Budget the exam before the course
AWS lists exam prices by type: Foundational and Business-category exams $100, Associate $150, Professional and Specialty $300, in USD, with taxes such as VAT possibly added and local-currency prices available. AWS's policy page says the listed price is valid for one exam attempt, so the fee repeats if you retake.
AWS's certification FAQ says that if you fail, you must wait 14 calendar days before retaking, and that you must recertify every three years. It describes a 50% discount voucher on additional exams when you recertify or upgrade. All AWS exams can be taken with online proctoring when scheduled through Pearson VUE.
| Cost item (USD, 29 Oct 2026) | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Foundational or Business exam | $100 | Per attempt |
| Associate exam | $150 | Per attempt |
| Professional or Specialty exam | $300 | Per attempt |
| Skill Builder Individual monthly | $29/month | Optional; full suite of exam prep resources |
| Skill Builder Individual annual | $449/year | Adds expert instruction through Digital Classrooms |
Scheduling rules that cost money
- Reschedule up to 24 hours before your exam time, and no more than twice per appointment.
- Cancel at least 24 hours before the appointment to get the exam fee refunded.
- Inside 24 hours, AWS charges the full fee and gives no refund; documented illness or emergencies may be waived.
- Voucher expiry dates cannot be extended, so book well before a voucher runs out.
What is free and what the subscription adds
AWS's digital training page says you can access 1,000+ learning resources for free, including more than 900 free self-paced digital courses. The Individual monthly plan at $29 a month unlocks the full suite of exam prep resources and immersive learning experiences; AWS Certification Official Exam Prep includes practice exams that show the style and depth of the real exams. The Individual annual plan at $449 a year adds Digital Classrooms, and AWS says labs in its self-paced Digital Classroom courses need the annual or Team subscription. The page does not mention a free trial.
So the decision depends on your gap. If you need explanations, the free courses may be enough. If you need exam-style practice, a short monthly subscription timed to the final weeks is usually cheaper than a longer course purchase.
| Your gap | Cheapest route to try | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Need the concepts explained | Free Skill Builder courses for your exam | $0 |
| Need exam-style practice | Individual monthly for the final 1-2 months | $29-$58 |
| Need instructor-led Digital Classroom content | Individual annual | $449 |
| Planning several exams this year | Compare annual with monthly months you will use | $449 vs $29 x months |
Worked budget: one Associate exam (invented plan, AWS prices)
The retake line is a buffer, not a prediction. If the total is beyond your budget, waiting to book until your practice results are steady costs less than an extra attempt. Two months of the monthly plan ($58) cost less than one Associate attempt.
| Line | Plan | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Free AWS courses | Six weeks of evening study | $0 |
| Skill Builder Individual | Two months for exam prep | $58 |
| Associate exam | One attempt | $150 |
| Retake buffer | One more attempt, 14 days later if needed | $150 |
| Total if you pass first time | $208 | |
| Total with buffer | $358 |
Who should skip the certification for now
If you have not used AWS for a small project yet, an exam may test vocabulary you cannot apply. Our course project checklist suggests building one small deliverable first; a credential plus a working project tells a reviewer more than either alone. We have not taken an AWS exam; figures come from AWS pages fetched 29 October 2026, and AWS can change prices.
Questions before you decide
How much does an AWS certification exam cost?
AWS lists Foundational and Business-category exams at $100, Associate at $150, and Professional and Specialty at $300 USD per attempt, with taxes such as VAT possibly added.
How soon can I retake a failed AWS exam?
AWS's FAQ says you must wait 14 calendar days, and each attempt is paid separately.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my AWS exam?
Yes if you cancel at least 24 hours before the appointment. Inside 24 hours the full fee is charged and not refunded, though AWS says documented illness or emergencies may be waived.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- AWS Certification: exam policies before testing (prices, rescheduling, cancellation) Accessed 29 Oct 2026
- AWS Certification FAQs (retake wait, recertification, discounts) Accessed 29 Oct 2026
- AWS Training: digital training and Skill Builder subscriptions Accessed 29 Oct 2026
Sources link directly to providers. Product buttons may use separately labeled affiliate links. Read our disclosure.