8 Practical Ways to Get Discounts for AWS Certification Exams
AWS certifications are highly valued in the tech industry, offering professionals a recognized way to validate their skills in cloud computing. With more businesses migrating to the cloud, AWS-certified professionals are in high demand, often commanding higher salaries and more job opportunities.
AWS certifications can be your ticket to a high-paying tech job, but what if the steep exam fees are holding you back?
The AWS exam fees range from $100 for foundational certifications like Cloud Practitioner to $300 for specialty certifications. Thus, getting AWS certified can feel like a major investment—especially for students, beginners, or career switchers.
But don’t worry!
There are plenty of ways to cut down on these costs and still get AWS certified. Let’s dive into how you can unlock discounts for AWS certification exams to kickstart your cloud career without breaking the bank.
1. Get Certified for Free with AWS re/Start
The AWS re/Start program tops my list because it helped me transition into cloud computing from a non-tech background. The intensive program and curriculum structure gave me the foundational knowledge and confidence to begin my tech journey.
And the AWS Cloud Practitioner certificate was a big flex for my socials! Check it out here.
Enough gloating, let’s get to the program overview.
The AWS re/Start is a free training program designed to help underemployed or unemployed individuals launch careers in cloud computing. Whether you’re transitioning from another industry like I was, or just starting out with no prior experience in tech, AWS re/Start is built to provide foundational cloud knowledge and practical skills needed for entry-level cloud roles.
The cohort-based program runs full-time for 12 weeks and the curriculum includes:
- Comprehensive training on AWS core services and access to AWS Skill Builder with practice labs, knowledge checks, and exam prep materials
- Introductory lessons for Python, Linux, databases, security, automation, and networking
- Interactive group discussions and simulation projects of real-life scenarios
- Resume building and job interview coaching sessions
- Free exam voucher for the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification
AWS partners with organizations around the world to deliver the program. While most partners run the program virtually, some may require participants to attend physical classes.
Here is the list of countries with the AWS re/Start program.
2. Score Exclusive Discounts with AWS Promo Codes on Social Media
AWS frequently uses its social media platforms to share discounts for its certification exams that come in handy if you’ve already prepped and are ready to sit for the exams.
A good place to start is its LinkedIn page for AWS Training and Certifications which occasionally posts:
- Limited-time discount codes that are often tied to marketing campaigns for new training initiatives, special events, or webinars
- Exclusive offers such as flash deals with 50% off exam vouchers and free training materials for its active followers
AWS Cloud advocates, community leaders, and influencers also frequently share promotional discounts for AWS certification exams.
For example, top-rated AWS Cloud advocate Viktoria Seeman’s LinkedIn is a goldmine if you want to stay updated with not only certification discounts but also current AWS trends.
Here are some current AWS certification promotions with exciting offers:
| AWS Certification | Offer | Validity |
| Get AWS Certified: Associate Challenge | 50% exam discount on: AWS Certified Solutions ArchitectAWS Certified DeveloperAWS Certified SysOps AdministratorAWS Certified Data Engineer | Join the challenge before December 12, 2024, to receive your 50% discount voucher. Take the Exams before December 31, 2024 |
| AWS Free Retake for Foundational Certifications | Register for either AWS Certified AI Practitioner or AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and get a free retake if you fail the exam | Join the challenge before December 12, 2024 to receive your 50% discount voucher. Take the Exams before December 31, 2024 |
3. Save Big by Attending AWS Events
Attending AWS events is another smart way to get discounts on certification exams. AWS hosts several events throughout the year that not only offer hands-on learning and networking opportunities but also provide attendees with special offers, including discounted exam vouchers.
If you want to cut down on exam costs, these events are worth checking out.
AWS re:Invent
This is AWS’s largest annual cloud conference, where tech professionals, developers, and businesses come together for a week of learning, workshops, and innovation.
Although the charges to attend re:Invent in-person are pricy, at $2,099, AWS offers sponsorships to eligible candidates through the All Builders Welcome Grant. Some employers and partner organizations also offer sponsorship tickets to the event.
Don’t worry if you can’t attend physically because AWS also livestreams some key sessions and talks for free. However, you need to register beforehand to watch the event online.
AWS re:Invent 2024 will take place from 2nd to 6th December in Las Vegas, Nevada. All attendees will receive a 50% discount voucher for any AWS certification exam.
AWS Summits
AWS Summits are free online and in-person regional events that bring the cloud computing community together to exchange ideas on AWS. Many of these events offer special promotions for AWS certification exams exclusively for registered participants who meet specified guidelines.
For example, the 2024 AWS Hong Kong summit held in May awarded several full and 50% discount vouchers for the AWS Solutions Architect, Data Engineer, and Cloud Practitioner exams to eligible participants.
Find an upcoming AWS summit in your region here.
AWS Training and Certification Events
AWS frequently free webinars and workshops specifically for individuals preparing for their AWS certification exams. These events can be online or in-person where AWS experts guide participants through commonly tested topics and offer exam-readiness tips.
Attendees of these certification events may get bonus promo codes to bring down the cost of the exam fees.
Check out the AWS training and certification events calendar so you don’t miss out.
4. Redeem Membership Discounts from AWS Emerging Talent Community
The AWS Emerging Talent Community (ETC) is an exclusive program for learners who have earned a qualifying badge from an AWS training program. Besides accessing free AWS learning resources and career opportunities, members can also earn points that can be used to redeem exam vouchers.
To join the AWS ETC program;
- Take and pass one of the badge-eligible courses on the platform you choose and earn your Credly qualifying badge.
- For AWS Educate learners, select the ETC tab to access its homepage and finish the onboarding content to gain full access.
- Learners who earn a badge from AWS Academy or AWS re/Start will need to first create an AWS Educate account to access the ETC homepage.
- Complete content such as reading articles, filling out surveys, watching videos, and taking quizzes to earn points.
- Accumulate the required points to redeem a discount voucher for AWS certification exams.
AWS currently offers two rewards with 50% discount vouchers for:
- Foundational exams – AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or AWS Certified AI Practitioner – redeemable with 3500 points
- Associate exams – Solutions Architect Associate, Developer Associate, SysOps Administrator Associate, Data Engineer Associate, or Machine Learning Engineer Associate – redeemable with 4200 points
5. Unlock a 50% Discount by Passing Your Current Exam
One of the most rewarding ways to save on AWS certification costs is through AWS’s exam pass discount.
When you pass any AWS certification exam, AWS automatically gives you a 50% discount voucher for your next exam. This applies whether you plan to take a higher-level certification, explore a new specialty, or recertify when your current certification expires.
You can access the voucher in the Benefits Section of your AWS Certification Account.
However, keep in mind that the discount expires at the same time as your certification, so you’ll need to use it before your certification’s expiration date to avoid missing out on the cost savings.
6. Ask Your Employer to Cover Exam Costs
If you’re employed, one of the most effective ways to reduce or completely eliminate the cost of AWS certification exams is by requesting sponsorship from your employer.
Many cloud consulting companies, especially those that rely on AWS services, actively encourage their employees to obtain AWS certifications. In fact, AWS requires companies in the AWS Partner Network (APN) to maintain a certain number of individual certifications to retain their partner status.
One of the benefits APN members enjoy is exclusive certification discounts for their staff.
Additionally, some businesses have education and training programs that support employees’ professional growth. Depending on your company’s policy, your employer might offer one of the following options:
- Fully cover the exam cost, recognizing the value of AWS certifications.
- Partially fund the exam, sharing the cost with you.
- Set up a payment plan, where they pay upfront, and you repay over time.
By taking advantage of these opportunities, you can gain valuable certifications while saving on exam costs, all while contributing to your company’s expertise in cloud technologies.
7. Grab Discounted Exam Vouchers from Third-Party Training Providers
Another great way to save on AWS certification exams is by enrolling in courses offered by third-party training providers. Online learning platforms such as Udemy, Coursera, A Cloud Guru, and Pluralsight frequently run sales where they offer AWS courses at significantly discounted prices.
These courses help you prepare for exams with valuable resources like practice tests, study guides, and sometimes even discount vouchers for the actual AWS certifications.
Look out for seasonal promotions, flash sales, or Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals where prices are slashed, and certification bundles are offered at a fraction of the original cost.
8. Join AWS Community Groups for Exam Perks
AWS community groups bring together cloud enthusiasts, developers, and professionals to learn, network, and collaborate on AWS products and services. Community members and participants enjoy valuable perks, such as access to learning resources, networking opportunities with AWS experts, and discount vouchers for AWS certification exams.
Here are some AWS community groups you can join:
AWS Community Builders
This is a closed program designed for passionate cloud enthusiasts who enjoy sharing their knowledge about AWS through blogs, videos, or social media.
As an AWS Community Builder, you get direct access to AWS experts, exclusive resources, and sometimes exam vouchers. To join, you’ll need to apply, and once accepted, you’ll have the chance to contribute to the AWS community while enjoying these benefits.
AWS User Groups
These regional, community-led groups organize meetups for peer-to-peer learning and networking.
Through attending events and engaging with other AWS users, you may gain access to exclusive discounts or exam vouchers shared during these meetups.
AWS Cloud Clubs
These are student-led AWS user groups, typically hosted in universities. They provide a platform for students to collaborate and learn about AWS services, with free membership for students over 18.
If you’re a student, joining an AWS Cloud Club could provide access to free training resources and potential discount vouchers to fuel your AWS certification journey.
Kickstart Your AWS Cloud Journey
AWS certifications open doors to new opportunities in the cloud computing industry, helping you gain recognition for your skills and advance your career. While the costs can be a hurdle, there are plenty of ways to minimize or even eliminate the financial burden through the methods we’ve outlined.
Whether you’re attending AWS events, joining community groups, utilizing employer-sponsored programs, or taking advantage of AWS’s discount policies, there are numerous opportunities to save. Start exploring these strategies, take your first step toward certification, and set yourself up for success in the rapidly growing cloud industry.
