I have never used a cloud console before. Where do I start?

Start with a fundamentals-level certification such as Azure AZ-900 or AWS CLF-C02, paired with one small free-tier project. Fundamentals exams establish shared vocabulary before you move into role-based, hands-on certifications.

I already work in IT but I am new to cloud. What changes?

You can likely skip straight to an associate-level certification such as AWS SAA-C03 or Azure AZ-104 if you already have networking, systems, or scripting experience, then build one documented project to prove the skill.

How do I know if a certification is still current before I study it?

Check the AI certification lifecycle tracker on PrepKloud for AI-related exams, and check each roadmap or path page for lifecycle notes on other certifications, then confirm against the official provider page before you register or study.

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Start Here: Find Your First PrepKloud Learning Path

Pick the description closest to your situation. Each route links to one certification roadmap, one practice test, and one project idea so you can start today instead of browsing 450+ pages.

Six starting points

Choose the closest match

These are learning recommendations based on common backgrounds and goals, not a guaranteed hiring or exam outcome. Recheck certification lifecycle status before you register for any exam.

🧭 Complete beginner to cloud and IT

You have not used AWS, Azure, or GCP before and want the simplest possible entry point.

Start with: Azure AZ-900 or AWS CLF-C02 fundamentals, then one free-tier project.

Open the AZ-900 roadmap Open the CLF-C02 roadmap Compare AZ-900 vs CLF-C02

💼 Career switcher with general IT experience

You already work in tech (helpdesk, networking, sysadmin, QA) and want to move into cloud roles.

Start with: An associate-level certification, since fundamentals may move too slowly for you.

Open the AWS SAA-C03 roadmap Open the AZ-104 roadmap Compare SAA-C03 vs AZ-104

🤖 Interested in AI and machine learning

You want to move into AI engineering, prompt-driven applications, or ML operations.

Start with: An AI fundamentals certification on your target cloud platform.

Open the AI-901 roadmap Open the AIF-C01 roadmap Compare AI-901 vs AIF-C01

🔐 Focused on security

You want a security-first career path across vendor-neutral and Microsoft-specific credentials.

Start with: CompTIA Security+ for vendor-neutral fundamentals, or SC-900 if you are Microsoft-focused.

Open the Security+ roadmap Open the SC-900 roadmap Compare Security+ vs SC-900 vs SC-500

🛠️ DevOps, platform engineering, or infrastructure as code

You want to provision infrastructure as code and operate container platforms like Kubernetes.

Start with: HashiCorp Terraform Associate for infrastructure as code, or CKA for Kubernetes administration.

Open the Terraform Associate roadmap Open the CKA roadmap Compare Terraform Associate vs CKA

🎯 Actively job hunting right now

You have some certifications or projects already and need to convert them into interviews and offers.

Start with: A documented portfolio project, a tuned resume, and a role-based learning journey.

Browse project ideas Open resume templates Browse role journeys

Still not sure?

Use these decision tools instead

If none of the six routes above fit cleanly, these pages help you reason through the decision directly.

Best certification by persona

Compare practical starting points for business, development, operations, security, data, and leadership work.

Find your fit

Full certification catalog

Browse every active certification, roadmap, quiz, and flashcard set PrepKloud supports.

Browse all certifications

Certification lifecycle tracker

Check whether an AI certification is active, retired, or replaced by a successor exam before you commit study time.

Check AI lifecycle status