AWS Certifications Explained
By Karthick Selvam · Published
An overview of AWS certification levels and how to choose.
Levels
Foundational (Cloud Practitioner, plus an AI Practitioner exam), Associate (such as Solutions Architect, Developer, SysOps Administrator, Data Engineer), Professional (Solutions Architect Professional, DevOps Engineer Professional) and Specialty exams.
Choosing a path
Beginners often start with Cloud Practitioner. Architects take Solutions Architect Associate; data engineers the Data Engineer Associate.
Validity
AWS certifications are typically valid for three years.
Stay current
AWS updates and retires exams periodically, so check the official AWS Certification site before planning.
Frequently asked questions
Is hands-on experience necessary?
Strongly recommended, especially for associate and professional exams.
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