AWS CloudOps (SOA-C03)AWS Certified CloudOps Engineer – Associate
AWS operations, monitoring, and deployment automation
Details last reviewed October 2026. Fees and exam formats change — always confirm on the official page.
About this certification
The AWS Certified CloudOps Engineer – Associate (SOA-C03, formerly SysOps Administrator) validates skills in deploying, managing, and operating scalable, highly available systems on AWS. Covers monitoring, networking, storage, security, automation with CloudFormation, and operational best practices. One of the three AWS associate-level certifications and the most operations-focused of the trio.
What you'll validate
- ✓EC2 instance management and Auto Scaling
- ✓CloudWatch monitoring, alarms, and dashboards
- ✓CloudFormation for infrastructure as code
- ✓VPC networking and security groups
- ✓IAM roles, policies, and access management
- ✓S3 lifecycle policies and storage classes
- ✓AWS Systems Manager and patch management
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +One of three AWS associate certs — strong alongside SAA for ops-focused roles
- +Includes performance-based lab tasks — validates real hands-on skills
- +3-year validity is longer than many competing certs
- +High demand in ops, SRE, and DevOps job market
Disadvantages
- −Performance-based exam component makes it harder than SAA
- −Significant overlap with AWS SAA — may feel redundant if you hold both
Who it's for
Best for
- →Linux/Windows sysadmins transitioning to AWS cloud operations
- →DevOps engineers managing AWS infrastructure at scale
- →Those building toward AWS DevOps Engineer Professional (DOP-C02)
Not ideal for
- ×Developers focused on application code (see AWS DVA instead)
- ×Those with no AWS experience (start with CLF or SAA)
Career paths this unlocks
AWS CloudOps (SOA-C03): quick answers
- How much does the AWS CloudOps (SOA-C03) exam cost?
- The listed exam fee is $150 (USD). AWS Certification standard associate price Fees vary by region and change over time — confirm on the official page before you buy.
- How long does it take to prepare for AWS CloudOps (SOA-C03)?
- We estimate roughly 100 hours of study for most candidates; your time depends on prior experience.
- How long is the AWS CloudOps (SOA-C03) exam?
- The exam is 130 minutes with about 65 questions.
- How long is the AWS CloudOps (SOA-C03) credential valid?
- 3 years. Recertify every 3 years
Study Resources
Contains affiliate linksRegister for the exam
Purchase directly on AWS Training — benefit codes sometimes available via AWS events
More places to study
Self-paced video courses from independent instructors
Courses and certificates from universities and companies
Practice exams focused on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud
Practice tests and hands-on labs for IT certifications
Printed and Kindle exam guides
Subscription video courses
Links marked “Affiliate” may earn MyCertPath a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Other links are unpaid. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and ratings change often, so we don't list them — check the provider's page. Disclosure
Jobs for AWS CloudOps (SOA-C03) holders
Pay depends on role, location, and experience more than on any single credential. Check current postings below for real ranges in your market.
LinkedIn Jobs
Posted in the last 7 days
Indeed
Dice (tech roles)
Tech-focused job board
Job links open external sites. Search results are live and not curated by MyCertPath.
Quick Facts
- Exam Cost
- $150 (AWS Certification standard associate price)
- Exam Duration
- 130 minutes
- Questions
- ~65
- Passing Score
- 720/1000
- Exam Format
- Multiple Choice
- Study Time
- ~100 hours
- Validity
- 3 years
- Salary Impact
- Strong (editorial rating)
- Last Reviewed
- October 2026
Prerequisites
- !AWS Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) or equivalent experience recommended
Actyra Training
Custom eLearning built on the science of how people actually learn
Actyra designs and builds cert-prep training programs for enterprise teams — custom courseware grounded in cognitive science.
Talk to a training expert →