Overview of the Course
AWS Cloud practitioner is where most entry-level professionals start for various other cloud certifications, including AWS Solutions Architect, AWS Solutions Developer, DevOps Engineer, and SysOps Administrator. This serves as a basic foundational course for professionals looking for a general understanding of the AWS cloud services.
Because this is entry-level, professionals usually hold this certification early in their careers so that it can open avenues to pursue more specialized AWS certifications down the road. AWS Cloud practitioner is a testimony of a professional’s ability to define basic cloud infrastructure and architecture, as well as its principles and other key services. A professional with this certification should define the basic security and compliance aspects of the platform.
This is intended for individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to demonstrate an understanding of AWS Cloud effectively. However, this certification does not assume that an individual has experience working in any specific technical role that would require other AWS Certifications. AWS, even though it states that this is an optional step, recommends that a professional get this certification before aiming for more technical, associate-level, or specialty-level certifications.
Is This Certification Right for You?
AWS Cloud practitioner validates the following abilities
- Define basic AWS Cloud and its global infrastructure
- Define AWS Cloud architectural principles
- Describe the value addition and proposition of AWS Cloud
- Describe the key services and their common uses on the AWS platform
- Describe the basic security and compliance aspects of the AWS platform
- Define the billing, account management, and pricing models
- Identify and keep track of the sources of documentation or technical assistance
- Describe the basic features and characteristics of using the AWS cloud.
If you have a basic understanding of cloud computing, IT services, and their use on the AWS cloud platform, or you want to, then this certification is right for you.
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What are the Eligibility Criteria for AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification?
AWS certifications don’t have eligibility criteria. Previously, AWS used to enforce clearing the previous level before attempting a particular level. However, they have since removed it, and now professionals are free to attempt whatever they want to, depending on where they are at various levels of their careers. This certification gives you an overall understanding of the AWS, including the usual key terms and concepts. You’ll also learn how to explain the value proposition of AWS and use cases of it.
Since all of this is key to stepping into AWS Cloud certification, this entry-level certification benefits both IT and non-IT professionals equally. It is small wonder then that more than 12% of all the professionals hold this certification. While there are no prerequisites, Amazon recommends 6 months of experience in any role. This role need not just be technical. It could be managerial, sales, purchasing, financial, or any other role.
If you feel your role could be complemented by an understanding of cloud and cloud computing, then you can choose this certification. Everyone who needs an introduction into the cloud either because their organization is into it or they just want to learn about it but don’t need an associate degree can use this certification. In other words, this certification is for everyone including those who work with cloud but won’t be doing actual implementation and deployment
What is the Certification Process for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner?
AWS Certification Cloud Practitioner training requirements involve testing on four different domains – Cloud concepts, Security, Technology, and Billing and Pricing. Understanding these concepts is enough for attempting the exams. Ever since AWS removed minimum requirements for the other certifications, you can take higher-level exams as long as you’re comfortable with the basic levels. The roadmap for the certifications that Aws offers is attached in the image below.
The exam can be taken at a test center or from the convenience of your home or office location through an online proctored means. The exam itself has 65 questions that you need to complete within 90 minutes. The questions are multiple-choices and multiple-answers. AWS also offers practice exams, study guides, and other resources for you to prepare for the exam. Apart from that, there are no separate processes for certification
What is the Cost of the Certification?
The exam costs about $100. The practice test costs $20 to take. You can take the exam up to three times in a 12-month period from the date of your exam. If you fail your exam the first time, then you have to pay the full exam time every time you take the exam. The same applies to practice tests as well. Every practice that you take will cost you $20. The exam fee, even on the website, is mentioned in dollars and not the native currency if you’re taking it from some other country.
[ Read: A Step by Step Guide on How to Get an AWS Certified Solutions Architect ]
How Long Does the Certification Last?
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification lasts for a period of 2 years from the date that you’ve received your certification. Amazon will remind you 6 months before your certification is due to expire. After it expires, you have to sit for a recertification process that follows the same exam pattern as the original examination. The recertification fee is $75, and the exam lasts for 80 minutes. Amazon is rolling out several new services. So this policy might change in the future as well.
Where to Get Online Resources for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Exam?
Several websites offer study materials for this certification. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner website offers a lot of study guides, study material, resources, and other practice exams that can help you prepare for writing the exam. Apart from that, there are other websites like Udemy, Great Learning, Simplilearn all offer materials for studying for the exam.;
