AWS Competency Program

Highlight your AWS technical expertise and specialization to differentiate your business

What is the AWS Competency Program?

The AWS Competency Program validates and promotes AWS Partners with demonstrated AWS technical expertise and proven customer success.

The AWS Competency Program is an AWS Specialization Program that validates partner expertise in building software or delivering services across industries, use cases, and workloads. Competency Partners are measured against a high bar to achieve an AWS Specialization, making it easier for customers to find partners with the right expertise and experience to grow their business.

Explore benefits, success stories, how to get started, and available competencies below.

How customers select cloud partners

of customers highlight AWS Specializations as a top three criteria for partner selection.

Read the full report from Canalys

of customers review their partners’ vendor certifications at least 2x a year.

of partners currently have, or are actively building, industry-specific IP to solve customers’ problems.

Success stories

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Get started

Step 1: Join the AWS Partner Network

Upon joining the APN, enroll in the Path(s) based on your customer offering:

Become an AWS Partner

Step 2: Enroll in AWS Partner Path(s)

For organizations that develop software that runs on or is integrated with AWS, enroll in the Software Path and meet the minimum validation criteria i.e. successfully complete the AWS Foundational Technical Review (FTR). Learn more about AWS FTR
For organizations that leverage AWS to deliver consulting, professional, managed, and resale services, enroll in the Services Path and meet the minimum validation criteria i.e. achieve AWS Advanced Tier Services Partner. Learn more about AWS Partner Tier requirements
For organizations that develop hardware devices that work with AWS, enroll in the Hardware Path and meet the minimum validation criteria i.e. have a validated device qualification. Learn how to validate your hardware with AWS Device Qualification Program

Step 3: Choose the AWS Competency

Choose the AWS Competency that aligns best with your organization's offering.

Step 4: Choose the AWS Competency and Review Program Requirements

Choose the AWS Competency that aligns best with your organization's offering.
Review the program requirements outlined in the Validation Checklist specific to your chosen AWS Competency.
Start with the AWS Competency Navigate track, available in Partner Central, for prescriptive guidance to grow your expertise and meet the AWS Competency requirements faster.

Start with the AWS Competency Navigate Track

Step 5: Unlock benefits

Upon achieving an AWS Competency, you will receive a welcome email outlining the benefits you can take advantage of, including your AWS Partner Badge. This email and our benefits guide will help you make the most of the recognition, early access, AWS expert engagement, financial incentives, and ways to upskill on AWS that you gain through the program.

Access Benefits Guide in Partner Central