AWS Certification Breakdown

July 19, 2018
by Steve Dill

AWS currently offers nine certifications:

  • AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
  • AWS Certified Developer – Associate
  • AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
  • AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
  • AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty
  • AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty
  • AWS Certified Security – Specialty

***Foundational Certification

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner AWSCertifiedCloudPractitioner.com

  • Pre-requisites: N/A
  • Format: Multiple-choice questions
  • Length: 90 minutes – 65 questions
  • Cost: $100

More info

***Associate-Level Certifications

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate AWSCertifiedSolutionsArchitect.com

  • Format: Multiple-choice, multiple-answer
  • Time: 130 minutes (based on the new exam) – 65 questions
  • Cost: $150

More info

AWS Certified Developer – Associate AWSCertifiedDeveloper.com

Format: Multiple-choice, multiple-answer

  • Time: 80 minutes – 65 questions
  • Cost: $150

More info

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate (AWSCertifiedSysOpsAdministrator.com)

  • Format: Multiple-choice, multiple-answer
  • Time: 80 minutes – ? questions
  • Cost: $150

More info

***Professional-level Certifications

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (AWSCertifiedSolutionsArchitect.com)

  • Prerequisites: Status as AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
  • Format: Multiple-choice, multiple-answer
  • Time: 170 minutes – ? questions
  • Cost: $300

More info

AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional AWSCertifiedDevOpsEngineer.com

  • Prerequisites: Status as AWS Certified Developer – Associate or AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate.
  • Format: Multiple-choice, multiple-answer
  • Time: 170 minutes – ? questions
  • Cost: $300

***Specialty-level Certifications

AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty AWSCertifiedBigData.com

  • Format: Multiple-choice, multiple-answer
  • Time: 170 minutes – ? questions
  • Cost: $300

AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty AWSCertifiedAdvancedNetworking.com

  • Format: Multiple-choice, multiple-answer
  • Time: 170 minute – ? questions
  • Cost: $300

More info

AWS Certified Security – Specialty AWSCertifiedSecurity.com

Format: Multiple-choice, multiple-answer
Time: 170 minutes – 65 questions
Cost: $300

More info

Recertification and Staying Up to Date

AWS certification holders are required to recertify every two years.

You may recertify by either passing the professional-level exam for the same certification or by passing the recertification exam for your existing certification. Recertification exams run for 80 minutes and cost $75.