Looking for AWS exam fees? Here's every single certification with current 2026 pricing.
No fluff. Just the numbers.
Complete AWS Certification Pricing
Foundational Level - $100
| Certification | Exam Code | Price |
|---|---|---|
| AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner | CLF-C02 | $100 |
| AWS Certified AI Practitioner | AIF-C01 | $100 |
Associate Level - $150
| Certification | Exam Code | Price |
|---|---|---|
| AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate | SAA-C03 | $150 |
| AWS Certified Developer – Associate | DVA-C02 | $150 |
| AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate | SOA-C02 | $150 |
| AWS Certified Data Engineer – Associate | DEA-C01 | $150 |
| AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate | MLA-C01 | $150 |
Professional Level - $300
| Certification | Exam Code | Price |
|---|---|---|
| AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional | SAP-C02 | $300 |
| AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional | DOP-C02 | $300 |
Specialty Level - $300
| Certification | Exam Code | Price |
|---|---|---|
| AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty | ANS-C01 | $300 |
| AWS Certified Security – Specialty | SCS-C02 | $300 |
| AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty | MLS-C01 | $300 |
| AWS Certified Database – Specialty | DBS-C01 | $300 |
| AWS Certified SAP on AWS – Specialty | PAS-C01 | $300 |
What's NOT Included in the Exam Fee
The exam fee gets you into the testing center. That's it.
Additional costs most people don't plan for:
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Study courses (Udemy, etc.) | $15-200 |
| Practice exams | $20-30 per set |
| Subscription platforms | $30-50/month |
| Hands-on labs | $20-50/month |
Total "real" cost for most people: $200-500+ per certification
But here's the thing—most of that spend is wasted.
You buy a 40-hour course when you might only need 10 hours of focused study. You watch content on topics you already understand. You skip the topics you're actually weak on.
Then you take a practice exam, see a score, and still have no idea what to focus on next.
In 2026, smart learners don't do this anymore.
Instead of buying multiple courses hoping one sticks:
- Find your knowledge gaps first (takes 10 minutes)
- Get a study plan targeting your weak areas
- Track your readiness in real time
- Book when you're actually ready
The 50% Discount Strategy
Here's the best-kept secret in AWS certification:
Pass any AWS exam → Get 50% off your next exam
It's automatic. After you pass, AWS emails you a voucher code valid for one year.
How to use it:
- Pass Cloud Practitioner ($100)
- Get 50% voucher
- Take Solutions Architect Associate for $75 (instead of $150)
- Get another 50% voucher
- Take your next cert for 50% off
- Repeat forever
The math:
- Without vouchers: CCP + SAA + DVA = $100 + $150 + $150 = $400
- With vouchers: CCP + SAA + DVA = $100 + $75 + $75 = $250
- You save: $150
This is why even experienced professionals should consider starting with Cloud Practitioner. The voucher pays for half of your next certification.
What Happens If You Fail?
Not fun, but it happens.
The rules:
- 14-day waiting period before retake
- Full exam fee again (no discounts for retakes)
- No limit on attempts
The cost of failing:
- Wasted exam fee: $100-300
- Lost study momentum
- Another 2+ weeks of prep
- Confidence hit
How to avoid it:
Never book your exam until you're consistently scoring 85%+ on practice tests.
But here's the problem with most practice tests: they tell you a score without telling you WHY you got questions wrong.
You see "72%" and think "I need to study more." But study WHAT? Which topics? You don't know.
StudyTech fixes this.
Every question you answer updates your knowledge map. You see exactly which topics are dragging your score down. Your exam readiness score updates in real time.
When you hit 85%, you book. Not before.
No more hoping you're ready. No more expensive retakes.
Other Ways to Reduce Exam Costs
Employer Reimbursement
Most tech companies reimburse certification costs. Check your L&D policy for:
- Exam fee reimbursement
- Study material budget
- Passing bonuses
- Paid study time
AWS Programs
- AWS Educate (students): Free training, sometimes vouchers
- AWS re:Start (career changers): Free 12-week program with cert included
- AWS Summits: Sometimes include exam vouchers
Conference Vouchers
AWS events often distribute exam vouchers. Check re:Invent, AWS Summits, and local AWS meetups.
Exam Scheduling and Payment
How to Schedule
- Create/login to AWS Certification account
- Choose your exam
- Select testing provider (Pearson VUE or PSI)
- Pick date, time, location (or online proctoring)
- Pay with credit card
Accepted Payment Methods
- Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)
- Voucher codes (from passing exams or promotions)
- Combined payment (voucher + card)
Rescheduling Policy
- Free rescheduling 24+ hours before exam
- Within 24 hours: Exam fee forfeited
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the AWS Solutions Architect exam?
AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) costs $150. AWS Solutions Architect Professional (SAP-C02) costs $300.
Does AWS offer free certification?
The exams themselves are never free. However, your employer might pay, or you might earn vouchers through AWS programs and events.
Can I use multiple vouchers on one exam?
No. Only one voucher per exam. Vouchers cannot be combined.
Do exam fees ever change?
Rarely. The current pricing structure has been stable for several years. AWS announces any changes well in advance.
The Bottom Line
AWS exams cost $100-300 depending on level.
But the real cost isn't the exam fee—it's the time and money spent preparing wrong.
The old way: Buy courses, watch videos, take practice exams, hope you're ready, maybe fail and pay again.
The new way: Find your gaps in 10 minutes, study only what you need, track your readiness, book when the data says you're ready.
One approach takes 6 months and $500+. The other takes 4-6 weeks and under $200.
Your exam readiness score is waiting.