Top 11 AWS Certifications

Amazon Web Services (AWS) certifications are a noteworthy addition to any resume, testifying to an individual’s expertise in the world’s most widely used cloud system. AWS encompasses more than 200 cloud services and products, ranging from developer tools to storage, security, and more. Millions of businesses worldwide use AWS functions to streamline operations and improve cost efficiency.

AWS certifications are awarded to individuals who have demonstrated valuable theoretical and practical knowledge of certain AWS cloud computing systems. By gaining this credential, which is awarded by AWS directly, you can show potential clients your prowess in AWS. Alternatively, if you’re a business owner or hiring manager looking to leverage AWS systems, you might seek out people with this credential.

There are currently 11 AWS certifications, each tiered at an AWS certification level of proficiency. Whether you’re looking to get an AWS certification yourself or want to hire someone who’s AWS-certified, it’s helpful to gain a deeper understanding of the credentials available.

Here’s what you can expect from this guide to the best AWS certifications

What is an AWS certification?

AWS certifications validate an individual’s technical abilities in relevant AWS topics. Specialty certifications are available for defined technical areas and role-based certifications for certain jobs (e.g., architect, developer, cloud practitioner). To get a certification, professionals must pass an exam. They then receive a digital badge and title, which they can put on their resume, business card, LinkedIn profile, etc.

Why is an AWS certification important?

AWS certifications are a recognized credential in the cloud computing industry, giving the holder credibility in their field and boosting their confidence, as they have a proven testament to their skills. Professionals can leverage an AWS certification to improve their career prospects, while companies can trust an AWS badge to prove an individual’s demonstrable practical and theoretical prowess in AWS.

The cloud computing field is constantly evolving, and this kind of certification can also give knowledge about the latest developments. Does AWS certification expire? Yes. An AWS certification is only valid for three years, after which holders must complete recertification. Both professionals and the businesses that work with them benefit from having access to up-to-date expertise.

11 types of AWS certification

The AWS platform is vast, covering more than 200 services and products. As a result, there are quite a few credentials professionals can earn in the AWS space. Here’s a quick AWS certification list covering the 11 essential exams.

Foundational level

The Foundational level of AWS certifications indicates a fundamental knowledge of the core AWS Cloud and cloud computing industry in general. It’s for people with about six months of experience.

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam is for people with core knowledge of AWS. To take this basic-level exam, you should have:

• A basic understanding of essential IT services
• How IT services are used in the cloud
• How businesses may use the platform

Topics that might be covered include:

• Key AWS Cloud solutions and use cases
• AWS Cloud architectural principles
• AWS billing, pricing, and account management
• AWS compliance and security basics
• Key characteristics of deploying/operating in the AWS Cloud platform

Exam details include:

• Length: 90 minutes
• Cost: $100 USD ($20 for the practice exam)
• Format: 65 questions (multiple response or multiple choice)

Associate level

Associate-level certification is considered equivalent to about one year of experience in AWS. Someone with this credential can work independently in the AWS environment, pinpointing problems and finding solutions.

AWS Certified Developer

The AWS Certified Developer – Associate exam is for those who have hands-on experience in AWS-based applications. To take this exam, you should:

• Be proficient in at least one high-level programming language
• Understand core AWS services and identify key features
• Be able to write code for serverless applications
• Have a background in deploying, developing, and debugging cloud-based applications

Topics that might be covered include:

• Access management
• Encryption
• Serverless architecture
• Databases
• Storage
• CI/CD
• Developer tools
• Compute

Exam details include:

• Length: 130 minutes
• Cost: $150 USD ($20 for the practice exam)
• Format: 65 questions (multiple response or multiple choice)

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator

The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate exam is specifically for system administrators. Before taking this exam, you should:

• Be familiar with AWS Management Console and AWS CLI (Command Line Interface)
• Have in-depth knowledge of the AWS Architectural Framework and security measures
• Have at least one year’s worth of experience managing and operating work via AWS technology

Topics that might be covered include:

• Monitoring and reporting
• Networking
• Automation and optimization
• Storage and data management
• Security and compliance

Exam details include:

• Length: 180 minutes
• Cost: $150 USD ($20 for the practice exam)
• Format: 65 scoring opportunities (multiple responses, multiple-choice, or exam lab)

AWS Certified Solutions Architect

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam is for people with one-plus years of experience designing distributed systems via AWS. You should:

• Know how to deploy and operate work via AWS
• Understand security and compliance concerns
• Be familiar with AWS Management Console and CLI
• Know the AWS Architectural Framework
• Know how to determine which AWS services are best for which technical requirements

Topics that might be covered include:

• Designing resilient architecture
• Designing secure architectures and applications
• Designing high-performing architectures
• Designing cost-optimized architectures

Exam details include:

• Length: 130 minutes
• Cost: $150 USD ($20 for the practice exam)
• Format: 65 questions (multiple response or multiple choice)

Professional level

Professional-level certification is designated for those with at least two years of experience working with the AWS Cloud. A person with this certification level will be able to proactively design and troubleshoot problems.

AWS DevOps Engineer

The AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional exam is intended for people who have two or more years in AWS environments (including provisioning, operating, and managing). If you plan to take this exam, you should:

• Be a proficient programmer
• Understand modern development and operations
• Be able to define and deploy key AWS systems (metrics, logging, monitoring)
• Be able to implement continuous delivery systems, security controls, and governance processes

Topics that might be covered include:

• SDLC automation
• Monitoring and logging
• Incident and event response
• Configuration management
• Policies and standards automation

Exam details include:

• Length: 180 minutes
• Cost: $300 USD ($40 for the practice exam)
• Format: 75 questions (multiple response or multiple choice)

AWS Certified Solutions Architect

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional exam is for people with two or more years of experience in cloud architecture. If you plan to take this exam, you should:

• Be able to implement best practices in architectural design
• Evaluate cloud application needs and make recommendations
• Design hybrid architectures using core AWS tools, like VPN and AWS Direct Connect
• Be familiar with key AWS components, like billing, APIs, CLI, AWS Management Console, etc.

Topics that might be covered include:

• Cost control
• Migration planning
• Improvement of existing solutions
• Design for new solutions

Exam details include:

• Length: 180 minutes
• Cost: $300 USD ($40 for the practice exam)
• Format: 75 questions (multiple response or multiple choice)

Specialty certifications

AWS Specialty certifications don’t necessarily correlate with a set number of years of experience. Rather, they speak to in-depth knowledge of a defined domain, such as data analytics, networking, database management, machine learning, security, etc.

AWS Certified Advanced Networking

The AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty exam focuses on networking tasks exclusively and is meant for people with five-plus years of experience in complex networking. If you’re thinking of taking this exam, you should:

• Have professional experience in AWS technology, storage, and networking best practices
• Knowledge of automation scripts and tools, CIDR and subnetting, and advanced interconnectivity options and networking architectures

Topics that might be covered include:

• Hybrid IT network architectures (design and implementation), including VPD subnets, CIDR blocks, VPC routing, and flow logs
• AWS network design and implementation, including jumbo frames and OSI and TCP/IP network models
• Network integration configuration with application services
• Security and compliance topics
• AWS task automation

Exam details include:

• Length: 170 minutes
• Cost: $300 USD
• Format: 65 questions (multiple response or multiple choice)

AWS Certified Security

The AWS Certified Security – Specialty exam is specifically for IT professionals who work in a security role. If you plan to take this exam, you should:

• Have at least two years of hands-on experience in AWS-specific security solutions and five years of general IT security experience
• Understand AWS data protection mechanisms
• Have in-depth knowledge of AWS security features
• Be familiar with the AWS shared responsibility model

Topics that might be covered include:

• Identity and access management
• AWS security services auditing and compliance
• Relevant AWS machine learning services, like Amazon Macie and Amazon GuardDuty
• Application and network security
• Monitoring and logging
• Security governance

Exam details include:

• Length: 170 minutes
• Cost: $300 USD ($40 for the practice exam)
• Format: 65 questions (multiple response or multiple choice)

AWS Certified Machine Learning

The AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty exam is specifically for people who work in data science or development. If you want to take this exam, some prerequisites include:

• Have at least one year of experience in machine learning/deep learning in AWS
• Have a minimum of two years of experience with the development, architecture, and running of machine learning or deep learning workloads
• Experience with deep learning or ML frameworks
• Experience with hyperparameter optimization

Topics that might be covered include:

• Exploratory data analysis
• Modeling
• Machine learning implementation and operations
• Data engineering

Exam details include:

• Length: 180 minutes
• Cost: $300 USD ($40 for the practice exam)
• Format: 65 questions (multiple response or multiple choice)

AWS Certified Data Analytics

The AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty exam is for people who focus primarily on analytics solutions and requires:

• At least five years of experience with these technologies
• Two years of analytics-related AWS services experience
• An understanding of how these services integrate with one another and fit into the overall data lifecycle (collecting, storing, processing, visualizing data)

Potential topics that might be covered include:

• Data collection
• Data storage and management
• Data processing
• Data security
• Data analysis and visualization

Exam details include:

• Length: 180 minutes
• Cost: $300 USD
• Format: 65 questions (multiple response or multiple choice)

AWS Certified Database

The AWS Certified Database – Specialty exam is for people with:

• At least five years of database technology experience who work on AWS relational and non-relational databases
• Two years of experience working with AWS and NoSQL databases
• Ability to confidently make database solution recommendations

Topics that might be covered include:

• Database deployment and migration
• Database security
• Database monitoring and troubleshooting
• Database design according to workload

Exam details include:

• Length: 180 minutes
• Cost: $300 USD ($40 for the practice exam)
• Format: 65 questions (multiple response or multiple choice)

Steps to become AWS certified

AWS certification is a big deal, and not just anyone can get certified. Stringent examinations test both theoretical and practical knowledge. If you’re interested in getting AWS-certified, the exam and relevant preparation will depend partly on which specialty from the above AWS certification list you’re pursuing. However, this is a basic overview of how to get certified in AWS.

1. Enroll in an AWS training class

You can find AWS certification training materials online. Get training suggestions according to role (e.g., architect, DevOps engineers, cloud practitioner certification) or solution (e.g., data analytics, advanced networking, data science, database service). There are digital and classroom training options available, allowing you to choose the learning path that fits your needs.

2. Review any study or exam guides available

You can find topic-specific resources to help you study and master the material before the exam. On the AWS page, scroll down to “Find resources by exam” on the right-hand side and click the “Select an exam” scroll-down menu.

For example, if you select “AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner,” you’ll get access to a downloadable exam guide. Other resources range from an exam-readiness webinar to Twitch-based on-demand training.

3. Practice exams

AWS exams are rigorous, and it’s advisable to prepare thoroughly by taking practice exams. When you visit an exam-specific page (as described above), you’ll also get access to sample exam questions and a practice exam. Use this material, so you know what to expect and to help alleviate exam-day nerves.

4. Schedule the exam

Once you feel confident you’ve mastered the material, you can schedule your AWS exam. If you haven’t already done so, sign up for was. training. In the top navigation, click “Certification” and then “AWS Certification Account.” Finally, click “Schedule Now” to set a date.

AWS certification exams are offered via the test delivery providers PSI or Pearson VUE. You’ll be redirected to their pages to complete your registration.

Bottom line

AWS certifications are among the most valuable certifications in the IT field and are highly coveted by businesses and professionals alike. A badge from the AWS certification list above can give a professional credibility and confidence—while a company can view this credential as proof of an individual’s expertise in their field.

Are you an AWS developer looking for projects? Get on Upwork to connect with companies today and find AWS jobs.

If you’re looking for an AWS professional for your business, you can find the independent talent you need on Upwork. With a global pool of skilled individuals to select from, you’re sure to find a fitting professional for any project, from digital marketing to cloud database management.