Quick answer: AWS is updating its Machine Learning Engineer Associate certification exam. MLA-C02 beta delivery begins 29 September 2026, while general availability is scheduled for 14 January 2027. The updated exam expands beyond traditional machine learning engineering to include generative AI, foundation models, LLM workloads and agentic AI. English candidates can take the current MLA-C01 only through 28 September 2026.
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AWS MLA-C02 exam at a glance
| Certification | AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate |
| Updated exam | MLA-C02 |
| Beta delivery starts | 29 September 2026 |
| General availability | 14 January 2027 |
| Beta duration | 170 minutes |
| Beta questions | 85 |
| Beta price | US$75 |
| Beta language | English |
| Testing | Pearson VUE test center or online proctoring |
| Credential validity | 3 years |
What is changing in MLA-C02?
AWS says the machine learning engineer role now includes more than building and deploying traditional models. The updated exam reflects production work involving generative AI, foundation models, large language models and agentic workflows alongside established ML engineering practices.
This makes MLA-C02 especially relevant for candidates working with Amazon SageMaker AI, Amazon Bedrock, MLOps, LLMOps and production AI systems.
MLA-C01 vs MLA-C02
| Area | MLA-C01 | MLA-C02 beta |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 65 | 85 |
| Duration | 130 minutes | 170 minutes |
| Price | US$150 | US$75 beta price |
| Focus | ML engineering and production workloads | ML engineering plus GenAI, foundation models, LLM and agentic workloads |
| English availability | Through 28 September 2026 | Beta from 29 September 2026 |
Should you take MLA-C01 now or wait for MLA-C02?
If you are already prepared for MLA-C01 and can sit the English exam by 28 September 2026, AWS says you can complete the current version and the resulting credential remains valid through its normal expiration date.
If your goal is to demonstrate newer generative AI and agentic AI skills, MLA-C02 is the more current blueprint. The beta is also priced lower, but beta candidates should be comfortable preparing for a newly updated exam and waiting for beta scoring.
Who is MLA-C02 designed for?
AWS identifies roles including machine learning engineer, MLOps engineer, LLMOps engineer, data engineer, backend software developer and data scientist. The intended candidate has roughly one year of experience using Amazon SageMaker AI, Amazon Bedrock and other AWS ML engineering services.
What skills should you prepare?
- Production machine learning
- Expect to understand how ML workloads move from development into reliable production environments. That includes deployment, monitoring, operationalization and lifecycle management.
- Amazon SageMaker AI
- SageMaker remains central to the certification. Candidates should be comfortable with the services and workflows used to build, train, deploy and monitor machine learning solutions.
- Amazon Bedrock and generative AI
- The updated exam explicitly reflects generative AI work. Build familiarity with foundation-model applications, Bedrock-based solutions and the operational considerations around LLM workloads.
- Agentic AI and LLMOps
- AWS has highlighted agentic workflows as part of the changing ML engineer role. Candidates should understand how modern AI systems are orchestrated, evaluated, secured and monitored in production.
A practical MLA-C02 study plan
- Read the official exam guide. Use the current AWS blueprint as the source of truth for domains and weighting.
- Map your gaps. Separate traditional ML engineering, AWS service knowledge and newer GenAI topics.
- Use AWS Skill Builder. Follow the official preparation path and exam-prep resources.
- Build hands-on practice. Work with SageMaker AI and Bedrock rather than relying only on video lessons.
- Use official practice questions. Learn how AWS frames scenario-based decisions.
- Revisit weak domains. Focus final study time on gaps rather than repeating familiar material.
Key dates for MLA-C02
- 1 September 2026: beta registration opened.
- 28 September 2026: last day to take MLA-C01 in English.
- 29 September 2026: MLA-C02 beta delivery begins.
- 14 January 2027: MLA-C02 general availability begins in supported languages; remaining MLA-C01 versions retire.
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Frequently asked questions
Is MLA-C02 available now?
Registration for the beta is open. Beta delivery begins on 29 September 2026.
How much does the MLA-C02 beta cost?
AWS lists the beta price at US$75.
How many questions are on the beta?
The beta has 85 multiple-choice and multiple-response questions and allows 170 minutes.
Is AWS MLA-C02 worth waiting for?
For candidates who want their exam preparation to reflect generative AI, foundation models and agentic workloads, MLA-C02 is the more current blueprint. Candidates already prepared for MLA-C01 may prefer to sit the current exam before its English retirement date.
How long is the certification valid?
AWS states that the credential is valid for three years.