, etc. before opting for this certification. You're also recommended to have at least 5 years of experience with architecture & implementation of network solutions.
- Exam Duration: 170 Minutes
- Cost: 300 USD
6. AWS Certified Database - Specialty
The AWS Certified Database - Specialty certification validates your expertise in designing and maintenance of AWS database solution as per the requirements. You're recommended to have at least 5 years of industrial experience with database technologies along with a minimum of 2 years of experience on AWS. You also need to have some hands-on experience with AWS Cloud-based relational and non-relational databases.
- Exam Duration: 180 Minutes
- Cost: 300 USD (Practice exam: 40USD)