Best AWS Certifications for Software Engineers | Generated by AI
Question: What AWS certificates could I take as a software engineer?
Answer:
As a software engineer, AWS certifications can help validate your cloud skills, especially in building, deploying, and maintaining applications on AWS. Here are the most relevant ones in 2026, roughly in recommended learning order:
Foundational (Great starting point if you’re new to AWS)
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AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Covers basic AWS services, cloud concepts, pricing, security, and architecture basics.
Ideal first cert for almost everyone — no deep experience required.
(Exam code: CLF-C02) -
AWS Certified AI Practitioner (also foundational)
Focuses on AI/ML concepts and AWS AI services — useful if you’re interested in adding AI features to your applications.
Associate Level (Most practical for software engineers)
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AWS Certified Developer – Associate
This is usually the #1 recommendation for software engineers / developers.
Validates skills in developing, testing, deploying, and debugging cloud-based applications using AWS SDKs, CLI, APIs (Lambda, API Gateway, DynamoDB, S3, etc.), CI/CD, and security best practices.
(Exam code: DVA-C02 or later version) -
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
Very popular and broadly recognized. Focuses on designing scalable, highly available, cost-effective systems.
Many software engineers take this because it gives strong architectural knowledge useful for system design interviews and building real-world apps.
Often considered slightly broader/more valuable on resumes than Developer Associate alone.
Professional Level (Advanced – after 1–2 Associate certs + experience)
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AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
Excellent for software engineers who work with CI/CD, infrastructure as code (IaC), automation, monitoring, and operations.
Covers advanced topics like CodePipeline, CodeBuild, CloudFormation, OpsWorks, Elastic Beanstalk, etc. -
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
Deep architectural expertise — very respected but quite challenging.
Specialty (Pick based on your focus area)
- AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty — if you build ML models
- AWS Certified Security – Specialty — if security is your interest
- AWS Certified Data Engineer – Associate — if you work heavily with data pipelines
- AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty — less common for pure software engineers
Recommended Path for Most Software Engineers (2026)
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (optional but helpful if you’re new to cloud)
- AWS Certified Developer – Associate or AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (many people do both)
- Later: AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional (if you like automation & deployment)
or AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional (if you aim for senior/architect roles)
The Developer – Associate is the most directly aligned with writing code and building applications on AWS, while Solutions Architect – Associate often opens more doors in job searches.
All certifications are valid for 3 years and can be recertified by retaking the exam or earning a higher-level one.
Start preparing with AWS free digital training on Skill Builder, official practice exams, and hands-on labs (build real projects!).
References:
- AWS Certification official page
- AWS Certified Developer - Associate
- AWS Certification Paths PDF
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate