The short version
The AWS Certified Developer – Associate credential is valid for three years. You renew it by passing the latest version of the exam, by passing AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional, or by maintaining it through an AWS Skill Builder subscription. If you fail an attempt, you wait 14 calendar days and may try again, with no limit on attempts. This page reflects AWS pages checked on October 22, 2026, and AWS remains the authority if anything changes.
How long the credential lasts
AWS lists three years of validity for this credential. The clock starts when you pass. After that you either renew or let it lapse.
Holding DVA-C02 does not put you on a deadline because of the new version. AWS says current credentials stay active through their original expiration date, whichever version you took. DVA-C03 does not cancel your DVA-C02 badge.
Renewal routes
AWS’s recertification page describes two ideas that are easy to mix up.
- Renewal adds three years. AWS counts them from the day you complete the qualifying exam.
- Maintenance adds one year, counted from the day you finish the maintenance activities.
For the Developer – Associate credential, AWS lists these ways to stay current:
- Pass the latest version of the Developer – Associate exam.
- Maintain the credential through AWS Skill Builder.
- Pass AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional, which recertifies this credential.
Two conditions apply. The certification must still be active when you renew or maintain it. For maintenance, you must be within 90 days of the expiration date and hold an active paid Skill Builder subscription. AWS does not print the subscription cost on that page, and this guide does not either.
AWS also says many exams can be taken with a 50 percent discount voucher from your AWS Certification account. Check your account for the voucher and its conditions.
What AWS does not say
The recertification page does not say what happens after a credential expires, or whether you can still renew late. If you expect to cut it close, read the page again, then look at your AWS Certification account. Do not assume a grace period exists.
Retake rules
If you do not pass, AWS requires a waiting period of 14 calendar days from the failed attempt. There is no cap on the number of attempts. Each attempt needs the full registration fee, so a retake is a real cost, not a free redo.
If you pass, you cannot take the same exam again for two years. There is one exception that matters here: when an exam gets a new exam guide and a new series code, you may take the new version. That is the case for DVA-C03 after DVA-C02.
Results arrive within five business days, and you find them under Exam History in your AWS Certification account. The exam format page covers scoring and exam-day rules.
Version changes: DVA-C02 and DVA-C03
Here are the dates AWS has published.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| October 27, 2026 | The date a September 2026 AWS blog gave for DVA-C03 registration opening. The exam guide says December 1, 2026 and leads. As of October 27, 2026, AWS’s sources differ. |
| November 30, 2026 | Last day to take DVA-C02 |
| December 1, 2026 | DVA-C03 delivery begins, and registration opens according to the exam guide |
AWS’s own advice in its September 2026 announcement is simple. If you are ready now, take DVA-C02 by November 30. If you want AI-assisted development and AI security skills reflected in your credential, wait for DVA-C03. Both lead to the same credential name, and both are valid for three years.
If you fail DVA-C02 close to the cutoff, think before you rebook. A 14-day wait from a mid-November attempt could push the retake past November 30, and you would then sit DVA-C03 instead, with a different blueprint. Our study plan explains how to choose between the two versions.
A timeline example
This example is made up, to show the arithmetic.
- Maya passes the Developer – Associate exam on March 10, 2027. The credential runs for three years.
- In the final year she plans ahead. If she wants to maintain through Skill Builder, she waits until she is within 90 days of expiration, subscribes, and completes the maintenance activities.
- Or she takes the latest exam version at any point while the credential is still active. AWS says renewal adds three years from the day she passes.
- Or she passes DevOps Engineer – Professional, which also recertifies this credential.
The safest habit is to put a reminder on your calendar six months before the expiration date.
More guides for DVA-C03
- DVA-C03 Sample Questions With Answers
- Is the DVA-C03 Exam Hard?
- DVA-C03 Prerequisites and Skills Check
- Is DVA-C03 Worth It? An Honest Look
- DVA-C03 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
- DVA-C03 vs SAP-C03: Which AWS Exam First?
Next step
Read DVA-C03 domains explained to plan your preparation, or see the exam overview. When you want timed practice, try the DVA-C03 practice tests. For the rules themselves, the AWS Developer – Associate exam page is the source.
Frequently asked questions
Does my DVA-C02 credential expire early because DVA-C03 launches?
No. AWS says current credentials stay active through their original expiration date.
How many times can I retake the exam?
There is no limit on attempts. You wait 14 calendar days after a failed attempt and pay the full fee each time.
Can I retake an exam I already passed?
Not for two years, unless the exam has a new exam guide and series code.
Does passing DevOps Engineer – Professional renew this credential?
Yes. AWS lists it as one way to recertify the Developer – Associate credential.