Having said that, with so many AWS certifications in the market, it is difficult to assess which certification you should go for or pursue. Today, this blog tries to guide you on which certifications you should opt for and more details based on your career goals. Let’s first see the things covered in this blog:
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What is AWS Certification?
Before understanding AWS certifications, you need to know why AWS certifications are important.
Why choose AWS Certifications?
AWS certification, or any certification for that matter, helps validate the skills that you have. In this fast-paced world, every business or company looks for the smartest way to get things done. Having said that, let’s see how a company looks for a skilled candidate when it has a job opening.
Let’s say Anita is an HR professional, and she works for XYZ corporation. She is assigned the task to hire an AWS Architect. How will she go about it? Well, the first thing that will come to her mind is to see if there is any certification for this profile, and if there is, then she will look for professionals who are certified in the domain.
Certifications play a crucial role in getting you interviews. According to research, a hiring manager will prefer a candidate who is certified in a particular skill set to a candidate who is not.
So, to sum it up, one should not assume that getting a certification will get the candidate a job. But for sure, certifications will help you grab more interview calls as compared to if you are not certified.
Now that you are clear about why you need to get certified, let’s move ahead and understand what AWS certifications are.
AWS certifications are provided by Amazon Web Services to validate your expertise on the AWS cloud platform. The number of services offered by AWS is huge, and hence, AWS has divided its services into many job profiles.
Each job profile is mapped to a type of AWS certification, and in this blog, you will find out which AWS certification is the best for you! So, let’s go ahead and look at the different types of AWS certifications and their costs.
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Top AWS Certification Costs and Types
There are a total of 12 different types of AWS certifications. They are broadly divided into 4 categories, and those are further divided as mentioned in the next section.
Each certification covers specific skill sets, and they together form a hierarchy. It starts with the foundational level and gets built up to the professional level, depending on the expertise of the subject. The specialty type of certification digs deeper into specific sections in the AWS cloud. The AWS certification types, their cost, the details of which one should know to start with, and the best-recommended path to reach the pinnacle of the AWS cloud skills are discussed below:
The Foundational Level
This level is basically for you if you have at least 6-month experience in the industry where you have been working on the AWS platform on a daily basis. There is only one type of certification that you can do if you belong to this level, which is AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner.
1. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
This certification is for you if you have worked on the AWS cloud platform either in a technical or a non-technical role. For example, if you are working in the financial team that runs on the AWS cloud platform, this exam helps in getting a better understanding of the product and building up your confidence working with it.
It is recommended that you have an idea about the AWS platform and its services before applying for this certification.
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AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification Cost and Exam Details:
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Cost: US$100 (Practice exam: US$20)
- Languages: Available in English, Indonesian (Bahasa), Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese
The Associate Level
This level is for you if you have at least one year of experience in solving problems and implementing solutions using the AWS cloud. The certifications that are provided at this level are: Solutions Architect, SysOps Administrator, and Developer
1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
This exam helps in certifying your ability in designing distributed systems on the AWS cloud. It mainly deals with cloud architecture. If you are interested in actually working on the AWS cloud platform, this is the most basic certification that is required to start building your foundation. It gives you a brief idea about how AWS provides various services such as security, networking, and Data Analytics.
It is strongly recommended that you have at least one year of experience in deploying systems as the certification will test your knowledge in the architectural practices on the platform.
AWS Solutions Architect Associate Certification Cost and Exam Details:
- Duration: 130 minutes
- Cost: US$150 (Practice exam: US$20)
- Languages: Available in English, Indonesian (Bahasa), Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese
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2. AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
This certification proves your abilities in management, deployment, and operations on the AWS cloud. It is not only for SysOps Administrators but for anyone who works on AWS. It helps you better understand what is going on in the AWS architecture. Though it sounds simple, this exam is said to be the hardest one to crack in this level, and it is recommended to complete all the associate-level certifications before stepping into the harder professional-level certifications.
You will need to have a minimum of 1-year experience in managing AWS applications and AWS practices for product life cycle management and deployments to clear this certification.
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Cost and Exam Details:
- Duration: 130 minutes
- Cost: US$150 (Practice exam: US$20)
- Languages: Available in English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese
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3. AWS Certified Developer – Associate
This exam tests your ability in developing and maintaining an AWS-based application. You will need a practical understanding of code-level security practices, such as credential creation and encryption strategies. Though the term ‘developer’ is misleading in the title, this certification is for anyone who uses AWS. It mainly deals with services such as DynamoDB, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, etc. where you are expected to know how to use these services. It is better to go for this certification after you are done with the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate level.
You will need to have practical experience of at least a year in maintaining and creating applications in Amazon DynamoDB, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, etc.
AWS Developer Certification Cost and Exam Details:
- Duration: 130 minutes
- Cost: US$150 (Practice exam: US$20)
- Languages: Available in English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese
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The Professional Level
This level is for people who have more than 2 years of experience in designing, operating, and troubleshooting solutions using the AWS cloud. At this level, you have two specializations: Solutions Architect and DevOps Engineer certifications.
1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (AWS CSA – Pro)
This certification not only proves that you know how to manage and operate systems on AWS but also your ability to deploy multi-tier applications on the AWS cloud and build enterprise-scale cloud solutions with AWS resources. It is highly recommended that you complete all the associate-level certifications before attempting this exam. Also, you should attempt it only if you are sure that you have deep knowledge in the subject, including areas such as security and direct connection. This certification is considered to be the final step as it involves testing you on every single feature in the entire AWS cloud.
Before applying for this certification, it is mandatory to have an associate-level AWS certification in Solutions Architect and at least 2 years of experience in deploying distributed systems.
AWS Solutions Architect Professional Certification Cost and Exam Details:
- Duration: 180 minutes
- Cost: US$300 (Practice exam: US$40)
- Languages: Available in English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese
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2. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional (AWS DevOps – Pro)
This certification proves your abilities in provisioning, operating, and managing AWS environments. This certification actually goes deeper into subjects such as deployments and life cycles. Though most of the topics merge with the ones in AWS CSA – Pro, this certification forms a bridge between the associate-level certifications and AWS CSA – Pro. So, it is recommended that you do this one before taking the AWS CSA – Pro certification.
It is mandatory to have an associate-level AWS certification in SysOps Administrator and Developer if you are applying for a professional level in this certification, and furthermore, you should have at least 2 years of experience in managing AWS cloud deployments and automation practices.
AWS DevOps Professional Certification Cost and Exam Details:
- Duration: 180 minutes
- Cost: US$300 (Practice exam: US$40)
- Languages: Available in English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese
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The Specialty Level
This level is for you if you are experienced in the technical side of the AWS cloud in specialty domains, including Advanced Networking, Security, Machine Learning, Alexa Skill Builder, Data Analytics, and databases.
It is recommended that while planning to do any of the certifications in this level, you should have 2–5 years of hands-on experience and expertise in that particular subject in the AWS cloud, except for Alexa Skill Builder. All certifications in this level are advised not to be approached lightly as these exams test your deeper knowledge of the subject.
1. AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty
This exam tests your abilities in complex networking projects and managing the network architecture. It is for you if you have in-depth knowledge of topics such as direct connect, Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), and routing. As the exam mainly deals with both hybrids and AWS-only networks, this certification makes the AWS CSA – Pro exam easier for you, if you are appearing for it later.
It is recommended that you have an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or an associate-level certification before applying for this certification, at least 5 years of experience in managing networks, and have a very good understanding of networking concepts.
AWS Advanced Networking Certification Cost and Exam Details:
- Duration: 170 minutes
- Cost: US$300
- Languages: Available in English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese
2. AWS Certified Security – Specialty
This certification is all about the advanced methods of securing the AWS cloud. You must be able to demonstrate expert-level knowledge of data protection and encryption techniques in AWS environments. Security of data is all that anyone wants in this modern era, so if you are an enthusiast and have experience in AWS Security, this certification is for you where you can showcase your knowledge.
It is highly recommended to have 2-year experience working with securing AWS workloads and a minimum of 5 years of experience in ensuring IT security to clear this certification exam.
AWS Security Specialty Certification Cost and Exam Details:
- Duration: 170 minutes
- Cost: US$300 (Practice exam: US$40)
- Languages: Available in English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese
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3. AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
This certification will validate your skills in designing, deploying, and maintaining Machine Learning (ML) solutions for solving practical business problems. Machine Learning, a simple term that has changed our life from voice assistants to self-driving cars, is becoming huge day by day. If you have experience in this topic, this is where you can get validated and showcase your knowledge in this subject.
It is recommended that you have enough experience using Machine Learning and Deep Learning on the AWS cloud.
AWS Certified Machine Learning Certification Cost and Exam Details:
- Duration: 180 minutes
- Cost: US$300 (Practice exam: US$40)
- Languages: Available in English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese
Go through our blog on the AWS ML Exam guide to learn more
4. AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder – Specialty
This certification proves your abilities to build, test, and publish Amazon Alexa skills. If you are experienced in voice applications and want to learn more about the inner functions and working of Alexa, this certification is for you.
To appear for this exam, you need to have at least 6-month practical experience in developing voice applications with the help of Alexa Skills Kit, proficiency in a programming language, and at least one published Alexa skill.
AWS Alexa Skill Builder Certification Cost and Exam Details:
- Duration: 170 minutes
- Cost: US$300 (Practice exam: US$40)
- Languages: Available in English and Japanese
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5. AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty
This certification tests your expertise in AWS Data Lakes and Analytics services. You will have to know how the Data Analytics services by AWS fit in the process of collecting, storing, processing, and visualizing data. If you are experienced in this field and want to show that you have in-depth skills in delivering data insights, then this certification is the best for you.
It is recommended to have at least 5 years of experience in Data Analytics technology and hands-on experience in the AWS cloud for a minimum of 2 years.
AWS Data Analytics Certification Cost and Exam Details:
- Duration: 180 minutes
- Cost: US$300 (Practice exam: US$40)
- Languages: Available in English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese
6. AWS Certified Database – Specialty
This specialty certification exam certifies your knowledge of AWS database services and accelerates how you can use database technology to boost and ease your organization’s business transformation. If you have a role that specializes in this area, this certification will develop credibility and fill confidence in you by validating your expertise in designing, recommending, and maintaining optimal database solutions.
It is recommended to have a minimum of 5 years of experience in database technology, a minimum of 2 years of practical experience in the AWS cloud, and have familiarity with relational and non-relational databases.
AWS Database Certification Cost and Exam Details:
- Duration: 180 minutes
- Cost: US$300 (Practice exam: US$40)
- Languages: Available in English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese
Now that you know all about the kinds of certifications that are available, find the one that best fits your interests and abilities.
After reading about AWS certification costs and its types, let’s see how you can get these certifications and the extra benefits that they offer.
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Guide to AWS Certification
Following are the basic steps that are necessary for you to get certified:
- First, choose the certification from the various types mentioned above and apply for the same
- Enroll in our AWS training classes that will guide you through the subject thoroughly via 24/7 support, access to self-paced learning videos, project work, and exercises
- Cover the entire course material and give as many mocks as you can to get an advantage during the actual exam
- Depending on the type of certification you choose to pursue, prepare accordingly. It typically takes about 90–120 hours for the preparation
- Schedule the exam date and time that is most comfortable for you
The format of exams is pretty basic: MCQs or multiple answers. The exams can be given in the comfort of your house, or you can choose a test center near to you. However, while choosing to appear for the exam at your house, make sure that you have a good Internet connection, a proper functioning camera, and a microphone as it will be an online proctored exam.
Apart from validating your skill set, these certifications provide other benefits as well. Let’s check them out next.
- Digital badges: You get digital badges that you can showcase on social media accounts and email signatures. These get you access to exclusive AWS-sponsored certification events as well.
- Exam discount: You get exclusive access to a 50 percent discount voucher if you apply for recertification or any other exam.
- Event recognition: You receive invitations to the regional appreciation receptions where you can use your digital badgeto get exclusive access to AWS Certification Lounges.
- AWS Certified Global Community: You get access to the AWS certified community on LinkedIn so that you can connect with your fellow mates.
- Free practice exams: You get a free practice exam voucher for your next AWS certification.
- AWS Certified Store: You get access to exclusive AWS certified merchandise that is not available to others.
Salary after AWS Certification
Once you get certified in AWS, there’s a handsome salary coming your way. It is one of the highest-paid certifications in the world in the IT sector. Here’s a list of average annual salaries after AWS certification in India and US:
| Certification Type | India | US |
| AWS Certified Developer – Associate | ₹ 98,87,058 | $114,148 |
| AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate | ₹ 99,12,711 | $142,160 |
| AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate | ₹ 99,33,430 | $121,292 |
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Conclusion
Hopefully, this blog on AWS Certification Costs and Type of AWS Certification Exams has given you in-depth information on the certification that is best for you and why the certification is useful. As much as it’s important and appealing for your skill set, the career path, and salary hike are also plus factors in the AWS journey. If you are interested in this course, do check out our AWS Masters Certification & aws free certification for more information.
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