AWS Developer Associate (DVA-C02) Certification Guide 2026: Cost, Domains + Best Prep
Last updated: May 2026. Written by Josh Hutcheson. See our review methodology.
By Josh Hutcheson · E-Learning Specialist
Reviewing online learning platforms since 2019. Review methodology
The 60-second guide: AWS Certified Developer Associate (DVA-C02) is the developer-focused AWS Associate cert. $150, 130 minutes, 65 questions. Tests building, deploying, and maintaining apps on AWS using Lambda, API Gateway, DynamoDB, ECS, CloudFormation. Most candidates pass with 8-12 weeks of prep. Best prep path for most: Stephane Maarek’s DVA-C02 Udemy course + Tutorials Dojo practice tests. For portfolio depth: the Udacity Cloud Developer Nanodegree.
By the numbers (DVA-C02):
- 500,000+ DVA-C02 holders globally. Source: aws.amazon.com.
- AWS Developers earn $115K-$155K base mid-level in US tech hubs. Source: glassdoor.com.
- DVA-C02 is required prerequisite for AWS DevOps Engineer Professional (DOP-C02). Source: aws.amazon.com.
Risk reversal: AWS retake allowed after 14 days. $150 per attempt. Most candidates pass second try after addressing weak domains.
What is DVA-C02?
DVA-C02 is the AWS Associate cert focused on developers building applications on AWS. Where SAA-C03 tests architectural design, DVA-C02 tests development workflow — how to write Lambda functions, configure API Gateway, work with DynamoDB, deploy with CloudFormation/SAM, integrate with AWS SDKs, and troubleshoot production code.
It’s the most relevant cert for software engineers building on AWS (not architects). Required prerequisite skill foundation for AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional.
Should you pursue DVA-C02?
Take it if:
- You’re a developer (not architect or sysadmin) targeting AWS-stack roles.
- You write code in Python, Node.js, Java, or .NET regularly.
- You’re working toward AWS DevOps Engineer Professional (DOP-C02 requires DVA-C02 OR SOA-C02 as foundation).
Skip if:
- You’re an architect — SAA-C03 is more relevant.
- You target Azure — pursue AZ-204 Azure Developer.
Exam format
| Detail | DVA-C02 |
|---|---|
| Cost | $150 USD |
| Duration | 130 minutes |
| Questions | 65 |
| Passing score | 720 / 1000 |
| Validity | 3 years |
The 4 exam domains
Domain 1: Development with AWS Services (32%)
Lambda function authoring, environment variables, layers, integrations. API Gateway REST + HTTP APIs. DynamoDB SDK usage, Streams, Global Secondary Indexes. ECS task definitions and service deployments.
Domain 2: Security (26%)
IAM roles for Lambda + EC2, Cognito User/Identity Pools, Secrets Manager, KMS encryption in code, signing requests with SDKs.
Domain 3: Deployment (24%)
CloudFormation + SAM templates, CI/CD with CodePipeline + CodeBuild + CodeDeploy, blue/green and canary deployments, deployment strategies.
Domain 4: Troubleshooting and Optimization (18%)
CloudWatch Logs queries, X-Ray tracing, Lambda error patterns, cost optimization for serverless apps.
Salary impact
- Junior AWS Developer (DVA only): $90K-$120K base US.
- Mid-level (3-5 yrs + DVA-C02): $115K-$155K base.
- Senior (5+ yrs + DVA-C02): $145K-$195K base + bonus + equity.
Best ways to prepare for DVA-C02
Honest ranking by community consensus:
#1 (recommended for most): Stephane Maarek’s DVA-C02 on Udemy
Stephane Maarek’s DVA-C02 course on Udemy ($15-30 with discount). Consensus #1 pick on r/AWSCertifications. ~32 hours covering all 4 domains with hands-on labs.
#2 (alternative): Adrian Cantrill’s DVA-C02
cantrill.io, $40 self-paced. Goes deeper on technical details. Some prefer Cantrill’s explanatory style for code-heavy content.
#3 (essential): Tutorials Dojo practice tests
$14.99 for full-length practice tests by Jon Bonso. Hardest tests on the market — pass these and you’ll pass the real exam.
#4 (free supplement): AWS Skill Builder
AWS’s official learning platform. Free DVA-C02 learning path. Solid baseline alongside paid courses.
#5 (for portfolio + cert combo): Udacity Cloud Developer Nanodegree
For hiring, the cert opens doors but the portfolio gets you hired. Udacity Cloud Developer Nanodegree (nd9990) — intermediate level, 60 hours — builds full-stack cloud-native apps with AWS. See our full review (covers AWS + Azure variants).
12-week study plan
- Weeks 1-2: Foundations + AWS account setup. Refresh Python/Node.js basics if rusty.
- Weeks 3-7: Stephane Maarek’s DVA-C02 course. Hands-on labs after each section.
- Weeks 8-9: Hands-on: build real Lambda + API Gateway + DynamoDB apps.
- Weeks 10-11: Tutorials Dojo practice tests. Aim 80%+.
- Week 12: Schedule + take exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is DVA-C02?
Moderate. ~70% pass rate with 8-12 weeks of focused prep. Slightly more code-heavy than SAA-C03.
How much does DVA-C02 cost?
$150 for the exam. Total prep cost: $150-$400 with Maarek’s Udemy + Tutorials Dojo.
Is DVA-C02 worth it?
Yes for AWS-stack developers. Required for AWS DevOps Engineer Pro path. Adds ~$10-20K to median offers.
DVA-C02 vs SAA-C03 — which first?
SAA-C03 if you’re an architect or generalist. DVA-C02 if you’re specifically a developer building on AWS.
What languages do I need for DVA-C02?
Python, JavaScript, or Java most common. Code samples appear in multiple languages.
What jobs can I get?
AWS Developer, Cloud Developer, Cloud Engineer (developer track), Backend Engineer (AWS focus). Median: $115K-$155K base US.
Final verdict
DVA-C02 is the right AWS cert if you’re a developer (not architect or sysadmin). Pair Maarek’s Udemy course with Tutorials Dojo practice tests for exam prep. Add Udacity Cloud Developer Nanodegree for hands-on portfolio depth.
Start DVA-C02 prep with Maarek’s Udemy course →
Related guides
AWS cert path: CLF-C02 · SAA-C03 · DEA-C01 · MLA-C01
Comparison: AWS vs Azure · AZ-204 Azure Developer
Best courses: Udacity Cloud Developer Nanodegree (AWS + Azure)