Introduction

The Amazon Web Services (AWS) certification program certifies professionals’ knowledge and proficiency in using AWS services and technologies. An individual’s knowledge and comprehension of cloud computing ideas, best practices, and use cases for AWS services are demonstrated by their AWS certification. Professionals can choose from various AWS certification paths, from foundational to expert-level qualifications. The routes comprise four groups—Cloud Practitioner, Architect, Developer, and Operations. Each course has several certification levels: fundamental, associate, and professional.

Professionals who want to become AWS certified must pass a challenging exam that assesses their proficiency with AWS services, their capacity to build, deploy, and manage AWS solutions, and their knowledge of best practices for using AWS services. Holders of AWS certifications are valued for their expertise and are in great demand in the IT sector. Employers and colleagues in the field typically accept and respect AWS certifications. They can support career advancement, raise earning potential, and give professionals a competitive edge in the job market.

What is AWS Certification?

AWS Certification is a program that Amazon Web Services (AWS) provides that gives IT professionals credentials to show their proficiency in developing, implementing, and running infrastructure and applications on the AWS cloud. The goal of AWS certifications, which are widely recognized, is to verify a candidate’s technical expertise in AWS services and solutions.

Each level of AWS certification is created for a particular role or job function. The following certification levels: Associate level foundational, professional standing, and expert level.

People with a core understanding of IT concepts but unfamiliar with AWS are advised to get the foundational level certification, which gives an overview of the AWS cloud. Individuals with some expertise in developing, deploying, and managing AWS-based applications should pursue associate-level qualifications. Professional-level certificates are intended for people with high knowledge in creating and managing sophisticated AWS-based applications and systems. Specialty certificates, such as those in security or machine learning, vouch for a candidate’s expertise.

Candidates must pass an exam assessing their knowledge and abilities linked to the particular certification to obtain an AWS certification. AWS certification examinations are delivered online or at accredited testing facilities depending on the certification level.

Types of AWS Certification

AWS certifications come in various forms and are intended to verify a person’s proficiency with and knowledge of various AWS services. Four key categories make up the certifications:

Foundational Level Certificates: These entry-level certificates confirm a person’s familiarity with AWS services and how to use them in simple situations. The two certificates at the primary level are:

• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
• AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder – Specialty

Associate Level Certifications: These certifications are intended for individuals with experience working with AWS services who can demonstrate proficiency in designing and implementing AWS solutions. The three associate-level certificates are:

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
• AWS Certified Developer – Associate
• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate

Professional Level Certifications: These certifications are designed for individuals with extensive experience working with AWS services and can demonstrate advanced proficiency in designing and implementing AWS solutions. The two professional-level certificates are:

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional

Specialty Certifications: These certifications validate an individual’s expertise in a particular area or use case of AWS services. There are currently 12 specialty certifications available:

• AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty
• AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder – Specialty
• AWS Certified Database – Specialty
• AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty
• AWS Certified Security – Specialty
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• AWS Certified Alexa for Business – Specialty
• AWS Certified Alexa for Developers – Specialty
• AWS Certified Well-Architected – Specialty
• AWS Certified IoT – Specialty
• AWS Certified Serverless Application Builder – Specialty
• AWS Certified Media Solutions – Specialty

How to get AWS Certification

To get an AWS certification, you will need to follow these general steps:

1. Choose a Certification: Review the AWS certifications and choose the best-fitted certificate that aligns with your career goals and experience.

2. Learn and Prepare: AWS offers official study materials, such as training courses, practice exams, whitepapers, and documentation, to help you prepare for the certification exam. Additional learning materials from other sources, such as blogs, books, and online courses, are available.

3. Sign up for a test: On the AWS web page, you can sign up for the certification exam after you are satisfied with your expertise and practice. If you still need to register an account, you must do so with AWS.

4. Take the Exam: You can take the exam for certification from any location with an internet connection because it is taken digitally. A certain amount of time is allotted for you to finish the exam, and the questions are frequently multiple-choice or multiple-answer.

5. Receive Results: You will get your results as soon as the exam is over. You’ll get proof of accomplishment and a digital badge if you succeed. After a waiting period, you can retake the exam if you don’t pass the first time.

It’s essential to note that each certification has different prerequisites, such as prior experience or other credentials, so check the requirements before registering for an exam. Additionally, maintaining your certification requires periodic recertification, usually every two years, by taking an updated exam or completing continuing education courses.

The cost of AWS Certification?

The quantity of services depends on various factors such as the regions, instances, and services used. The cost of certification also depends on the level of certification chosen by aspirants.

• The Cloud Practitioner certification costs 100 USD.
• Associate-level certification costs 150 USD.
• Professional-level certification costs 300 USD.

The AWS Monthly Calculator, which offers estimated pricing for some AWS services, can be used to determine the cost of using AWS services.

Benefits of AWS Certification.

There are several benefits to obtaining an AWS certification, including:

1. Recognition of Expertise: AWS certifications validate your expertise in designing, deploying, and managing AWS solutions, which may improve your standing and credibility as a tech expert.
2. Career Advancement: AWS certifications demonstrate to potential employers that you have the skills and knowledge required to work with AWS services, which can lead to new job opportunities or career advancement within your organization.
3. Higher Earnings Potential: According to a recent survey by Global Knowledge, individuals with AWS certifications earn higher salaries than those without certificates, with an average increase of up to 25%.
4. Access to Exclusive Resources: AWS certification holders gain access to exclusive AWS resources, including training materials, practice exams, and AWS communities, which can help further develop their skills and knowledge.
5. Stay Current with AWS: AWS certifications require periodic recertification, ensuring you stay up-to-date with the latest AWS services, technologies, and best practices.
6. Competitive Edge: AWS certifications differentiate you from other IT professionals who do not have AWS certifications, giving you priority benefits in the job market.

You may build and certify your AWS abilities, advance in your profession, and enhance the possibility of making money by acquiring an AWS certification. It indicates your dedication to continuing professional development and learning recent cloud computing techniques.

Career Growth in AWS Certification

AWS (Amazon Web Services) is a popular cloud computing platform that provides a wide range of services to individuals and organizations. As the demand for cloud services continues to grow, there are plenty of opportunities for career growth in AWS.

Here are some tips for career growth in AWS:

Start with the fundamentals: You should start by learning the fundamentals of AWS. Discover the basics of cloud computing and the different AWS services offered. Online resources offered for free include the documentation and tutorials for AWS.

Obtain a certification: AWS offers several certifications that can help you show that you are an expert in particular AWS domains. The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification is an excellent place to start. You can proceed to more difficult certifications like the AWS Solutions Architect, AWS Developer, or AWS DevOps Engineer.

Gain experience: Getting real-world experience is one of the best methods to advance your AWS career. You can begin by working on straightforward tasks before progressing to more challenging ones. Hackathons and open-source project participation can be excellent ways to develop your skills.

Follow the most recent developments: Because AWS is constantly changing, keeping up with them is essential. Read pertinent industry publications, participate in AWS events and webinars, and follow AWS blogs and social media accounts.

Network: Developing a network of business people in the AWS community can help you advance your career. To network with other experts in your field, participate in forums, online communities, and industry events.

By following these tips, you can grow your career in AWS and stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of cloud computing.

AWS Certification Education Partners

AWS offers an extensive network of global training and certification partners to help individuals and organizations prepare for AWS certifications. These education partners provide a range of training options, including instructor-led courses, virtual classrooms, and online self-paced courses.

Some of the AWS Certification Education Partners include:

1. AWS Training and Certification: AWS offers official training courses and certification exams to help individuals and organizations develop their AWS skills and knowledge.
2. A Cloud Guru: A Cloud Guru offers a range of AWS training courses, including hands-on labs, practice exams, and exam readiness checklists.
3. Udemy: Udemy provides a range of online courses and tutorials for AWS certification preparation, including courses taught by AWS-certified instructors.
4. Linux Academy: Linux Academy offers online courses, practice exams, and hands-on labs to help individuals prepare for AWS certifications.
5. Cloud Academy: Cloud Academy offers a range of AWS certification training courses, including hands-on labs, quizzes, and certification practice exams.
6. Global Knowledge: Global Knowledge provides instructor-led courses, virtual classrooms, and on-demand courses to help individuals and organizations prepare for AWS certifications.

These AWS Certification Education Partners offer high-quality training and certification preparation materials to help individuals and organizations prepare for AWS certifications. Each partner may have different pricing, course offerings, and training formats, so it’s essential to research and compare options of available certificates to find the best fit for your needs.

How to Prepare for AWS Certification

Preparing for an AWS certification requires a combination of study, hands-on experience with AWS services, and practice exams.

The following are some tips you can follow to prepare for AWS certification:

1. Choose the Right Certification: AWS offers a range of certifications, including foundational, associate, professional, and specialty certifications. Choose the certificate that aligns with your career goals and experience level.

2. Review the Exam Guide: AWS provides exam guides for each certification, which include exam format, topics covered, and recommended study resources. Review the exam guide thoroughly to understand the scope and content of the exam.

3. Get Hands-on Experience: Practice using AWS services by creating your own AWS account and experimenting with various services. The more experience you have working with AWS, the more chances you have to clear the examination.

4. Take an AWS Training Course: AWS offers official training courses and learning paths to help individuals prepare for AWS certifications. These courses cover topics specific to each certificate and can provide structured learning and practice opportunities.

5. Study Exam Topics: Review the topics covered in the exam guide and study the related AWS documentation and whitepapers. Additionally, third-party study materials, such as books and practice exams, can be helpful for exam preparation.

6. Take Practice Exams: You may check your grasp of exam topics, get a feel for the exam style, and pinpoint areas that need more in-depth study with practice exams.

7. Schedule and Take the Exam: Once you feel adequately prepared, schedule your exam through AWS or an authorized testing center. Be sure to review the exam requirements and arrive early on exam day.

Preparing for AWS certification requires a combination of study, hands-on experience, and practice exams. Take advantage of AWS training courses and study resources, and practice using AWS services to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to pass the certification exam.