Training guide
AWS Certified Developer Associate: DVA-C02 Guide
A guide to the AWS Certified Developer Associate exam: format, cost, skills tested and how to renew it.
EU Job Hub Editorial Team · Updated 1 October 2026 · Based on AWS Certification information and exam guides
Introduction
The AWS Certified Developer Associate certification shows that you can build applications on AWS. It covers service APIs, the command line, containers and delivery pipelines.
It is an associate exam, so hands-on practice matters. This guide gives the facts and a plan to prepare.
Quick Information
| Provider |
Amazon Web Services |
| Level |
Associate |
| Exam code |
DVA-C02 |
| Format |
65 questions: 50 scored and 15 unscored |
| Time |
130 minutes, plus 30 for non-native English speakers |
| Fee |
150 USD |
| Delivery |
Test centre or online |
Key Points at a Glance
- The exam has 65 questions and lasts 130 minutes.
- Non-native English speakers can ask for 30 extra minutes.
- The fee is listed at 150 USD.
- Guides say preparation usually takes two to three months.
- You can renew by passing the latest exam or the DevOps Engineer Professional exam.
What the Certification Shows
It shows that you can develop and debug cloud applications. You use service APIs, the AWS command line, containers and automated delivery.
It does not prove that you can design a whole company platform. That is the job of other exams.
Exam Format
Questions are multiple choice or multiple response. Fifteen of the 65 are unscored.
You get 130 minutes. Non-native English speakers can request 30 more minutes.
Third-party guides list four domains. Troubleshooting and optimisation carries the smallest share at 18 per cent.
Cost
Guides list the fee at 150 US dollars. Taxes can change the final price.
AWS says that one certification can earn a discount on the next exam. Check it in your account.
Who Should Take It
It suits developers who already write code and want to learn cloud services. It also suits testers and DevOps staff who work with pipelines.
If you have never used AWS, start with a foundational course first.
Skills to Practise
Practise calling services through code and the command line. Practise storing data, sending messages and securing keys.
Build one small app with a database, a queue and a delivery pipeline. Then break it and fix it.
A Study Plan
Give it two to three months at a few hours each week. Study one area at a time and build a small project for each.
In the last two weeks, take the official practice questions and review your gaps.
Renewing the Certificate
You can recertify by passing the latest version of the exam. You can also earn the DevOps Engineer Professional certification, which renews the Developer Associate certificate.
Check your AWS account for your exact expiry date.
Mistakes to Avoid
Do not rely on reading alone. Questions test what you do in practice.
Do not ignore security. Keys, roles and encryption appear often.
Do not use leaked questions.
A Sample Project
Build a small app that lets users upload a file, saves details in a database and sends a message when the upload finishes.
Add a pipeline that tests and deploys the app when you change the code. This covers many exam topics in one project.
Reading Exam Questions
Read the last sentence of a question first. It tells you what to choose.
Then look for words such as cheapest, fastest or least effort. They point to the answer the question wants.
Booking and Exam Day
Book through your AWS Certification account. You can sit the exam at a testing centre or online.
If English is not your first language, ask for the extra 30 minutes before you book.
Key Terms Explained
API: A set of rules that lets programs talk to each other.
CLI: A command line tool for working with a service.
Container: A package that holds an app and what it needs to run.
CI/CD: Automated steps that test and deliver code.
Serverless: Running code without managing servers.
IAM role: A set of permissions that a service or person can use.
Questions to Ask Before You Pay
Check the current price on the official page. Check that the exam code or course name matches the guide you study from.
Ask whether your employer or school will pay. Ask how long the result stays valid.
Write down your goal first. Choose a course or exam only if it moves you towards that goal.
Using It in Europe
Roles include cloud developer, backend developer and DevOps engineer. Add the certificate and the year to your Europass CV.
Link to a small project on a code hosting site.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on DVA-C02?
There are 65, and 15 of them are unscored.
How long is the exam?
It lasts 130 minutes.
How much does it cost?
Guides list 150 USD.
How can I renew it?
Pass the latest exam or the DevOps Engineer Professional exam.
Find Jobs
Job titles to search for include cloud developer, backend developer and DevOps engineer. Search current vacancies on the EURES portal.
Official Course Page
Read the current details on the AWS Certified Developer Associate page.
Disclaimer
This guide is independent and is not affiliated with Amazon Web Services. Prices, course lists and exam rules change, so check the official AWS page before you pay or enrol. A certificate does not give you the right to work in any country.
