AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner: Free Prep Course + $100 Exam

Earn AWS's official entry-level credential and prove you understand cloud computing, not just how to talk about it. Prepare for free with AWS's own training, then sit a single $100 proctored exam to become AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner.

Official AWS exam preparation, free foundational training, practice questions, and an AWS-issued certification validating core cloud knowledge.

What this is

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is AWS's official entry-level certification, earned by passing the CLF-C02 exam: a timed, proctored test taken either at a Pearson VUE test center or online through OnVUE. The certification itself validates a broad, foundational understanding of AWS Cloud concepts, services, security, architecture, pricing, and support. To prepare, AWS offers AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials on Coursera at no cost, a 13-module course covering the exam's core topics with hands-on demos. AWS's own materials note the free course provides a broad overview of exam content, and additional study is typically needed beyond it.

Who it's for

  • People with no prior IT or cloud experience who want to start learning about cloud computing.
  • Individuals switching careers into cloud-related work.
  • Line-of-business employees who want foundational cloud knowledge.
  • People beginning their AWS Certification journey.

Requirements

  • Completion of exam prep, whether through the free Coursera course, AWS's own study materials, or third-party practice resources

What you get

  • A free, AWS-built prep course (AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials) covering exam-aligned content in 13 modules
  • A single $100 USD proctored exam (CLF-C02), covering cloud concepts, security, technology, and billing/pricing
  • An officially recognized AWS credential upon passing, one of the most widely held entry-level cloud certifications
  • A 50% discount voucher toward your next AWS certification exam after passing, useful if continuing on to Solutions Architect or a specialty track
  • The option to retake the exam after a mandatory 14-day wait if you don't pass the first time
  • The option to take the 65-question certification exam online through Pearson VUE or at a Pearson VUE testing center.

Why this is useful

AWS gives learners a direct path from official preparation to an AWS-issued certification. The Cloud Practitioner certification is AWS's foundational credential and is specifically designed for people starting their cloud journey, including those with no previous IT or cloud experience.


The preparation is also built around the actual certification exam. AWS's current Exam Prep Plan includes free practice question sets and an Exam Prep course, with additional practice resources available through AWS Skill Builder subscriptions.


For someone looking to establish a foundation before progressing into more technical AWS certifications, Cloud Practitioner provides a clear first credential in the AWS Certification pathway.

Put an AWS Certification on Your Cloud Career Path

Build your cloud foundation with official AWS training, prepare for the exam, and earn a recognized credential that can move your learning forward.

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