AWS Certification Updates: October 2021

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AWS certification is well-known for providing the best IT infrastructure services for companies and businesses using cloud computing. This as a result has turned into benefits by reducing capital infrastructure expenses and variable costs with scaling the business upward. However, talking about the AWS certifications, many businesses and organizations are hiring Certified AWS candidates for helping them get increase reliability and scalability in the cloud. Thus, this has increased the value of AWS Certification globally. However, for maintaining this position, AWS has to stay up to date with the latest innovations and trends. So, to check out what’s new in AWS, in this blog, we will highlight the latest AWS October 2021 exam updates. Further, we will also learn about the active AWS exams and processes for maintaining the certifications.

AWS Certification: What’s new?

We know that AWS certification plays a major role in examining the skills and cloud expertise of candidates for having a good career. Moreover, this helps professionals to measure their skills and organizations to create an effective team for cloud initiatives. 

But, what’s new in 2021? For this, check the below section.

1. Language Updates:

AWS Certified Developer Associate and AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate

On August 10, 2021, AWS came up with an update in which there was a modification in the language for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate and AWS Certified Developer Associate exam. This introduced new languages such as French (France), German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Latin America) that will be available soon. And, these options will also be available via test delivery provider, Pearson VUE. However, previously in the July 2021 update, AWS announced languages updates for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, you can check here. Further, to better understand the language modifications, check the below table:

LanguageAWS Certified Developer – Associate (DVA-C01)AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C02)
EnglishAvailable now Available now
IndonesianNot availableNot available
JapaneseAvailable nowAvailable now
KoreanAvailable now Available now
Simplified ChineseAvailable nowAvailable now
French (France)September 9, 2021August 26, 2021 
German September 9, 2021August 26, 2021 
Italian September 9, 2021August 26, 2021 
Portuguese (Brazil)September 9, 2021August 26, 2021 
Spanish (Latin America)September 9, 2021August 26, 2021

2. Availability of AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate (SOA-C02) Exam

On July 27, 2021, AWS finally declared that candidates can now take the new AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate (SOA-C02) exam directly from the exam official page. However, the AWS Certified SysOps Administrator Associate exam is created for those in the role of systems administrators with the ability to execute a systems operations role. They must have experience of at least one year in deploying, controlling, and operating on AWS. Further, by achieving this certification, builders can display their experience and skills using AWS:

  • optimization strategies
  • network configuration
  • security implementation and compliance policies.
Summing up the modifications and changes in the AWS Exams:
Exam NameExam CodeExam Updates
AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerCLF-C02Language Updates
AWS Certified Advanced Networking – SpecialtyANS-C00No Update
AWS Certified Big Data SpecialtyThe exam is retired and updated to
AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty (DAS-C01).
Collection (18%)
Storage and Data Management (22%)
Processing (24%)
Analysis and Visualization (18%)
Security (18%)
AWS Certified Security SpecialtySCS-C01No Update
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer ProfessionalDOP-CO1No Update.
AWS Certified Developer AssociateDVA-C01Language Updates
AWS Certified Solutions Architect AssociateSAA-C02Language Updates
AWS Certified Solutions Architect ProfessionalSAP-C01No Update
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator AssociateSOA-C01The SOA-C01 exam is retired. SOA-C02 exam new version is available.
AWS Certified Alexa Skill Builder SpecialtyAXS-C01Exam Retired
AWS Certified Machine Learning SpecialtyMLS-C01No Update
AWS Certified Database SpecialtyDBS-C01No Update
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator AssociateSOA-C02New Version Exam
New Exam Course Outline:
Monitoring, Logging, and Remediation 20%
Reliability and Business Continuity 16%
Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation 18%
Security and Compliance 16%
Networking and Content Delivery 18%
Cost and Performance Optimization 12%
AWS Certified Data Analytics Specialty DAS-C01This is the new version of the Big Data Exam.

Now, we have understood the active AWS certification exam changes and the latest modifications. In the next section, we will learn about the recertification policy of AWS.

aws certifications exam online course

AWS Recertification: Maintaining your certification

AWS Certifications are only valid for three years and for maintaining your AWS Certified status, it is important to illustrate your skills using the recertification process. However, Recertification is done for improving the value of your AWS Certification. And, to display that your certification consists of the latest AWS knowledge, skills, and best practices.

Process of getting Recertified
1. Recertification for the Foundational-level certification

Taking the Cloud Practitioner exam.

  • You can retake the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam for recertification. Morever, you can use 50% discount voucher from the AWS Certification account for recertifying. Further, you can also complete the recertification requirement by passing any Associate or Professional level exam.
2. Recertification for the Associate-level certification

Taking the Associate exam

  • You can take the Associate level certification exam for the certification you have. For example, if you hold an AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate certification then, you can retake the Solutions Architect Associate exam for recertification. Further, you can complete the recertification requirement by passing exams like,
  • For the path of Architect, AWS Solutions Architect Professional exam
  • For the Developer or Operations path, AWS DevOps Engineer Professional exam
3. Recertification for the Professional-level certification

Taking the Current Professional-level exam

  • You can take the current Professional level certification exam for the certification you have. For example, if have an AWS Certified Solutions Architect Professional certification, then, you can retake the Solutions Architect – Professional exam for recertifying. Moreover, you can use your 50% discount voucher from the AWS Certification account for recertifying.
4. Recertification for the Specialty certification

Taking the Current Specialty exam

  • For specialty level exam, if have an AWS Certified Security Specialist certification then, you can retake the present Security Specialty exam for recertifying.

Final Words

Above we have learned about the modifications and updates related to the AWS certification and training. Amazon performs these changes with its exams and training for keeping everything up-to-date with the latest technology. Moreover, this also provides benefits to individuals earning this certification by helping them in enhancing their skills and knowledge. Go through the above information and get familiar with the latest modifications in AWS.

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