AWS Certification Types & Tiers : Emerging AWS Certification for 2023
+ Data Engineer, the new certification
Written by Hyojung Yoon
Hello! Today we're going to learn about AWS certifications.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a cloud computing platform provided by Amazon and is one of the most popular cloud service provider in the world. According to Michael Yu, Client Market Leader of Skillsoft Technology and Developer Portfolio, "The skyrocketing value of cloud-related certifications is not a new phenomenon," indicating that more companies are using cloud computing platforms.
Among cloud-related certifications, AWS Certification is known to validate the technical skills and cloud expertise needed to advance your career and scale your business. So let's get started!
Foundational
Professional
AWS Certification Overview
1. What is AWS Certifications
AWS certifications are programs that allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in using the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud computing platform. AWS certifications focus on a variety of areas, including cloud architecture, development, and operations, and are organized into different levels. Certification exams are administered in multiple languages at testing centers around the world.
2. Types of AWS Certification
AWS offers granular certifications for different roles and skill levels. These certifications are divided into four tiers: Foundational, Associate, Professional, and Specialty.
3. Certification Validity
Certifications are valid for three years from the date they are earned, so be sure to keep them up to date before they expire. For Foundational and Associate level certifications, you can also fulfill the renewal requirements for Sage certifications by passing a higher level exam or renewing your certification.
Tiers of AWS Certification
Foundational AWS Certification
1. Cloud Practitioner (CLF)
Target Candidates
Individuals with a basic understanding of the AWS cloud platform
Ideal for non-technical roles such as sales, marketing, finance, and business analysts
Exam Overview
Cloud Concepts(26%), Security & Compliance(25%), Technology(33%), Billing & Pricing(16%)
Cost $100 | 65 questions | 90 minutes
Associate AWS Certifications
1. Solutions Architect (SAA)
Target Candidates
1 + years of hands-on experience designing cloud solutions using AWS services
Exam Overview
Design Secure Architectures(30%) Design Resilient Architectures(26%) Design High-Performing Architectures(24%) Design Cost-optimized Architectures(20%)
Cost $150 | 65 questions | 130 minutes
2. Developer (DVA)
Target Candidates
1 + years of hands-on experience in developing and maintaining applications by using AWS services
Exam Overview
Development with AWS Services(32%) Security(26%) Deployment(24%) Troubleshooting and Optimization(18%)
Cost $150 | 65 questions | 130 minutes
3. SysOps Administrator (SOA)
Target Candidates
2+ years of experience in data engineering and 1+ years of hands-on experience with AWS services
Exam Overview
As of March 28, 2023, the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate exam will not include exam labs until further more.
Monitoring, Logging, and Remediation(20%) Reliability and Business Continuity(16%) Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation(18%) Security and Compliance(16%) Networking and Content Delivery(18%) Cost and Performance Optimization(12%)
Cost $150 | 65 questions | 130 minutes
4. Data Engineer (DEA) : 2023 beta exam
Target Candidates
1 + years of hands-on experience in developing and maintaining applications by using AWS services
Exam Overview
The beta registration will open on October 31, 2023. The beta exam will be available from November 27, 2023 to January 12, 2024.
Demand for data engineer roles increased by 42% year over year per a Dice tech jobs report
Data ingestion and Transformation(34%) Data Store Management(26%) Data Operations and Support(22%) Data Security and Governance(18%)
Cost $75* | 85 questions | 170 minutes
*Beta exams are offered at a 50% discount from standard exam pricing.
**Beta exam results are available 90 days from the close of the beta exam.
Professional AWS Certifications
1. Solutions Architect (SAP)
Target Candidates
2+ years of experience in using AWS services to design and implement cloud solutions
Exam Overview
Designing Solutions for Organizational Complexity(26%) Designing for New Solutions(29%) Continuous Improvement of Existing Solutions(25%) Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization(20%)
Cost $300 | 75 questions | 180 minutes
2. DevOps Engineer (DOP)
Target Candidates
2 + years of experience in provisioning, operating, and managing AWS environments
Experience with software development lifecycle and programming and scripting
Exam Overview
Job listings requiring this certification have increased by 52% between Oct 2021 and Sept 2022 (source: Lightcast™ September 2022).
SDLC Automation(22%) Configuration Management and IaC(17%) Resilient Cloud Solutions(15%) Monitoring and Logging(15%) Incident and Event Response(14%) Security and Compliance(17%)
Cost $300 | 75 questions | 180 minutes
Specialty AWS Certifications
1. Advanced Networking (ANS)
Target Candidates
5+ years of networking experience with 2+ years of cloud and hybrid networking experience
Exam Overview
Network Design(30%) Network Implementation(26%) Network Management and Operations(20%) Network Security, Compliance, and Governance(24%)
Cost $300 | 65 questions | 170 minutes
2. Security (SCS)
Target Candidates
Experience in securing AWS workloads (2+ years of hands-on experience)
Experience in designing and implementing security solutions (5+ years of hands-on experience)
Exam Overview
Incident Response(12%) Logging and Monitoring(20%) Infrastructure Security(26%) Identity and Access Management(20%) Data Protection(22%)
Cost $300 | 65 questions| 170 minutes
3. Machine Learning (MLS)
Target Candidates
Experience developing, architecting, and running ML or deep learning workloads in the AWS Cloud(2+ years of hands-on experience)
Exam Overview
Data Engineering(20%) Exploratory Data Analysis(24%) Modeling(36%) Machine Learning Implementation and Operations(20%)
Cost $300 | 65 questions | 180 minutes
4. Database (DBS)
Target Candidates
Minimum of 5 years of common database technology
Minimum of 2 years of hands-on experience working on AWS
Exam Overview
Workload-Specific Database Design(25%) Deployment and Migration (20%) Management and Operations(18%) Monitoring and Troubleshooting(18%) Database Security(18%)
Cost $300 | 65 questions | 180 minutes
5. Data Analytics (DAS)
Target Candidates
5 + years of Common data analytics technologies and 2 + years of hands-on experience working with AWS services to design, build, secure, and maintain analytics solutions
Exam Overview
Collection(18%) Storage and Data management(22%) Processing(24%) Analysis and Visualization(18%) Security(18%)
Cost $300 | 65 questions | 180 minutes
6. SAP on AWS (PAS)
Target Candidates
5+ years of SAP experience and 1+ years of experience in working with SAP on AWS
Exam Overview
Designing SAP workloads on AWS(30%) Implementation of SAP workloads on AWS(24%) Migration of SAP workloads to AWS(26%) Operation and maintenance of SAP workloads on AWS(20%)
Cost $300 | 65 questions | 170 minutes
Top 5 AWS valuable certifications of 2023
The popularity and demand for AWS certifications change over time with market trends and changing organizational needs. As of 2023, here are top 5 certifications that are more popular and interesting than ever before.
1. AWS Certified Solution Architect - Professional
The demand for professionals who can design and deploy complex systems on AWS has increased. The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional certification has become more popular as a result, with a focus on advanced topics such as multi-tier architectures, data management, and deployment strategies.
2. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional
The adoption of DevOps practices and the need for professionals who can automate and manage applications on AWS has increased. The AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional certification has become more popular as a result, covering topics such as continuous delivery, monitoring, and automation.
3. AWS Certified Machine Learning - Specialty
As machine learning and artificial intelligence become more important in various industries, the demand for professionals who can design, develop, and deploy machine learning solutions on AWS has increased. The AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty certification has become more popular as a result.
4. AWS Certified Security - Specialty
With the increasing threat of cyber attacks and data breaches, the need for professionals who can implement and maintain effective security measures on AWS has increased. The AWS Certified Security – Specialty certification has become more popular as a result, covering topics such as security operations, identity and access management, and data protection.
5. AWS Certified Database - Specialty
As organizations rely more on data and cloud-based database solutions, the need for professionals who can design and manage these solutions on AWS has increased. The AWS Certified Database – Specialty certification has become more popular as a result, covering topics such as database design, migration, and optimization.
Conclusion
The AWS certifications introduced in this article demonstrate cloud expertise. It is good to improve your competitiveness with having the AWS certifications which is the best cloud service provider in the world.
If you're looking to demonstrate your AWS knowledge in the ever-evolving and fast-paced world of cloud technology, then get AWS certifications.