AWSFoundational
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
Exam: CLF-C02
Most widely recognized entry-level cloud cert. Best choice if AWS dominates your local job market.
~1 mo prepPractice questions
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Cloud Fundamentals Certification Roadmap
If you're entering cloud from a non-technical background or transitioning from on-prem IT, start with a fundamentals cert. This roadmap shows the easiest entry-level certs across each major cloud, plus the next steps once you pick a direction.
3 phases · 13 certifications2–6 months
Career ChangerStudentIT SupportNon-Technical Cloud Roles
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1
Phase 1 — Your First Cloud Cert
Pick one cloud and one fundamentals cert. You can pivot later — the concepts transfer.
After this phase: You have your first cloud certification on your resume.
MicrosoftFundamentals
Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
Exam: AZ-900
Easiest of the three for absolute beginners. Half-multiple choice, lots of vendor-neutral concepts.
~1 mo prepPractice questions
GoogleFoundational
Google Cloud Digital Leader
Exam: GCP-CDL
Business-leaning intro. Ideal for non-technical roles (sales, PM, marketing) entering cloud.
~1 mo prepPractice questions
2
Phase 2 — Add a Domain Fundamental
Once you have one cloud fundamentals cert, add a domain-specific fundamentals cert to signal direction.
After this phase: You've picked a direction — security, data, or AI — with a second fundamentals cert.
MicrosoftFundamentals
Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals
Exam: SC-900
Light intro to security in the Microsoft ecosystem. Pairs well with AZ-900.
~1 mo prepPractice questions
MicrosoftFundamentals
Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals
Exam: DP-900
Best data fundamentals cert across any cloud. Useful even if your day-to-day cloud is AWS or GCP.
~1 mo prepPractice questions
MicrosoftFundamentals
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals
Exam: AI-901
Beginner-friendly AI/ML intro covering Cognitive Services, OpenAI on Azure, and ML basics.
~1 mo prepPractice questions
AWSFoundational
AWS Certified AI Practitioner
Exam: AIF-C01
AWS's GenAI fundamentals cert. The fastest way to get AI on your AWS-leaning resume.
~1 mo prepPractice questions
GoogleFoundational
Google Cloud Generative AI Leader
Exam: GCP-GEN-AI
Business-leaning GenAI intro on GCP. Good fit for non-technical AI roles.
~1 mo prepPractice questions
CompTIABeginnerCross-vendor
CompTIA Security+
Exam: SY0-701
Vendor-neutral security fundamentals. The standard pre-req if you're aiming at any cloud security role.
~2 mo prepPractice questions
CompTIABeginnerCross-vendor
CompTIA Network+
Exam: N10-009
Vendor-neutral networking fundamentals. Strong base for cloud networking certs later.
~2 mo prepPractice questions
3
Phase 3 — Pick a Roadmap
Once you have 1–2 fundamentals certs, choose a role-based roadmap. The associate cert at the top of each roadmap is your next target.
After this phase: You have a clear next-cert target on a role-based roadmap.
AWSAssociate
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
Exam: SAA-C03
The most universally useful AWS associate cert. Start here if you're unsure of your AWS direction.
~3 mo prepPractice questions
MicrosoftAssociate
Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
Exam: AZ-104
The most universally useful Azure associate cert.
~3 mo prepPractice questions
GoogleAssociate
Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer
Exam: GCP-ACE
The most universally useful GCP associate cert.
~3 mo prepPractice questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cloud should I start with?
Whichever your local job market hires for. AWS dominates the US tech market; Azure is strong in enterprises (especially Microsoft shops); GCP is common in startups and ML-heavy teams.
Are fundamentals certs worth the time and money?
For complete beginners and career changers, absolutely. For experienced engineers transitioning between clouds, often no — skip directly to the associate cert.
Can I get a job with just a Cloud Practitioner / AZ-900?
Usually no on its own — fundamentals certs help your resume get noticed, but most cloud roles require an associate-level cert plus hands-on projects.
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Cloud Architect Certification Roadmap
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Move from general IT security into senior cloud security on AWS, Azure, or GCP — backed by vendor-neutral foundations.
🗃️
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