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AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

Amazon’s entry-level cloud certification. Prove you understand the fundamentals of cloud computing and how it works on Amazon Web Services — the ideal first step into cloud, whether you’re technical or not. No experience required.

Enrol Now — £195
Duration
4–8 weeks
Format
100% online
Prerequisites
None needed
Access
12 months

About this certification

What Is the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02)?

Amazon’s foundational certification proving you understand core cloud concepts and how they work on Amazon Web Services.

The certification explained

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) is Amazon’s foundational certification, proving you grasp core cloud concepts along with the main AWS services, pricing, security and support. It’s the recognised entry point into the AWS ecosystem.

It suits anyone starting out in cloud — IT staff, sales and procurement teams, students and career changers alike. You don’t need a technical background, just an interest in how cloud computing works and where it fits in a modern organisation.

There are no prerequisites, so you can enrol and prepare for the exam without any prior experience. It’s a recognised first step toward the role-based AWS certifications that follow, from associate to professional and beyond.

CLF-C02
AWS certification — the entry point to Amazon Web Services
0
prerequisites — no experience needed to enrol or sit the exam
Cloud
fundamentals — concepts, services, pricing, security and support
AWS
awarding body — a globally recognised cloud platform

Is this for me?

This Course Is for You If…

The Cloud Practitioner suits anyone starting out in cloud — whether you’re technical or not, CLF-C02 is the natural first step.

IT Professionals New to Cloud

Ready to move your IT experience into the cloud and the AWS roles that follow.

Sales, Procurement & Business Staff

Working with AWS and want to understand the services, pricing and value you’re discussing.

Students & Graduates

Add a recognised, in-demand cloud credential to your CV before you start your career.

Career Changers

Moving into cloud or IT and want a credible, achievable first qualification to build on.

Developers Wanting Cloud Basics

Want the cloud fundamentals behind the AWS services your applications run on.

Future AWS Specialists

Anyone preparing for the role-based AWS certifications — Cloud Practitioner is the recommended starting point.

Course structure & curriculum

What You’ll Learn — Module by Module

The course runs across 8 modules built around the four CLF-C02 domains — cloud concepts; security and compliance; cloud technology and services; and billing, pricing and support — plus exam prep. Clear lessons with demonstrations throughout.

Introduction to Cloud Computing & AWS
What the cloud is · An introduction to Amazon Web Services · How the CLF-C02 exam works
~1 hr
Cloud Concepts
IaaS, PaaS and SaaS · Public, private and hybrid cloud · The benefits of cloud computing
~2 hrs
The AWS Global Infrastructure
Regions and availability zones · Edge locations · The shared responsibility model
~2 hrs
Core AWS Services
Compute · Networking · Storage · Databases
~2 hrs
AWS Management & Monitoring Tools
The AWS Management Console and CLI · Amazon CloudWatch · Service health and alerts
~2 hrs
Security, Identity & Compliance
AWS IAM · Authentication and access · AWS security and compliance tools
~1 hr
Billing, Pricing & Support
AWS pricing and cost tools · AWS Support plans · Billing and account management
~1 hr
Exam Preparation & Practice
Practice questions · Weak-area review · Exam-day readiness
~1 hr

What the course covers

What cloud computing is

IaaS, PaaS & SaaS

Public, private & hybrid cloud

Benefits of the cloud

Capital vs operational cost

The consumption-based model

Regions & availability zones

The AWS global infrastructure

Compute services

Networking

Storage

Databases

Management & monitoring tools

Identity & access (IAM)

AWS security & compliance tools

Billing, cost management & pricing

The shared responsibility model

AWS Support plans

What’s included

Everything You Need to Succeed

Each course includes the materials, hands-on practice, and support you need to learn the skills properly and walk into the exam ready.

12 Months Course Access

Full access to all course materials and labs for 12 months. Study on any device, online 24/7. Never lose your progress.

Built-In AI Tutor

An AI-powered tutor built right into your course — ask it anything, any time, and get clear, instant explanations of tricky topics 24/7.

Meet your AI tutor →

Hands-On Practice & Labs

Guided hands-on labs and practice questions modelled on the CLF-C02 exam, so you build real familiarity with AWS and walk in knowing what to expect.

Account Manager Support

A dedicated account manager to keep you on track, answer your questions, and point you to AWS when you’re ready to book your exam.

Help when you need it →

Certificate & Digital Badge

Complete the course and you’ll receive a Career Smarter certificate of completion and a shareable digital badge for your LinkedIn and CV. The official AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification itself comes from passing the exam.

Shareable & verifiable →

14-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Not the right course? If you change your mind within 14 days of enrolling, we’ll refund you — no fuss.

Risk-free enrolment →

The official AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) exam isn’t included in the course price. You sit it separately with AWS via Pearson VUE — online with a proctor or at a test centre — paying the exam fee directly to AWS when you’re ready.

In practice

Cloud Practitioner Skills in the Real World

Organisations run on the cloud now. See where understanding AWS fundamentals makes a difference.

Understanding the Cloud

Knowing what the cloud is and why it matters

What IaaS, PaaS and SaaS actually mean, the difference between public, private and hybrid cloud, and why organisations move to the cloud in the first place. CLF-C02 gives you the vocabulary and the concepts to follow any cloud conversation.

Cloud Practitioner skills in action Understanding the consumption-based model helps you explain why cloud shifts cost from up-front capital to flexible, pay-as-you-go spending.

Talking About AWS

Speaking confidently about AWS services

What AWS offers for compute, networking, storage and databases, and how regions, availability zones and the global infrastructure fit together. CLF-C02 means you can navigate the AWS Management Console and discuss services with technical teams.

Cloud Practitioner skills in action Knowing the core services lets sales, procurement and project staff scope and price AWS work without guessing.

Billing & Security

Keeping cloud spend and compliance under control

How AWS pricing works, the tools that track and forecast cost, what the shared responsibility model means for security, and how AWS Support plans differ. CLF-C02 gives you the grounding to ask the right questions.

Cloud Practitioner skills in action Understanding cost-management tools and the shared responsibility model helps teams avoid surprise bills and set realistic expectations.

Exam details

About the AWS CLF-C02 Exam

CLF-C02 is a single exam, sat directly with AWS through Pearson VUE — online with a remote proctor, or at a test centre. It isn’t included in the course price and there’s no exam add-on: you book it separately and pay the exam fee directly to AWS when you’re ready. This course gives you the full training and preparation you need to walk in confident. The exam covers four domains: cloud concepts (24%), security and compliance (30%), cloud technology and services (34%), and billing, pricing and support (12%).

Questions
65
Format
MC & multi-response
Pass mark
700 / 1000
Duration
90 minutes
Prerequisites
None
Exam
Sat separately with AWS

What to Expect on Exam Day

The CLF-C02 exam is booked and sat directly with AWS through Pearson VUE. You can take it online with a remote proctor, or at a local test centre — whenever you’re ready.

Booking

When you feel ready, you book your exam directly with AWS through Pearson VUE — online or at a test centre near you — paying the exam fee to AWS. Your account manager can point you in the right direction.

Equipment required

For online testing you need a laptop or desktop (not a mobile or tablet), a working webcam and microphone, a quiet private room, and a stable internet connection.

On the day

You have 90 minutes and 65 questions, in a mix of multiple-choice (one correct answer) and multiple-response (two or more correct answers) formats.

Results

Your score is reported on a 100–1000 scale. Score 700 or above and you’ve passed — you’ll be AWS Certified: Cloud Practitioner.

Rescheduling

If something comes up, you can reschedule through Pearson VUE up to 24 hours before your exam. Your account manager can help if you’re not sure how.

Student reviews

What Our Students Say

4.8

1,247 verified reviews

The majority of students pass first time, based on an internal student survey conducted in May 2026.

5★
80%
4★
15%
3★
5%
2★
0%
1★
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trustpilot
BEN Carter
Very approachable team to talk to set you up on your courses and a quick response to get you started soon as possible. Sandy was very helpful for me and setting me up for my course. Thank you
...
trustpilot
an iFi Audio Zen DAC
Highly recommend Career Smarter! Account manager Lanie is very responsive and always willing to help.
...
trustpilot
Moby
I was looking for an AgilePM foundation course and found Career Smarter (thorough the Reed website), I requested information and received a prompt and helpful response from Lanie detailing the different options and prices etc. Lanie followed up a few days later but there was no sense of feeling pressured, nor any phone calls, just email and WhatsApp messages, giving me the time to consider the options and compare with others. I’ve now booked my course (which was easy, the website is good) which as it happens is also less expensive than other offers, and I’m encouraged by the other very positive reviews of this company.
Thank you Lanie, we haven’t spoken yet but I haven’t forgotten that you are on hand if I need further assistance.
...

Career Growth Path

Where This Certification Takes You

CLF-C02 is the first step from any background into cloud and AWS roles. See where it leads — and the certifications that take you further.

Where You Are Now

Any background — no experience needed

Cloud Practitioner

£28k–£38k avg.

You are here

Cloud Support / Junior Cloud Engineer

£32k–£45k avg.

Solutions Architect / SysOps Associate

£45k–£60k avg.

Cloud Engineer / Solutions Architect

£60k–£85k avg.

Cloud skills are among the most sought-after in IT
AWS is one of the leading cloud platforms used by organisations worldwide

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Pricing

Simple, Transparent Pricing

One course, no hidden extras. The official AWS exam is booked and paid separately with AWS when you’re ready.

What you get — full exam preparation

Complete training and practice for CLF-C02, with 12 months’ access. Study at your own pace and prepare to pass first time.

The exam — sat separately with AWS

The official AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam isn’t included. You book it directly with AWS via Pearson VUE and pay the exam fee to AWS when you’re ready.

Cloud Practitioner — Sale Price

£295 £195 inc. VAT Save £100

Everything you need to prepare for the CLF-C02 exam. The official AWS exam is booked and paid separately with AWS when you’re ready.

12 Months Course Access
Study anytime, on any device, 24/7
Built-In AI Tutor
24/7 AI help while you study
Hands-On Practice & Labs
Build real familiarity with AWS
Full Exam Preparation
Exam booked separately with AWS via Pearson VUE
14-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Change your mind, get a refund
Certificate & Digital Badge
On course completion — shareable & verifiable

Finance available at checkout · 14-day money-back guarantee

Pay Monthly

From £12.4/month

CAREER SMARTER LTD is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Social Money Limited t/a Payl8r who is authorised by the FCA under Ref. Number 675283. Credit is subject to creditworthiness and affordability assessments. Missed payments may affect your credit file, future borrowing and incur fees. Representative Example: £440.00 over 12 months at 2.50% fixed per month. Rep APR 65.5%. Monthly: £47.67. Total repayable: £572.04. 0% interest rate applies only where the loan is repaid in full within 3 months.

Team & Corporate

Bulk discounts available

Training 3 or more employees? Get volume pricing, a dedicated account manager, and custom reporting.

Talk to Our Team

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before you enrol.

Do I need any experience to take the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner?

No. CLF-C02 is a foundational, entry-level certification with no formal prerequisites. It's designed for people new to the cloud, so you can enrol and prepare without any prior AWS or technical experience.

Is the official AWS exam included in the course price?

No. The course price covers your training and full exam preparation. The official AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) exam is sat separately with AWS — you book it directly through Pearson VUE and pay the exam fee to AWS when you're ready.

How is the CLF-C02 exam structured?

The exam has 65 questions in a mix of multiple-choice and multiple-response formats, with 90 minutes to complete it. It's scored on a 100–1000 scale and the pass mark is 700. You can sit it online with a remote proctor or at a Pearson VUE test centre.

Is this certification recognised by employers?

Yes. AWS is the world's most widely used cloud platform, and the Cloud Practitioner is a globally recognised credential. It's a credible way to show employers you understand cloud fundamentals and the AWS ecosystem, whatever your background.

How long do I have to complete the course?

You get 12 months' access to all course materials and labs, studying online at your own pace on any device. Most learners are ready for the exam within 4–8 weeks, but there's no pressure — work through it on a schedule that suits you.

What can I do after the Cloud Practitioner?

It's the recommended starting point for the role-based AWS certifications. From here you can progress to the Associate-level certifications — Solutions Architect, Developer or SysOps Administrator — and on to the Professional and Specialty certifications as your career grows.

Start Today

Start your cloud
career today.

Join the UK professionals who chose Career Smarter. Flexible, affordable, and built around Amazon’s entry-level AWS certification — the ideal first step into cloud.

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AWS Certified
No experience needed
Built-in AI tutor
12 months access