IT & Cloud
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02)
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Quick facts
| Provider | Amazon Web Services (AWS) |
|---|---|
| Exam code | CLF-C02 |
| Level | beginner |
| Format | Multiple choice and multiple response |
| Questions | 65 questions (50 scored) |
| Duration | 1h 30m |
| Passing score | 700 / 1000 |
| Exam fee | $100 |
| Validity | 3 years |
| Languages | EN, DE, JA, KO, ZH, ES, FR, PT, IT |
Overview
The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) is the entry point to the AWS certification ladder. It is a foundational, non-technical exam covering cloud concepts, core AWS services, security basics, and pricing and billing.
You do not need an engineering background. It is popular with career changers, people in sales or project roles at tech companies, and students who want a recognised first credential before tackling associate-level exams.
Who it is for
- People completely new to cloud computing
- Non-engineers who work alongside technical teams
- Anyone who wants a low-risk first AWS certification
Who it is not for
- Engineers who already work in AWS daily — go straight to an Associate exam.
- People wanting deep hands-on architecture skills (this is foundational and conceptual).
- Anyone needing a role-specific credential right now.
Exam structure
| Cloud Concepts | 24% — value and economics of the cloud |
|---|---|
| Security and Compliance | 30% — the shared responsibility model and core security |
| Cloud Technology and Services | 34% — core compute, storage, networking and database services |
| Billing, Pricing and Support | 12% — pricing models and support plans |
How the exam is weighted
- Cloud Concepts 24%
- Security & Compliance 30%
- Cloud Technology & Services 34%
- Billing, Pricing & Support 12%
Realistic study time
- Non-technical / new to cloud 20-30 hours over 3-4 weeks
- Some IT background 10-15 hours
Bars show relative effort, not a guarantee. Your time depends on background and study method.
What it really costs
| Exam fee | US$100 |
|---|---|
| Retake | Full fee again |
| Study materials | US$0-50 — AWS Skill Builder free tier covers most |
| Renewal | Recertify within 3 years |
Fees change and vary by region. Confirm the current amount on the official site before you register.
Is it worth it?
Worth it as a confidence builder and a CV line for non-technical roles, or as a stepping stone. If you are an engineer aiming for cloud roles, many people skip it and start with the Solutions Architect Associate instead.
What to do next
Cloud Practitioner is the on-ramp; next is the AWS Solutions Architect Associate. See the Cloud Engineer career path.
FAQ
- Is Cloud Practitioner enough to get a cloud job?
- On its own, usually not for technical roles. It signals cloud literacy and pairs well with hands-on projects, but associate-level certifications carry more weight for engineering jobs.
- How long does it take to prepare?
- Most people need one to three weeks of part-time study. It is a foundational exam with no hands-on requirement.
- What is the difference from Solutions Architect Associate?
- Cloud Practitioner is foundational and broad; Solutions Architect Associate is intermediate and tests how you design real systems on AWS.
Related exams
- AWS Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03)— Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)— Microsoft