AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Learn more about this certification and AWS resources that can help you prepare
Exam overview
| Category | Foundational |
| Exam duration | 90 minutes |
| Exam format | 65 questions; either multiple choice or multiple response |
| Cost | 100 USD |
| Test in-person or online |
Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored exam |
| Languages offered | English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Bahasa (Indonesian), Spanish (Spain), Spanish (Latin America), French (France), German, Italian, and Portuguese (Brazil) |
The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner validates foundational, high-level understanding of AWS Cloud, services, and terminology. This is a good starting point on the AWS Certification journey for individuals with no prior IT or cloud experience switching to a cloud career or for line-of-business employees looking for foundational cloud literacy.
Prepare for the exam
Below are recommended steps you can follow to get ready for exam day. Note: AWS does not require you to take any specific AWS training as part of your exam prep.
Step 1: Get to know the exam and exam-style questions
Review the CLF-C02 exam guide AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Official Practice Question Set
Step 2: Learn about exam topics
AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials AWS Cloud Quest: Cloud Practitioner
Customer testimonials
Luis Correia: Building a resilient career through AWS re/Start and AWS Certification
Mawuli Denteh: Cloud Engineer Pivots His Career with AWS re/Start and AWS Certification
Key FAQs to help you get started
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Are there pre-requisites for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam?
No, there are no prerequisites to prepare for and take this certification exam. The content outline for this exam is designed for candidates new to Cloud who may not have an information technology (IT) background. Candidates for this exam could have up to 6 months of exposure to AWS Cloud, but it is not required.
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How will the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner help my career?
Earning this certification validates high-level understanding of AWS Cloud, services, and terminology. This certification serves as an entry point to a cloud career for candidates from non-IT backgrounds switching to cloud. Job listings requiring AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner have increased 84% (Oct 2021 - Sept 2022) per Lightcast™ October 2022. This certification is also ideal for line-of-business employees (sales, product management, project management, etc.) who want to gain cloud literacy and communicate more effectively with technical teams and customers.
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What certification(s) should I take next after AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner?
The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, AWS Certified Developer – Associate, and/or AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate are next certifications that other cloud professionals have earned to advance further in cloud architect, cloud engineer, developer, and systems administrator roles.
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How long is this certification valid for?
This certification is valid for 3 years.
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How do I recertify and keep my certification active?
Before your certification expires, you can recertify through one of the options below:
- Complete the new AWS Cloud Quest: Recertify Cloud Practitioner game-based learning. This guided, self-paced option is free during the beta period November 21, 2023 – May 31, 2024. No exam prep or exam is needed for this game-based recertification option.
- Pass the latest version of the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam
- Pass an Associate-level or Professional-level exam
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Are there any savings on exams after earning the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner?
Yes. Once you earn one AWS Certification, you get 50% discount on other AWS Certification exams. You can sign in and access this discount in your AWS Certification Account.
Review all AWS Certification FAQs »
Additional resources
Learn about what to expect with scheduling your exam, identification requirements, exam functionality, relevant policies, and more.
Maintain your AWS Certified status. Recertification helps strengthen the overall value of your AWS Certification.
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