To earn this AWS certification, you\u2019ll need to understand one high-level programming language and have a basic understanding of cloud apps, software and app development, and AWS service development<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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The AWS Certified Developer Associate certification exam includes four sections: development with AWS services, security, deployment, and troubleshooting and optimization<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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You can prepare for the exam by building app and web development skills, taking an exam preparation course, and participating in boot camps.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Learn more about the AWS Certified Developer Associate certification and the steps you can take to prepare. If you\u2019re ready to learn more about AWS, consider enrolling in the AWS Fundamentals Specialization. In as little as four weeks, you\u2019ll have the opportunity to learn about core AWS services, key AWS security concepts, and the basics of building serverless applications with AWS<\/p>\n
What is an AWS Certified Developer Associate?<\/h2>\n
Amazon Web Services offers the AWS Certified Developer Associate certification for professionals who work as AWS Cloud developers. AWS certification demonstrates to potential employers that you have knowledge and experience developing, testing, and deploying programs and apps based on the AWS Cloud<\/p>\n
AWS certification hierarchy<\/h3>\n
AWS offers certifications at four different levels: foundational, associate, professional, and specialty. Foundational exams are for beginners who don\u2019t have prior experience in the topic, while associate certifications represent some level of experience in the field. Professional certifications represent professionals with at least two years of experience working with AWS Cloud products, and a specialty certification represents a professional with deep expertise in a particular area.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Within each level, AWS offers certifications tailored to your career goals. You can choose to follow an established certification path or create your own for even more flexibility.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Foundational certifications:<\/b>Cloud Practitioner and AI Practitioner<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Associate certifications:<\/b> CloudOps Engineer, Developer, Solutions Architect, Data Engineer, or Machine Learning Engineer<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Professional Certificates:<\/b>Solutions Architect, DevOps Engineer, and Generative AI Developer<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Specialty certifications:<\/b>Advanced Networking, Certified Security<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How hard is the AWS Certified Developer Associate exam, and is it worth it?<\/h2>\n
Earning your AWS Certified Developer Associate can help you learn new skills and demonstrate your expertise using AWS Cloud services. You can also apply what you learn to more advanced certifications at the professional or specialty level. Explore the requirements, prerequisites, exam format, and key topics on the exam.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Certification requirements<\/h3>\n
To become an AWS Certified Developer Associate, you will need to take and pass the exam. You can choose to use AWS reso choose which exam is right for you based on your education and experience in the field.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Prerequisites for candidates<\/h3>\n
Amazon recommends that you have at least one year of experience working with AWS Cloud services before taking this exam. You should also have general IT skills such as:\u00a0<\/p>\n
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At least one high-level programming language<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Basic understanding of cloud-based apps<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Basic experience with software and app development\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Experience developing with AWS Services<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You don\u2019t have to complete a foundational level certification to qualify for the associate level. However, the foundational certification is one way to gain the information technology (IT) and AWS skills you\u2019ll need to be successful in the AWS Certified Developer Associate exam.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Exam format and structure<\/h3>\n
The AWS Certified Developer Associate exam consists of 65 multiple-choice or multiple-response questions. Multiple-choice questions have one correct answer and several incorrect answers, while multiple-response questions have two or more correct answers within a set of options. You will have 130 minutes to complete it. You can also choose between taking the exam through an in-person testing center or a proctored online exam. To pass the exam, you will need a score of at least 720 out of a possible 1,000 [1<\/a>].\u00a0<\/p>\n
Key topics covered<\/h3>\n
The AWS Certified Developer Associate exam consists of four sections: development with AWS services, security, deployment, and troubleshooting and optimization. Development, representing 32 percent of the exam, covers topics like developing with AWS Services, developing with AWS Lambda, and data storage [1<\/a>].\u00a0<\/p>\n
The security component represents 26 percent of the exam and covers topics like implementing authentication, implementing encryption, and managing sensitive data. Deployment, worth 24 percent of the exam, covers preparing artifacts for deployment, testing apps within IDEs, automating deployment testing, and deploying with AWS CI\/CD [1<\/a>].\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finally, the troubleshooting and optimization section represents the remaining 18 percent of the exam and covers root cause analysis, observability, and optimizing apps with AWS services [1<\/a>].\u00a0<\/p>\n
Is AWS better than CCNA?<\/h3>\n
When comparing the AWS and Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certifications, the best one depends on your desired career path and existing IT knowledge. The AWS certifications focus on cloud computing and cloud architecture using Amazon Web Services, while the CCNA exam tests your knowledge of network fundamentals and network access<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/justfineinfotech.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/purple-hash-pattern.svg_-2.png\")
<\/p>\nHow to become an AWS Certified Developer Associate<\/h2>\n
To become an AWS Certified Developer Associate, you will need to have a strong knowledge of the concepts covered on the exam and gain experience working with AWS services. Additionally, you\u2019ll need to study and prepare for the exam and then register and pass the exam. After completing these steps, you\u2019ll officially be an AWS Certified Developer Associate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Step 1: Gain experience and learn AWS developer concepts.\u00a0<\/h3>\n
The first step is to learn AWS developer concepts and to gain the recommended one year of experience working with AWS applications before taking the exam. While you can choose from many paths to gain experience and knowledge in the field, one strategy is to complete the AWS Fundamentals Specialization offered by AWS on Coursera. This option lets you learn about AWS services directly from AWS with three courses: AWS Cloud Technical Essentials, Migrating to the AWS Cloud, and Architecting Solutions on AWS.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Step 2: Study and prepare for the exam<\/h3>\n
The second step is to study and prepare for the exam. You can prepare for the exam by learning about the format and structure of the exam and by deciding if you will take the exam in person or a proctored online exam. You can learn more about the contents of the exam by reading the exam guide<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You can also refresh your AWS skills and prepare for the test by taking an exam preparation course, such as the Exam Prep Standard Course<\/a> offered through AWS Skillbuilder. You may also be able to find short but intensive boot camps to help you review. You don\u2019t have to complete any particular exam or study prep course before you can qualify to take the exam, so the method you choose is up to you.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Step 3: Register and pass the exam<\/h3>\n
The third step is to register for and pass the exam. You can check to ensure you\u2019re prepared with the AWS practice exam before creating an AWS Training and Certification account and scheduling your exam.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Careers for an AWS Certified Developer Associate<\/h2>\n
After earning your AWS Certified Developer Associate, you can also consider continuing to earn a professional or specialty-level AWS certification. You can also put your skills to practice in an AWS developer position. A few careers you can explore after becoming an AWS Certified Developer Associate include software engineering, test engineering, or Cloud DevOps engineer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
All salary information represents the media<\/a>n total pay from Glassdoor as of May 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation<\/p>\n
Software engineer<\/h3>\n
Median total pay in the US:<\/b>$150,000 [2<\/a>]<\/p>\n
Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034):<\/b>15 percent [3<\/a>]<\/p>\n
As a software engineer, you will use engineering principles to design and develop software solutions. Software engineers sometimes work on software for other software solutions, such as operating systems or apps that allow two pieces of software to communicate. In this role, you can work in many different industries that rely on software for business and organizational operations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Test engineer<\/h3>\n
Median total pay in the US:<\/b>$111,000 [4<\/a>]<\/p>\n
Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034):<\/b>15 percent [3<\/a>]<\/p>\n
As a test engineer, you will design tests that other professionals will use to analyze software quality, products, mechanical and electrical systems, and more. In this role, you will likely specialize in one kind of product or system and develop a process for determining quality. As a software testing engineer, you will specialize in assessing software quality, and you may work as part of the quality assurance team.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cloud DevOps engineer\u00a0<\/h3>\n
Median total pay in the US:<\/b> $157,000 [5<\/a>]<\/p>\n
Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034):<\/b>15 percent [3<\/a>]<\/p>\n
As a cloud DevOps engineer, you will help oversee and manage the development and operations of cloud-based applications or computing systems. You will help create, deploy, and manage cloud services while implementing continuous integration and continuous deployment and other aspects of the development lifecycle. In this role, you will have a leadership role in a team of development professionals.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Explore free IT and career resources<\/h2>\n
Learn about potential career paths and assess your skills by visiting our Career Reification by accessing these free re<\/p>\n
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Read our Career Chat issue:<\/b>Ready for a Tech Career? How to Choose Between IT and Cloud Support<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Build your knowledge:<\/b>Python Glossary: Key Terms & Definitions\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Watch on YouTube:<\/b>Your Guide to a Cloud Computing Career<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Whether you want to develop a new skill, get comfortable with an in-demand technology, or advance your abilities, keep growing with a Coursera Plus subscription. You\u2019ll get access to over 10,000 flexible courses.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Build job-ready skills with Coursera Plus<\/h5>\n
Start 7-day free trial
\nStart 7-day free trial<\/p>\nArticle sources<\/h2>\n
1.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amazon Web Services. \u201cAWS Certified Developer Associate Exam Guide, https:\/\/d1.awsstatic.com\/training-and-certification\/docs-dev-associate\/AWS-Certified-Developer-Associate_Exam-Guide.pdf.\u201d Accessed May 19, 2026<\/p>\n
Keep reading<\/h2>\n
- \n
- AWS Cloud Practitioner Salary: Your 2026 Guide
\nOctober 31, 2025<\/li>\n - 5 Cloud Certifications to Start Your Cloud Career in 2026
\nFebruary 27, 2026<\/li>\n - DevOps Engineer vs. Cloud Engineer: Which Career Path Is Right for You?
\nDecember 31, 2025<\/li>\n - Your Guide to AWS Certification
\nOctober 20, 2025<\/li>\n - What Is the Best Way to Learn AWS?
\nFebruary 6, 2026<\/li>\n - Which AWS Exam Should I Take? Understanding AWS Certification
\nSeptember 24, 2025<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nUpdated on May 29, 2026
\nWritten by:<\/p>\nCoursera Staff<\/h3>\n
Editorial Team<\/p>\n
Coursera\u2019s editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact<\/p>\n
This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals<\/p>\n
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- AWS Cloud Practitioner Salary: Your 2026 Guide
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