Top AWS Certifications-Which one should I choose?

Top AWS Certifications-Explore the most sought-after AWS certifications and decide on how to choose the right AWS certification for a rewarding career.

Top AWS Certifications-Which one should I choose?
 |  BY ProjectPro

AWS certifications are the most in-demand cloud computing certifications in the IT industry today, with an overwhelming growth in cloud computing. So, for those looking for a career in Amazon Web Services, this blog lists the best AWS certifications available today, including the cost, duration, and topics covered in each certification exam.  


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With everyone from Netflix to American Airlines signing up to the cloud to keep things from crumbling into pieces, organizations are running into a significant skills gap. There are not enough people who know how to work with cloud services. Many cloud jobs are going unfilled, and salaries for trained and certified cloud professionals are rising. The lack of cloud skills has been identified as the major challenge for cloud adoption by 25% of organizations. Let us now understand why there is such a huge demand for AWS cloud certifications and why you need one to jumpstart your career in cloud computing.

Why do you need an AWS Certification?

Professionals looking to add cloud expertise to their resume or just beginning their career with cloud computing may wonder – “Which cloud computing certification should I get ?” The cloud is crowded with competing vendors, like Microsoft and Google, growing faster than expected. However, what’s interesting is that AWS still holds 57% of the market share. With Amazon being the most mature provider and leading in market share of the overall cloud infrastructure marketplace (approximately twice of any competitor), it is evident that it will play a significant role in the cloud market for years to come.  AWS is the “God of the Cloud,” powering many organizations - AirBnB, Adobe, BMW,  GE Oil and Gas,  Met Office, UK Ministry of Justice, and more. If you want to become an expert on a specific cloud platform, AWS cloud certifications are a clear way.

With increasing growth and demand for cloud computing both in terms of usage and popularity, it is becoming apparently crucial for IT professionals to certify their cloud computing skills to stay ahead of the competition. Over 350,000 professionals are needed to help fill cloud job roles. There is a huge opportunity for professionals who can prove their cloud skills through vendor-specific certifications. With the public cloud market anticipated to reach $1025.7 billion by the end of 2028, AWS skills and certifications will likely retain a significant lead over its competitors –IBM, Microsoft, and Google. Whether you are  a Big Data Analyst, Database Administrator, Web Developer, System Administrator, or AI Developer, your life will become much easier if you make the best out of Amazon’s AWS certification training. If you are entirely new to the tech industry and are looking to get your first cloud gig, then definitely AWS certification path can boost your resume to the top of the pile. The two important reasons industry experts highlight for acquiring AWS training and certifications are –

  • Many employers do not have an effective way to test the competence of AWS skills on the resume of job applicants. Having an AWS certificate will make you stand out among the job application pile, and at least you can expect your application to be selected by the employer for further interviewing process. Certification promotes your credibility with employers, thereby increasing your chances of getting shortlisted for AWS job interviews.

  • Another major factor driving demand for AWS-certified professionals is the partnership requirements of vendors. The partners want minimum partner certification requirements as a measure of competence to be assured that they are handing over the job to skilled people.

The average salary for AWS-certified professionals is 27.5% higher. Whether you are taking your first steps into the cloud or are looking forward to increasing your marketability, this is the best time to expand your cloud skill set and become a certified AWS professional. The success of employability in today’s cloud jobs market is to acquire cross-platform skills. If you have acquired Microsoft or Google Cloud Certification, consider expanding your cloud skills to include AWS certifications.

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AWS Certification Roadmap - How to Become AWS Certified? 

You can get AWS certification in the same manner as any other exam. Register for the relevant certification and appear for the exam. Furthermore, if you score higher than the cutoff, you will be certified in the relevant certification. Although this is just a sum-up to becoming an AWS-certified professional, the following are the most strategic steps you can follow: 

AWS Certification Roadmap

Step 1: Register for the AWS Training and Certification Account.  

The first step for acquiring a cloud certification is registering with your AWS training and certification account. You can also opt for an AWS Free Tier account, as it enables consumers to explore and test out AWS services free of charge up to specified limits for each service. The Free Tier provides three offerings: a 12-month Free Tier, an Always Free offer, and short-term trials.

Once you are done creating your account, choose the certification to pursue. If you're unsure where to begin, start preparing for Cloud Practitioner and work up to AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate. This will serve as the foundation for choosing what to pursue next. 

Step 2: Prepare from Exam Guides and Training Resources 

Although certification is the end objective, learning is what will help you reach your goal. 

But before you start studying for any certification, we recommend you go through the exam guides. They include information about the exam's content and a breakdown of the domains covered. 

Once when you are ready to study, refer to AWS training resources to understand the basic concepts of AWS services.  These resources are in-depth and contain practical labs to assess your understanding. It is also essential to access your progress with practice exams simultaneously with your understanding. Practice exams are the best way to track your progress and give you an idea about what the exam questions will look like. They also assist you in determining which areas demand more of your focus. 

Step 3: Refer to Multiple AWS Whitepapers.

After getting a solid understanding of the fundamental concepts of AWS services, it is time to expand your knowledge of the products and services that AWS offers. AWS whitepapers are one of the best ways to do this, as they provide you with a solid understanding of the range of services. These whitepapers will help increase you enhance your knowledge of the AWS cloud. In addition, all the technical content of these whitepapers, including the reference material, guides, and reference architecture diagrams, is written by the AWS community.

Step 4: Get Practical Experience Through Real-Time AWS Projects. 

Learning becomes more interesting if you find ways to implement your concepts. And there is no better approach to learning AWS than to keep up your consistency by studying and implementing the concepts you've studied each day. Working on AWS projects is what can help you jumpstart your career. Plus, it can also add some fun to your learning with practical experience. 

The following are some of the most unique and innovative AWS projects you can consider to enhance your skillset: 

Project Idea 1: AWS Project for Batch Processing with PySpark on AWS EMR

This AWS Project will help you learn how to perform batch processing on Wikipedia data with PySpark on AWS EMR.

Project Idea 2: AWS Project to Build and Deploy LSTM Model with Sagemaker

This AWS Sagemaker Project helps you learn to build an LSTM model on Sagemaker for sales forecasting while analyzing the impact of weather conditions on Sales.

Project Idea 3: Build an ETL Data Pipeline on AWS EMR Cluster

This project helps you build a fully working scalable, reliable, and secure AWS EMR complex data pipeline from scratch that provides support for all data stages from data collection to data analysis and visualization.

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Project Idea 4: Website Monitoring using AWS Lambda and Aurora

This AWS project helps you learn the best practices for website monitoring using AWS services like Lambda, Aurora MySQL, Amazon Dynamo DB, and Kinesis.

Project Idea 5: MLOps AWS Project on Topic Modeling using Gunicorn Flask

This project helps you learn the end-to-end machine learning development process to design, build and manage reproducible, testable, and evolvable machine learning models by using AWS. 

These are some AWS projects that can be an excellent add-on to your portfolio in showcasing your cloud expertise. 

Step 5: Schedule the Exam from your AWS Certification Account. 

Now, you are ready for your AWS exam schedule! You may schedule your exam through your AWS Certification Account with either Pearson VUE or PSI. And once you are done scheduling, don’t forget to check your exam confirmation email from your chosen testing provider. This email provides essential information about the terms and conditions for your exam appointment. 

AWS Certification Levels 

AWS certification exams are categorized based on the difficulty level as shown below:

 

AWS Certifications Level: AWS certifications ranked by difficulty level

 

    • Foundational Level: Foundational certification is designed to test basic cloud computing skills, and it requires the candidate to have at least six months of fundamental AWS cloud and industry experience.

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  • Associate Level: The AWS associate certification level is designed for people with experience designing distributed applications. Candidates for associate-level certifications must have one year of experience implementing solutions using AWS cloud.

  • Professional Level: Professional level certifications demonstrate one's expertise in the cloud sector, but at an advanced level. Candidates for AWS professional certifications must have two years of experience designing, operating, and executing AWS Cloud solutions. 

  • Specialty Level: Specialty certifications are often meant to assess the skills required for a certain technology, such as data analytics, security, networking, etc. However, the technical AWS cloud knowledge required at the specialty level varies depending on the certification.

The following table shows all AWS certifications based on the levels:  

Foundational Level Certification

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

Associate Level Certification

AWS Certified Developer - Associate

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate  

Professional Level Certifications

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional 

AWS DevOps Engineer – Professional

Specialty-Level Certifications 

AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty

AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty

AWS Certified Security – Specialty

AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty

AWS Certified Big Data - Specialty 

Best AWS Certifications List for 2023 

Here is the list of AWS certifications to pursue in 2023 and beyond - 

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner - Foundational 

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is the best entry-level AWS certification for beginners. This certification provides a fundamental grasp of AWS Cloud fundamentals, services, and terminology. Taking this cloud practitioner exam is an excellent option to start for those from non-IT backgrounds looking to learn the basics of the AWS Cloud platform.

Key Areas

This AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Certification covers the following key areas: 

  • Basic understanding of AWS architecture principles

  • Core AWS services 

  • AWS security and compliance standards

  • AWS services and their use cases

  • Deployment and operating principles 

Exam Details 

  • Certification level: Foundational 

  • Prerequisites for the exam: Minimum six months of general cloud experience 

  • Exam Duration: 90 minutes 

  • Exam format: Multiple-choice or multiple-response questions 

  • Exam registration cost: 100 USD

AWS Certified Developer - Associate 

This AWS Certified Developer - Associate certification teaches you the fundamentals of using AWS services and is intended for those who have at least a year of experience developing and maintaining AWS applications. Candidates must possess the fundamentals of coding to get this AWS developer certification. Additionally, this certification validates a candidate's understanding of the AWS SDK and how to use it to interact with various AWS services.

Key areas

This AWS associate certification covers the following areas:

  • Basic AWS architecture

  • Core AWS services 

  • Hands-on experience developing, deploying, and debugging cloud-based applications using AWS. 

  • Basics of key AWS services 

  • Write code for serverless apps

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Exam details

  • Certification level: Associate 

  • Prerequisites for the exam: At least one year of experience developing and maintaining the AWS applications 

  • Exam duration: 130 minutes 

  • Exam format: Multiple choice and multiple response questions 

  • Exam registration cost: 150 USD

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate 

This AWS Certified Solution Architect - Associate certification is best for experienced professionals, such as senior developers and solution architects. Candidates must be able to show that they can design, manage, and implement applications using the services and tools on the AWS platform. 

Key areas 

  • Understanding of networking, computing, storage, and database AWS services 

  • Knowledge of deploying, managing, and operating workloads on the AWS platform. 

  • Understanding of AWS global infrastructure, AWS networking, and AWS well-architectured framework. 

  • Deploying hybrid systems. 

Exam details 

  • Certification level: Associate 

  • Prerequisites for the exam: One year of experience deploying distributed systems using AWS cloud services.

  • Exam duration: 130 minutes 

  • Exam format: Multiple choice, multiple response. 

  • Exam registration cost: 150 USD

AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate 

The AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate certification is the most difficult of the Associate certifications, but once you complete, it is the most beneficial certification when compared to other AWS certifications. You may use it to regulate your AWS account's data flow, estimate costs, and choose the right services for your next application. 

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Key areas

  • Estimate AWS usage costs and identify cost control mechanisms

  • Learn how to control data flow to and from AWS.

  • Select the appropriate AWS services based on the business requirements 

  • Get familiar with the AWS Management Console and the AWS Command Line Interface (CLI). 

  • Knowledge of AWS networking and security services and AWS Well-Architected Framework. 

Exam details 

  • Certification level: Associate 

  • Prerequisites for the exam: Experience with AWS technology and one year of professional experience in deployment, management, and performing operations on AWS. 

  • Exam duration: 130 minutes 

  • Exam format: Multiple choice, multiple response, and exam labs 

  • Exam registration cost: 150 USD. 

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional 

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional certification requires more advanced knowledge and expertise than associate-level certifications. This AWS certification learning path takes a high degree of technical expertise in designing AWS-based applications. In addition, the candidates must also give architectural suggestions for designing and deploying apps on AWS.

Key areas

  • Advanced understanding of cost-cutting strategies.

  • Best practices and approaches for designing and architecting apps using Amazon Web Services.

  • Maintenance and migration of complex application systems to the AWS environment. 

  • Learn to build reliable and secure applications on the AWS platform.

Exam details 

  • Certification level: Professional 

  • Prerequisites for the exam: To take this professional-level test, you must first pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate certification exam. Also, the candidate should have two or more years of hands-on experience designing and deploying cloud architecture on AWS.  

  • Exam duration: 180 minutes 

  • Exam format: Multiple choice, multiple response. 

  • Exam registration cost: 300 USD. 

AWS DevOps Engineer – Professional 

This AWS DevOps Engineer - Professional certification exam helps you learn how to design and maintain automation tools, track system metrics for your AWS system, and automate security measures. Operating, deploying, and maintaining applications on the AWS platform are the main focuses of this certification. 

Key areas

  • Basics of modern CD techniques

  • Learn how to design, maintain and manage the tools to enable automation of the operational process. 

  • Learn how to set up a continuous delivery and management system on the AWS platform. 

  • Set up monitoring and logging systems on AWS. 

  • Implement highly scalable systems on the AWS platform. 

Exam details 

  • Certification level: Professional 

  • Prerequisites for the exam: The candidate must have an AWS Certified Developer, or an AWS Certified SysOps Administrator certification. And a minimum of two years of experience managing, operating and provisioning AWS resources. 

  • Exam duration: 180 minutes 

  • Exam format: Multiple choice, multiple response. 

  • Exam registration cost: 300 USD. 

AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty 

The AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty certification is for professionals who perform complex networking tasks.  This certification holder will likely be in charge of the networking and architecture of AWS solutions at scale. To pass this exam, you must have prior experience with AWS networking.

Key areas

  • Network optimization and troubleshooting

  • Learn how to implement core services for architectural best practices

  • Design, develop, and deploy cloud applications using the AWS platform.

  • AWS tasks automation for network deployments 

  • Implement AWS big data services in accordance with the AWS infrastructure.

Exam details 

  • Certification level: Specialty 

  • Prerequisites for the exam: 

  • Exam duration: 180 minutes 

  • Exam format: Multiple choice, multiple response. 

  • Exam registration cost: 300 USD. 

AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty

The AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty certification is the most specialized AWS certification exam for machine learning experts. It is for individuals who perform a development or data science role and have more than one year of experience building, architecting, or implementing machine learning/deep learning workloads in the AWS Cloud. Candidates with this certification should be able to deploy Machine Learning solutions readily integrated with the AWS platform.

Key areas 

  • Identify the best ML approach for the business problems. 

  • Build and deploy cost-effective, reliable, and secure Machine Learning solutions

  • Identify the right AWS services to implement the machine learning solutions.

Exam details 

  • Certification level: Specialty 

  • Prerequisites for the exam: Minimum 1-2 years of expertise building, executing, and architecting Deep Learning or Machine Learning workloads on Amazon Web Services. 

  • Exam duration: 180 minutes 

  • Exam format: Multiple choice, multiple response. 

  • Exam registration cost: 300 USD. 

AWS Certified Security – Specialty 

The AWS Certified Security - Specialty certification is for security experts, particularly those who want to learn about security topics such as data encryption, infrastructure  security, identity, access management, monitoring, and logging AWS services. To earn this certification, you must hold at least two years of experience in the AWS workload and five experience of IT experience in designing and implementing security solutions. 

Key areas 

  • Learn data encryption methods 

  • Learn how to implement security mechanisms on the AWS cloud platform. 

  • Understanding of specialized data classifications and AWS data protection mechanisms

  • Understanding of security operations and risks

  • Knowledge of secure internet protocols

  • Implement logging and monitoring systems to discover and evaluate security flaws and vulnerabilities in your infrastructure.

  • Select the best data protection techniques, including encryption mechanisms.

Exam details 

  • Certification level: Specialty 

  • Prerequisites for the exam: Two years of experience in the AWS workload and five experience of IT experience in designing and implementing security solutions. 

  • Exam duration: 180 minutes 

  • Exam format: Multiple choice, multiple response. 

  • Exam registration cost: 300 USD. 

AWS Certified Big Data - Specialty 

The AWS Certified Big Data - Specialty certification is for professionals who perform complex Big Data analyses and hold at least two years of expertise with AWS technology. 

Key areas

  • Big Data design and maintenance

  • Knowledge of AWS services such as Athena, Quicksight, Kinesis, and Rekognition

  • Security practices for data analytics solutions

  • Learn to design, maintain and visualize data

  • Learn how to implement core AWS big data services according to the AWS infrastructure. 

Exam details 

  • Certification level: Specialty 

  • Prerequisites for the exam: The candidate should hold an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or an associate-level certification. And, Minimum of five years of hands-on experience in a data analytics field. 

  • Exam duration: 180 minutes 

  • Exam format: Multiple choice, multiple response. 

  • Exam registration cost: 300 USD. 

AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty

The AWS Certified Data Analytics - Specialty certification is designed to validate your skills and expertise in AWS analytics services and data lakes. It increases your credibility by demonstrating your skills in designing, building, managing, and securing cost-effective and efficient analytics solutions on the AWS platform.

Key areas 

  • Describe how AWS data analytics services fit into the collection, storage, processing, and visualization.

  • Knowledge of data analysis automation tools

  • Monitor, design, and maintain big data 

  • Learn the best security methods to handle big data.

  • Knowledge of automation tools for data analysis.

Exam details 

  • Certification level: Specialty 

  • Prerequisites for the exam: The candidate should have five years of experience with standard data analytics technologies and two years of practical experience with AWS services to build, maintain, and secure analytics solutions. 

  • Exam duration: 180 minutes 

  • Exam format: Multiple choice, multiple response. 

  • Exam registration cost: 300 USD. 

Are AWS Certifications Worth it?

An AWS certification validates your knowledge in a specific technical area and enables you to get valuable technical skills. The AWS Training and Certification platform is one of the best certification providers available for IT professionals. In fact, the most sought-after certification today is the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification.

Getting AWS Certification can help you advance your career, whether seeking a new role, showing your skills to take on a new project, or becoming your team's go-to expert. Furthermore, HR professionals are more inclined to hire a candidate with a recognized IT certification. AWS, thankfully, provides flexible and accessible choices for taking a certification exam, as well as a wide selection of programs, tools, and professional insights to help you prepare. Hence, it is evident that getting an AWS certification is absolutely worth it. 

Choosing the Right AWS Certification Based on Your Role and Skill Set 

AWS leads the public cloud adoption market. It provides twelve AWS certifications, which can be grouped into five categories: Foundational Cloud, Architecting, Developing, Operations, and Specialities.

  • AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (Foundational AWS Certification)

  • AWS Certified Developer – Associate (AWS Developing Certifications)

  • AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate (AWS Operations Certification)

  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate(AWS Architecting Certification)

  • AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional (AWS Developing Certifications)

  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional(AWS Architecting Certification)

  • AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty (AWS Speciality Certification)

  • AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty (AWS Speciality Certification)

  • AWS Certified Security - Speciality (AWS Speciality Certification)

  • AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty (AWS Speciality Certification)

  • AWS Certified SAP on AWS – Specialty (AWS Speciality Certification)

Which AWS Certification Should I Get?

What AWS Certifications Should I get?

 

If you have read this far, you are interested in AWS. You are either already using it in your workplace, perhaps considering using it, or maybe planning to use it in a personal big data project. The most common question we get about AWS certifications is, “Which is the first AWS Certification I should take to land a top AWS gig?” The most common approach to begin your cloud career is to start with AWS Solution Architect Associate Certification. Solutions Architect AWS Certification is a great way to familiarize yourself with the AWS ecosystem and core AWS services. Moreover, it is mandatory to have an associate certificate before you can take the AWS Solutions Architect Professional Certification.

Moreover, AWS Certified Solutions Architect is the most rewarding cloud career option because of the skills gaps. According to Simply Hired,  the average salary for cloud developers is $118,507, while that of cloud admins is $76,267. Cloud Architects are big winners in this space, with an average salary ranging from $124,406 - $173,719. A high salary is not the only motivator for professionals, in fact, many also have an interest in AWS or cloud services as it is a completely new and exciting technology to learn.

FAQs on AWS Certifications 

The AWS certification cost varies based on the levels. For example, $100 for the Foundational level, $150 for the Associate level, and $300 for the Professional and Specialty levels.

If you are a beginner looking to acquire an AWS certification, the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification is an ideal option. It is the most basic amazon web services credential that covers the fundamentals of AWS and the cloud and requires no technical skills as a prerequisite.

AWS currently offers 12 certifications: a foundational certification, three associate-level certifications, two professional-level certifications, and six specialty-level certifications.

AWS Certification validates cloud expertise, assisting professionals in highlighting in-demand skills and companies in building successful, innovative teams for AWS cloud initiatives.

AWS certifications are valid for three years, after which the applicant must recertify them to keep the certificate valid.

The following information needs to be mentioned: The name of the certification you acquired, the name of the certifying body followed by the date of completion in month and year format.

The answer is yes.  All the AWS certifications are valid for three years, after which the applicant must recertify them to keep the certificate valid.

No, Amazon does not presently provide any free AWS certification course. AWS certification costs $100 for the Foundational level, $150 for the Associate level, and $300 for the Professional and Specialty levels.

 

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