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AWS · Cloud · Associate

AWS Certified Developer - Associate exam guide

Exam DVA-C03 (from Dec 1, 2026; DVA-C02 last test date Nov 30, 2026)

The AWS Certified Developer - Associate validates that you can develop, test, deploy and debug cloud applications using AWS SDKs, APIs and CI/CD. The new DVA-C03 version (from December 1, 2026) adds AI-assisted development and integrating managed AI services, reflecting how developers now work.

Questions65 (50 scored, 15 unscored)
Time limit130 minutes
Passing score720 (100-1000 scale)
Exam fee$150 USD
Valid for3 years
DeliveryPearson VUE test center or online proctored

Format: Multiple choice and multiple response. Fee note: Plus applicable taxes/FX; 50% off with a voucher from a previously passed AWS exam.

Who it's for

Software developers with 1+ years building and maintaining applications on AWS who are comfortable in at least one high-level programming language.

What the exam covers

Development with AWS Services30%
Security26%
Testing and Deployment22%
Troubleshooting and Optimization22%

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None

Recommended: 1 or more years of hands-on experience developing and maintaining applications with AWS services; proficiency in a high-level language; familiarity with AI-assisted development tools (DVA-C03).

Keeping it active

Valid 3 years. Recertify by passing the latest version of this exam before expiry, or by passing a higher-level AWS exam in the same path (for example a related Professional exam). After passing any AWS exam you receive a 50% discount voucher for your next exam.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Building serverless apps with Lambda, API Gateway and DynamoDB
  • Using AWS SDKs and CLI with correct credential handling
  • Application security with IAM roles, Cognito, KMS and Secrets Manager
  • Packaging and deploying with SAM, CloudFormation/CDK and CodePipeline
  • Event-driven integration with SQS, SNS, EventBridge and Step Functions
  • Instrumenting and debugging with CloudWatch Logs, metrics and X-Ray
  • Integrating managed AI services and using AI coding assistants (DVA-C03)

Job roles

Cloud DeveloperSoftware Engineer (AWS)Serverless DeveloperBackend DeveloperApplication DeveloperDevOps Developer

Where it fits in your path

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Week 1: Read the DVA-C03 exam guide and in-scope service list; set up CLI and an SDK in your main language
  2. Week 2-3: Lambda (concurrency, layers, env vars, destinations), API Gateway (stages, authorizers), DynamoDB (keys, GSIs/LSIs, capacity, streams)
  3. Week 4: Security - IAM roles for compute, Cognito user vs identity pools, KMS envelope encryption, Secrets Manager vs Parameter Store
  4. Week 5: CI/CD and IaC - SAM, CloudFormation, CodeBuild/CodeDeploy deployment strategies, Lambda aliases and canary releases
  5. Week 6: Observability and optimization - CloudWatch, X-Ray, caching, SQS/SNS/EventBridge patterns; add Amazon Q Developer and Bedrock basics
  6. Week 7-8: Timed practice exams, then rebuild one small serverless app end to end from memory

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • If you test before Nov 30, 2026 you sit DVA-C02; from Dec 1 it is DVA-C03 - make sure your prep material matches your date
  • DynamoDB is heavily tested: know how to calculate RCU/WCU and when to use a GSI vs a scan
  • Know Lambda limits (timeout, memory, payload size) and how to handle throttling and retries
  • Understand CodeDeploy deployment types (in-place, blue/green, canary, linear) for Lambda, ECS and EC2
  • For DVA-C03, expect questions on using AI tools in the dev workflow and calling managed AI services, not on training models or prompt engineering (out of scope)
  • Credential questions: the right answer almost never hard-codes access keys

Key terms for this exam

All 83 terms Study with thinQcards™

Commonly confused on this exam

Frequently asked questions

How much does the AWS Developer Associate exam cost?

$150 USD plus taxes, with a 50% discount if you hold a voucher from a previously passed AWS exam.

What changed in DVA-C03?

DVA-C03 keeps four domains but reweights them (Development 30%, Security 26%, Testing and Deployment 22%, Troubleshooting and Optimization 22%) and adds AI-assisted development and integration of managed AI services. Passing score is 720.

Should I take DVA-C02 before it retires?

Only if you are already prepared. The credential name is the same; after November 30, 2026 only DVA-C03 is available.

Is AWS Developer Associate harder than Solutions Architect Associate?

It is narrower but deeper on code-level behavior (SDK calls, DynamoDB capacity, Lambda limits). Developers usually find it easier; infrastructure people often find SAA easier.

How do I renew the AWS Developer Associate?

Every 3 years pass the current version, or pass the AWS DevOps Engineer - Professional exam, which also renews it.

Official page: aws.amazon.com. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.