Top AWS Certification for Developers [Updated 2023]

Amazon Web Services (AWS) training and certification enables individuals to validate and enhance their cloud skills, allowing them to play a role in the ongoing migration of businesses to cloud computing.

For those pursuing a career in AWS, there may be many questions regarding the certification options for developers such as the number of certifications available, the cost of exams and training, the time required to become certified, and the types of jobs available.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the general principles of AWS, the certifications offered, and the recommended path for aspiring AWS developers.

AWS Certification Level

AWS certification is officially divided into four categories, with each category having a specific area of expertise. There are 10 different AWS certifications (as of writing this article) as shown below.

AWS Foundational Level Certification

Includes one:

1. AWS Cloud Practitioner – Foundational

Scope: A basic understanding of AWS and the services it offers.

Prerequisites: None

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner offers a fundamental understanding of AWS Cloud concepts, services, and terminology.

This is a good starting point for individuals in non-technical roles with no prior IT or cloud experience or those with on-premises IT experience seeking basic AWS Cloud proficiency.

This certification can provide confidence for candidates to face AWS Certification based on roles.

Who takes this certification?

This certification is intended for candidates who may:

1. From a non-IT background and exploring a career within the AWS Cloud

2.In a sales/marketing/business analyst role looking to communicate more effectively with stakeholders and customers about the AWS Cloud

3. In an IT or cloud on-premise role, but new to the AWS Cloud, and requires basic prior knowledge of AWS Certification by function.

Candidate Qualifications:

1. Basic understanding of IT services and their usage on the AWS Cloud

2. Knowledge of core AWS services and use cases, billing and pricing models, security concepts, and how the cloud impacts your business

AWS Associate Level Certification

Includes three:

1. AWS Solutions Architect Associate

Associate is a certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and ability to design, deploy, and operate scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems on AWS.

This certification is intended for individuals who have experience with AWS and are looking to demonstrate their proficiency in designing and operating AWS-based solutions.

Candidate Qualifications:

1. Designing, deploying, and operating scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems on AWS

2. Understanding and using AWS core services such as EC2, S3, and RDS

3. Understanding and implementing security and compliance best practices for AWS-based solutions

4. Understanding and using AWS architecture best practices

5. Understanding and using the AWS global infrastructure

The exam is composed of multiple-choice and multiple-response questions and the duration of the exam is 130 minutes.

Passing the AWS Certified Solutions Architect

Associate exam and earning the certification demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to design, deploy, and operate scalable, highly available, and fault-tolerant systems on AWS.

It is a valuable credential for professionals looking to advance their career in cloud computing and AWS.

2. AWS SysOps Administrator Associate

Associate is a certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and ability to deploy, operate, and troubleshoot systems on AWS.

This certification is intended for individuals who have experience with AWS and are looking to demonstrate their proficiency in operating and maintaining AWS-based systems.

Candidate Qualifications:

1. Deploying, operating, and troubleshooting systems on AWS

2. Understanding and using AWS core services such as EC2, S3, and RDS

3. Understanding and implementing security and compliance best practices for AWS-based systems

4. Understanding and using AWS architecture best practices

5. Understanding and using the AWS global infrastructure

6. Managing and monitoring AWS resources

The exam is composed of multiple-choice and multiple-response questions and the duration of the exam is 130 minutes.

3. AWS Certified Developer Associate

Associate is a certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and ability to develop, deploy, and debug cloud-based applications using AWS services.

This certification is intended for developers who have experience with AWS and are looking to demonstrate their proficiency in developing and maintaining cloud-based applications.

Candidate Qualifications

1. Developing, deploying, and debugging cloud-based applications using AWS services

2. Understanding and using AWS core services such as EC2, S3, and Lambda

3. Utilizing AWS development and deployment tools such as CodeStar, CodeCommit, and CodeDeploy

4. Understanding and implementing security and compliance best practices for AWS-based applications

Passing the AWS Certified Developer

Associate exam and earning the certification demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to develop, deploy, and debug cloud-based applications using AWS services. It is a valuable credential for developers looking to advance their career in cloud computing and AWS.

AWS Professional Level Certification

Includes two:

1. AWS Solutions Architect Professional

This credential helps certified individuals demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in providing complex solutions to complex problems, optimizing security, cost, and performance, and automating manual processes.

This certification allows organizations to identify and develop talent with the following critical skills to implement cloud initiatives.

Candidate Qualifications

1. Professional is intended for individuals with two or more years of practical experience designing and deploying cloud architectures on AWS. Before taking this exam, you should have the following:

2. Familiarity with AWS CLI, AWS API, AWS CloudFormation templates, AWS Billing Console, AWS Management Console, scripting languages, and Windows and Linux environments

3. Ability to provide best practice guidance on architectural design across various enterprise applications and projects, as well as the ability to map business goals to application/architecture requirements

4. Ability to evaluate cloud application requirements and make architectural recommendations for implementing, deploying, and provisioning applications on AWS

5. Ability to design hybrid architectures using key AWS technologies (e.g., VPN, AWS Direct Connect) as well as continuous integration and deployment processes

2. AWS DevOps Engineer – Professional

Professional displays an individual’s technical expertise in provisioning, operating and managing distributed application systems on the AWS platform, giving them increased confidence and credibility with peers, stakeholders, and customers.

Organizations with these qualified professionals can ensure rapid delivery of secure, compliant, highly available, and scalable systems.

Candidate Qualifications

1. Professional is intended for individuals with two or more years of experience provisioning, operating, and managing AWS environments. Before taking this exam, you should have the following:

2. Experience developing code in at least one high-level programming language, building highly automated infrastructure, and manage the operating system.

3. Understanding of modern operations and development methodologies and processes

4. Ability to implement and manage continuous delivery systems and methodologies on AWS

5. Ability to implement and automate security controls, governance processes, and compliance validation

6. Ability to define and deploy monitoring, metrics, and logging systems on AWS

AWS Specialty Certification 

Includes four:

1. Advanced Networking Specialty

Specialty is a certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and ability to design, deploy, and troubleshoot highly complex networking solutions on AWS.

This certification is intended for professionals who have in-depth experience with AWS networking and are looking to demonstrate their expertise in designing and operating advanced networking solutions on AWS.

To become certified, candidates must pass the AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty exam, which covers a wide range of topics including:

1. Designing and deploying highly complex networking solutions on AWS

2. Understanding and using AWS networking services such as VPC, Direct Connect, and Route 53

3. Understanding and implementing security and compliance best practices for AWS-based networking solutions

4. Understanding and using AWS architecture best practices

5. Understanding and using the AWS global infrastructure

6. Managing and troubleshooting AWS networking solutions

2. Security Specialty

This certification is intended for professionals who have in-depth experience with AWS security and are looking to demonstrate their expertise in securing AWS-based solutions.

Candidate Qualifications:

1. Designing and deploying secure applications and infrastructure on AWS

2.Understanding and using AWS security services such as IAM, KMS, and GuardDuty

3. Understanding and implementing security and compliance best practices for AWS-based solutions

4. Understanding and using AWS architecture best practices

5. Understanding and using the AWS global infrastructure

6. Managing and troubleshooting AWS security solutions

3. Big Data Specialty

This certification is intended for professionals who have in-depth experience with big data and are looking to demonstrate their expertise in designing and operating big data solutions on AWS.

Candidate Qualifications:

1. Designing and deploying big data solutions on AWS

2. Understanding and using AWS big data services such as Amazon EMR, Amazon Redshift, and Amazon Kinesis

3. Understanding and implementing security and compliance best practices for big data solutions on AWS

4. Understanding and using AWS architecture best practices

5. Understanding and using the AWS global infrastructure

6. Managing and troubleshooting big data solutions on AWS

4. Machine Learning Specialty

Specialty is a certification offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and ability to design, develop, and deploy machine learning models on AWS. This certification is intended for professionals who have in-depth experience with machine learning and are looking to demonstrate their expertise in designing and operating machine learning solutions on AWS.

To become certified, candidates must pass the AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty exam, which covers a wide range of topics including:

1. Designing and deploying machine learning models on AWS

2. Understanding and using AWS machine learning services such as Amazon SageMaker, Amazon Comprehend, and Amazon Rekognition

3. Understanding and implementing security and compliance best practices for machine learning solutions on AWS

4. Understanding and using AWS architecture best practices

5. Understanding and using the AWS global infrastructure

6. Managing and troubleshooting machine learning solutions on AWS