Which AWS Certification Should You Start With? (Beginner Roadmap).

If you’re planning to start a career in cloud computing, one of the most common questions is: Which AWS certification should you start with?

With multiple certification paths available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming especially if you’re a beginner with no prior cloud experience.

In this complete beginner roadmap, we’ll break down:

• The AWS certification path
• The best AWS certification for beginners
• Study timelines
• Career goals alignment
• And how to choose the right starting point

Let’s dive in.

Why AWS Certification Matters in 2026

Cloud computing continues to dominate the IT industry, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) remains the market leader. An AWS certification:

• Validates your cloud computing skills
• Improves job opportunities
• Increases salary potential
• Builds credibility in interviews
• Helps career switchers enter tech

If you’re serious about cloud computing, getting AWS certified is one of the smartest moves you can make.

Understanding the AWS Certification Path

Before choosing where to start, you need to understand the AWS certification roadmap.

AWS certifications are divided into four levels:

1️⃣ Foundational Level

• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

2️⃣ Associate Level

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
• AWS Certified Developer – Associate
• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate

3️⃣ Professional Level

• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
• AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional

4️⃣ Specialty Level

(Security, Machine Learning, Advanced Networking, Data, etc.)

For beginners, the real question is:

Should you start with Cloud Practitioner or jump directly to Associate?

Best AWS Certification for Beginners

Option 1: Start with AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

Best for:

• Non-technical professionals
• Students
• Project managers
• Sales / finance professionals
• Absolute beginners in IT

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is the entry-level AWS certification.

What You Learn:

• Basic cloud computing concepts
• AWS global infrastructure
• Core AWS services (EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda)
• Billing and pricing models
• Security fundamentals

Preparation Time:

2–4 weeks (if consistent)

Difficulty Level:

⭐ Easy

Should You Start Here?

✔ Yes — if you’re completely new to cloud or IT
❌ No — if you already have IT or networking experience

Option 2: Start Directly with Solutions Architect Associate

If you already have:

• Basic IT knowledge
• Networking fundamentals
• Some hands-on experience
• Or strong self-learning ability

You can skip Cloud Practitioner and start with:

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

This is the most popular AWS certification worldwide.

What You Learn:

• Designing scalable AWS architectures
• High availability & fault tolerance
• Security best practices
• Cost optimization
• Real-world cloud architecture scenarios

Preparation Time:

6–10 weeks

Difficulty Level:

⭐⭐⭐ Moderate

Career Value:

Very high

For most technical beginners, this is the best AWS certification to start with.

Decision Framework: Which AWS Certification Should You Start With?

Use this quick guide:

Your Background	Start With
No IT background	Cloud Practitioner
IT student	Solutions Architect Associate
Developer	Developer Associate
System Admin	SysOps Associate
Career switcher (non-tech)	Cloud Practitioner → Solutions Architect
Already in cloud	Skip to Associate

AWS Certification Roadmap for Beginners

Here’s a practical roadmap:

Step 1: Learn Cloud Basics (2–3 Weeks)

• What is cloud computing?
• IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS
• Regions & Availability Zones

Step 2: Create AWS Free Tier Account

Practice with:

• EC2
• S3
• IAM
• VPC

Hands-on experience is critical for passing AWS certification exams.

Step 3: Choose Your First Exam

Most beginners follow:

Cloud Practitioner → Solutions Architect Associate → Professional → Specialty

OR

Solutions Architect Associate → Professional → Specialty

Should You Skip Cloud Practitioner?

Many people ask:

“Can I skip AWS Cloud Practitioner?”

The answer: Yes if you are technically inclined.

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is great for fundamentals, but it does not deeply test architecture skills.

If your goal is:

• Cloud Engineer
• Solutions Architect
• DevOps Engineer
• AWS Developer

Then starting with Associate level saves time.

How Long Does It Take to Get AWS Certified?

Certification	Avg Study Time
Cloud Practitioner	2–4 weeks
Solutions Architect Associate	6–10 weeks
Professional	3–6 months

Consistency matters more than speed.

Career Impact of Starting with the Right AWS Certification

Choosing the right starting point can:

• Reduce preparation time
• Save exam fees
• Improve confidence
• Accelerate job readiness
• Help you build structured cloud knowledge

The most in-demand AWS certification for beginners in technical roles remains:

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

Final Recommendation (Beginner Roadmap Summary)

If you’re completely new →
Start with AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

If you have technical background →
Start with AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

If you’re a developer →
Consider AWS Certified Developer – Associate

If you’re a system administrator →
Consider AWS Certified SysOps Administrator – Associate

Conclusion

So, which AWS certification should you start with?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

But for most beginners aiming for a cloud career: