AWS certifications and recommended courses
Start with the kind of work you want to do. These courses are optional paid training; you can also learn from our free AWS topic guides.
Use the official AWS exam pages for current objectives and eligibility. Course pages below describe the provider's current materials, which may not match every newer exam version.
Compare the Developer and Solutions Architect certification paths if you're deciding between application development and architecture.
Foundations and architecture
Read the official SAA-C03 exam guide
Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03)
Instructor: James Lee
A broad starting path through AWS fundamentals, architecture choices, VPCs, subnets, routing, security groups, and NAT gateways.
The course follows SAA-C03. AWS's exam guide targets candidates with at least one year of hands-on cloud-solution design experience.
Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you buy through these links.
View Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) on learn.cantrill.io →
Application development
Read AWS's Developer Associate exam information
Developer – Associate
Instructor: James Lee
A structured path for developers using AWS services such as Lambda, API Gateway, DynamoDB, and delivery pipelines.
The provider currently lists DVA-C02. AWS opens DVA-C03 registration on October 27, 2026; the final DVA-C02 exam date is November 30, 2026. Check course coverage for your target exam version.
Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you buy through these links.
Cloud operations
Read AWS's CloudOps Engineer Associate exam information
CloudOps Engineer – Associate
Instructor: James Lee
For learners focused on monitoring, troubleshooting, infrastructure as code, security controls, and operating AWS workloads.
The provider lists the current CloudOps Engineer course. AWS describes its exam audience as people with about one year of experience deploying, managing, and operating AWS workloads.
Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you buy through these links.
Advanced networking and specialty study
Read AWS's Advanced Networking Specialty exam information
Advanced Networking – Specialty
Instructor: Adrian Cantrill
For experienced AWS practitioners who want deeper practice with hybrid networks, BGP, VPNs, Transit Gateway, Direct Connect, and routing.
The provider course page covers ANS-C01. AWS's final ANS-C01 exam date is December 31, 2026; no new Advanced Networking credentials will be issued after retirement. Check the current AWS exam page before planning a certification attempt.
Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you buy through these links.