Introduction to AWS Certification
How to get AWS certification for beginners Are you thinking about moving into cloud computing? AWS Certification is one of the best ways to develop your career in the global tech industry. Whether you’re just starting out or already operating in IT, earning a certification like the AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification or the AWS DevOps Course can improve your career possibilities.
In this guide, I’ll explain how to get AWS certified—from choosing the proper route to passing the examination—in simple, clear steps.
What is AWS Certification?
AWS Certification is your ticket to standing out in an increasingly competitive cloud job market. And with cloud computing growing at breakneck speed, having AWS skills in your arsenal is more valuable than ever.
AWS Certification validates your expertise in cloud computing using Amazon Web Services. It proves your ability to design, deploy, manage, and operate applications and infrastructure on AWS platforms. AWS offers certifications at different skill levels and for various roles.
Why AWS Certification is Important in 2025?
Why does AWS certification still carry so much weight in 2025? Simple — cloud computing isn’t slowing down. It’s one of the fastest-growing tech industries globally. As businesses of every size move their infrastructure to the cloud, the demand for skilled professionals continues to rise.
AWS alone holds around 32% of the global cloud market share, ahead of competitors like Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. This dominance means that employers are consistently on the lookout for individuals who understand cloud concepts and have proven expertise with AWS services.
In today’s job market, having an AWS certification is like having a master key to unlock some of the highest-paying and most secure roles in tech. It boosts your credibility and makes your skills easily verifiable for potential employers. Plus, it reflects your commitment to keeping up with technology trends, which is a huge plus for any career-driven individual.
By 2025, more companies will be integrating AI, big data, and IoT solutions powered by cloud platforms like AWS. Certified professionals are better positioned to design, deploy, and manage these complex architectures. Simply put, AWS certification isn’t just a piece of paper. It’s a future-proof investment.
Understanding AWS Certification Paths
Foundational Level Certifications
If you’re just starting your cloud journey, the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is the foundational certification for you. It’s designed for individuals who have basic knowledge of AWS and want a general understanding of cloud concepts.
This certification covers:
- AWS cloud value proposition
- Basic security and compliance aspects
- Cloud economics
- Core AWS services
You don’t need hands-on technical experience to pass this exam, making it perfect for salespeople, project managers, and entry-level techies alike.
Associate Level Certifications
When you’re ready to dig deeper, Associate-level certifications are your next step. These are more role-specific and test both theoretical and practical knowledge. There are three options here:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
Focuses on designing distributed systems on AWS.
- AWS Certified Developer – Associate
Emphasizes developing and maintaining applications on AWS.
- AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
Concentrates on deploying, managing, and operating systems on AWS.
These exams demand hands-on experience and a good understanding of core services, security, and AWS best practices.
Professional Level Certifications
Feeling ambitious? Professional-level certifications are the real deal. They require significant technical experience and deep AWS knowledge:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
Focuses on complex, large-scale distributed systems.
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
Combines development and operations skills, emphasizing continuous delivery and automation.
These exams are tough and require a solid understanding of AWS environments and real-world problem-solving.
Specialty Certifications
Specialty certifications are for those who want to master a specific domain:
- Advanced Networking
- Security
- Machine Learning
- Data Analytics
- Database
- SAP on AWS
Benefits of Getting AWS Certified
Career Development and Prospects
Achieving AWS certification is not only about being a cool badge holder — it provides opportunities. As cloud uptake keeps climbing, businesses are now actively seeking skilled professionals who can handle and fine-tune their cloud infrastructures. AWS certification serves as confirmation for employers that you possess what it takes to solve actual-world cloud problems.
Whether you are a fresher seeking your initial cloud position or a veteran IT professional looking for a higher position, certification is that extra bit. Certified personnel are always looked at first for interviews, promotions, and managerial positions within firms. And given that AWS has such an enormous worldwide presence, it opens up local and international possibilities. You may be employed with a multinational organization, become a member of a remote-first technology group, or even freelance on AWS projects.
AWS-certified professionals typically secure positions like:
- Cloud Engineer
- Solutions Architect
- DevOps Engineer
- Systems Administrator
- Cloud Consultant
Each job comes with its own exciting projects and career advancement opportunities. Indeed, many professionals mention swift promotions and increased responsibilities after obtaining AWS credentials.
Increased Salary Potential
Let’s face it — money speaks. AWS certifications have earned a reputation for High-paying. Recent salary surveys indicate that AWS-certified professionals tend to earn a lot more than their non-certified counterparts by a considerable amount.
To put this into perspective:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional averages more than $150,000 a year.
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional isn’t too far behind.
Even beginner certifications, such as the Cloud Practitioner, can increase a beginner’s pay by 20-30% over uncertified peers.
This bump is not just from confirmation of your technical abilities but also from the perceived value you are adding to the table. Employers are willing to pay a premium for experts who can design secure, scalable, and cost-effective solutions on AWS.
Greater earning potential isn’t an isolated transaction — as you build up multiple credentials and broaden your knowledge, your value in the marketplace keeps increasing.
Recognition and Credibility in the Technical Field
When it comes to the technical community, credibility isn’t always so easy to win. AWS certification provides you with a third-party recognized confirmation of your expertise that instantly enhances your professional credibility.
Consider it this way: Would you hire an uncredentialled chef to operate a gourmet restaurant? Same thing for cloud professionals. AWS certification serves as a seal of legitimacy that promises to your employers, customers, and colleagues that you have a clue what you’re doing.
And what’s more, AWS maintains its certification process as stringent and ongoing. This way, anyone who possesses an AWS certification remains current with the newest services, best practices, and technologies. You’ll become a part of the esteemed global community of AWS-certified professionals who frequently receive priority invites to AWS events, training, and networking sessions.
From job boards to LinkedIn, being AWS certified makes you stand out — period.
How to Get AWS Certified — Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
Step 1: Select the Proper Certification Path
You can’t dive in and take courses and exams without knowing where you’re headed. AWS certifications are available at various levels and specialties, and selecting the proper one is based on your existing experience, career aspiration, and interests.
If you’re new to the cloud, begin with the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. If you have some hands-on experience and wish to specialize in development or operations, look at the Associate-level certifications.
Here’s a quick guide:
- Beginner (0-1 year experience): Cloud Practitioner
- Intermediate (1-2 years experience): Solutions Architect – Associate, Developer – Associate, SysOps Administrator – Associate
- Advanced (3+ years experience): Solutions Architect – Professional, DevOps Engineer – Professional
- Specialist: Machine Learning, Security, Advanced Networking, Data Analytics, Database, SAP
Step 2: Look at the Exam Guide and Resources
Each AWS certification exam has an in-depth exam guide covering topics, domains, and the percentage of the final score contributed by each domain. Get it downloaded from the official AWS certification web page.
Then, collect your study materials:
AWS Training and Certification Portal: Free and paid training.
AWS Whitepapers and Documentation: Study material base.
YouTube and Udemy Courses: Popular, cheap alternatives to structured learning.
AWS Free Tier: Hands-on practice using actual AWS services.
This step is essential because knowing what you’ll be examined on allows you to adapt your preparation and not waste time on unrelated areas.
Step 3: Take Free and Paid Training Courses
Once you’ve gathered your resources, dive into structured learning. AWS offers free digital training for every certification, covering basic to advanced concepts. But for more in-depth preparation, Costly courses from platforms like Udemy, A Cloud Guru, or Coursera are worth every penny.
Look for courses with:
- Video lectures
- Hands-on labs
- Quizzes and practice exams
- Updated content for 2025
Step 4: Practice with Hands-On Labs
Theory is fine, but cloud computing is all about action. This is where hands-on labs are useful. AWS has a Free Tier account, which allows you access to most of their services free for 12 months — ideal for practicing in a secure, real-world setting.
Make the most of this by:
- Deploying virtual servers (EC2 instances)
- Creating and maintaining S3 storage buckets
- Create load balancers and auto-scaling groups
- Create databases with RDS
- Play around with IAM roles and permissions
- Play around with VPC networking
Enroll in our popular AWS Training course and take as many practice tests as possible to assess your exam readiness and get comfortable with the exam environment (aiming for scores of 80% and above). These are especially useful since they guide you through complicated activities.
Step 5: Test Yourself with Practice Exams
After you have a solid understanding of the material and sufficient hands-on experience, it’s time to challenge yourself with practice exams. These mimic the real exam setting, with multiple-choice and multiple-response questions under timed conditions.
You can find:
- Official AWS practice exams on their certification site.
Practice tests assist you in:
- Finding weak spots and areas you need to review.
- Develop exam-taking confidence by practicing the pressure of timed questions.
- Recognize the question style, which usually measures your skill in selecting the most suitable solution, not necessarily a technically sound one.
Try to score consistently at 80% or above on practice exams before enrolling in the actual one.
Step 6: Enroll in the Certification Exam
Once you’re confident and hitting your target scores in practice exams, it’s time to book your exam. Head over to the AWS Certification Portal and select your preferred date and format. AWS exams can be taken:
- Online, proctored — from the comfort of your home or office.
- In-person — at a certified test center near you.
Make sure you’ve read all the exam policies and procedures, particularly if you’re taking an online exam. You’ll require a stable internet connection, a webcam, and a quiet room.
Registration usually costs:
- $100 for the Cloud Practitioner exam.
- $150 for Associate-level exams.
- $300 for Professional and Specialty exams.
Double-check the current prices and offers — sometimes AWS offers discounts or vouchers for repeat customers.
Step 7: Take and Pass the Exam
The day of reckoning! Here’s how to tackle your AWS certification exam:
- Keep calm and step-by-step — watch your time, and don’t freak out if you get tough questions.
- Apply the elimination method – Reduce choices and pick the best match.
- Read questions carefully — AWS exams tend to contain keywords such as “cost-effective,” “highly available,” or “secure,” which lead you to the correct answer.
Once you submit, you’ll usually find out your pass/fail status right away, with official scores following a few days later in an email.
If you pass, congratulations — you’re now AWS Certified! You’ll receive a digital badge and a printable certificate, which you can proudly showcase on your LinkedIn profile, resume, and personal site.
Step 8: Get certified and update your profile
Once you have passed, you will receive an AWS Digital Badge and Certificate. Share it on LinkedIn, CV, and professional profiles to demonstrate your shooting skills.
Conclusion
AWS certificates can open exciting opportunities in Cloud Computing, DevOps, Security, and AI. By following this step-by-step guide, you can safely prepare for the AWS certification exam, validate your skills, and pursue your career.
Frequently asked questions
Q. Which AWS certification is best for beginners?
A: AWS-certified cloud practice is the best starting point for beginners.
Q. How much time does the AWS certification take?
A: Depending on your background, it may take 1-3 months of regular study and practice.
Q. Are AWS certificates worth it?
A: Yes, AWS certificates are highly respected and increase the possibility of achieving high-paid sky-related job roles.
Q. Are AWS certifications worth it?
A.Absolutely! They validate your skills, boost your resume, and often lead to higher-paying jobs.
Q. Can I get a job with only AWS certification?
A. While certification helps, combining it with real-world experience greatly improves your chances.
Q. Do AWS certifications expire?
A. Yes, AWS certifications do expire after 3 years from the date they were earned.
