Exam Overview

The AWS Cloud Practitioner exam is the current foundational exam for earning AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. It follows the official AWS exam guide for CLF-C02.

• Exam Code: CLF-C02
• Level: Foundational AWS Certification exam
• Duration: 90 minutes. Available languages: Arabic, English, French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Latin America), Spanish (Spain), Simplified Chinese, and Traditional Chinese.
• Passing Score: 700 on AWS’s scaled score range of 100–1,000.
• Scored and Unscored Content: 50 questions affect the score and 15 unscored questions are not identified.

Exam Structure

The AWS Cloud Practitioner exam contains 65 questions and measures the weighted domains in the official AWS Cloud Practitioner syllabus.

• Question Types: Multiple choice and multiple response.
• Number of Questions: 65.
• Hands-On Questions: The official exam guide describes computer-delivered selected-response question types; it does not list a separate hands-on lab section.

Exam Policies

Before completing AWS Cloud Practitioner exam registration, review the AWS Certification Program Agreement, Candidate Code of Conduct, identification requirements, Pearson VUE rules, and appointment terms.

• Rescheduling: Reschedule through the AWS Certification Account at least 24 hours before the appointment. AWS permits an appointment to be rescheduled twice.
• Cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before the appointment. A late cancellation or missed appointment normally forfeits the exam fee.
• Retake Policy: After a failed attempt, wait 14 calendar days before retaking the exam. There is no attempt limit, but each attempt requires a new registration fee.
• Retake Fee: The full AWS Cloud Practitioner exam fee applies to every retake unless a valid AWS promotion or voucher states otherwise.

Certification Validity and Renewal Options

Passing the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam earns the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner credential and its verifiable AWS digital badge.

• Validity: The certification is valid for three years from the date it is earned.
• Renewal Options: Recertify by completing the current approved Cloud Practitioner recertification option, passing the latest Cloud Practitioner exam, or passing an Associate- or Professional-level AWS Certification exam.

Exam Fee

• Base AWS Cloud Practitioner exam fee: USD 100, excluding applicable taxes. This base amount is the main component of the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification cost, and AWS may display supported local-currency pricing during checkout.
• Taxes: Value-added tax and other local taxes may apply and can change the final AWS Cloud Practitioner certification cost.
• Example (India): Candidates in India are subject to 18% GST, bringing the total exam fee to USD 118 (USD 100 + USD 18 GST).

Prerequisites

Formal Prerequisites: AWS does not require candidates to hold another certification before taking this exam.

• No prior IT or cloud experience is required. AWS describes the exam as suitable for candidates with up to six months of AWS Cloud exposure and for line-of-business professionals seeking cloud literacy.
• Preparation should combine the current official AWS Cloud Practitioner syllabus, AWS Skill Builder exam-preparation resources, and hands-on practice appropriate to the target role.
• Candidates should review the official in-scope and out-of-scope service lists because AWS periodically revises exam guides to keep the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam current.

Exam Topics

The official AWS Cloud Practitioner syllabus includes the following weighted domains and preparation focus:

• Cloud Concepts – 24%: AWS Cloud value, benefits, design principles, migration, and cloud economics.
• Security and Compliance – 30%: the shared responsibility model, governance, compliance, access, and AWS security resources.
• Cloud Technology and Services – 34%: compute, database, networking, storage, analytics, AI/ML, and other core service categories.
• Billing, Pricing, and Support – 12%: pricing models, cost-management tools, budgets, support plans, and technical resources.
• Exam Focus: The AWS Cloud Practitioner exam requires candidates to connect services and architectural choices across the four weighted domains rather than study each domain in isolation.
• Current Scope: The official AWS Cloud Practitioner syllabus also includes an in-scope AWS service list and task statements that candidates should review before scheduling.

Intended Audience

The AWS Cloud Practitioner exam is intended for professionals whose work or goals align with the AWS target candidate, including:

• Cloud Beginners
• Sales and Marketing Professionals
• Product and Project Managers
• Business Analysts
• IT Support Professionals
• Students and Career Changers
• Professionals Seeking Foundational AWS Literacy

Career Opportunities

Knowledge represented by the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam supports development toward roles such as:

• Cloud Support Associate
• Junior Cloud Practitioner
• Technical Sales Associate
• Cloud Project Coordinator
• Business Analyst
• IT Support Specialist

Average Salary (Approximate)

AWS does not publish salary ranges for AWS Cloud Practitioner holders. The following reputable employment-market estimates use closely related roles. Salaries vary by experience, employer, location, job role, and industry.

• United States: Approximately USD 121,000–193,000 per year in total pay for Cloud Engineers (Glassdoor, July 2026).
• India: Approximately INR 431,000–1,159,000 per year in total pay for Cloud Engineers (Glassdoor, July 2026).
• United Kingdom: Approximately GBP 44,000–80,000 per year in total pay for Cloud Engineers in London (Glassdoor, July 2026).
• UAE: Approximately AED 84,000–360,000 per year for Cloud Engineers in Dubai, annualized from Glassdoor’s monthly range (July 2026).

Exam Delivery Options

During AWS Cloud Practitioner exam registration, candidates can select an available Pearson VUE testing center or an online-proctored appointment.

• Pearson VUE Test Center – Take the exam in person at an authorized testing center, subject to appointment availability.
• Online Proctored Exam – AWS makes online proctoring available for AWS Certification exams through Pearson VUE, subject to the current technical and location requirements.
• Online Exam Rules: Run the system test, use an approved computer and private testing area, present acceptable identification, remove prohibited materials, and follow all proctor instructions.
• Test Center Rules: Arrive as directed, present accepted identification, store prohibited items, complete check-in, and comply with the AWS Candidate Code of Conduct and center procedures.

Exam Registration

Follow these steps to complete AWS Cloud Practitioner exam registration:

• Sign in to the AWS Certification Account and choose Schedule New Exam.
• Find the CLF-C02 AWS Cloud Practitioner exam, select Schedule at Pearson VUE, and choose test-center or online delivery.
• Select the language, location, date, and time, then verify the legal name, identification requirements, and appointment policies.
• Pay the displayed AWS Cloud Practitioner exam fee or apply an eligible voucher, confirm the booking, and save the appointment email.

After Passing the Exam

After passing the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam, review the result in the AWS Certification Account. AWS states that results are available within five business days.

• The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner digital badge is issued through Credly and can be shared to verify the credential.
• Use the AWS Certification Account to access exam history, certification benefits, and the 50% discount voucher for a future AWS Certification exam.
• Track the three-year expiration date and follow the current AWS recertification option for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner before it expires.

Why the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam Is Worth It

• Earns the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner credential
• Validates knowledge against the current AWS-published exam guide
• Demonstrates role-aligned cloud capability to employers and customers
• Unlocks AWS Certified benefits, including a future-exam discount voucher