By Quick answer: What is the best DevOps certification for beginners?
- Start — AWS Cloud Practitioner ($100).
- Next — Azure AZ-900.
- Then — AWS Solutions Architect ($150).
- Practise — free tests along the way.
Key takeaways
- Start with fundamentals before specialist exams.
- Hands-on practice matters at every step.
- One finished certification beats several started.
Beginners in DevOps often start in the wrong place. These certifications are arranged in learning order, from first steps to a first job-ready credential.
Beginner DevOps picks
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerAmazon Web Services | $1001 | 90 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 2 | Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)Microsoft | Exam priced by country2 | 45 minutes | Free test |
| 3 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1503 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 4 | HashiCorp Certified: Terraform AssociateHashiCorp | Check the official page4 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 5 | Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)Linux Foundation / CNCF | $4455 | 2-hour hands-on, performance-based exam | Free test |
| 6 | Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)Scrum.org | Check the official page6 | Check issuer | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- AWS Cloud Practitioner Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner before you pay.Start free test →
- AZ-900 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) before you pay.Start free test →
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate before you pay.Start free test →
- Terraform Associate Practice ExamPractise for HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate before you pay.Start free test →
Each pick, in the order beginners take them
- AWSAWS Certified Cloud PractitionerCloud basics$100
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)Azure basicsExam priced by country
- AWSAWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateCloud associate$150
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Cost
- $1001
- Format
- 90 minutes, 65 questions
AWS Cloud Practitioner ($100). AWS's entry exam covers cloud concepts, core services, security and billing. It's 90 minutes with 65 questions and costs $100, so it's the usual first cloud exam for beginners and non-technical staff.
Best forcloud basics
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country2
- Format
- 45 minutes
Azure AZ-900. Microsoft's Azure fundamentals exam covers cloud concepts, core Azure services, pricing and governance in 45 minutes. Training is free on Microsoft Learn, the exam is priced by country and it doesn't expire.
Best forAzure basics
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1503
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
AWS Solutions Architect ($150). AWS's associate exam tests designing secure, resilient, high-performing and cost-aware systems on AWS. It's 130 minutes with 65 questions and costs $150, and it's the cloud credential most often named in job posts.
Best forcloud associate
HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate
- Cost
- Check the official page4
Terraform Associate. HashiCorp's associate exam proves infrastructure-as-code skills with Terraform, which works across AWS, Azure and Google Cloud. It suits DevOps and cloud engineers; check HashiCorp's page for the current fee.
Best forinfrastructure as code
Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
- Cost
- $4455
- Format
- 2-hour hands-on, performance-based exam
CKA ($445, hands-on). The Linux Foundation's Certified Kubernetes Administrator is a two-hour, performance-based exam taken in a live cluster. It costs $445 including one free retake and is respected because it tests real hands-on skill.
Best forcontainers
Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I)
- Cost
- Check the official page6
PSM I for agile. Scrum.org's Professional Scrum Master I is exam-only, with no course required, and it doesn't expire. Study the free Scrum Guide and practise before booking; check Scrum.org's page for the current fee.
Best foragile delivery
A beginner plan
- Month 1 — Linux, Git and a cloud fundamentals exam.
- Months 2–3 — AWS SAA with labs.
- Month 4 — Terraform; provision your app.
- Months 5–6 — Docker, Kubernetes and CKA.
How we ranked these picks
We chose certifications open to beginners and ordered them as a learning path. Fees from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best DevOps certification for beginners?
Start with AWS Cloud Practitioner ($100).
Can I learn DevOps with no experience?
Yes, in the order above.
How long does it take?
Typically three to six months part-time to a first job-ready credential.
Are there free options?
Yes; training for most exams is free.
Is there a free test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers free beginner tests.
Sources
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- HashiCorp — HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Linux Foundation — Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Scrum.org — Professional Scrum Master I (PSM I), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
Where to go from here
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Prove the skill before you pay for the exam.
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