Does the $150 AWS Professional/Specialty Voucher Include the Free Retake?

The Short Answer

No. The $150 AWS Professional or Specialty voucher does **not** include a free retake. It is a non-refundable discount code that reduces the standard $300 exam price by 50 %, good for a single attempt. If you fail, you’ll need to pay the full $300 (or use another voucher) to retake the exam.

The retake-eligible bundle is a separate product called the **AWS Certification Exam Voucher with Free Retake**, which typically sells for $300 and grants you one exam attempt plus a second chance at no extra cost—during specific promotional windows.

Why the confusion exists

The $150 vouchers are often distributed at AWS events, through partner programs, or as part of training bundles. Many candidates mistakenly assume the “free retake” offer is included because they’ve seen the retake bundle advertised at the same $300 price point. But AWS treats these as two distinct SKUs.

In a recent r/AWScertifications thread, a holder of a $150 conference voucher asked “Does this come with the free retake?” The answer from AWS-certified community members was unanimous: **you have to buy the retake bundle separately.**

Understanding AWS Exam Vouchers

AWS offers three main types of vouchers for Professional and Specialty exams:

**Standard Exam Voucher ($300)** – One attempt, no retake.

**Discounted Voucher ($150)** – One attempt, no retake. Usually made available through limited-time programs, training completions, or partner incentives.

**Exam Voucher with Free Retake ($300)** – One attempt + one retake, if needed. Sold during promotional windows such as Prime Day, AWS re:Invent, or “AWS Get Certified” challenges.

According to the [AWS Exam Pricing page](https://aws.amazon.com/certification/policies/exam-pricing/), the base price for a Professional or Specialty exam is $300. The $150 voucher simply halves that cost; it does not add the retake benefit.

The retake mechanism

When you purchase the *Exam Voucher with Free Retake*, you receive a single code that covers both attempts. If you fail the first attempt, you can schedule the retake within the validity window (usually 12 months) without paying again. The $150 voucher never carries this protection.

> **Note:** AWS occasionally reassigns retake eligibility to vouchers sold during specific campaigns. Always check the offer terms before purchasing. As of the latest published policy, only the $300 “with retake” SKU guarantees a second chance.

How to verify before you schedule

1. **Check the voucher description** in your AWS Training & Certification account. Look for the phrase “free retake” or “retake eligible.”

2. **Confirm the purchase email** if you bought it directly. The subject line and body will explicitly state “with retake” if it’s included.

3. **Search the AWS Support Portal** for the voucher code’s terms (though not always transparent).

4. **Ask in the official AWS Certification Lounge** on Slack or the AWS Discord—community managers often clarify.

What to buy if you want a safety net

If you want the free retake, **do not buy the $150 voucher**. Instead, wait for a promotion that offers the $300 retake-eligible bundle. AWS typically runs these campaigns:

**AWS Certification Challenge** (e.g., “Get Certified: Advanced Networking”)

**Prime Day / Black Friday** deals

**re:Invent registration promos**

The retake bundle is just $300, which is the same as the full-price standard exam, so you effectively get a free retake at no extra cost.

Real-world citation

In a popular r/AWScertifications thread titled “$150 voucher from AWS Summit—does it include the retake?”, multiple users confirmed it did not. One commenter shared a screenshot from the AWS training portal showing the voucher as a “50 % off exam attempt” with no mention of a retake. The consensus matched the [official voucher terms](https://aws.amazon.com/certification/vouchers/): “The $150 voucher only applies to a single exam delivery.”

Bottom line

The $150 AWS Professional/Specialty voucher is a great discount, but it’s a one-shot deal. For the psychological safety of a free retake, you need the distinct $300 exam + retake bundle. Before spending any money, double-check your voucher’s description, and never assume the retake is included unless the wording explicitly says so.

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