AWS re:Invent 2026 Certification: 50% Voucher Guide

If you attend AWS re:Invent 2026 in person, you get a 50% discount voucher valid for any AWS Certification exam. The event runs November 30 - December 4 in Las Vegas, according to the AWS Partner Network blog.

If you are not going, you can still buy a voucher today. Read on for the details, the exam changes, and a simple way to decide.

How the attendee 50% voucher works

AWS states that all in-person re:Invent attendees receive a 50% discount voucher. It is valid for any AWS Certification exam. You can use it for online-proctored exams or test center-based exams.

Here is the short version:

The voucher expiry date and the exact way to claim it are not confirmed yet. Check your attendee portal and the AWS Certification site before you plan around it.

The AWS Certified Lounge and early-certification perks

AWS also rewards people who certify before the event. If you earn an AWS Certification before attending, you get special recognition during the event. That includes access to the AWS Certified Lounge, where you can recharge and network.

The AWS re:Invent post does not mention on-site certification exams, so do not count on testing at the venue. Plan to sit your exam online or at a test center.

As of November 6, 2026, there are 24 days until the event opens on November 30. That gives you a practical window to certify first.

Exam changes in 2026 you should plan around

Two changes matter if you are choosing an exam now.

• New Generative AI Developer Professional exam. AWS added this professional-level exam in 2026.

• ANS-C01 retires on 31 December 2026. This is the AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty exam.

The exam code and launch details for the new exam are not covered in AWS's re:Invent post.

If networking is your goal, read our ANS-C01 retirement guide. It explains what to do before the cutoff.

Key dates during the conference week

These are the dates AWS lists that you may want to block out:

AWS says reserved seating is available for popular sessions. You choose sessions in the attendee portal and the event catalog. The AWS Events mobile app helps with planning and shuttle tracking.

Worked example: should you wait for the voucher or buy now?

Take ANS-C01 as an example. It retires on December 31, and the event ends December 4.

• From November 6 to December 31 is 55 days.

• From the end of re:Invent (December 4) to December 31 is 27 days.

If you wait for the attendee voucher, you have 27 days left to study, book and sit the exam. That is tight for a specialty exam. If you already study for it, buying a voucher now keeps your schedule flexible. Our ANS-C01 voucher is $279.99 as of November 6, 2026.

For exams that are not retiring, waiting is lower risk. You can attend, collect the 50% voucher and book after the event. To decide, compare 50% off the AWS list price with our price, and check that the attendee voucher's expiry leaves you time to book.

If you are not attending: our AWS voucher prices

You do not need a Las Vegas ticket to pay less for an AWS exam. We sell AWS vouchers. The code arrives by email within 12 hours of payment and also appears in your account.

These are our prices in USD as of November 6, 2026:

Starting out? The CLF-C02 voucher is tied with AIF-C01 as the lowest-priced entry point on our list, both at $36.99. Browse more on our cloud computing certifications page. We also track seasonal sales in our Black Friday voucher guide.

A 24-day plan before re:Invent opens

Want to arrive already certified? Here is a realistic plan if you pick a fundamentals or associate exam.

1. Days 1-3: Download the official exam guide from AWS. Mark the domains you know least.

2. Days 4-17: Study about 5-7 hours per week on those weak domains. Build small labs in a free-tier account.

3. Days 18-21: Take a full-length practice test. Review every wrong answer, not only the score.

4. Days 22-24: Book the exam, test your online-proctoring setup or confirm the test center, and rest.

If the exam feels out of reach in 24 days, do not rush it. Take the 50% voucher after the event instead.

Pre-event checklist

• Confirm your registration and sign in to the attendee portal.

• Pick your sessions and reserve seats for the popular ones.

• Decide which exam you want and whether it is retiring soon.

• Wear comfortable shoes. AWS notes you may walk 10+ miles a day.

• Bring chargers. The AWS Partner Booth in the main Expo has a space to power up devices.

If you want to save on an exam without waiting, pick your exam from the table above and order the voucher.

Sources

• Know Before You Go: An AWS Partner's Guide to re:Invent 2026 (AWS Partner Network Blog)