- Newest
- Most votes
- Most comments
You're absolutely right that the MLA-C02 exam represents an important update for AWS Machine Learning Engineer certification candidates. Here's what you should know about the transition and what's changing:
The beta registration for MLA-C02 opened on September 1, 2026, with beta delivery beginning September 29, 2026. For those taking the exam in English, the last day to take the current MLA-C01 version was September 28, 2026. However, if you're taking the exam in Japanese, Korean, or Simplified Chinese, MLA-C01 will remain available until the general availability delivery of MLA-C02 on January 14, 2027.
Regarding what's new in MLA-C02, the exam structure and domains remain the same, but there are significant content updates that reflect how the ML engineer role has evolved. The key additions include:
- Generative AI implementation, including building and deploying GenAI solutions, fine-tuning foundation models, and implementing retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) architectures
- Agentic AI, focusing on orchestrating AI agents and complex workflows
- Foundation models and large language models (LLMs), covering selection, customization, and operationalization
- Expanded coverage of Amazon Bedrock capabilities for generative AI workloads
- Updated guidance on responsible AI practices across both traditional ML and generative AI
The exam continues to validate core ML engineering competencies while incorporating these modern practices. It's designed for professionals responsible for end-to-end ML lifecycle management, operationalizing foundation models and GenAI applications, building and managing ML data pipelines, and integrating ML/GenAI capabilities into applications.
For preparation, the recommended experience includes at least one year using Amazon SageMaker AI, Amazon Bedrock, and other AWS services for ML engineering. The beta exam consists of 85 questions over 170 minutes and costs $75 USD.
If you were already prepared for MLA-C01 before September 28, 2026, taking that version would have been a valid option since your credential remains active through its original expiration date. However, taking MLA-C02 validates both traditional ML and generative AI skills, which may be more valuable given the current industry direction.
The standard version of the updated exam will be available in early 2027 for all exam languages, so there will be more opportunities to take it beyond the beta period.
Sources
Certification updates from AWS Training and Certification: September 2026 | AWS Training and Certification Blog
AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer - Associate (MLA-C02) - AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer - Associate
Updates to AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate (MLA-C02) | AWS Training and Certification Blog
I recommend this AWS Skill Builder.
I suggest focusing primarily on the Exam Prep section and taking the time to work through the questions thoroughly.
answered 9 days ago
Relevant content
asked 10 months ago
asked a year ago
asked 8 months ago
- AWS OFFICIALUpdated 2 years ago
I had a similar experience while preparing for the AWS Machine Learning Engineer – Associate exam. I used the official AWS material for the core concepts and also practiced with Pass4surexams tests to check my understanding and get used to different question scenarios. The practice helped me identify the areas where I needed more revision and made me more confident going into the exam. Thankfully, I was able to pass on my first attempt.