The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is the foundational exam that proves you understand AWS cloud concepts, services, security and billing, and AWS says no IT background is required. AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate is a technical exam about designing secure, resilient, high-performing and cost-optimized systems on AWS, and AWS recommends at least a year of hands-on experience. Start with Cloud Practitioner if you're new to IT or cloud, and go straight to Solutions Architect Associate if you already build on AWS.
What is the difference between Cloud Practitioner and Solutions Architect Associate?
Cloud Practitioner is about knowing what AWS is and what it offers. AWS says it's built for people new to cloud, including line-of-business roles like sales, marketing, product and project management.
Solutions Architect Associate is about making design decisions. You'll get scenarios and need to pick the architecture that meets security, availability, performance and cost requirements. It's the exam I point people to once they're actually building things in AWS.
How do the two AWS exams compare?
- Exam code
Cloud Practitioner: CLF-C02
Solutions Architect Associate: SAA-C03 - Level
Cloud Practitioner: Foundational
Solutions Architect Associate: Associate - Questions
Cloud Practitioner: 65 (50 scored)
Solutions Architect Associate: 65 (50 scored) - Time
Cloud Practitioner: 90 minutes
Solutions Architect Associate: 130 minutes - Passing score
Cloud Practitioner: 700 out of 1000
Solutions Architect Associate: 720 out of 1000 - Cost (checked Sep 2026)
Cloud Practitioner: US$100
Solutions Architect Associate: US$150 - Recommended experience
Cloud Practitioner: Up to 6 months of exposure to AWS, no IT background needed
Solutions Architect Associate: At least 1 year of hands-on experience designing on AWS - Valid for
Cloud Practitioner: 3 years
Solutions Architect Associate: 3 years
Cloud Practitioner domains are Cloud Concepts at 24 percent, Security and Compliance at 30 percent, Cloud Technology and Services at 34 percent, and Billing, Pricing and Support at 12 percent. Solutions Architect Associate splits into Design Secure Architectures at 30 percent, Design Resilient Architectures at 26 percent, Design High-Performing Architectures at 24 percent and Design Cost-Optimized Architectures at 20 percent.
Which AWS certification should I take first?
AWS's own guidance is to take Cloud Practitioner first if you have no IT experience. If you already work in IT but not on AWS, Cloud Practitioner is still a low-cost way to learn the services before you face design scenarios.
If you've been building on AWS for a year or more, go straight to Solutions Architect Associate. You don't need Cloud Practitioner first.
There's also a money reason to do both. When you pass an AWS exam, AWS gives you access to a 50% discount voucher to apply toward recertification or any other exam, so passing Cloud Practitioner can cut the cost of the Associate exam.
How do you renew each AWS certification?
Both certifications are valid for three years. AWS gives each one different renewal options.
- Renewal option: Pass the latest exam again
Cloud Practitioner: Yes
Solutions Architect Associate: Yes, adds 3 years - Renewal option: Pass a higher exam
Cloud Practitioner: Any Associate or Professional exam renews it
Solutions Architect Associate: Passing Solutions Architect Professional renews it - Renewal option: Other route
Cloud Practitioner: Free recertification in AWS Cloud Quest
Solutions Architect Associate: AWS Skill Builder maintain option, adds 1 year, paid subscription needed
Check AWS's recertification page before your expiry date, because the options can change.
How can Accumentum help with AWS certification?
Our Cloud Practitioner training course covers the CLF-C02 domains in 7 modules, and basic IT knowledge helps but isn't required. The Solutions Architect Associate training course covers SAA-C03 with hands-on labs, and the course page says most students finish in 4 to 8 weeks part-time. See both on our AWS training page.
You can check where you stand for free with the Exam Readiness Score for Cloud Practitioner or the one for Solutions Architect Associate. They're Accumentum practice checks, not AWS questions.
Solutions Architect Associate is on the PathPay 12-Month Program, with the exam voucher included. For any other eligible course, PathPay® spreads the cost over 3 to 18 months. It's a payment plan, not a loan or insurance. PathPass® has practice banks for both exams at $19 a month for one exam or $39 for all banks, with a free preview and no dumps. PathLock™ tracks your AWS renewal dates, since AWS renews by exam or Skill Builder rather than by credits. It isn't affiliated with Pathlock, Inc.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Cloud Practitioner before Solutions Architect Associate?
No. AWS doesn't require it. AWS does suggest Cloud Practitioner first for people with no IT experience.
How much do the AWS Cloud Practitioner and Solutions Architect Associate exams cost?
As of September 2026, AWS lists Cloud Practitioner at US$100 and Solutions Architect Associate at US$150.
Is Solutions Architect Associate much harder than Cloud Practitioner?
Yes, for most people. It's 130 minutes of scenario-based design questions with a 720 passing score, and AWS recommends a year of hands-on experience.
How long are AWS certifications valid?
Both are valid for three years. You can renew Cloud Practitioner free through AWS Cloud Quest or by passing a higher exam.
Do I get a discount on my second AWS exam?
Yes. When you pass an AWS exam, AWS gives you access to a 50% discount voucher to apply toward recertification or any other exam.
Sources
Official facts checked Sep 28, 2026.
- AWS, Certified Cloud Practitioner: https://aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-cloud-practitioner/
- AWS, CLF-C02 Exam Guide: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/aws-certification/latest/cloud-practitioner-02/cloud-practitioner-02.html
- AWS, Certified Solutions Architect Associate: https://aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-solutions-architect-associate/
- AWS, SAA-C03 Exam Guide: https://docs.aws.amazon.com/aws-certification/latest/solutions-architect-associate-03/solutions-architect-associate-03.html
- AWS, Recertification: https://aws.amazon.com/certification/recertification/
- AWS, Certification benefits (50% discount voucher): https://aws.amazon.com/certification/benefits/
Accumentum facts come from the live AWS course pages, /aws-certification-training-courses/, /exam-readiness-score/, /pathpay/, /pathpay/subscription/, /pathpass/ and /pathlock/ on accumentum.net.
