Amazon Web Services (AWS)

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate

Credential: AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate  GI Bill resource
Credentialing Agency: Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Renewal Period: 3 years

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate certification is intended for individuals who perform a Solutions Architect role. The exam validates an examinee's ability to effectively demonstrate knowledge of how to architect and deploy secure and robust applications on AWS technologies. It validates a candidate's ability to define a solution using architectural design principles based on customer requirements and provide implementation guidance based on best practices to the organization throughout the lifecycle of the project. Eligible candidates should have one year of hands-on experience designing available, cost-efficient, fault-tolerant, and scalable distributed systems on AWS, in-depth knowledge of at least one high-level programming language, ability to identify and define requirements for an AWS-based application, experience with deploying hybrid systems with on-premises and AWS components, and capability to provide best practices for building secure and reliable applications on the AWS platform.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:    high

Eligibility Requirements (View Details)

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience: 1 year recommended
  • Education
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

Exam Administration (View Details)

  • In-person exam
  • Remote proctored on-line exam
  • Third-party test vendor

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: 3 years

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

410 Terry Avenue North
Seattle, WA  98109

Phone: 2062661000

Fax: 2062664952
Contact Page

Written Exam SAA-C01

  • Domain 1: Design Resilient Architectures (34%)
    • 1.1 Choose reliable/resilient storage.
    • 1.2 Determine how to design decoupling mechanisms using AWS services.
    • 1.3 Determine how to design a multi-tier architecture solution.
    • 1.4 Determine how to design high availability and/or fault tolerant architectures.
  • Domain 2: Define Performant Architectures (24%)
    • 2.1 Choose performant storage and databases.
    • 2.2 Apply caching to improve performance.
    • 2.3 Design solutions for elasticity and scalability.
  • Domain 3: Specify Secure Applications and Architectures (26%)
    • 3.1 Determine how to secure application tiers.
    • 3.2 Determine how to secure data.
    • 3.3 Define the networking infrastructure for a single VPC application.
  • Domain 4: Design Cost-Optimized Architectures (10%)
    • 4.1 Determine how to design cost-optimized storage.
    • 4.2 Determine how to design cost-optimized compute.
  • Domain 5: Define Operationally Excellent Architectures (6%)
    • 5.1 Choose design features in solutions that enable operational excellence.

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate examination:

An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.

Testing Information

  • Exam Administration

    Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate credential where checked:

    • In-person exam
    • Remote proctored on-line exam
    • Third-party test vendor

  • For more information on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) testing process, visit the agency website.

RECERTIFICATION

AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate

Renewal Period: 3 years

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate credential has the following recertification information:

  • AWS certifications are valid for 3 years. Certification holders may recertify by taking the current Associate-level exam for the certification already held or by passing either the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional exam for the Architect path or AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional exam for the Developer or Operations path.
  • Note: Marine Corps COOL will only pay recertification fees for the current year, no arrears will be paid. Voucher requests for recertification fees must be submitted with proof of the current status of the certification (for example, a screen shot of your credentialing agency dashboard or a copy of a current fee receipt).

Additional considerations for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate include:

  • It is recommended that candidates have one year of hands-on experience designing available, cost-efficient, fault-tolerant, and scalable distributed systems on AWS.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand. The U.S. Department of Labor sponsored CareerOneStop's analysis indicates the certification is frequently mentioned in online job postings.

Click for external link to CareerOneStop's Credentials Center.

COOL Bucks

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Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

CA Eligible

This certification is eligible for CA.

Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click Menu at the top of any page, then click "2 Complete Voucher and Apply" under Credentialing Steps.

CG Bucks

Current Coast Guard policy states all credentials listed on CG COOL may be reimbursed assuming the enlisted service member meets the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Coast Guard Voluntary Credentialing Program Policy (COMDTINST 1540.1(series))

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 through E9

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 through E9

Early Career

1-6 years experience; Officer O1 through O2

Mid Career

6-12 years experience; Officer O3 through O5

Late Career

12+ years experience; Officer O6 and Above

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

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ANAB (ANSI)

This credential has been accredited by ANAB (ANSI).

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ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC.

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ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC.

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NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA.

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IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS.

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Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: minimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty
AOC is Area Of Concentration Officer
Functional Area
Branch

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Registered Apprenticeship

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Updated: January 29, 2021
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