Summary:
- CLF-C01 was officially retired on September 18, 2023, making CLF-C02 the only valid AWS Cloud Practitioner certification exam available today.
- CLF-C02 introduces significant domain weighting changes, with Security and Compliance increasing to 30% and new coverage of AI/ML services, edge computing, and the AWS Cloud Adoption Framework.
- The exam format remains 65 questions in 90 minutes with a passing score of 700/1000, but scenario-based questions now dominate over pure definition recall.
- This guide provides a domain-by-domain comparison, new service additions, study strategies for different learner backgrounds, and actionable preparation tips for 2025-2026.
If you have been researching AWS certifications recently, you have likely encountered conflicting information about CLF-C01 and CLF-C02. The confusion is understandable because AWS transitioned between these exam versions, and outdated study materials still circulate widely. Here is the definitive answer: CLF-C01 was permanently retired on September 18, 2023, and CLF-C02 is now the only valid path to earning the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner credential. This guide breaks down exactly what changed between these exam versions, which new services and concepts you must master, and how to structure your preparation based on your technical background.
What is CLF-C01 vs CLF-C02
The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification serves as the foundational entry point into the AWS certification ecosystem. CLF-C01 represented the original exam blueprint that AWS launched to validate fundamental cloud literacy. It covered basic AWS services, billing concepts, and the shared responsibility model. This version served candidates well for several years, but the rapid evolution of AWS services and cloud adoption patterns necessitated a comprehensive update.
CLF-C02 emerged as the modernized replacement, reflecting how organizations actually use AWS in 2024-2026. The updated exam places greater emphasis on security practices, introduces coverage of AI/ML services, and tests understanding of newer architectural concepts like edge computing through Local Zones and Wavelength Zones. AWS designed CLF-C02 to better prepare candidates for real-world cloud roles and to create a stronger foundation for pursuing associate-level certifications.
The scope expansion in CLF-C02 reflects AWS’s strategic direction. Where CLF-C01 focused primarily on infrastructure services and basic cloud economics, CLF-C02 incorporates migration strategies, business application modernization, and a deeper treatment of compliance frameworks. Understanding these scope differences is essential before diving into the specific domain changes that follow.
Domain-by-domain comparison
The most significant structural change between CLF-C01 and CLF-C02 involves the redistribution of domain weightings. AWS reorganized the exam from four domains to four differently weighted domains, with Security and Compliance receiving the largest increase. This shift signals AWS’s recognition that security knowledge is non-negotiable for anyone working in cloud environments, regardless of their specific role.
Domain weighting comparison table
| Domain | CLF-C01 weight | CLF-C02 weight | Key additions in CLF-C02 | Preparation focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud concepts | 26% | 24% | AWS Cloud Adoption Framework, migration strategies, Well-Architected Framework pillars | Understand business value propositions and cloud economics |
| Security and compliance | 25% | 30% | AWS Security Hub, Amazon Macie, AWS Artifact, compliance programs depth | Master IAM policies, encryption options, and shared responsibility nuances |
| Cloud technology and services | 33% | 34% | AI/ML services (SageMaker, Rekognition, Polly), serverless expansion, edge computing | Know service categories and appropriate use cases |
| Billing, pricing and support | 16% | 12% | AWS Budgets alerts, Cost Anomaly Detection, support plan comparisons | Focus on cost optimization strategies and pricing models |
Cloud concepts domain changes
The Cloud Concepts domain decreased slightly from 26% to 24%, but the content depth increased substantially. CLF-C02 now explicitly tests the AWS Cloud Adoption Framework (CAF), which provides guidance for organizations planning cloud migrations. You must understand the six CAF perspectives: Business, People, Governance, Platform, Security, and Operations.
The AWS Well-Architected Framework receives expanded coverage in CLF-C02, now including the Sustainability pillar added in 2021. Expect questions that test your understanding of all six pillars and their practical applications:
- Operational excellence: Running and monitoring systems to deliver business value
- Security: Protecting information and systems through risk assessments
- Reliability: Ensuring workloads perform intended functions correctly
- Performance efficiency: Using computing resources efficiently as demand changes
- Cost optimization: Avoiding unnecessary costs and understanding spending
- Sustainability: Minimizing environmental impacts of running cloud workloads
Security and compliance domain changes
The increase from 25% to 30% makes Security and Compliance the second-largest domain in CLF-C02. This change reflects industry reality where security incidents dominate headlines and organizations prioritize cloud security skills. The Shared Responsibility Model remains central to this domain, but CLF-C02 tests more nuanced scenarios about where AWS responsibility ends and customer responsibility begins.
New services added to the security domain include AWS Security Hub for centralized security findings, Amazon Macie for sensitive data discovery, and expanded coverage of AWS Artifact for compliance documentation. You should understand how IAM roles, policies, and identity federation work at a conceptual level. CLF-C02 also introduces questions about AWS Organizations and Service Control Policies for multi-account security governance.
Cloud technology and services domain changes
At 34%, this domain carries the heaviest weight and underwent the most substantial service additions. CLF-C02 introduces AI/ML services that were completely absent from CLF-C01. These include Amazon SageMaker for machine learning model development, Amazon Rekognition for image and video analysis, Amazon Polly for text-to-speech, and Amazon Lex for conversational interfaces. The exam also covers Amazon Bedrock and generative AI concepts following AWS’s 2023-2024 announcements.
Serverless computing receives expanded treatment with deeper coverage of AWS Lambda, AWS Fargate, and Amazon EventBridge. Edge computing concepts now appear through Local Zones for latency-sensitive applications and Wavelength Zones for 5G edge deployments. Container services including Amazon ECS and Amazon EKS are tested at a higher conceptual level than in CLF-C01.
Billing, pricing and support domain changes
The Billing, Pricing and Support domain decreased from 16% to 12%, but the content became more focused on practical cost management. CLF-C02 emphasizes AWS Budgets, Cost Explorer, and Cost Anomaly Detection as tools for proactive cost governance. Understanding the differences between AWS Support plans (Basic, Developer, Business, Enterprise On-Ramp, and Enterprise) remains essential.
Pricing model questions now include more scenario-based formats. Rather than asking you to define Spot Instances, CLF-C02 might present a workload description and ask which pricing model provides the best cost optimization. Reserved Instances, Savings Plans, and Spot Instance use cases require practical understanding rather than rote memorization.
New services and topics introduced in CLF-C02
Beyond the domain restructuring, CLF-C02 introduces entirely new topic categories that did not exist in CLF-C01. These additions reflect AWS’s service expansion and changing customer needs. Preparing for these topics requires focused study since legacy materials will not cover them.
AI and machine learning services
The AI/ML category represents the largest content addition in CLF-C02. You must understand these services at a use-case level:
- Amazon SageMaker: Fully managed service for building, training, and deploying machine learning models
- Amazon Rekognition: Image and video analysis for facial recognition, object detection, and content moderation
- Amazon Polly: Text-to-speech service supporting multiple languages and voices
- Amazon Transcribe: Automatic speech recognition for converting audio to text
- Amazon Comprehend: Natural language processing for sentiment analysis and entity extraction
Edge computing and hybrid deployments
CLF-C02 introduces edge computing concepts that support low-latency and hybrid cloud architectures. Local Zones extend AWS infrastructure to metropolitan areas for single-digit millisecond latency. Wavelength Zones embed AWS compute and storage within telecommunications providers’ 5G networks. AWS Outposts brings AWS infrastructure on-premises for hybrid consistency. Understanding when to recommend each option based on latency, data residency, or hybrid requirements is now testable.
Migration and modernization
The exam now covers migration strategies and tools more comprehensively. You should understand the AWS Migration Hub, AWS Application Migration Service, and the 7 Rs of migration (Rehost, Replatform, Repurchase, Refactor, Retire, Retain, Relocate). Questions may present legacy application scenarios and ask which migration strategy applies.
What remains the same between CLF-C01 and CLF-C02
Despite the significant updates, core exam characteristics remain consistent. The exam format continues to use 65 questions with a 90-minute time limit. You will encounter multiple-choice questions with one correct answer and multiple-response questions with two or more correct answers. The passing score remains 700 out of 1000, and the exam costs $100 USD globally.
Foundational concepts that carried over unchanged include:
- Shared Responsibility Model: Still central to security domain questions
- Core compute services: EC2, Lambda, and Elastic Beanstalk fundamentals
- Storage services: S3, EBS, and EFS use cases and characteristics
- Database services: RDS, DynamoDB, and Aurora at a conceptual level
- Networking basics: VPC, subnets, security groups, and NACLs
The certification validity period remains three years, after which you must recertify. AWS continues to offer the exam in multiple languages and at Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide, with online proctoring available. These logistical consistencies mean your exam scheduling and preparation timeline considerations remain similar to CLF-C01 guidance.
How to prepare
Your optimal preparation approach depends heavily on your existing technical background and available study time. CLF-C02 does not require hands-on coding experience, but candidates with some AWS console exposure typically find the material more intuitive. The following strategies address different starting points.
For complete beginners with no cloud experience
If you have never used AWS or worked in technology, plan for 8-12 weeks of preparation. Start with the AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials free digital course, which provides foundational context. Create an AWS Free Tier account and spend time navigating the console to build familiarity with service interfaces. Focus heavily on the Security and Compliance domain since it carries 30% weight and contains concepts that may be entirely new to you.
For IT professionals transitioning to cloud
If you have experience with on-premises infrastructure, networking, or software development, plan for 4-6 weeks of focused preparation. Your existing knowledge of compute, storage, and networking concepts will transfer well. Concentrate your study time on AWS-specific services, the Well-Architected Framework, and the AI/ML service category that likely falls outside your current expertise. Practice mapping your existing knowledge to AWS service equivalents.
For professionals with some AWS exposure
If you have used AWS services in a limited capacity, plan for 2-4 weeks of targeted review. Focus on filling knowledge gaps in domains where you have less experience. Take multiple practice exams to identify weak areas, then study those topics specifically. Pay particular attention to the new CLF-C02 additions like the Cloud Adoption Framework and AI/ML services that may not have been part of your practical experience.
Scenario-based question strategy
CLF-C02 emphasizes scenario-based questions over pure definition recall. Consider this example of how question framing has evolved:
CLF-C01 style: “Which AWS service provides object storage?” (Answer: Amazon S3)
CLF-C02 style: “A company needs to store large media files that will be accessed infrequently but must be retrieved within minutes when needed. Which storage class provides the most cost-effective solution?” (Answer: S3 Glacier Instant Retrieval)
Practice identifying the key requirements in scenario questions before evaluating answer choices. Look for clues about latency requirements, cost constraints, compliance needs, and scalability expectations. These contextual details determine the correct answer more than service definitions alone.
Conclusion
The transition from CLF-C01 to CLF-C02 represents more than a version number change. AWS fundamentally restructured the exam to reflect modern cloud practices, with security receiving significantly more emphasis and AI/ML services entering the certification scope for the first time. The 30% weighting on Security and Compliance alone demands focused preparation on IAM, encryption, compliance frameworks, and the Shared Responsibility Model nuances.
Your preparation strategy should prioritize the new CLF-C02 additions. These include the AWS Cloud Adoption Framework, Well-Architected Framework’s six pillars including Sustainability, AI/ML service use cases, and edge computing concepts through Local Zones and Wavelength. These topics will not appear in legacy study materials, making the official AWS exam guide and updated courses essential resources.
Looking ahead, AWS continues expanding its service portfolio and updating certification exams to match. The CLF-C02 credential provides a solid foundation for pursuing associate-level certifications like Solutions Architect Associate or Developer Associate. Candidates who master the scenario-based question format and understand service selection criteria will find themselves well-prepared for the exam and for practical cloud decision-making in their careers.
