The English version of the AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate exam (MLA-C01) has closed: September 28, 2026 was the last day to take it. Since September 29, 2026, English candidates can take the updated MLA-C02 as a beta, listed under exam code ME1-C02, for 75 USD. AWS’s September 2026 certification blog puts MLA-C02 general availability (GA) at January 14, 2027, when MLA-C01 retires in all languages. The certification page still lists the GA dates as TBD.
Who this affects
- English candidates: MLA-C01 is no longer an option. Your choice is the MLA-C02 beta now or the standard MLA-C02 later.
- Japanese, Korean and Simplified Chinese candidates: MLA-C01 stays available in your language until MLA-C02 GA. The beta is English only.
- Current certification holders: nothing changes. AWS says your certification remains active through its full validity period (3 years), regardless of when you earned it.
What to do now
- Compare the formats. The beta is 85 questions in 170 minutes for 75 USD. MLA-C01 is 65 questions in 130 minutes for 150 USD. The MLA-C02 exam guide sets the pass mark at 720.
- Respect the single attempt. AWS allows one try at a beta exam. If you fail, you retake once the standard MLA-C02 is available.
- Study the new outline. The four domains keep the same structure but now cover generative AI with Amazon Bedrock and RAG, agentic AI, foundation model selection and fine-tuning, and responsible AI. Start with our MLA-C02 change breakdown, then the MLA-C02 study guide and free MLA-C02 practice questions.
- Check the cost math. Our MLA exam cost guide covers retakes and the 50% voucher for current AWS certification holders.
Key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| September 1, 2026 | MLA-C02 beta registration opens (English only); exam guide released |
| September 28, 2026 | Last day to take MLA-C01 in English |
| September 29, 2026 | MLA-C02 beta delivery begins |
| January 14, 2027 | MLA-C02 GA delivery in all languages; MLA-C01 retired everywhere (per the AWS blog; the certification page says TBD) |
Source
- AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate certification page
- AWS certification updates, September 2026 (blog)
- MLA-C02 exam guide
- MLA-C01 vs MLA-C02 comparison (AWS docs)
- AWS Certification Before Testing policies (beta exams)
Checked against the AWS Certified Machine Learning Engineer – Associate page, the MLA-C02 exam guide and AWS’s September 2026 certification update on October 6, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I still take MLA-C01 in English?
No. AWS set September 28, 2026 as the last day to take MLA-C01 in English. English candidates now take the MLA-C02 beta, or wait for the standard MLA-C02.
What is AWS exam code ME1-C02?
It is the exam code AWS lists for the MLA-C02 beta on the Machine Learning Engineer - Associate certification page. The exam guide and AWS blog call the updated exam MLA-C02.
When does MLA-C02 become generally available?
AWS's September 2026 certification blog says GA delivery begins January 14, 2027 in all languages, and MLA-C01 retires the same day. The certification page still lists the GA dates as TBD, so confirm before you book.
Is my MLA-C01 certification still valid?
Yes. AWS says your certification remains active through its full validity period regardless of when you earned it, and the certification is valid for 3 years.
