AWS Solutions Architect
SAA-C03
1Design Secure Architectures
30%
2Design Resilient Architectures
26%
3Design High-Performing Architectures
24%
4Design Cost-Optimized Architectures
20%
Certification comparison
AWS Solutions Architect vs AWS Solutions Architect – Professional
The same subject at two depths. Associate checks that you can design a sound solution on AWS. Professional checks that you can design for a large organization, with many accounts, migrations and competing requirements.
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 Solutions Architect – Associate | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor | AWS | AWS |
| Exam code | SAA-C03 | SAP-C03, SAP-C02 |
| Level | IntermediateAWS calls it Associate | AdvancedAWS calls it Professional |
| Written for | Cloud engineer or architect | Cloud engineer or architect |
| Questions | 65 | 75 |
| Time | 130 min | 180 min |
| Passing score | 720 / 1000 | 750 / 1000 |
| Exam cost | $150Per attempt, before tax | $300Per attempt, before tax |
| Experience | 1 year designing solutions on AWSRecommended experience | 2+ years designing and deploying on AWSRecommended experience |
| Renewal | Every 3 years: pass the exam again | Every 3 years: pass the exam again |
| Exam outline | 4 domainsLargest: Design Secure Architectures (30%) | 5 domainsLargest: Architecture Design and Implementation Built for the Cloud (25%) |
| What’s changing | No change announced | SAP-C02 retires on November 16, 2026. SAP-C03 launches on November 17, 2026 |
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 – Professional
SAP-C03 · From November 17, 2026
1Architecture Design and Implementation Built for the Cloud
25%
2Security, Compliance, and Governance
25%
3Cost-Optimized Architecture Design
15%
4Resilience, Migration, and Business Continuity
15%
5Operational Excellence and Automation
20%
Which one
Which should you take?
Choose AWS Solutions Architect if
you’re building your first AWS designs, or want the certification most AWS roles start with.
Choose AWS Solutions Architect – Professional if
you already design on AWS for a living and want to prove it at the highest level AWS tests.
Which one first?
Associate first for most people, though AWS doesn’t require it. Passing Professional also renews an Associate certification you hold.
Beyond the numbers
What really differs
Scale
Associate questions are about one workload. Professional questions are about an organization: several accounts, hybrid networks, migrations and governance.
Question style
Professional questions are longer scenarios in which several answers would work, and you choose the one that best fits the constraints given.
Preparation
Associate can be reached with study and practice in your own account. Professional draws on having made real design decisions and lived with them.
FAQs
Got Questions? We’ve Got Answers.
Find quick answers or contact our support team.
Should I take AWS Solutions Architect or AWS Solutions Architect – Professional first?
Associate first for most people, though AWS doesn’t require it. Passing Professional also renews an Associate certification you hold.
Which is harder, AWS Solutions Architect or AWS Solutions Architect – Professional?
AWS Solutions Architect – Professional. We rate AWS Solutions Architect – Professional advanced and AWS Solutions Architect intermediate, going by the level each vendor gives its exam and the experience it expects.
What experience do I need for AWS Solutions Architect and AWS Solutions Architect – Professional?
AWS Solutions Architect: AWS recommends 1 year designing solutions on AWS. It isn’t required to sit the exam. AWS Solutions Architect – Professional: AWS recommends 2+ years designing and deploying on AWS. It isn’t required to sit the exam.
Which costs more, AWS Solutions Architect or AWS Solutions Architect – Professional?
AWS Solutions Architect – Professional costs more: $300 against $150 for one attempt.
