Top 11 AWS Certifications List and Exam Learning Path

 

In this blog, we've provided the AWS Certifications list and their detailed Learning Path for all the types of Certifications in 2022. Thus, it will make it easy to choose which certification is right for your career.

We will be discussing below the Top AWS Certifications are:

1. 1. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner- Foundational
   2. AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate
   3. AWS Certified Developer - Associate
   4. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate
   5. AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional
   6. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional
   7. AWS Certified Security - Specialty
   8. AWS Certified Big Data - Speciality
   9. AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Speciality
   10. AWS Certified Machine Learning - Speciality
   11. AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder -Speciality

Before we discuss the different types of AWS certifications and their certification exam path, let us talk about what is AWS certification and its value.

What is the AWS Certification?

Amazon Web Services offers more services and features when compared to any other cloud provider. Amazon cloud offers over 200+ fully-featured services from which over 40 services aren't available in other cloud service providers. The main perspective of AWS certification is that it allows you to gain more recognition for your technical skills and helps you stand out with a brand image for your knowledge beyond your working with AWS Services. Your preparation regarding certification provides you with a valuable opportunity to develop your exposure to expectations of AWS services.

AWS Certification transforms your knowledge of the technology into an industry-recognized credential. AWS certifications describe the candidates’ technical skills, designing skills, and strategies in deploying applications and operating them. They summarize the stability of IT professionals on how they implement the infrastructure on Amazon Web Services platforms.

Do you want to grow in your career or looking to jump to the next level of your job? Then learning AWS Certification Course and holding a Certification is a key asset to you.

Choosing the Right AWS Certification - What's the Value?

Choosing the right AWS Certification helps you to grow in your career, or you can jump to the next level in 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 in or moving to the cloud computing sector, then getting certified is highly recommended. So getting the AWS Certification, in particular, helps you to stand out in the competition. Not only does it helps you to find a job in an organization, but it also helps you to get a high-paid job in any organization. 

Now we are going to discuss different types of AWS certifications and provide insightful information about each one of them.

Related Article: Cloud Computing Technology

AWS Certifications List and Learning Path

Amazon Web Services Certifications are categorized into three different levels called Foundational, Professional, and Specialty.

Now, we are going to discuss in detail all types of AWS Certification List & AWS Certification Learning Path - A Road map that includes exam format, duration, certification costs, and delivered methods.

# 1. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner- Foundational

AWS cloud practitioner certification gives you a detailed overview of AWS cloud concepts such as security, pricing, services, architecture, and support. This entry-level certification exam is designed to validate the candidates’ overall understanding of the AWS cloud. 

Topics Covered under Cloud Practitioner Certification: 

• Basics of AWS cloud and global infrastructure.
• Principles of AWS cloud architecture.
• AWS cloud value propositions and key services on the AWS platform and their use cases.
• Describes the characteristics of deploying and operating in the AWS platform. 
• Identify technical assistance and documentation.
• Explain the basics of security and compliance aspects of the AWS platform.
• Define pricing models, account management, and billing.

Recommended Knowledge:

• We recommend you to have at least six months of experience in any role, including managerial, technical, sales, financial or purchasing. 
• You should also have the capability of understanding the basics of IT services and their uses in the AWS cloud platform. 

Exam Overview:

Format: Multiple choice questions.

Exam timings: 90 minutes

AWS Exam Cost: 100 USD 

Languages: Exam available in English, Korean, Japanese, and simplified Chinese. 

Exam Delivered Method: Online proctored exams or testing centers. 

Exam Resources:

Cloud Practitioner Sample Questions 

Cloud Practitioner Exam Guide

 

# 2. AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate

This certification gives you a broad overview of the AWS cloud, and it mainly focuses on the core AWS services including, Virtual Private Cloud (VPC), Identity and Access Management (IAM), EC2, and S3. Learning these services will help you to understand how AWS approaches networking, data storage, security, and compute capabilities. 

Topics Covered under Solutions Architect Certification: 

• How to deploy and architect robust applications on AWS technologies.
• Define a solution using architectural principles.

Recommended knowledge:

• You should have hands-on experience in storage, database, compute, and networking services.
• You need to identify which service meets the user requirements.
• You should know how to manage and deploy services. 

Exam Overview:

Format: Multiple choice questions.

Exam Duration: 130 minutes.

AWS Certification Cost: 150 USD ( Mock/ practise exam: 20 USD)

Languages: Available in English, Korean, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese. 

Exam Delivered Method: Only testing centers.

Exam Resources:

Architect Associate Sample Questions

Architect Associate Exam Guide

 

# 3. AWS Certified Developer - Associate

You might think this certification is only for developers but that is not the case here. It says about developing, but it is for everyone who uses AWS. 

In this certification, you will learn AWS services including, Elastic Beanstalk, DynamoDB, SNS, and SQS. However, you need to have basic knowledge of how you would use these services in the AWS platform and also how they present themselves to the outside world through SDKs and APIs.

Topics Covered under AWS Certified Developer:

• Working knowledge of core AWS architecture and the basics of AWS services. 
• You should have hands-on experience in developing, deploying, designing, and maintaining the application. 

Related Article: Architecture of AWS

Recommended knowledge:

• You should have experience in any one of the high-level programming languages. 
• You should know how to use AWS CLIs, AWS services, and SDKs to write the applications. 
• You need to understand application lifecycle management.
• You should know how to use and interact with the AWS services. 

Exam Overview: 

Format: Multiple choice questions.

Exam Duration: 130 minutes

Exam cost: 150 USD ( Mock/ practise test: 20 USD)

Languages: Available in Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese, and Korean.

Exam Delivery Method: Only testing centers

Exam Resources:

Developer Associate Exam Guide

 

Visit here to learn AWS Developer Certification Course

 

 

# 4. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate

This certification is not only for SysOps admins but also for everyone who runs things on AWS. In this certification, you can learn in-depth on Cloudwatch, and you will come to know what’s actually going on in AWS architecture. 

SysOps Admin Certification is the hardest of Associate certifications, but once you have done with the exam, it is the most valuable certification when compared to other AWS certifications.

Visit here to learn AWS SysOps Certification Course

Now let us have a look at the

Topics that are Covered in SysOps Administrator Certification:

• How to deploy, operate and manage the application in the AWS cloud platform.
• Select AWS services to meet the organization's requirements. 
• You will learn how to control the flow of data to and from AWS.

Recommended Knowledge:

• You should know AWS tenets- architecting for the cloud. 
• You need to understand how network technologies are related to AWS. 
• Visualization technologies.
• Ability to translate architectural requirements.

Become a master of AWS by going through this online AWS Training in Hyderabad!

Exam Overview:

Format: Multiple choice questions.

Exam Duration: 130 minutes

Cost: 150 USD (Mock/ Practise exam: 20 USD)

Languages: Available in Korean, English, Japanese, and simplified Chinese.

Exam Delivery Method: Testing centers only

Exam Resource:

SysOps Associate Exam Guide

Till now, we have discussed three Associative levels of certifications, and now, we are going to discuss two professional levels of certification with insightful information.

 

# 5. AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional

Solutions architect professional certification needs high technical skills and two years of experience in designing AWS based applications

Topics Covered under AWS Solutions Architect:

• How to build reliable and secure applications on the AWS platform.
• You will learn the basics of network technologies and how they work on the AWS platform.
• Implement cost-control strategies. 
• Deploy hybrid systems. 

Recommended Knowledge: 

• You need to have two or more years of experience in designing and deploying cloud architecture on AWS.
• You need to have the ability to evaluate the requirements of the applications and make architectural recommendations for the implementation of designing and deploying the apps on the AWS platform.
• You have to know how to apply the five pillars of the AWS well-architected framework.
• You have to be familiar with the scripting language.

Exam Overview:

Format: Multiple choice questions.

Exam Duration: 170 minutes

Cost: 300 USD (Mock/ Practise exam: 50 USD)

Languages: Available in Korean, English, Japanese, and simplified Chinese.

Exam Delivery Method: Testing centers only

Exam Resources:

Architect Professional Exam Guide

Architect Professional Sample Questions

 

# 6. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional

This certification is all about operating, provisioning, and managing the applications on the AWS platform. It mainly focuses on the automation process, continuous delivery, and two basic concepts of DevOps.  

Topics that are Covered under DevOps Engineer:

• You will learn how to implement a continuous delivery system and management system on the AWS platform. 
• How to design, maintain and manage the tools to automate the operational process.
• Implement systems that are highly scalable available on the AWS platform.

Recommended Knowledge: 

• You should know how to develop the code in any one of the high-level programming languages. 
• Understand modern operation processes, development, and methodologies. 
• You should have experience in administering operating systems.

Visit here to Learn AWS DevOps Certification Course!

Exam Overview:

Format: Multiple choice questions.

Exam Duration: 170 minutes

Cost: 300 USD (Mock/ Practise exam: 50 USD)

Languages: Available in Korean, English, Japanese, and simplified Chinese.

Exam Delivery Method: Testing centers only

Exam Resources:

DevOps Engineer Professional Exam Guide

DevOps Engineer professional Sample Questions

Till now, we have discussed various types of core certifications. Now we are moving to Speciality Certifications which are classified into five types. 

Below here are the specialty certifications.

 

# 7. AWS Certified Security - Specialty

This certification is designed to validate your AWS knowledge on security topics such as infrastructure security, data protection, incident response, identity and access management, encryption, monitoring, and logging.

Topics Covered under AWS Certified Security:

• You can learn data classifications 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.
• Implementation of security solutions.

Exam Overview:

Format: Multiple choice questions.

Exam Duration: 170 minutes

Cost: 300 USD (Mock/ Practise exam: 40 USD)

Languages: Available in Korean, English, Japanese, and simplified Chinese.

Exam Delivery Method: Testing centers only.

Exam Resources:

Security Specialty Exam Guide

Security Specialty Sample Questions

 

# 8. AWS Certified Big Data - Speciality

This certification is designed to validate your experience in extracting the value from data using AWS services.

Topics Covered under Certified Big Data:

• How to maintain and design big data 
• How to implement core AWS big data services according to the AWS infrastructure. 
• Data analysis using tools.

Visit here to Learn AWS  Big Data Course!

Recommended Knowledge:

• Before doing Big Data certification, you should hold AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and Associative level certifications. 
• You should have a maximum of 5 years of hands-on experience in data analytics. 
• Learn how to design a scalable and cost-effective architecture to process the data. 

Exam Overview:

Format: Multiple choice questions.

Exam Duration: 170 minutes

Cost: 300 USD (Mock/ Practise exam: 40 USD)

Languages: Available in Korean, English, Japanese, and simplified Chinese.

Exam Delivery Method: Testing centers only

Exam Resources:

Data Specialty Exam Guide

Data Specialty Sample Questions

 

Related Article: Learn AWS Big Data

 

# 9. AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Speciality

To do advanced networking certification, you should have a background in architecting and implementing network solutions and advanced knowledge of networking on AWS.

Topics Covered under Advanced Networking Certification:

• You will 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 according to the AWS infrastructure. 
• Learn how to do data analysis using automated tools.

Recommended Knowledge:

• You need to hold AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and Associative level certifications. 
• You should have a maximum of 5 years of hands-on experience in data analytics. 
• Learn how to design a scalable and cost-effective architecture to process the data. 
• Ipv6 transition challenges.
• Subnetting and CIDR.

Exam Overview:

Format: Multiple choice questions.

Exam Duration: 170 minutes

Cost: 300 USD (Mock/ Practise exam: 40 USD)

Languages: Available in Korean, English, Japanese, and simplified Chinese.

Exam Delivery Method: Testing centers only.

Exam Resource:

Advanced Networking Specialty Exam Guide

Advanced Networking Specialty Sample Questions

 

# 10. AWS Certified Machine Learning - Speciality

This certification is designed to validate your ability to create, implement and maintain machine learning solutions for a business problem. This certification can be written by anyone who has experience in the development and data science role.  

Topics Covered under AWS Machine learning certification:

• You learn how to select and justify the appropriate ML approach for a given business problem.
• Identify appropriate AWS services to implement ML solutions.
• Design and implement cost-optimized, scalable, secure, and reliable ML solutions.

Recommended Knowledge:

• You need to have 1- 2 years of experience in developing, running ML/ deep learning workloads on the AWS platform.
• You need to have the ability to express the institution behind the basic ML algorithm.
• You should have experience in ML and deep learning frameworks.

Exam Overview:

Format: Multiple choice questions.

Exam Duration: 170 minutes

Cost: 300 USD (Mock/ Practise exam: 50 USD)

Languages: Available in Korean, English, Japanese, and simplified Chinese.

Exam Delivery Method: Testing centers only.

Exam Resources:

Machine Learning Specialty Exam Guide

Machine Learning Specialty Sample Questions

 

# 11. AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder -Speciality

Alexa skill builder certification is designed to validate your technical expertise in deploying, maintaining, and creating Amazon Alexa Skills. This exam can be written by anyone who performs a role as an Alexa Skill builder.

Topics Covered under Alexa Skill Builder Certification:

• You will learn about the value of choice.
• Design the user experience.
• Learn how to design the architecture to build the skill.
• You will learn how to develop, validate, troubleshoot and test the skill.
• You will learn how to manage skill operations and life cycles of skill.

Recommended Knowledge:

• You should have at least six months of hands-on experience in building Alexa skills using the Alexa skills kit, including skills that incorporate services from the AWS cloud. 
• You should have proficiency in any programming language.

Exam Overview:

Format: Multiple choice questions.

Exam Duration: 170 minutes

Cost: 300 USD (Mock/ Practise exam: 40 USD)

Languages: Available in Korean, English, Japanese, and simplified Chinese.

Exam Delivery Method: Testing centers only.

Exam Resources:

Alexa Skill Builder Specialty Exam Guide

Alexa Skill Builder Specialty Sample Questions

 

How much does an AWS Certification Cost?

The below table explains AWS Certifications Cost details:

AWS Certification Type	Duration (Minutes)	Cost (USD)
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner	90 min.	$100
AWS Certified Solutions Architect-Associate	130 min.	$150
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator-Associate	130 min.	$150
AWS Certified Developer-Associate	130 min.	$150
AWS Certified Solutions Architect- Professional	170 min.	$300
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer- Professional	170 min.	$300
AWS Certified Security-Speciality	170 min.	$300
AWS Certified Big Data-Speciality	170 min.	$300
AWS Certified Advanced Networking -Speciality	170 min.	$300
AWS Certified Machine Learning -Speciality	170 min.	$300
AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder -Speciality	170 min.	$300

 

AWS Recertification - How to recertify AWS?

AWS certification is valid for three years, and Amazon is continuously adding features and services to AWS to stay ahead of the rapidly evolving cloud market. AWS recertification refers to either advancing to the next level of your AWS certificate, i.e., Associate to Professional, or taking a recertification exam for your current credential at a reduced cost.

In the next section, we will discuss why AWS certification is important and how it will help in your career growth.

Importance of AWS Certification

The following are the key factors that state the importance of the AWS Certification. 

1. Cloud is the future of the Business World: The majority of the organizations are adopting AWS services. This is because AWS services are having fast, advanced, and better features when compared to other competitor technologies and AWS provides all features in a single platform. 

2. Digital Badges: After completion of AWS certification, you will receive a digital badge. You can showcase your achievement in social media, and you can use it as an email signature to gain access to AWS-sponsored certification events.

3. Exam Discount: You will receive a 50% discount voucher when you are applying for recertification or any other exams.  

4. Free Practice Exams: You can prepare for your next AWS certification with a practice exam voucher. 

5. AWS Certified Global Community: You can also get access to the certified Linkedin community. It helps you to communicate with your peers to know more about the latest updates in AWS certifications, job opportunities, and a lot more. 

6. Event Recognition: Once you complete the AWS certification, you will receive invitations to regional receptions. You can use your digital badges to get access to AWS Certification Lounges at selected AWS summit events. 

7. Demanded Skills are always Earning more Money: Yes, you can earn more salary when compared to other cloud technologies like Azure, google cloud, IBM, Oracle, and more; this also depends on your technical skills. 

8. AWS Certified Store: You will receive unlock access to the AWS Certified Merchandise.

How to Become an AWS Certified?

It is easy to qualify for the AWS certification, and there are many testing centers across the world. Enroll in the exam and pass it to get the AWS certification. AWS certification is valid for three years only; so you need to upgrade yourself with the latest updates on AWS. 

How to Start Preparation for AWS Certification?

Step 1: Plan which certification you want to do (as we further discuss in this blog) and Enrol in any AWS training classes. (Mindmajix link)

Step 2: Create your AWS free tier account.

Step 3: Start learning by looking at videos and review any study or exam guides available. 

Step 4: Read various AWS whitepapers and FAQs that hold valuable information which helps you get answers for many of your questions. 

Step 5: Practise, practice… it will help you a lot to learn; Amazon provides you with practice exams. You can write these and increase your confidence levels to clear the AWS certification exam. (It will take 80-120 hours to prepare; this also depends on your experience and the certification you are pursuing.)  

Step 6: Schedule the AWS exam once you are ready.

 

Amazon Web Services Certification Paths - FAQs

1. Can I reschedule or cancel the AWS certification Exam?

Ans: Yes, you can reschedule or cancel your AWS exam 24 hours after your scheduled appointment without any additional fee.

2. How to reschedule or cancel the AWS certification Exam? 

Ans: Following are the steps on how to cancel or reschedule the AWS exam:

Step1: Log on to your AWS certification account.

Step2: Click the PSI exams or Manage Pearson VUE exams button.

Step3: If you schedule your exam with PSI, click the view details button to manage your scheduled exam. Or, if you plan with Pearson VUE, you can reschedule your exam with the upcoming appointments menu. 

Step4: Select your required date, and confirm the reschedule exam date and click on the submit button. 

3. Shall I get a refund of my exam fee if I miss the scheduled exam?

Ans: No, your examination fee will not be refunded if you miss the scheduled exam. And, you cannot register again for the exam until 24 hours after missing your AWS exam timing. 

4. How many times can I reschedule my exam?

Ans: You can reschedule your exam dates up to 2 times after scheduling your original appointment. Once you reach the limit, you need to cancel your original appointment before 24 hours of your appointment and again register for the exam. 

5. How long does it take to get AWS certification results?

Ans: You will get the results within five business days after completion of your exam. You will receive the result to your AWS certification account as "Achieved Certification".

6. What happens if I fail AWS certification?

Ans: Nothing to worry about in case if you fail the AWS exam. You have unlimited chances to retake the exam. But, you need to wait for 14 days to retake the AWS exam.

7. What is the passing score for AWS certification?

Ans: AWS does not publish exam passing scores. This is because exam questions and passing scores are updated to reflect the changes in the test forms as the content is updated. 

8. How long will I have access to my practice exam?

Ans: You can access the practice exam for 180 days. Once you start the exam, you need to complete it within 30 days, or else, the exam will expire. 

9. Is AWS tough to learn?

Ans: No, it is not a tough task to learn AWS; if you find an excellent resource and learning path, it is easy to qualify for the exam.

10. Which AWS certification is in demand?

Ans: We found the following sequence of certifications to be the most impactful route for entry into the AWS career.

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect
• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator
• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer
• AWS Certified Developer

Not only these, but you can build your career with other AWS certifications as well.

Final Words

In this blog, we have given detailed information about all AWS certifications list & their paths along with FAQs by the users. We hope that now you have enough knowledge of the AWS certification process.

Still, Do you have any queries about AWS Certifications?  Let us know by commenting in the below section, and we will reach out to you with a solution.