AWS Certification Path: Amazon Cloud

Amazon AWS is the pioneer in cloud computing. Due to high cloud technology adaptation among enterprises, learners prefer one or more AWS certification path to get certified and become architect for better career prospects.  

AWS certifications validate technical expertise in cloud to grow your career and possibly business if you are associated with that. 

The AWS cloud certification is one of the most recognized credentials in the industry. 

Globally, there are more than 1.5 million active amazon certification holders. This number is constantly increasing over the past few years.  

The professionals equipped with credentials showcase their expertise in most demanding skills and organizations build cloud expert teams to expand businesses using AWS.

The level of amazon cloud certification is broadly divided into 4 categories based on expertise.  

1. Foundational

This is a knowledge based instruments for understanding the essentials of amazon. It lays the foundation for any of the AWS cloud certification path. There is no prior experience required; therefor it can also be suitable for the beginners who are starting their AWS journey.  

You might want to evaluate your knowledge on foundational topics using AWS Cloud Practitioner Practice Exam before attempting for this real examination.

2. Associate

These are role based instruments which showcases your ability and skills on AWS and build your strong credibility in the cloud industry. It recommends having prior cloud or IT experience. The role based associate level credentials are as follows

- Solution Architect Associate

- Developer Associate

- SysOps Administrator Associate

- Data Engineer Associate

If you have prepared for your solution architect associate certification than it is a good idea to practice using AWS Solution Architect Practice Exam before appearing for the real exam.

3. Professional

These are also role based instruments for validating your advance kills on designing, securing and optimizing applications. It also includes automating AWS processes and many more. It recommends having minimum 2 years of prior AWS cloud experience. The AWS professional credentials are as follows

- Solution Architect Professional

- DevOps Engineer Professional

4. Specialty

These are the specialized amazon cloud certifications for getting in-depth knowledge and skills preferred to position you as consultant to your partner or customers in the strategic or specialized areas. The following are the specialized credentials.

 - Advanced Networking Specialty

- Database Specialty (Retired in April 2024)

- SAP on AWS Specialty (Retired in April 2024)

- Machine Learning Specialty

- Security Specialty

AWS Certification Path - Plan it Wisely

It is important to choose right path based on your current role or being a beginner. The following will also provide about who is eligible for these credentials. 

1. AWS Cloud Certification Path for non IT background

If you are a beginner in cloud learning, then start with AWS certified cloud practitioner which validates the fundamental knowledge of cloud including AWS specific terminologies. 

You can get entry level cloud jobs based on these credentials, appropriate knowledge and skills. You can also go ahead for associate and professional level certs. 

2. Amazon Cloud Certification for IT Experienced

If you are having some experience (1-3 Years) in IT then you can start with associate level amazon certification based on your role and interest. It validates your cloud knowledge and skills to build and grow career in cloud.

Here we’ll discuss more about the AWS certification path aligned based on the top cloud job roles. You can choose the path you are interested in and start learning with amazon cloud certification journey to achieve your career goals. In any path of your choice, it is recommended to attain cloud practitioner foundational cert but it is not mandatory but an optional. 

Architecture-Path (Track)

In architecture track, there are two different paths based on roles and responsibilities

- Solution Architect: It is more related to cloud infrastructure. In solution architect, you need to focus on design, develop and manage cloud infrastructure and assets to migrate applications to the cloud. You can further dive deep by acquiring security specialty exam. 

- Application Architect: It is more related to application architecture. It includes user interface, middleware and infrastructure to ensure reliability and manageability in an enterprise. Here in case you want to dive deep then also go for solution architect professional.

Data Analytics – Path (Track)

In data analytics, there is only one path based on roles and responsibilities as follows

- Cloud Data Engineer: It is related to bring automation in collection and processing of data structure. It also includes monitoring data pipelines performance. Further, You have an option to go a head for security specialty cert. 

Development – Path (Track)

In this track, there is again one path based on roles

- Software Development Engineer: It is related to software developers who develop, construct and maintain software across multiple platforms and devices.

 Operations – Path (Track)

In operations track, there are two different path for aws certification path based on job roles you can choose from. They are as follows

- System Administrator: As an administrator, you will have to install, upgrade and maintain computer components and software. It also requires integrating automation processes. Further you can dive deep into DevOps engineer professional. 

- Cloud Engineer: The cloud engineer has to operate and maintain computer network infrastructure on cloud and also ensuring data safety and security. Moreover, you have two options to further dive deep into DevOps engineer professional and Advance networking specialty. 

DevOps – Path (Track)

In DevOps track, two different paths are there 

- Test Engineer: As a test engineer, you will be performing test and focused on implement quality best practices for software development. It includes all phases from design to release across product life cycle.

Note: This path is exactly same as in Software Development Engineer.

- Cloud DevOps Engineer: It is related to design, deployment and operations of large scale global hybrid cloud computing environment. There is one optional of SysOps administrator associate and for deep dive acquire security specialty cert.   

- DevOps Security Engineer: It is related to helping enterprises for implementing cloud solutions securely and reliably. It utilizes CI/CD principles for rapid and stable delivery of capabilities.

Security – Path (Track)

In the security track, there are two options for based on job roles as follows.

- Cloud Security Engineer: Engineers are responsible for designing security architecture including cyber security. The primary goal is to protect information by developing, executing and tracking performance of security measures. Further, for dive deep you have DevOps engineer professional and Advance networking specialty.

- Cloud Security Architect: It focuses more on implementing security governance to identify and minimize business and technical risks. For dive deep you have solution architect professional. 

Networking – Path (Track)

In the networking track, we have 

- Network Engineer: It is related to dealing with design and implementation of computer networks including LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network) etc. Further for deep dive, you have security specialty. 

AI/ML – Path (Track)

This is the longest aws certification path, In this track, we have only one path as follow

- Machine Learning Engineer: It is focused on research, build and design AI (Artificial Intelligent) systems to automate predictive models. It also includes designing machine learning systems, models and schemes. 

AWS Recertification

AWS certifications are valid for 3 years. You need to continuously demonstrate your expertise on the latest AWS knowledge and skills. It strengthens the overall value of your credentials. 

In order to be recertified, your existing credentials should be active. In case your it is expired then you are not allowed to be recertified.

When you are going for recertification, you are eligible for 50% discount voucher available in your AWS account.

Here are the various recertification options available based on your current certs. 

Related Article:

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Best AWS Certifications Consider to Pursue this Year