Exam comparison
CLF-C02 vs AIF-C01: Which AWS entry-level exam first?
CLF-C02 (Cloud Practitioner) and AIF-C01 (AI Practitioner) are both entry-level AWS certifications lasting 90 minutes and requiring a score of 700 to pass. The key difference: CLF-C02 covers broad cloud concepts, while AIF-C01 assumes foundational cloud knowledge and focuses on AI and machine learning applications.
In short: Start with CLF-C02 if you're new to AWS or cloud platforms; choose AIF-C01 if you already understand cloud services and want to specialize in AI/ML.
| CLF-C02 | AIF-C01 | |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Code | CLF-C02 | AIF-C01 |
| Role / Level | Cloud Practitioner (foundational) | AI Practitioner (foundational with AI focus) |
| Duration | 90 minutes | 90 minutes |
| Passing Score | 700/1,000 | 700/1,000 |
| Scored Questions | 50 (plus 15 unscored) | 50 (plus 15 unscored) |
| Prerequisites | None | None (AWS knowledge recommended) |
Key Domains
CLF-C02
- Cloud Concepts 24%
- Security and Compliance 30%
- Cloud Technology and Services 34%
- Billing, Pricing, and Support 12%
AIF-C01
- Fundamentals of AI and ML 20%
- Fundamentals of GenAI 24%
- Applications of Foundation Models 28%
- Guidelines for Responsible AI 14%
- Security, Compliance, and Governance for AI Solutions 14%
What Overlaps and What Differs
Overlap: Both cover AWS fundamentals, security principles, and compliance basics. Both assume no prior AWS experience required nominally, though AIF-C01 study materials reference cloud services that CLF-C02 teaches first.
Difference: CLF-C02 surveys AWS services across compute, storage, databases, and networking with emphasis on cost optimization and billing. AIF-C01 narrows to AI and machine learning: generative AI concepts, foundation models, and responsible AI practices.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose CLF-C02 if…
- You're new to AWS or cloud computing entirely.
- You plan to pursue higher-level certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate or AWS Certified SysOps Administrator - Associate.
- Your job requires broad knowledge of AWS services, not just AI/ML.
Choose AIF-C01 if…
- You have some AWS or cloud exposure already and want to specialize in generative AI and machine learning.
- Your role or career goal centers on AI/ML applications.
- You want to demonstrate AI literacy without broad cloud administration knowledge.
How to Prepare
- Read the official exam guide (CLF-C02 or AIF-C01) to understand the domains and task statements.
- For CLF-C02: review the official resource page. For AIF-C01: see the AI Practitioner resource page.
- Practice with our CLF-C02 practice exam and AIF-C01 practice exam. Use the study mode to review weak areas.
- Set realistic expectations: both are 90-minute exams covering 50 scored questions in a single sitting. Pace yourself.
Try both, free
Original questions, each answer explained with a link to the documentation. Study mode is free and needs no account.
Practice Exam CLF-C02: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
25 free questions with explanations
Practice Exam AIF-C01: AWS Certified AI Practitioner
25 free questions with explanations