As companies rely more on AWS, they need skilled professionals who can design and manage their cloud environments effectively. This is where the AWS Certified Solutions Architect comes in.

This certification is a highly respected credential that validates a professional’s ability to design and deploy robust, secure, and efficient solutions on the AWS platform. For businesses looking to optimize their cloud strategy, understanding this certification and the experts who hold it is very important.

At Renova Cloud, as a dedicated AWS partner, we see firsthand the immense value that certified professionals bring to projects. They are the planners and designers who build the foundation for a successful cloud journey. Let’s explore what this certification is, who it is for, and why it matters so much in the tech industry today.

What is an AWS Certified Solutions Architect?

What is an AWS Certified Solutions Architect?

A cloud solutions architect is a specialist who designs the cloud computing framework for a business. Think of them as the master planner for a company’s digital infrastructure. Their job isn’t just about technology; it’s about understanding business goals and translating them into a technical reality.

A solutions architect is responsible for creating a blueprint for the cloud environment. This involves several big-picture tasks. They must design and deploy solutions that are not only powerful but also scalable, meaning they can grow or shrink as the business’s needs change. They also focus on making these solutions “highly available” and “fault-tolerant”. In simple terms, this means they build systems that stay online and keep working even if parts of them fail.

Their daily responsibilities can include:

  • Building and implementing new systems in the cloud.
  • Updating and improving existing AWS systems.
  • Finding and fixing problems in cloud-based systems.
  • Moving a company’s existing systems from their own data centers onto the cloud.
  • Monitoring cloud security and proactively handling potential issues.
  • Looking for ways to improve how the company uses its cloud network.

An AWS Certified Solutions Architect is a professional who has formally proven they have these skills. They have passed a rigorous exam that tests their knowledge of AWS services and architectural best practices.

What are Amazon Web Services Certifications?

What is an AWS Certified Solutions Architect?

Amazon Web Services certifications are official credentials you can earn. They provide evidence of your experience and skill level as you grow as a cloud solutions architect. Earning a certification can expand your knowledge. It also shows your commitment and dedication to potential employers.

Getting certified is also a great way to stay aware of the latest industry updates. It helps you connect with other professionals in your field.

AWS offers a wide range of certifications for different technical roles. These include solutions architects, application architects, cloud data engineers, and cloud security engineers, among others. Many of these career pathways overlap. For instance, the AWS Certified Solutions Architect—Associate credential is part of the solutions architect learning path. But it is also relevant for application architects, cloud security architects, and network engineers.

The AWS Solutions Architect Certification Path

You can choose from three main AWS certifications for solutions architects. Each one is specific to a different stage of your career.

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is the foundational-level certification. You do not need any prior experience to start here. This makes it an excellent starting point if you are new to the field or want to learn new skills in cloud systems.

If you already have some experience with cloud computing, you might start at the associate level with the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate.

After you gain two or more years of experience working with AWS Cloud, you can qualify for the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional.

Let’s look at each of these three certifications in more detail.

AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is the foundational-level certification. The training helps you gain important skills with AWS Cloud without needing prior experience. If you are new to the field or switching your career to cloud services, this certification can help you build a solid knowledge base. You will learn the language of AWS Cloud before moving on to more specialized topics. This certification is a relevant starting point for every career pathway AWS offers.

As a foundational certification, the exam focuses on basic AWS cloud and cloud services concepts. To prepare for the exam, you must also learn about AWS security, architecture, and pricing models.

  • Requirements: You do not have to complete any prerequisites before taking this exam.
  • Cost (US): $100
  • Exam duration: 90 minutes
  • Exam format: 65 multiple-choice questions

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate credential is for people with at least one year of experience designing cloud-based services. This certification is appropriate for people working or planning to work as solutions architects. It demonstrates your experience with designing cost- and performance-optimized solutions on AWS. This associate-level credential is also suitable for roles like cloud data engineer, cloud security architect, and network engineer.

The information on the exam covers four main areas. You will be tested on your ability to design secure architectures, design resilient architectures, design high-performing architectures, and design cost-optimized architectures.

  • Requirements: Before taking this exam, it is recommended you have at least one year of hands-on experience designing cloud solutions using AWS.
  • Cost (US):  $150
  • Exam duration: 130 minutes
  • Exam format: 65 multiple-choice or multiple-response questions

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional certification is for individuals who have at least two years of experience. This credential shows you have advanced skills in providing complex solutions to complex problems. It is appropriate for senior solutions architects and can also be relevant for security and application architects.

After completing this exam, you can continue with specialty certifications to expand your skills even further. Amazon Web Services offers several specialty certifications, including one for AWS Security.

To prepare for this exam, you should be familiar with designing applications on AWS Cloud. You should also be able to recommend best practices for implementation, deployment, and provisioning services.

  • Requirements: Before taking this exam, you need two or more years of hands-on experience designing and deploying cloud architecture on AWS.
  • Cost (US): $300
  • Exam duration: 180 minutes
  • Exam format: 75 multiple-choice or multiple-response questions

How to Get Your AWS Solutions Architect Certification

If you are interested in becoming an AWS Certified Solutions Architect, here is a general guide to help you get started.

Step 1: Decide Your Learning Pathway 

First, look at your current experience. If you are brand new to IT or the cloud, the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is a great place to start. If you already have a year or more of experience working with AWS, you might feel ready to start with the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate exam.

Step 2: Study and Complete Exam Prep 

Next, you will need to prepare for the exam you selected. Review the official exam guide from AWS to see what topics are covered. AWS provides many resources to help you learn, including digital courses, practice exams, and in-depth preparation plans on their AWS Skill Builder platform.

Step 3: Take the Exam 

Once you feel confident in your knowledge, you are ready to take the test. You can register for the exam through the AWS Training and Certification portal. You can often take the exam at a testing center or in an online proctored environment. 

After you pass the exam, you will officially earn your AWS Certified Solutions Architect credential.

Career Outlook for AWS Certified Solutions Architects

The career path for an AWS certified solutions architect is often rewarding. According to salary data, the average annual salary for a solutions architect in the US is around $164,000.

The job outlook also remains positive. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 4 percent growth for computer network architects between 2022 and 2032. The demand for professionals who specialize in cloud computing is expected to be particularly strong.

As a solutions architect, you will design, create, implement, and care for business applications hosted within AWS Cloud Services. In this role, you will be responsible for solving business problems using the powerful tools and applications available on the AWS Cloud.

Your Partner for AWS Cloud Solutions

Understanding the role of an AWS Certified Solutions Architect highlights the level of expertise needed to build and manage a powerful, secure, and efficient cloud infrastructure. These professionals are not just IT experts. They are designers who build the foundation for business innovation.

At Renova Cloud, we understand the importance of this expertise. Our team includes certified professionals who are dedicated to helping businesses harness the full power of the AWS Cloud. 

Whether you are looking to migrate to the cloud, optimize your current setup, or design a new, complex solution from the ground up, we are here to help. 

Visit us to learn more about our AWS services.