In this post, I help you understand the Hierarchy of AWS professional certificates. Right from Foundational level certs to speciality level AWS certs. My idea here is to make things easier to understand for absolute beginners in the cloud computing space. If you find my efforts helpful, please share this post with your friends and on social media.
There are four levels of AWS Certificates and I am listing them below one by one. You will learn how much is the exam fee and where to find the material to learn and how to to book the exam. It is going to be straightforward information keeping the avsolute beginners in mind.
Please know, as the time goes by, there will be new certificates, and I will include them into this post as needed in future. I hope all is clear! So, lets dive in and start listing all the articles level wise in Hierarchy!
Recommendation: Use Udemy Exam Vouchers to get discount for the exam.
Foundational Level AWS Certificates
As of September 2026, there are two certificates in this level and here the details:
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02
This is a foundational-level certification (CLF-C02) that validates a high-level understanding of the AWS Cloud platform, basic cloud concepts, security, and core terminology. It is intended for individuals from both technical and non-technical backgrounds.
Exam Code: CLF-C02
Exam Cost: $100 USD (plus applicable taxes) per attempt.
Where to take it: Administered by Pearson VUE. The 90-minute exam can be taken either in-person at a physical testing center or online via a proctored exam from home.
Recommended Study Material:
- Stephane Maarek’s Ultimate AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 2026 – Video Course
- 6 Practice Exams | AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 – Practice Exam
AWS Certified AI Practitioner
The AWS Certified AI Practitioner is a foundational-level certification designed for individuals who want to validate their overall understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Generative AI concepts on AWS. It is ideal for those in non-engineering roles, business professionals, and career switchers looking to demonstrate AI fluency.
Exam Code: AIF-C01
Format: 65 questions (multiple choice or multiple response)
Cost: $100 in the US and equivalent in your local currency + applicable taxes
Where to take it: Pearson VUE has physical test centers in most major cities globally. Or, You can take the exam remotely from your home or office, provided you meet their strict workspace and technical requirements.
Recommended Study Material:
- Stephane Maarek’s AI Cloud Practitioner Course on Udemy
- For Practice Exam use the course created by Stephane Maarek and Abhishek Singh on Udemy
Associate Level AWS Certificates
AWS Associate certifications prove you have practical skills in Amazon Web Services. They are designed for people who have spent about a year actively building, managing, or fixing real-world setups in the AWS Cloud. Currently, there are five AWS associate level certificates and details of each is shared below!
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03)
This is the most popular AWS certification and is widely seen as the essential starting point for anyone working in cloud computing. It shows you know how to design cloud systems that are secure, reliable, and built to handle high demand.
Exam code: SAA-C03
Format: 65 questions (a mix of multiple-choice and multiple-response questions)
Cost: $150 in the US and equivalent in your local currency + applicable taxes
Where to Take:
- Take the exam at any authorized Pearson VUE testing center worldwide.
- You can also take the exam remotely from home or work. This requires a quiet, private room, a webcam that stays on for the entire exam, and Pearson VUE’s secure lockdown browser installed on your computer. Both options carry the same certification value, so pick whichever fits your schedule and comfort level better.
Recommended Study Material:
- Stephane Maarek Video Course and Practice Exam he has created in collaboration with Abhishek Singh
- LearnCantrill Course for deep understanding if just passing the exam is not on your mind.