AWS Cloud Practitioner
CLF-C02
1Cloud Concepts
24%
2Security and Compliance
30%
3Cloud Technology and Services
34%
4Billing, Pricing and Support
12%
Certification comparison
AWS Cloud Practitioner vs AWS Solutions Architect
Cloud Practitioner checks that you understand AWS. Solutions Architect – Associate checks that you can design on it. Cloud Practitioner is optional.
Last updated
Side by side
The two exams at a glance
Every figure comes from the vendor’s own pages, through our exam guides, and is checked every week.
| AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate | |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | AWS | AWS |
| Exam code | CLF-C02 | SAA-C03 |
| Level | BeginnerAWS calls it Foundational | IntermediateAWS calls it Associate |
| Written for | Cloud engineer or architect | Cloud engineer or architect |
| Questions | 65 | 65 |
| Time | 90 min | 130 min |
| Passing score | 700 / 1000 | 720 / 1000 |
| Exam cost | $100Per attempt, before tax | $150Per attempt, before tax |
| Experience | Up to 6 months of exposure to AWSRecommended experience | 1 year designing solutions on AWSRecommended experience |
| Renewal | Every 3 years: pass the exam again | Every 3 years: pass the exam again |
| Exam outline | 4 domainsLargest: Cloud Technology and Services (34%) | 4 domainsLargest: Design Secure Architectures (30%) |
| What’s changing | No change announced | No change announced |
Levels are our own rating, from the level each vendor gives its exam. How we check our facts
Exam domains
What each exam covers
Each domain’s share of the exam, as the vendor publishes it. Where one exam has two versions on sale, this is the newer one.
AWS Solutions Architect
SAA-C03
1Design Secure Architectures
30%
2Design Resilient Architectures
26%
3Design High-Performing Architectures
24%
4Design Cost-Optimized Architectures
20%
Which one
Which should you take?
Choose AWS Cloud Practitioner if
cloud is new to you, or you work around AWS in sales, finance, management or support.
Choose AWS Solutions Architect if
you build or run systems on AWS, or want a job that does.
Which one first?
AWS doesn’t require Cloud Practitioner for any other exam. Take it first if cloud is new to you, and skip it if you already build on AWS. Passing Solutions Architect also renews a Cloud Practitioner certification.
Beyond the numbers
What really differs
Knowing against designing
Cloud Practitioner asks what AWS services do and how billing, security and support work. Solutions Architect gives you a set of requirements and asks which design meets them.
Who takes each
Cloud Practitioner suits anyone who works with AWS teams. Solutions Architect is for the people who make the technical decisions.
Preparation
Cloud Practitioner can be learned from reading and videos. Solutions Architect needs hands-on time with the main services, because its questions turn on how they behave together.
FAQs
Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers.
Find quick answers or contact our support team.
Should I take AWS Cloud Practitioner or AWS Solutions Architect first?
AWS doesn’t require Cloud Practitioner for any other exam. Take it first if cloud is new to you, and skip it if you already build on AWS. Passing Solutions Architect also renews a Cloud Practitioner certification.
Which is harder, AWS Cloud Practitioner or AWS Solutions Architect?
AWS Solutions Architect. We rate AWS Solutions Architect intermediate and AWS Cloud Practitioner beginner, going by the level each vendor gives its exam and the experience it expects.
What experience do I need for AWS Cloud Practitioner and AWS Solutions Architect?
AWS Cloud Practitioner: AWS recommends up to 6 months of exposure to AWS. It isn’t required to sit the exam. AWS Solutions Architect: AWS recommends 1 year designing solutions on AWS. It isn’t required to sit the exam.
Which costs more, AWS Cloud Practitioner or AWS Solutions Architect?
AWS Solutions Architect costs more: $150 against $100 for one attempt.
