Choose AWS Cloud Practitioner when...
Choose AWS Cloud Practitioner when your organization, projects, or next role use AWS.
Certification comparison
AWS Cloud Practitioner vs AZ-900
Compare entry-level cloud literacy for AWS and Microsoft Azure.Side-by-side decision guide
AWS Cloud Practitioner and AZ-900 at a glance
| Decision factor | AWS Cloud Practitioner | AZ-900 |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Establish high-level knowledge of AWS Cloud concepts, services, security, architecture, pricing, and support. | Establish Azure cloud concepts, core services, governance, management, pricing, and support knowledge. |
| Intended audience | Candidates new to cloud, including technical and line-of-business professionals. | Technical and non-technical candidates who need Azure literacy before role-based work. |
| Experience level | Foundational cloud | Foundational cloud |
| Recommended prerequisites | No formal prerequisite; limited AWS exposure is helpful but not required. | No formal prerequisite. |
| Technical depth | Foundational | Foundational |
| Management depth | Low | Low |
| Relative difficulty | Foundational | Foundational |
| Typical preparation time | Often several weeks for candidates new to AWS and cloud terminology. | Often several weeks for candidates who are new to Azure. |
| Current exam standard | CLF-C02 exam guide | Current Microsoft Learn study guide |
| Exam length | 90 minutes | 45 minutes |
| Question count | 65 | 40-60 |
| Passing methodology | 700/1000 | 700/1000 |
| Certification provider | AWS | Microsoft |
| Renewal requirements | AWS certifications are valid for three years; current recertification options include approved renewal paths or higher-level exams. | Microsoft fundamentals certifications do not expire, though exams and certification requirements can retire or change. |
| Vendor-specific or neutral | AWS-specific | Microsoft Azure-specific |
| Typical job roles | Cloud support trainee, sales or project professional, junior cloud practitioner | Cloud support trainee, sales or project professional, junior administrator, technical stakeholder |
| Career paths | AWS architecture, operations, development, security, and cloud business roles | Azure administration, architecture, security, data, and cloud delivery |
Choose AZ-900 when...
Choose AZ-900 when Azure, Microsoft cloud governance, or Microsoft platform work is more relevant.
Which comes first?
Neither is universally first; platform relevance should decide.
How they complement each other
Taking both can broaden cloud vocabulary, but hands-on depth in one platform is usually the better next step.
Best for beginners
Both are beginner-friendly; choose the platform you can practice with.
Best for experienced professionals
Experienced practitioners should usually progress to a role-based credential instead.
Recommended first choice
Follow the platform used by your employer, lab environment, or target role.
Recommended learning path
One cloud foundation -> hands-on projects -> associate or role-based administration, architecture, or security.
Confirm current provider requirements.
Exam versions, eligibility, delivery, and renewal policies can change after this comparison is published.
Candidate questions
AWS Cloud Practitioner vs AZ-900 questions
Is AWS Cloud Practitioner better than AZ-900?
Neither is universally better. Follow the platform used by your employer, lab environment, or target role.
Which certification is commonly taken first: AWS Cloud Practitioner or AZ-900?
Neither is universally first; platform relevance should decide.
Can AWS Cloud Practitioner and AZ-900 complement each other?
Taking both can broaden cloud vocabulary, but hands-on depth in one platform is usually the better next step.
Map the decision to a longer certification path.
Use beginner, intermediate, and advanced paths to plan the next step after either credential.