AWS learning paths
One cloud.
Different directions.
Start with cloud foundations if you need them, then choose the role you want. Architecture, development, operations, and AI are separate directions—not five exams everyone must take in order.
Choose by the work you want to do
Design systems → SAA-C03. Build applications → DVA-C02. Run and recover workloads → SOA-C03. Understand AI use cases → AIF-C01. New to AWS? Start with CLF-C02.
Cloud foundations · CLF-C02
Understand AWS cloud fundamentals
Start here if cloud concepts, shared responsibility, and AWS service selection are new to you. Build a vocabulary for choosing a technical or business direction.
Explore this path →
Architecture · SAA-C03
Design resilient AWS solutions
Focus on architecture decisions and trade-offs. Build hands-on familiarity with AWS services before treating this as an exam-preparation exercise.
Explore this path →
Development · DVA-C02
Build and deploy AWS applications
Bring experience in a programming language and application development. Work on application behavior, secure service integration, releases, and debugging—not just service names.
New: 30-question focused practice set
Explore this path →
Operations · SOA-C03
Operate and recover AWS workloads
Build on systems administration, networking, and hands-on AWS operations. CloudOps Engineer is the current certification name; this route targets SOA-C03, not the retired SOA-C02.
New: 30-question focused practice set
Explore this path →
AI foundations · AIF-C01
Make informed AWS AI decisions
Choose this branch for AI and generative AI literacy. It is not a mandatory stage before architecture, development, or operations, and does not replace software engineering or ML engineering practice.
Explore this path →