The AWS certification path explained
Which AWS certification to take first, how the levels stack up, and how to plan the jump to professional level.
Keepsub Academy Editorial · · 7 min read
AWS certifications are tiered. Choosing the right entry point saves months.
Foundational: Cloud Practitioner
Best for career changers and non-engineering roles who need shared vocabulary.
Associate: Solutions Architect, Developer, SysOps
The associate tier is where hiring managers start paying attention. Pick the one that matches your day job.
Professional and specialty
Professional exams test trade-offs, not definitions. Expect long scenario questions and plan twice the study time.
- AWS certification path
- AWS Solutions Architect
- cloud certification