AWS Security Specialty Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the AWS Security Specialty, eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
$300
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 formal prerequisites. AWS states that all its certifications can be earned without completing any specific prior certification.
- AWS recommends three to five years of experience designing and implementing security solutions, as stated in the SCS-C02 exam guide.
- AWS also recommends a minimum of two years of hands-on experience securing AWS workloads in production.
- AWS notes that candidates commonly hold AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate or AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional first, although neither is required.
- Candidates aged 13 to 17 may take AWS Certification exams with the consent of a parent or legal guardian.
- You need an AWS Certification Account, which is separate from your AWS account and is created with an AWS Builder ID.
Number of Questions
65 questions, of which 50 are scored and 15 are unscored pretest items that are not identified during the exam
Duration
170 minutes
Question Format
Multiple choice with one correct response and three distractors, Multiple response with two or more correct responses out of five or more options
Passing Requirement
750 on a scaled range of 100 to 1,000, using a compensatory model that does not require a passing score in each domain
How It Is Delivered
Pearson VUE test center or online proctored exam through Pearson VUE OnVUE
Languages Offered
English, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, Spanish (Latin America)
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
- 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 Security Specialty?
There are no formal prerequisites. AWS states that all its certifications can be earned without completing any specific prior certification.. AWS recommends three to five years of experience designing and implementing security solutions, as stated in the SCS-C02 exam guide.. AWS also recommends a minimum of two years of hands-on experience securing AWS workloads in production.. AWS notes that candidates commonly hold AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate or AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional first, although neither is required.. Candidates aged 13 to 17 may take AWS Certification exams with the consent of a parent or legal guardian.. You need an AWS Certification Account, which is separate from your AWS account and is created with an AWS Builder ID..
How much does the AWS Security Specialty cost?
The AWS Security Specialty exam costs $300. This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the AWS Security Specialty?
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 Security Specialty?
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 Security Specialty?
Get the complete exam guide with study plan, tips, and practice questions.
View AWS Security Specialty Guide