Exam Overview

The AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate exam is the current associate exam for earning AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate. It follows the official AWS exam guide for MLA-C01. AWS states that registration for MLA-C02 opens September 1, 2026, and the last day to take MLA-C01 in English is September 28, 2026. Other MLA-C01 languages remain available until MLA-C02 general availability.

• Exam Code: MLA-C01
• Level: Associate AWS Certification exam
• Duration: 130 minutes. Available languages: English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese.
• Passing Score: 720 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 Machine Learning Engineer Associate exam contains 65 questions and measures the weighted domains in the official AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate 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 Machine Learning Engineer Associate 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 Machine Learning Engineer Associate exam fee applies to every retake unless a valid AWS promotion or voucher states otherwise.

Certification Validity and Renewal Options

Passing the AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate exam earns the AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate 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 passing the latest version of the Machine Learning Engineer – Associate exam or an AWS-published higher-level qualifying exam.

Exam Fee

• Base AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate exam fee: USD 150, excluding applicable taxes. This base amount is the main component of the AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate 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 Machine Learning Engineer Associate certification cost.
• Example (India): Candidates in India are subject to 18% GST, bringing the total exam fee to USD 177 (USD 150 + USD 27 GST).

Prerequisites

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

• AWS targets candidates with at least one year of machine-learning engineering or related experience and one year of hands-on AWS experience, including Amazon SageMaker and other ML engineering services.
• Preparation should combine the current official AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate 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 Machine Learning Engineer Associate exam current.

Exam Topics

The official AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate syllabus includes the following weighted domains and preparation focus:

• Data Preparation for Machine Learning – 28%: data ingestion, transformation, validation, feature engineering, and preparation for modeling.
• ML Model Development – 26%: model selection, training, tuning, performance analysis, and version management.
• Deployment and Orchestration of ML Workflows – 22%: endpoints, compute, scaling, containers, workflow orchestration, and CI/CD.
• ML Solution Monitoring, Maintenance, and Security – 24%: model and data monitoring, drift, troubleshooting, access, protection, and cost.
• Exam Focus: The AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate 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 Machine Learning Engineer Associate syllabus also includes an in-scope AWS service list and task statements that candidates should review before scheduling.

Intended Audience

The AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate exam is intended for professionals whose work or goals align with the AWS target candidate, including:

• Machine Learning Engineers
• MLOps Engineers
• Data Scientists
• Backend Developers
• DevOps Engineers
• Data Engineers
• Professionals Operationalizing ML on AWS

Career Opportunities

Knowledge represented by the AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate exam supports development toward roles such as:

• Machine Learning Engineer
• MLOps Engineer
• Applied Data Scientist
• ML Platform Engineer
• AI Infrastructure Engineer
• Cloud ML Developer

Average Salary (Approximate)

AWS does not publish salary ranges for AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate 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 125,000–205,000 per year in total pay for Machine Learning Engineers (Glassdoor, July 2026).
• India: Approximately INR 800,000–2,400,000 per year in total pay for Machine Learning Engineers (Glassdoor, July 2026).
• United Kingdom: Approximately GBP 55,000–95,000 per year in total pay for Machine Learning Engineers in London (Glassdoor, July 2026).
• UAE: Approximately AED 180,000–360,000 per year for Machine Learning Engineers in Dubai (Glassdoor, July 2026).

Exam Delivery Options

During AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate 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 Machine Learning Engineer Associate exam registration:

• Sign in to the AWS Certification Account and choose Schedule New Exam.
• Find the MLA-C01 AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate 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 Machine Learning Engineer Associate exam fee or apply an eligible voucher, confirm the booking, and save the appointment email.

After Passing the Exam

After passing the AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate exam, review the result in the AWS Certification Account. AWS states that results are available within five business days.

• The AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate 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 Machine Learning Engineer – Associate before it expires.

Why the AWS Machine Learning Engineer Associate exam Is Worth It

• Earns the AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate 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