AWS Developer Associate (DVA-C02)
Validate your ability to develop, test, deploy, and debug AWS cloud applications at the associate level.
- Exam fee
- 150 USD
- Duration
- 130 minutes
- Valid for
- 3 years
- Typical salary
- $120K–$155K
If you already build applications on AWS and have at least a year of hands‑on experience, this associate certification is a solid credential. Those without any cloud background should start with the AWS Cloud Practitioner first.
What DVA-C02 covers
Validates skills in developing, deploying, debugging, and securing cloud-native applications on AWS. Essential for developers building modern AWS solutions.
Key topics covered: AWS core services for developers, Lambda & serverless applications, DynamoDB & RDS, API Gateway & AppSync, CI/CD with CodePipeline, Security & monitoring.
Best suited for: Software developers with 1+ year experience building cloud-native applications on AWS.
Common career paths: AWS Developer, Cloud Developer, Backend Software Engineer, Platform Engineer.
DVA-C02 exam details
65 questions; multiple choice or multiple response
Exam domains
- AWS core services for developers
- Lambda & serverless applications
- DynamoDB & RDS
- API Gateway & AppSync
- CI/CD with CodePipeline
- Security & monitoring
At a glance
- Exam fee
- 150 USD
- Duration
- 130 minutes
- Prerequisites
- One or more years of hands‑on experience developing and maintaining applications on AWS is recommended
- Valid for
- 3 years
How to prepare for DVA-C02
| Stage | What to do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Familiarize with Exam Outline Read the official exam guide, note the question format and duration, and review the short‑name service list provided in the exam help. | Week 1 |
| 2 | Refresh Core AWS Services Take digital courses and Builder Labs to fill knowledge gaps in the services most used by developers (e.g., Lambda, API Gateway, DynamoDB, CodePipeline). | Week 2‑3 |
| 3 | Practice Exam‑Style Questions Complete the AWS Certification Official Practice Question Set and flashcards to get comfortable with the style and pacing of the 65 questions. | Week 4 |
| 4 | Hands‑On Labs & Simulations Run AWS Builder Labs, Cloud Quest, or SimuLearn scenarios that mimic real‑world development, deployment, and debugging tasks. | Week 5‑6 |
| 5 | Full‑Length Practice Exam Take the official practice exam under timed conditions, review wrong answers, and focus on any remaining weak areas before scheduling the real exam. | Week 7 |
Jobs and salary with DVA-C02
People holding this certification commonly report pay around $120K–$155K. Pay depends heavily on role, location and total experience. See the salary breakdown.
Roles this certification supports
DVA-C02 questions answered
What is the AWS Developer Associate (DVA-C02) certification?
Validate your ability to develop, test, deploy, and debug AWS cloud applications at the associate level. It is issued by Amazon Web Services and sits in the Cloud Computing field.
Is AWS Developer Associate (DVA-C02) hard?
AWS Developer Associate (DVA-C02) is rated Intermediate. It assumes some foundational knowledge or entry-level experience.
How much does the AWS Developer Associate (DVA-C02) exam cost?
The listed exam fee is 150 USD. Fees vary by country and change over time, so confirm the current price with Amazon Web Services before you book.
How long is the AWS Developer Associate (DVA-C02) exam?
The exam runs for 130 minutes.
How long is AWS Developer Associate (DVA-C02) valid?
AWS Developer Associate (DVA-C02) is valid for 3 years, after which it must be renewed under Amazon Web Services's renewal rules.
Are there prerequisites for AWS Developer Associate (DVA-C02)?
One or more years of hands‑on experience developing and maintaining applications on AWS is recommended
What salary can I expect with AWS Developer Associate (DVA-C02)?
Professionals with AWS Developer Associate (DVA-C02) commonly report pay in the $120K–$155K range. Actual pay depends on role, location and total experience.
How should I prepare for AWS Developer Associate (DVA-C02)?
Start with the official exam outline, build hands-on practice for each domain, then finish with timed practice questions. The study plan on this page breaks this into steps.
Alternatives to DVA-C02
| Certification | Vendor | Level |
|---|---|---|
| AWS Solutions Architect Associate | Amazon Web Services | Intermediate |
| AWS Cloud Practitioner | Amazon Web Services | Beginner |
| Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) | Microsoft | Beginner |
| Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) | Microsoft | Intermediate |
| Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer | Google Cloud | Intermediate |