How much does the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam cost? (2026)

Before you start studying for the AWS Cloud Practitioner, a practical question: how much will the exam cost you?

The answer is simpler than it seems: AWS charges the same price in dollars worldwide. Here are the numbers, the extra costs to watch out for, and how to lower the total.

Official CLF-C02 price

The CLF-C02 exam costs USD 100, regardless of the country you take it from. You schedule it from your AWS Certification account and take it with Pearson VUE, either at an authorized test center or online from home.

What you'll actually pay

• ▸Taxes: some countries add VAT or sales tax to the exam price at checkout.
• ▸Currency conversion: if your card isn't in US dollars, your bank converts the amount and may add an international transaction fee.

Always check the current price at aws.amazon.com/certification before registering.

Rescheduling and retakes

• ▸Rescheduling or canceling is free up to 24 hours before your appointment (each appointment can be rescheduled up to twice). Within those 24 hours, or if you don't show up, you lose the full exam fee.
• ▸Retakes require a 14-day wait after a failed attempt. There's no limit on attempts, but every attempt is paid in full.

Comparison with the AZ-900

Microsoft's AZ-900 has a reference price of USD 99 in the United States, but Microsoft adjusts the price by country, so depending on where you are it can come out somewhat cheaper or more expensive. In practice, both fundamentals exams cost about the same; price shouldn't be what decides between them.

How to get the CLF-C02 for free or at a discount

1. 50% discount with a previous certification

If you already hold an AWS certification, you get a 50% discount voucher for your next exam. It shows up in your AWS Certification account benefits after you pass, and you need to apply it when you book.

2. AWS re/Start and training programs

AWS runs free training programs with universities, nonprofits, and governments. Some include exam vouchers. Look for "AWS re/Start" in your country.

3. AWS Educate

If you're a student, you can sign up for AWS Educate to access free resources and, in some cases, benefits for certification exams.

4. AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials (free)

AWS's official course for the CLF-C02 is available for free on AWS Skill Builder. It doesn't include an exam voucher, but it's official material and costs nothing.

5. Employer sponsorship

Many tech companies pay for their employees' AWS certifications. It's worth asking before you assume you have to pay for it yourself.

💡 The 50% discount is the most concrete benefit of earning any AWS certification. With the CLF-C02 passed, your next exam (for example, the USD 150 SAA-C03) costs you USD 75.

In person or online?

Online from home:

• ▸Wide availability of time slots
• ▸Requires a webcam, microphone, stable connection, and a private room with no interruptions
• ▸A proctor monitors the session in real time
• ▸Same price as in person

At an authorized test center:

• ▸More limited schedules
• ▸Controlled environment, no distractions
• ▸Recommended if your internet connection isn't completely reliable

Most candidates prefer the online format for its flexibility, but if your connection is unstable, the test center avoids the risk of disconnecting during the exam.

Is the investment worth it?

AWS is the main infrastructure for a huge number of companies, from large e-commerce and fintech platforms to thousands of startups. The CLF-C02 is the entry point to a certification ecosystem in high demand for technical cloud roles, and USD 100 is a small investment against that return, especially if you then use the 50% discount for your next exam.

Prepare well before paying for the exam Rescheduling or canceling outside the allowed window, or not showing up, costs you the full exam. Before booking, practice with Brains4Cloud's CLF-C02 practice exams and review with the CLF-C02 guide. Create your free account and measure your real level.