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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Amazon
Exam Format
130 min
65
720
Associate
Registration
$150 USD
Pearson VUE or online proctoring
Validity
3 years
Pass the latest version of the AWS Certified CloudOps Engineer - Associate exam; Earn AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - Professional (auto-recertifies this Associate level)
SOA-C03 Exam Topics and Domains
SOA-C03 is organized into 5 weighted domains. Expect to work with Amazon CloudWatch, Amazon EC2, Amazon CloudFront, Amazon RDS, and more.
1
Monitoring, Logging, Analysis, Remediation, and Performance Optimization
22%
Implement metrics, alarms, and filters by using AWS monitoring and logging services
Configure AWS monitoring and loggingConfigure and manage CloudWatch agentConfigure and troubleshoot CloudWatch alarmsCreate and manage CloudWatch dashboardsConfigure notifications with SNS
- Configure comprehensive AWS monitoring and logging services
- Deploy and manage CloudWatch agents across compute environments
- Create effective alarm strategies with appropriate actions
- Build multi-account, multi-region dashboards
- Implement notification systems for operational events
Identify and remediate issues by using monitoring and availability metrics
Analyze and automate remediationUse EventBridge for event routingCreate and run Systems Manager runbooks
- Analyze performance metrics to identify operational issues
- Implement automated remediation strategies
- Use EventBridge for event-driven automation
- Create and manage Systems Manager Automation runbooks
Implement performance optimization strategies for compute, storage, and database resources
Optimize compute resourcesOptimize EBS performanceImplement S3 performance strategiesSelect and optimize shared storageMonitor and optimize RDSOptimize EC2 instances and associated resources
- Optimize compute resources for cost and performance
- Improve storage performance across EBS, S3, and shared storage
- Monitor and enhance database performance
- Implement advanced EC2 optimization techniques
2
Reliability and Business Continuity
22%
Implement scalability and elasticity
Configure and manage scaling in computeImplement caching for dynamic scalabilityConfigure scaling in AWS managed databases
- Implement auto scaling for compute resources
- Use caching to improve application scalability
- Configure database scaling strategies
Implement highly available and resilient environments
Configure ELB and Route 53 health checksConfigure fault-tolerant systems
- Configure comprehensive health check strategies
- Implement Multi-AZ fault-tolerant architectures
Implement backup and restore strategies
Automate snapshots and backupsRestore databases to meet RTO/RPOImplement versioning for storage servicesFollow disaster recovery procedures
- Implement automated backup strategies across AWS services
- Design and implement database restore procedures
- Enable versioning for data protection
- Execute disaster recovery procedures
3
Deployment, Provisioning, and Automation
22%
Provision and maintain cloud resources
Create and manage AMIs and container imagesCreate and manage CloudFormation stacksIdentify and remediate deployment issuesProvision resources across accounts and regionsImplement deployment strategiesUse third-party tools for automation
- Create and manage AMIs and container images
- Implement infrastructure as code with CloudFormation and CDK
- Troubleshoot deployment issues effectively
- Deploy resources across multiple accounts and regions
- Implement advanced deployment strategies
- Use third-party automation tools
Automate the management of existing resources
Use Systems Manager for automationImplement event-driven automation
- Automate operational processes with Systems Manager
- Implement event-driven automation patterns
4
Security and Compliance
16%
Implement and manage security and compliance tools and policies
Implement IAM featuresTroubleshoot and audit accessImplement multi-account securityImplement Trusted Advisor remediationEnforce compliance requirements
- Implement comprehensive IAM security features
- Troubleshoot and audit access issues
- Secure multi-account environments
- Remediate Trusted Advisor findings
- Enforce compliance requirements
Implement strategies to protect data and infrastructure
Implement data classificationImplement encryption at restImplement encryption in transitSecurely store secretsConfigure security services reports
- Implement data classification schemes
- Configure encryption at rest across AWS services
- Implement encryption in transit
- Manage secrets securely
- Configure and remediate security service findings
5
Networking and Content Delivery
18%
Implement and optimize networking features and connectivity
Configure VPC componentsConfigure private connectivityAudit network protection servicesOptimize network architecture costs
- Design and configure VPC architectures
- Implement private connectivity solutions
- Configure network protection services
- Optimize network costs
Configure domains, DNS services, and content delivery
Configure DNSImplement Route 53 routing and loggingConfigure content distribution
- Configure DNS services for hybrid environments
- Implement Route 53 routing policies
- Configure content delivery networks
Troubleshoot network connectivity issues
Troubleshoot VPC configurationsCollect and interpret networking logsIdentify CloudFront caching issuesTroubleshoot hybrid connectivityConfigure CloudWatch network monitoring
- Troubleshoot VPC and networking configurations
- Analyze networking logs effectively
- Identify and resolve CloudFront issues
- Troubleshoot hybrid and private connectivity
- Implement network monitoring with CloudWatch
How do I earn this certification?
Passing SOA-C03 earns the AWS Certified CloudOps Engineer - Associate certification. It sits in the Operations track.
Current Level Exams
Next Level Options
- DOP-C02 - AWS Certified DevOps Engineer - ProfessionalAlso auto-recertifies the CloudOps Engineer - Associate certification
- SAP-C02 - AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional
Alternative Paths
- DVA-C02 - AWS Certified Developer - AssociateComplementary skills in application development and deployment
- SAA-C03 - AWS Certified Solutions Architect - AssociateBroader architectural skills to complement operational expertise
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
The most effective way to prepare for SOA-C03 is by using the PlanetCert Simulator to practice questions and review detailed explanations.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2025-09-30
- Announcement date: 2025-09-09
Updates
- Amazon ECS Container orchestration operations, monitoring, and troubleshooting
- Amazon EKS Kubernetes cluster operations, CloudWatch agent for EKS, auto scaling
- AWS Organizations Multi-account management, SCPs, cross-account operations
- AWS CloudFormation StackSets Multi-account and multi-region deployments
- AWS Systems Manager Automation, patch management, operational workflows
Who should take this exam?
- 1 year of hands-on experience with AWS
- Experience deploying, managing, and operating workloads on AWS
- Understanding of AWS Well-Architected Framework
- Knowledge of AWS Management Console and AWS CLI
- Familiarity with at least one scripting language
- Familiarity with at least one major operating system
- Understanding of containerization and orchestration basics
- Understanding of CI/CD and Git