Amazon Web Services (AWS) holds a significant portion of the global cloud market, powering thousands of organizations with scalable, secure, and cost-effective cloud solutions. With its widespread use, becoming certified in AWS can be a powerful asset for both new and experienced IT professionals. AWS offers a structured certification path that reflects real-world roles and responsibilities across various cloud functions. Traditionally, these certifications had a specific progression route, requiring candidates to complete lower-level certifications before attempting higher-level ones.
However, in a significant policy shift, AWS removed the formal prerequisite requirement for its Professional and Specialty-level certifications. Candidates are now encouraged to have “recommended knowledge” instead of needing a prior certification to sit for an advanced exam. This change has implications for how individuals prepare for these exams and how the certification path is approached.
The Previous Certification Model
Previously, AWS certifications followed a tiered structure, where candidates were required to pass foundational or associate-level exams before becoming eligible for professional or specialty certifications. This structured pathway ensured that learners built up knowledge in a logical sequence, preventing them from skipping essential learning milestones. For example, a candidate had to pass an Associate-level certification before they could sit for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional exam. Similarly, they needed either a Foundational or Associate-level certification to attempt a Specialty-level exam.
This tiered model, while ensuring a consistent base of knowledge, often led to redundancy. Many candidates expressed frustration over content overlap between certification levels, especially between the Associate and Professional tiers. In some cases, it felt more like a hurdle than a meaningful step in the learning process.
The Shift to Recommended Knowledge
In October 2023, AWS transitioned away from the formal prerequisite model. Now, candidates are no longer required to complete lower-tier certifications before attempting higher-tier ones. Instead, AWS provides a list of recommended knowledge and experience for each certification. The change allows candidates to pursue certifications based on their actual skill level and career goals, without being restricted by procedural barriers.
This shift reflects a more modern approach to skills validation, emphasizing competency over credentials. It recognizes that IT professionals come from diverse backgrounds and may gain relevant experience outside of a traditional certification path. However, while the barrier to entry has been lowered, the difficulty of the exams has not. AWS still expects candidates to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the relevant material.
Prerequisite vs. Recommended Knowledge
At first glance, the difference between “prerequisite” and “recommended knowledge” may appear subtle, but it represents a fundamental change in how AWS certifications are approached. A prerequisite is a mandatory step that must be completed beforehand. Recommended knowledge, on the other hand, is a guideline intended to help candidates assess their readiness.
The key point here is that just because something is no longer required does not mean it is no longer important. Candidates who attempt a certification exam without the recommended knowledge are unlikely to succeed. AWS exams are challenging and designed to validate real-world skills and expertise. Therefore, the absence of prerequisites should not be interpreted as a green light to skip preparation.
Advantages of the New Model
Removing prerequisites comes with several advantages. First, it offers more flexibility for learners. Experienced professionals can skip certifications that do not align with their roles or interests and focus on the exams that are most relevant to their work. This saves time and money and provides a more tailored certification experience.
Second, it encourages a more skills-based approach to learning. Instead of checking boxes and following a rigid sequence, candidates can assess their knowledge and take ownership of their learning journey. This can lead to deeper engagement and better retention of information.
Finally, the new model reduces redundancy. Since there is overlap between certain certifications, candidates can avoid spending time reviewing material they already know. This streamlined approach makes the certification process more efficient and targeted.
Potential Drawbacks
Despite its benefits, the removal of prerequisites also introduces some risks. One major concern is that candidates may underestimate the difficulty of advanced exams. Without the structured guidance of prerequisite certifications, some learners may attempt exams they are not ready for, resulting in failure and discouragement.
Another potential drawback is the lack of a clear learning path. The old model provided a roadmap that guided learners through a progression of increasingly complex topics. With that structure gone, individuals must now take greater responsibility for designing their learning paths. This can be challenging, especially for those new to cloud computing.
While the shift from mandatory prerequisites to recommended knowledge in AWS certification paths opens the door to flexibility and autonomy, it is not without its pitfalls. The new model empowers learners to chart their path, but also introduces challenges that candidates need to be aware of. Without a structured certification progression, individuals may face several drawbacks that can impact both their learning journey and exam success.
Increased Risk of Underpreparedness
One of the most immediate concerns is that candidates may underestimate the difficulty of advanced AWS certifications. When prerequisites were required, they served as checkpoints to ensure a baseline level of understanding before progressing to more complex topics. Now, with those prerequisites removed, candidates might attempt Professional or Specialty-level exams without the foundational knowledge needed to succeed.
This can lead to failed exams, which not only result in lost time and money but also cause frustration and discouragement. For learners who are not well-versed in self-assessment, this flexibility might give a false sense of readiness. The absence of enforced steps makes it easier to bypass essential learning experiences that were previously baked into the certification journey.
Lack of a Guided Learning Path
Another drawback is the absence of a clearly defined learning path. In the previous model, candidates progressed logically from foundational to associate to professional or specialty levels. This structured approach ensured that individuals developed their skills in a way that mirrored real-world experience. Now, candidates must independently determine where to start and how to prepare.
For those new to AWS or cloud computing in general, this lack of direction can be overwhelming. With multiple certifications available at each level, each requiring a different set of competencies, the risk of choosing an inappropriate starting point is high. Learners must now invest more time upfront to research certifications, understand their scope, and align them with their career goals.
Knowledge Gaps and Overlap
While the removal of prerequisites can eliminate redundancy in some cases, it also increases the chance of knowledge gaps. AWS certifications often build upon one another, and skipping foundational or associate-level exams may mean missing important concepts that are assumed in higher-level certifications. The foundational understanding of topics like IAM, VPC, and basic storage solutions might not be revisited in advanced exams, putting underprepared candidates at a disadvantage.
Furthermore, although some content overlaps between certification levels, it’s not always predictable. Candidates may miss out on nuanced differences or practical applications introduced in earlier certifications, which can limit their understanding or ability to apply knowledge in real scenarios.
Higher Burden on Self-Motivation and Planning
Finally, this shift places a greater burden on learners to be self-motivated and organized. Without clear prerequisites to follow, candidates must take full responsibility for assessing their current skills, identifying gaps, and creating a study plan. This level of self-directed learning is not always easy, particularly for those used to structured classroom environments or rigid training programs.
Learners must also evaluate the “recommended knowledge” guidelines critically. Since these are suggestions rather than mandates, it’s tempting to ignore them. But doing so can lead to underperformance on exams that require a high level of competency and hands-on experience.
Certification Levels
AWS certifications are divided into four main levels: Foundational, Associate, Professional, and Specialty. Each level targets different audiences and skill sets, and understanding these differences is crucial to navigating the new certification landscape.
Foundational
The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification is designed for individuals with basic knowledge of the AWS Cloud. It is intended for non-technical roles such as project managers, executives, and sales teams who interact with cloud environments. AWS recommends at least six months of general AWS experience before attempting this exam.
Associate
Associate-level certifications are more technical and are intended for professionals who configure, manage, and support cloud environments. These include:
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, AWS Certified Developer – Associate, AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
Each of these certifications targets a specific role and requires at least one year of hands-on AWS experience.
Professional
Professional-level certifications are advanced and test the ability to design and deploy applications at scale. They include:
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
These exams are challenging and require at least two years of experience in a professional AWS role. They focus on advanced topics such as automation, scalability, and enterprise-level solutions.
Specialty
Specialty certifications validate deep expertise in specific technical areas. These include:
AWS Certified Security – Specialty, AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty, AWS Certified Networking – Specialty
AWS recommends five years of experience in the relevant domain, as these exams are designed for professionals seeking to demonstrate expert-level knowledge in niche areas.
The removal of prerequisites from AWS certification exams represents a shift toward a more flexible and personalized approach to professional development. While it allows for greater autonomy and efficiency, it also places greater responsibility on the learner to assess their readiness. Understanding the difference between prerequisites and recommended knowledge is crucial to succeeding under the new model. By treating recommendations as requirements and preparing thoroughly, candidates can make the most of the opportunities offered by AWS certifications.
Foundational Level: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is an entry-level certification that introduces candidates to the core concepts of cloud computing and the AWS ecosystem. It is designed for individuals who may not have a technical background but need a foundational understanding of how AWS works. This includes project managers, business analysts, executives, and sales professionals who interact with AWS environments.
Who Should Take It
The Cloud Practitioner exam is suited for individuals looking to gain a high-level overview of AWS services and cloud fundamentals. It is ideal for those in non-technical roles or those just beginning their journey into cloud computing.
Recommended Knowledge
AWS suggests that candidates have at least six months of experience using AWS in any capacity. While this experience doesn’t need to be hands-on technical work, familiarity with AWS services and terminology is important. Candidates should understand:
Basic AWS architecture principles, AWS billing and pricing model, Key AWS services and their use case, Security and compliance aspects of AWS, Basic cloud computing concepts
Preparation Tips
Start with the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Exam Guide to review the topics covered in the exam. Then, explore AWS whitepapers such as the AWS Well-Architected Framework and the Overview of Amazon Web Services.
Utilize AWS Skill Builder and free tier services to gain hands-on experience. Set up simple projects, like creating a virtual server with EC2 or hosting a static website using S3, to reinforce concepts. Reading official AWS FAQs can also help clarify complex topics.
Associate Level Certifications
The Associate level offers three certification paths tailored to different job roles: Solutions Architect, Developer, and SysOps Administrator. These certifications are designed for individuals with some hands-on AWS experience and a solid understanding of the services relevant to their chosen path.
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
This certification is geared toward individuals who design distributed applications and systems on AWS. It emphasizes best practices for building secure and reliable AWS environments.
Recommended Knowledge
At least one year of experience designing cloud solutions with AWS. Knowledge of how to architect secure, high-performing, resilient, and efficient systems. Understanding of AWS global infrastructure. Experience with networking, compute, storage, and database AWS services.s
Key Topics
Design resilient architecture. Design high-performing architectures. Design secure applications and architectures. Design cost-optimized architectures.
AWS Certified Developer – Associate
This certification is aimed at software developers who want to build and maintain AWS-based applications. It focuses on leveraging AWS services to write code that is efficient and scalable.
Recommended Knowledge
At least one year of hands-on experience developing applications using AWS Proficiency in at least one programming language Understanding of core AWS services, uses, and basic architecture best practices Ability to use the AWS CLI and SDKs
Key Topics
Deployment with CI/CD, Security best practice, Monitoring and troubleshooting, Using AWS services such as Lambda, DynamoDB, and API Gateway
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate
This certification targets system administrators in cloud operations roles. It validates the ability to deploy, manage, and operate scalable, highly available systems on AWS.
Recommended Knowledge
One year of experience with AWS systems operations. Understanding of system monitoring, automation, and performance tuning. Familiarity with AWS security and compliance requirements. Ability to use AWS Management Console and the AWS CLI
Key Topics
Monitoring and reporting, High availability and scalability, Deployment and provisioning, Security and compliance, Automation and optimization
Choosing the Right Associate Certification Path
When deciding which Associate certification to pursue, consider your current role and future career goals. If your focus is on designing solutions, the Solutions Architect path is ideal. If you’re a developer, the Developer certification aligns well with your skills. For those in infrastructure and operations roles, the SysOps Administrator certification provides the most relevant validation.
Each path requires a strong understanding of AWS core services and how they interconnect to create effective cloud solutions. While the certifications do not overlap completely, there is shared foundational knowledge, especially in areas such as security, networking, and scalability.
The Foundational and Associate-level AWS certifications serve as the bedrock for your cloud journey. These certifications ensure you have a well-rounded understanding of cloud principles and the AWS platform. They are particularly useful for gaining practical experience and building the competencies needed for more advanced certifications. By choosing the right certification path and preparing thoroughly, candidates can gain the skills and recognition that open the door to further growth in the cloud industry.
Introduction to Professional-Level AWS Certifications
Professional-level certifications from AWS are designed for individuals who possess a deep understanding of AWS architecture and are responsible for implementing and managing large-scale, complex cloud solutions. These certifications validate advanced technical skills and real-world experience in designing distributed applications and systems on the AWS platform.
AWS offers two certifications at the Professional level:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
- AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
These exams are intended for professionals with at least two years of hands-on experience managing AWS environments. They go beyond theory and require practical expertise in automation, scalability, deployment strategies, and enterprise-level design patterns.
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
This certification is geared toward individuals who design and deploy dynamically scalable, highly available, fault-tolerant, and reliable applications on AWS. It tests a candidate’s ability to evaluate organizational requirements and make architectural recommendations for implementation, deployment, and provisioning.
Recommended Knowledge
AWS recommends that candidates have:
- Two or more years of hands-on experience designing and deploying cloud architecture on AWS.
- Proficiency in AWS CLI, AWS APIs, AWS CloudFormation, and the AWS Billing Console.
- Deep understanding of networking, security, and multi-tier applications on AWS.
- Familiarity with hybrid architectures and migration strategies.
Key Topics
- Designing for Organizational Complexity: Architecting for multi-account environments, cross-VPC communication, and hybrid setups.
- Designing for New Solutions: Building secure, scalable, and high-performing applications from scratch.
- Migration Planning: Strategies for migrating complex workloads to AWS.
- Cost Control and Optimization: Designing cost-effective systems and optimizing usage.
- Security, Compliance, and Governance: Ensuring secure data transfer, encryption, and adherence to compliance frameworks.
Preparation Tips
- Review the official AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional Exam Guide and sample questions.
- Study AWS whitepapers like the AWS Well-Architected Framework and AWS Cloud Security Best Practices.
- Gain hands-on experience with complex architectures, automation tools (e.g., CloudFormation and Terraform), and AWS services like VPC, Direct Connect, IAM, and CloudTrail.
- Use practice exams and scenario-based labs to simulate real-world challenges.
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
This certification targets individuals in DevOps roles with deep knowledge of automating the testing and deployment of AWS infrastructure and applications. It validates the ability to implement continuous delivery systems and methodologies on AWS.
Recommended Knowledge
Candidates should have:
- Two or more years of experience provisioning, operating, and managing AWS environments.
- Strong knowledge of modern development and operations processes, including infrastructure as code and CI/CD.
- Proficiency in scripting and automation using tools like Python, Bash, or PowerShell.
- Experience with monitoring, metrics, and logging using tools such as CloudWatch, X-Ray, and third-party solutions.
Key Topics
- SDLC Automation: Implementing CI/CD pipelines with AWS Developer Tools, Jenkins, and third-party integrations.
- Configuration Management and Infrastructure as Code: Automating infrastructure deployment using CloudFormation, Terraform, or AWS CDK.
- Monitoring and Logging: Setting up alarms, tracing errors, and monitoring applications and infrastructure.
- Policies and Standards Automation: Ensuring compliance and governance through automated security configurations.
- Incident and Event Response: Troubleshooting issues, implementing failover mechanisms, and managing outages efficiently.
Preparation Tips
- Explore the AWS DevOps Engineer – Professional Exam Guide and sample questions.
- Focus on mastering services like CodePipeline, CodeBuild, Elastic Beanstalk, CloudFormation, and OpsWorks.
- Build and deploy automated environments in test scenarios using CI/CD workflows.
- Practice troubleshooting common issues in cloud environments and optimizing deployment strategies.
Choosing the Right Professional Certification
Selecting between the two professional certifications depends on your current role and expertise:
- Choose Solutions Architect – Professional if your focus is on designing high-level, scalable cloud solutions and making architectural decisions.
- Choose DevOps Engineer – Professional if your work involves continuous integration/deployment, automation, and managing infrastructure through code.
Both certifications require comprehensive preparation and a deep understanding of AWS best practices. These exams are not entry-level and demand strong real-world experience.
Introduction to AWS Specialty Certifications
AWS Specialty certifications validate advanced skills in specific technical areas. These certifications are designed for professionals with deep expertise who want to demonstrate their knowledge in focused domains such as security, data analytics, or networking. Unlike Foundational, Associate, or even Professional-level certifications, Specialty certifications are narrow in scope but deep in content. AWS recommends five years of relevant industry experience and at least two years of hands-on experience with AWS.
AWS currently offers the following Specialty certifications:
- AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty
- AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty (now called AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty)
- AWS Certified Security – Specialty
- AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
- AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder – Specialty
- AWS Certified Database – Specialty
Each of these certifications is targeted at individuals who are deeply involved in a particular domain and want to validate their expertise. This section explores each certification, the knowledge required, preparation tips, and why these certifications can be a significant boost to your career.
AWS Certified Security – Specialty
Overview
The AWS Certified Security – Specialty certification is intended for professionals responsible for securing data and workloads in the AWS environment. This certification is ideal for security engineers, cloud security architects, and compliance officers. It tests deep knowledge of securing infrastructure, application-level security, identity and access management (IAM), and monitoring systems.
Recommended Knowledge and Experience
- Five years of experience in IT security
- Two or more years of hands-on experience securing AWS workloads
- Understanding of AWS security services and the shared responsibility model
Exam Topics
- Incident response
- Logging and monitoring using AWS services
- Infrastructure security
- Identity and access management (IAM)
- Data protection using encryption and key management
Preparation Tips
- Gain hands-on experience with services like AWS IAM, KMS, CloudTrail, Config, Macie, and GuardDuty.
- Study AWS security best practices, including the Well-Architected Framework.
- Practice building and auditing secure AWS environments
- Review exam guides and sample questions to identify weak areas.
- Use case studies to understand how to secure AWS environments in real-world scenarios.
AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty
Overview
Previously known as the AWS Certified Big Data – Specialty, this certification tests your expertise in designing and implementing AWS services to derive value from data. This is suited for data engineers, analysts, and data scientists who are working on big data applications in the AWS ecosystem.
Recommended Knowledge and Experience
- Five years of experience with data analytics technologies
- Two years of hands-on experience using AWS big data services
- Familiarity with AWS data analytics architecture and best practices
Exam Topics
- Collection, ingestion, and processing of data
- Storage solutions for structured and unstructured data
- Analysis using services like Athena and Redshift
- Visualization using Amazon QuickSight and third-party tools
- Security and compliance considerations
Preparation Tips
- Gain experience with services such as Kinesis, EMR, Glue, Athena, Redshift, and QuickSight
- Build data pipelines and real-time streaming apps.
- Understand the architecture of modern data lakes and analytics platforms on AW.S.
- Study AWS documentation, particularly the Data Analytics Lens in the Well-Architected Framework
- Take practice questions to reinforce your knowledge.
AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty
Overview
This certification is aimed at individuals with advanced networking skills. It validates the ability to design and implement AWS and hybrid IT network architectures at scale. Candidates should understand complex networking tasks, including security, performance optimization, and troubleshooting.
Recommended Knowledge and Experience
- Five years of networking experience
- Two years of experience working with AWS networking components
- Deep understanding of networking protocols, subnetting, routing, and security
Exam Topics
- Design and implementation of hybrid IT networks
- Core AWS networking concepts and services (e.g., VPC, Direct Connect, Transit Gateway)
- Network security and compliance
- Network troubleshooting and optimization
Preparation Tips
- Practice with VPC configurations, subnetting, peering, and VPNs
- Explore hybrid connections using Direct Connect and Site-to-Site VPN.
- Learn network monitoring with CloudWatch and VPC Flow Logs.
- Understand how to design a fault-tolerant, scalable network architecture
AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
Overview
The AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty certification is for individuals who build, train, and deploy machine learning models on AWS. This certification covers data exploration, model training, optimization, and deployment using AWS services.
Recommended Knowledge and Experience
- Two or more years of experience in machine learning or data science
- Familiarity with Python and ML frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn)
- Practical experience with Amazon SageMaker and other ML tools
Exam Topics
- Data engineering and feature selection
- Exploratory data analysis
- Model training and hyperparameter tuning
- Model evaluation and deployment
- Monitoring and troubleshooting ML models in production
Preparation Tips
- Build end-to-end machine learning workflows using Amazon SageMaker.
- Practice using Jupyter notebooks, training jobs, and inference endpoints
- Review whitepapers and documentation on AI/ML best practices.s
- Understand when to use different types of models (e.g., classification vs. regression)
AWS Certified Database – Specialty
Overview
This certification is designed for professionals who manage and design database solutions on AWS. It validates understanding of database concepts, deployment strategies, and maintenance across AWS services.
Recommended Knowledge and Experience
- Five years of experience working with databases
- Two years of experience with AWS database services
- Deep knowledge of relational and non-relational databases
Exam Topics
- Design and migration of database solutions
- Management and operation of highly available databases
- Monitoring and security for database systems
- Troubleshooting and optimization of performance
Preparation Tips
- Work with RDS, DynamoDB, Aurora, and other AWS database services.
- Learn about automated backups, multi-AZ deployments, and read replicas
- Review cost optimization techniques for database workloads
- Study Amazon’s documentation on migration tools and best practices
AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder – Specialty
Overview
This unique certification validates the ability to build, test, and publish Amazon Alexa skills. It’s ideal for developers and voice user interface designers who want to demonstrate their proficiency with Alexa Skills Kit and AWS services that support voice development.
Recommended Knowledge and Experience
- Six months of hands-on experience building Alexa skills
- Knowledge of at least one programming language
- Familiarity with AWS Lambda and the Alexa Skills Kit (ASK)
Exam Topics
- Voice-first design practices
- Skill architecture and development
- Testing and debugging
- Publishing and lifecycle management
- Use of AWS services with Alexa
Preparation Tips
- Build and test multiple Alexa skills.s
- Learn to use ASK CLI and deploy with AWS Lambda.
- Study Amazon’s VUI (Voice User Interface) design guidelines
- Use documentation to understand the voice model architecture.
Career Benefits of Specialty Certifications
Achieving a Specialty certification not only validates your deep expertise but also sets you apart from other professionals. These certifications show employers that you are capable of handling complex, specialized tasks and have a comprehensive understanding of specific AWS domains.
Increased Job Opportunities
Specialty certifications open doors to roles like Cloud Security Engineer, Data Architect, Network Solutions Architect, and Machine Learning Engineer. These roles often command higher salaries and greater responsibilities.
Credibility and Recognition
Certifications signal to employers and peers that you’ve mastered high-level skills. In competitive industries, this recognition can be crucial for career advancement.
Personal and Professional Growth
Preparing for these exams deepens your understanding of AWS technologies and best practices. It forces you to stay updated with the latest tools and trends, thereby enhancing your capabilities.
How to Choose the Right Specialty Certification
Selecting the right certification should depend on your career interests, current role, and future goals. Consider the following questions:
- Are you working in a security-focused role? Choose Security – Specialty.
- Do you work with big data and analytics tools? Go for Data Analytics – Specialty.
- Are you in networking or hybrid cloud environments? Advanced Networking – Specialty is your best bet.
- Are you passionate about AI and machine learning? Then Machine Learning – Specialty makes sense.
- Are you developing voice-based applications? Try Alexa Skill Builder – Specialty.
- Managing large-scale database deployments? Opt for Database – Specialty.
Final Thoughts
AWS Specialty certifications are not for the faint of heart. They require real-world experience, a deep understanding of AWS services, and dedicated preparation. While there are no formal prerequisites, the recommended knowledge should be taken seriously.
Whether you’re aiming to secure cloud infrastructure, analyze massive datasets, or develop intelligent applications, AWS offers a Specialty certification that can validate your skills and accelerate your career. With the right mindset, preparation, and practical experience, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle even the most demanding of AWS exams.
