Exam Overview

The AWS Solutions Architect Professional exam is the current professional exam for earning AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional. It follows the official AWS exam guide for SAP-C02.

• Exam Code: SAP-C02
• Level: Professional AWS Certification exam
• Duration: 180 minutes. Available languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, and Spanish (Latin America).
• Passing Score: 750 on AWS’s scaled score range of 100–1,000.
• Scored and Unscored Content: 65 questions affect the score and 10 unscored questions are not identified.

Exam Structure

The AWS Solutions Architect Professional exam contains 75 questions and measures the weighted domains in the official AWS Solutions Architect Professional syllabus.

• Question Types: Multiple choice and multiple response.
• Number of Questions: 75.
• 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 Solutions Architect Professional 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 Solutions Architect Professional exam fee applies to every retake unless a valid AWS promotion or voucher states otherwise.

Certification Validity and Renewal Options

Passing the AWS Solutions Architect Professional exam earns the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional 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 Solutions Architect – Professional exam or using the current AWS Skill Builder maintenance option.

Exam Fee

• Base AWS Solutions Architect Professional exam fee: USD 300, excluding applicable taxes. This base amount is the main component of the AWS Solutions Architect Professional 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 Solutions Architect Professional certification cost.
• Example (India): Candidates in India are subject to 18% GST, bringing the total exam fee to USD 354 (USD 300 + USD 54 GST).

Prerequisites

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

• There are no formal certification prerequisites. AWS recommends two or more years of experience using AWS services to design and implement cloud solutions across complex organizations.
• Preparation should combine the current official AWS Solutions Architect Professional 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 Solutions Architect Professional exam current.

Exam Topics

The official AWS Solutions Architect Professional syllabus includes the following weighted domains and preparation focus:

• Design Solutions for Organizational Complexity – 26%: multi-account strategy, governance, connectivity, security, and enterprise-scale requirements.
• Design for New Solutions – 29%: reliable, secure, high-performing, cost-optimized architectures for complex requirements.
• Continuous Improvement for Existing Solutions – 25%: operational excellence, reliability, performance, security, and cost improvements.
• Accelerate Workload Migration and Modernization – 20%: assessment, migration strategy, modernization patterns, data movement, and organizational enablement.
• Exam Focus: The AWS Solutions Architect Professional 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 Solutions Architect Professional syllabus also includes an in-scope AWS service list and task statements that candidates should review before scheduling.

Intended Audience

The AWS Solutions Architect Professional exam is intended for professionals whose work or goals align with the AWS target candidate, including:

• Senior Solutions Architects
• Cloud Architects
• Enterprise Architects
• Cloud Consultants
• Migration Architects
• Technical Leads
• Professionals Designing Complex AWS Environments

Career Opportunities

Knowledge represented by the AWS Solutions Architect Professional exam supports development toward roles such as:

• Senior Cloud Solutions Architect
• Enterprise Cloud Architect
• Cloud Transformation Architect
• Principal Solutions Architect
• Cloud Strategy Consultant
• Migration and Modernization Architect

Average Salary (Approximate)

AWS does not publish salary ranges for AWS Solutions Architect Professional 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 134,000–220,000 per year in total pay for Solutions Architects (Glassdoor, July 2026).
• India: Approximately INR 1,500,000–3,500,000 per year in total pay for Solutions Architects (Glassdoor, July 2026).
• United Kingdom: Approximately GBP 71,000–112,000 per year in total pay for Solutions Architects in London (Glassdoor, July 2026).
• UAE: Approximately AED 187,000–329,000 per year for Solutions Architects in Dubai (Glassdoor, July 2026).

Exam Delivery Options

During AWS Solutions Architect Professional 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 Solutions Architect Professional exam registration:

• Sign in to the AWS Certification Account and choose Schedule New Exam.
• Find the SAP-C02 AWS Solutions Architect Professional 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 Solutions Architect Professional exam fee or apply an eligible voucher, confirm the booking, and save the appointment email.

After Passing the Exam

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

• The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional 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 Solutions Architect – Professional before it expires.

Why the AWS Solutions Architect Professional exam Is Worth It

• Earns the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional 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