Program comparison
AWS AIF-C01 vs. MLA-C01: AI Practitioner or Machine Learning Engineer Associate
AWS AI Practitioner (AIF-C01) vs Machine Learning Engineer - Associate (MLA-C01): compare scope, time, US exam cost, assessment and renewal.
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AWS Certified AI Practitioner (AIF-C01) is an entry-level AI literacy exam for people who use, but do not necessarily build, AI/ML solutions on AWS. AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer - Associate (MLA-C01) is an associate builder exam for running ML workloads in production. AWS labels MLA-C01 as Current, but its English delivery ended September 28, 2026; in English, the updated MLA-C02 is open in beta. Facts were observed in the United States on 5 October 2026.
Choose AIF-C01 if you work with AI on AWS and want a first credential: coding models, feature engineering and building pipelines are out of scope.
Choose Machine Learning Engineer - Associate if you build and run ML workloads on AWS with about a year of experience; in English, that exam is now the MLA-C02 beta.
Which MLA Exam You Can Take
The MLA page[1] shows two versions. MLA-C01 (Current) stays available in Japanese, Korean and Simplified Chinese until MLA-C02 general availability, date TBD. MLA-C02 (Beta) is English only: 170 minutes, 85 questions, 75 USD labelled beta pricing, as shown in the United States on 5 October 2026. AWS says the update keeps the same domains and adds generative AI and agentic AI content. A certification remains active through its full validity period regardless of when you earn it.
How They Relate
The AIF-C01 page recommends Machine Learning Engineer - Associate as a next step for data, AI and machine learning careers; earning it automatically recertifies AIF-C01.
At a Glance
| Feature | AIF-C01[2] | MLA-C01[1] |
|---|---|---|
| Scope & Prerequisites | Up to 6 months of AI/ML exposure on AWS; uses, but does not necessarily build, AI/ML solutions. | At least 1 year of ML engineering and 1 year of hands-on AWS experience; runs ML workloads in production. |
| Time Measure | 90 minutes; 65 questions. | 130 minutes; 65 questions. |
| Numeric US Cost | 100 USD per attempt, as shown in the United States on 5 October 2026. | 150 USD per attempt, as shown in the United States on 5 October 2026. |
| Assessment Mechanism | Proctored exam; pass mark 700 of 1,000. | Proctored exam; multiple choice and multiple response. |
| Expiry & Renewal | Valid 3 years; three exam routes. | Valid 3 years; two exam routes or a 1-year Skill Builder option. |
Scope and Prerequisites
The AIF-C01 exam guide[3] weights applications of foundation models at 28 percent and generative AI fundamentals at 24 percent.
The MLA-C02 exam guide[4] weights data preparation at 28 percent and model development, deployment, and operations and security at 24 percent each.
Time, Assessment and Renewal
Both are proctored, at a test center or online. The MLA-C01 passing score is not shown on the AWS pages checked on 5 October 2026.
The AWS FAQ[5] requires recertification every three years. Per the recertification page[6], AIF-C01 renews by passing the latest version of AIF-C01, of the Machine Learning Engineer - Associate exam or of the Generative AI Developer - Professional exam. Machine Learning Engineer - Associate renews for 3 years by passing its latest version or the Generative AI Developer - Professional exam, or can be maintained for 1 more year on AWS Skill Builder with a paid subscription.
Cost
AWS lists 100 USD for AIF-C01 and 150 USD for MLA-C01, as shown in the United States on 5 October 2026; the FAQ notes that taxes may apply. Each retake costs the full fee, after a 14-day wait.
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Sources
- aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-machine-learning-engineer-associate/ · checked
- aws.amazon.com/certification/certified-ai-practitioner/ · checked
- docs.aws.amazon.com/aws-certification/latest/ai-practitioner-01/ai-practitioner-01.html · checked
- docs.aws.amazon.com/aws-certification/latest/machine-learning-engineer-associate-02/machine-learning-engineer-associate-02.html · checked
- aws.amazon.com/certification/faqs/ · checked
- aws.amazon.com/certification/recertification/ · checked