General · AWS Solutions Architect Associate · Posted 23 Jun
AWS Solutions Architect – Associate holders can add a year of validity through the Skill Builder Maintain beta
AWS said on 23 June 2026 that Solutions Architect – Associate holders within 90 days of expiry can extend the certification by one year by earning 500 points of training and labs on AWS Skill Builder, in an open beta.
AWS Training and Certification announced on 23 June 2026 an open beta of a new Maintain route for keeping some certifications current, and AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate (SAA-C03) is one of them. AWS's recertification page lists it as a third option for SAA, alongside passing the latest version of the exam or passing Solutions Architect – Professional.
How it works
- You become eligible once your certification is within 90 days of expiry; it must still be active.
- You need an active AWS Skill Builder Individual or Team subscription.
- Associate-level certifications need 500 points of curated training and labs, including at least one practical activity.
- Completing it extends the certification by one year from the completion date. Renewing by exam still gives three years.
The beta also covers Developer – Associate, CloudOps Engineer – Associate, DevOps Engineer – Professional and Solutions Architect – Professional. AWS has not given an end date for the beta.
What to do: candidates who do not yet hold the certification still need to pass the SAA-C03 exam. Holders nearing expiry can choose between the one-year Maintain route and the three-year exam renewal.
We summarise official notices. Always check the official notice before you act. Source: AWS Training and Certification.