AWS Cloud Practitioner Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the AWS Cloud Practitioner, eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
$100
Provider
Amazon Web Services
Validity
3 years
Available
Global
Education
No formal education requirement
Experience
Recommended but not required, varies by level
Specific Requirements
- There are no prerequisites. AWS states that all AWS Certifications may be earned without completing specific prerequisites.
- AWS recommends up to six months of exposure to AWS Cloud design, implementation, or operations, but frames this as a recommendation rather than a requirement.
- No coding ability is needed. The exam guide lists coding as out of scope for the target candidate.
- You need an AWS Certification Account, created with an AWS Builder ID at aws.training/Certification. This is separate from an AWS account used to run workloads.
- The first and last names in that account must match your government-issued photo ID exactly, in Roman characters.
- Candidates aged 13 to 17 may sit the exam with the consent of a parent or legal guardian, who must accompany them to the test center and present a primary ID.
Number of Questions
65 questions, of which 50 are scored and 15 are unscored pretest items that are not marked as such
Duration
90 minutes of exam time. Non-native English speakers who request the ESL +30 accommodation in advance receive 30 additional minutes.
Question Format
Multiple choice: one correct response and three distractors, Multiple response: two or more correct responses among five or more options, No penalty for guessing; unanswered questions are scored as incorrect
Passing Requirement
700, the minimum passing scaled score for all AWS Foundational-level exams
How It Is Delivered
Pearson VUE test center or OnVUE online proctored exam. AWS configures no scheduled breaks. Test center candidates may take unscheduled breaks but the clock keeps running and they may not leave the building. Online candidates may not leave the camera view for any reason.
Languages Offered
Arabic, English, Bahasa Indonesian (retires after July 16, 2026), French (France), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish (Latin America), Spanish (Spain), Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese
Create an AWS Certification account at aws.amazon.com/certification
Select your exam and choose Pearson VUE as testing provider
Choose test center or online proctored option
Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
Score Scale
100 to 1,000 scaled score
Score You Need
700, the minimum passing scaled score for all AWS Foundational-level exams
How It Is Calculated
AWS sets the raw passing standard on the first test form using the modified Angoff technique, in which content experts rate each question against a minimally qualified candidate. Every later form is statistically equated to that standard, so a harder form needs fewer correct answers. Scoring is compensatory, meaning only the overall total matters. There is no penalty for guessing, and unanswered questions count as incorrect.
When You Get Results
AWS posts final results to your AWS Certification Account within five business days of the close of the exam. A downloadable PDF score report with section-level classifications appears under Exam History.
- Two forms of valid ID (one with photo)
- Confirmation email with appointment details
- For online: clear desk, webcam, stable internet
What are the prerequisites for the AWS Cloud Practitioner?
There are no prerequisites. AWS states that all AWS Certifications may be earned without completing specific prerequisites.. AWS recommends up to six months of exposure to AWS Cloud design, implementation, or operations, but frames this as a recommendation rather than a requirement.. No coding ability is needed. The exam guide lists coding as out of scope for the target candidate.. You need an AWS Certification Account, created with an AWS Builder ID at aws.training/Certification. This is separate from an AWS account used to run workloads.. The first and last names in that account must match your government-issued photo ID exactly, in Roman characters.. Candidates aged 13 to 17 may sit the exam with the consent of a parent or legal guardian, who must accompany them to the test center and present a primary ID..
How much does the AWS Cloud Practitioner cost?
The AWS Cloud Practitioner exam costs $100. This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the AWS Cloud Practitioner?
Create an AWS Certification account at aws.amazon.com/certification → Select your exam and choose Pearson VUE as testing provider → Choose test center or online proctored option → Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
What should I bring to the AWS Cloud Practitioner?
Two forms of valid ID (one with photo). Confirmation email with appointment details. For online: clear desk, webcam, stable internet.
Ready to prepare for AWS Cloud Practitioner?
Get the complete exam guide with study plan, tips, and practice questions.
View AWS Cloud Practitioner Guide