AWS ANS-C01 Retirement: Last Exam Day Is December 31, 2026
The ANS-C01 retirement is official: AWS will retire the Advanced Networking – Specialty exam, and the last day to take it is December 31, 2026. However, certifications earned before then stay active for the standard three years. After retirement, AWS will not issue new ANS certifications. So if you want this credential, book your exam before the end of 2026.
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What the ANS-C01 retirement means for you
First, the date is fixed. According to the official AWS certification page, December 31, 2026 is the final exam day. Also, AWS has not named a successor exam. Instead, it points learners to digital networking training on AWS Skill Builder.
Second, your existing badge is safe. If you pass before the deadline, your certification stays active for three years. In other words, a pass on December 30, 2026 keeps you certified until late 2029.
Can you still recertify?
Normally, AWS lets you recertify by passing the latest version of the exam. Once the exam is retired, though, there is no version left to pass. As a result, your ANS certification will simply expire at the end of its three-year term.
Is the exam still worth taking?
For many network engineers, yes. Above all, the credential still proves deep AWS networking skills for three years. Meanwhile, the exam itself has not changed:
- 65 multiple choice or multiple response questions
- 170 minutes
- 300 USD, at Pearson VUE centers or online
- English, Japanese, Korean and Simplified Chinese
Plus, if you already hold an active AWS certification, you get 50% off your next exam.
How to prepare before the deadline
Time is short, so practise with realistic questions now. For example, our AWS Advanced Networking Specialty practice exam covers all exam domains with explanations. You can start with a $1 trial, which is deducted when you upgrade. Then the full exam is a one-time $14.99, with no subscription. Finally, every purchase includes a 14-day money-back guarantee.
