Why does the invoice show a different number than 100 USD?
AWS publishes local prices for one Foundational attempt. The Before Testing policy page lists every line. Applicable taxes may apply on top. AWS updates exchange rates at least annually in May. You get at least 30 days notice when rates change.
The list has no British pound and no Canadian dollar price. UK candidates pay the 100 USD converted at checkout. They also pay VAT, which stands for value-added tax. Canadian candidates pay the converted dollar price. They also pay GST/HST, which stands for goods and services tax and harmonized sales tax. Indian rupee payments, listed as INR, work only through the Pearson Mindhub voucher store.
Each row buys one attempt. Only the USD line is fixed by AWS. The other lines move with the rates AWS re-fixes each May.
| Currency | Price for one attempt | Also on the invoice | Note |
|---|
| USD | 100 USD | Applicable taxes | The price quoted by most blog posts |
| EUR | 85 EUR | Applicable taxes | Published price |
| AUD | 150 AUD | Applicable taxes | Australia and New Zealand |
| INR | 8,553 INR | Applicable taxes | Payment only via Pearson Mindhub voucher store |
| JPY | 15,000 JPY | Applicable taxes | Published price |
| KRW | 131,525 KRW | Applicable taxes | Published price |
| CNY | 704 CNY | Applicable taxes | Published price |
| GBP | No GBP price published | VAT plus USD conversion | UK candidates pay USD plus tax |
| CAD | No CAD price published | GST/HST plus USD conversion | Canadian candidates pay USD plus tax |
Is the free AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam still available in 2026?
A promotion code named AIF2CLOUD once opened a free route. It gave 50 percent off the AWS Certified Artificial Intelligence Practitioner exam, code AIF-C01. The exam ran at Pearson VUE. A pass dated on or before September 30, 2026 unlocked a free Cloud Practitioner attempt. That attempt had to be completed by November 30, 2026.
For a candidate starting now, the promotion is closed. The free attempt required a pass on AIF-C01 dated on or before September 30, 2026. The discount applied automatically at registration. No second code was needed. One offer applied per customer. The age limit was 18. The Pearson VUE AIF2CLOUD promotion terms set all of these conditions.
Two routes remain open for new candidates. If you hold any AWS certification, you earn a 50 percent discount voucher. The exam then costs 50 USD. Otherwise it costs 100 USD.
What does a failed attempt or a missed appointment cost?
There is no limit on the number of attempts. Each attempt must be paid for in full. You must wait 14 calendar days after a failure. One failure and one pass costs 200 USD. That is 100 USD plus 100 USD.
Missing an appointment forfeits the entire fee. AWS says documented illness or emergency may qualify for a fee waiver. Rescheduling is free up to 24 hours before the appointment. An appointment can be rescheduled no more than twice. Inside 24 hours the full fee applies with no refund. A refund is issued only if you cancel more than 24 hours ahead.
After passing, the same exam generally cannot be retaken for two years. The aws certified cloud practitioner exam cost therefore grows with every extra attempt. The exam has no prerequisites. The AWS Certification Prerequisites 2026 guide lists what each level asks for.
The AWS Certification Cost 2026: Full Fee Breakdown page lists every AWS exam price. For the next step up, the How to Pass AWS Certified Solutions Architect guide covers the Associate exam.
| Route | Exam fees paid | Prep spend | Total | Who it is for |
|---|
| Free attempt via AIF2CLOUD | 0 USD, applied automatically | 0 USD optional | 0 USD | Closed to new candidates. Only for an AIF-C01 pass by Sept 30, 2026 |
| 50 percent discount voucher | 50 USD | 0 USD optional | 50 USD | Holders of an AWS Certification |
| Standard single attempt | 100 USD | 0 USD with free question sets | 100 USD | First-time candidates |
| Standard attempt with Skill Builder | 100 USD | 29 USD | 129 USD | Want the full-length practice exam first |
| One fail, then a pass | 200 USD | 0 USD optional | 200 USD | Adds a 14-day wait |
| One fail then a pass, with Skill Builder | 200 USD | 29 USD | 229 USD | One failed attempt plus one prep month |
| No-show | 100 USD forfeited | 0 USD | 100 USD lost | Reschedule free up to 24 hours before. Medical waiver exception |
Next steps
The aws certified cloud practitioner exam cost starts at 100 USD per attempt. Cloud Quest renewal costs nothing. The 50 USD voucher needs an existing AWS certification. The 29 USD prep plan pays off only if it prevents a second attempt.
- Check whether you already hold an AWS certification. Claim the 50 percent discount voucher if you do.
- Use the free AIF2CLOUD route only if you passed AIF-C01 by September 30, 2026.
- Work through the free practice question sets and the free 2-hour Exam Prep course first.
- Reschedule free of charge more than 24 hours before your appointment.
- Set a calendar reminder when your credential enters its six-month window, then claim the free AWS Cloud Quest renewal.
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Fazlur Rahman
