AWS SAA-C03 Exam Cost 2026
The exam fee is $150 USD — but that is not the whole story. Here is the true total cost to get AWS Solutions Architect Associate certified, including retakes, renewal, how the price compares across AWS tiers, and the smart ways to pay less.
01 How much does the SAA-C03 cost?
AWS does not run regular public discounts on exam fees, but you can occasionally get a voucher: AWS sometimes issues a 50%-off retake or a free-resit promotion, and employers or AWS partners can provide vouchers. Always check for an active promotion before you book — it is the easiest money you will save.
02 The true total cost of getting certified
The fee on the booking page is rarely what people actually spend. Once you add preparation and the real-world chance of a resit, the total looks like this for a typical self-study candidate:
Typical self-study path to a first-time pass
03 How the price compares across AWS exams
The $150 is mid-range for AWS. Fees are tiered by level, so knowing where SAA-C03 sits helps you plan a certification path and budget:
04 Every fee, explained
Beyond the headline price, here is every charge you might meet across the life of the certification — and the ones that are reassuringly free.
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Exam registration | $150 | Per attempt, including every retake |
| Retake | $150 | No free resit; 14-day wait between attempts |
| Reschedule | Free | If you change the date more than 24 hours ahead |
| No-show / late cancel | Forfeit $150 | Miss the slot or cancel inside 24h and you lose the fee |
| Renewal | $0 fee | Valid 3 years; recertify by re-exam or a higher cert |
05 How to spend less getting certified
You cannot haggle the $150, but you can keep everything around it close to zero — and avoid the costly resit entirely.
Pass on the first try
By far the biggest saving. Solid practice that mirrors the real exam removes the $150 retake from your budget. This is where preparation pays for itself many times over.
Use the AWS Free Tier
Build and break real architectures for free. Hands-on practice is the best preparation and costs nothing — no paid lab subscription required.
Hunt for a voucher
AWS retake offers, partner vouchers, and employer-provided codes appear regularly. Check before you book; a 50%-off or free-resit voucher is real money.
Ask your employer
Many companies reimburse certification fees or buy vouchers in bulk. A quick ask can move the entire cost off your own card.
06 FAQ
How much does the AWS SAA-C03 exam cost?
$150 USD to register. You pay it each time you sit the exam, including retakes. The price is set in US dollars and charged in your local currency equivalent plus any applicable local tax.
Do you have to pay again to retake the SAA-C03?
Yes — there is no free retake. If you do not pass, you wait 14 days and pay the full $150 again for each attempt. The biggest hidden cost of certification is failing, so passing first time effectively halves your risk of doubling the fee.
Is there a renewal fee for the AWS SAA-C03?
No separate renewal fee. The certification is valid three years. To recertify you pass the current SAA exam again ($150) or earn a higher-level AWS cert, which extends your associate credentials — so the only renewal cost is another exam fee every three years.
What is the true total cost to get certified?
For a self-study candidate who passes first time, roughly $160–200: the $150 fee plus a little for quality practice. A paid video course raises it to about $200–450. The AWS Free Tier gives you hands-on experience at no cost, so training spend is optional.
