Microsoft Azure is one of the most popular platforms for cloud computing. According to Microsoft, it’s used by 95% of Fortune 500 companies. Professionals seeking to advance their careers, especially those pursuing opportunities at Fortune 500 companies, can earn Azure and other Microsoft certifications to improve their skills and get more out of the platform.
Some employers also pay for employees working in relevant roles to earn Azure certifications as continuing education benefits. By doing so, companies gain in-house expertise to maximize their return on investment and gain a competitive advantage. For example, employees with relevant certifications can help companies successfully implement a hybrid cloud or multi-cloud strategy.
However, Azure is a complex platform with well over 200 products and cloud services under its umbrella, and it can be difficult to know where to start the Azure training process.
As it does with other solutions in the Microsoft ecosystem, Microsoft offers dozens of certifications and exams to equip professionals with the right skills to manage Azure and improve their mastery of the cloud platform’s many cloud services. In this article, we’ll review 50 of the best Azure certifications and exams to upgrade your knowledge of this essential platform.
The Top 50 Microsoft Azure Certifications
1. Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate
Do you know how to configure and manage Windows Server with on-premises, hybrid, and IaaS workloads? This certification proves you have the expertise to work with Azure administrators, architects, and network engineers.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Deploying and managing AD DS on-premises and in the cloud
- Managing storage and file services
- Migrating servers and workloads
Cost: $165
2. Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals
This Microsoft certification touches on high-level cybersecurity topics. As long as you have a general understanding of Azure and Microsoft 365, you should be able to earn this certification in cybersecurity and compliance.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Describing security, compliance, and identity in Microsoft systems
- Understanding Microsoft’s identity, security, and compliance solutions
- Understanding the capabilities of Microsoft Azure Active Directory
Cost: $99
3. Microsoft Certified: Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty
The Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty is an advanced exam that’s perfectly suited to experienced architects or engineers. You need knowledge of SAP solutions on Microsoft Azure to earn this certification, as well as in-depth knowledge of the Azure Marketplace, Azure Resource Manager, disaster recovery design, networking, and virtualization.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Migrating SAP workloads to Azure
- Designing and implementing SAP infrastructure on Azure
- Maintaining SAP workloads on Azure
Cost: $165
4. Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate
This certification allows a professional to work as a Microsoft security operations analyst. After earning this certification, you’ll work with other stakeholders to secure your organization’s IT systems. It’s a good fit for professionals who want to do threat management, monitoring, and response.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Mitigating threats with Microsoft 365 Defender
- The use of third-party security products
- Configuration and deployment of Defender, Defender for Cloud, and Sentinel
Cost: $165
5. Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert
While Security Operations Analyst Associates take action to mitigate threats, certified Cybersecurity Architect Experts create cybersecurity strategies for protecting Azure. This certification qualifies you to design cybersecurity strategies using Zero Trust principles.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Data security
- Access and identity management
- Governance Risk Compliance (GRC) technical strategies
Cost: $165
6. Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert
Certified DevOps Engineers work with developers and Azure administrators to improve organizational efficiency. To sit for this certification, you’ll need experience administering Azure, Azure DevOps, and GitHub.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Developing SRE strategies
- Managing source controls
- Developing instrumentation strategies, continuous integrations, and release management strategies
Cost: $165
7. Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate
Cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated, and teams using Azure rely on Access Administrators to keep their systems secure against these threats. To sit for this exam, you’ll need to understand Azure and Microsoft 365 workloads, as well as PowerShell, KQL, and Microsoft Entra.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Implementing identities in Azure AD
- Implementing authentication and access
- Creating hybrid identity solutions and identity governance
Cost: $165
8. Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
Do you have experience designing cloud and hybrid solutions in Microsoft Azure? This certification proves you understand how to work with computing, networking, storage, monitoring, and security within Azure.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Networking and virtualization
- Identity, governance, and monitoring solutions
- Business continuity and infrastructure solutions
Cost: $165
9. Microsoft Certified: Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate
Professionals with the Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate certification know how to create IaaS and PaaS offerings using Azure Stack Hub. This certification allows you to plan, deploy, and maintain Azure Stack Hub infrastructure, as well as manage and optimize all services that run in an organization’s Azure Stack Hub.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Planning and deploying Azure Stack Hub
- Collaborating with developers, DevOps engineers, and virtual infrastructure administrators
- Providing services and managing infrastructure
Cost: $165
10. Microsoft Certified: Azure Support Engineer for Connectivity Specialty
This specialized certification proves your subject matter expertise for troubleshooting connectivity issues in Azure. You’ll need to understand how to spot issues with access control, virtual machines, networking, and more to fix Azure connectivity problems.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Networking and hybrid environments
- Routing, permissions, and subscription limits
- PaaS and IaaS troubleshooting
Cost: $165
11. Microsoft Certified: Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty
Do you have hands-on experience with designing and maintaining remote apps and virtual desktop machines? This certification proves your experience managing Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop Experiences. You’ll need to understand end-user desktop environments as well as how to deliver applications and configure user settings.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Planning and implementing Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure
- Implementing identity and security
- Creating user environments and apps
Cost: $165
12. Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate
Azure security engineers design secure Azure infrastructure. This certification qualifies you to recommend security configurations for access management, data applications, and networks within Azure.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Administering Microsoft Azure and hybrid environments
- Compute, network, and storage in Azure
- Azure Active Directory
Cost: $165
13. Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate
Azure Network Engineers ensure Azure stays resilient and secure while optimizing performance. To sit for this certification exam, you’ll need to understand storage and networking resources in Azure, as well as networking fundamentals.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Resolution, network protocols, and network address management
- Designing and implementing core networking infrastructure
- Managing Azure connectivity issues
Cost: $165
14. Microsoft Certified: Azure IoT Developer Specialty
Internet of Things (IoT) devices are an essential part of Azure’s efficiency. This certification proves that a professional understands both device types and Azure services like data storage, data processing, and PaaS.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Processing and managing data
- Monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimizing IoT devices
- Implementing IoT Edge
Cost: $165
15. Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
This fundamentals certification is one of the most basic Microsoft Azure certifications you can earn. It’s perfect for both new and experienced Azure users and lays the foundation for more advanced or specialized certifications.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Describing cloud concepts
- Understanding Azure architecture and services
- Understanding Azure management and governance
Cost: $99
16. Microsoft Certified: Azure Enterprise Data Analyst Associate
Enterprise organizations require special considerations in Azure, and this certification proves that a professional knows how to manipulate data in an enterprise Azure environment. To earn this certification, you need advanced Power BI skills, as well as in-depth knowledge of DAX and Azure Synapse Analytics.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Querying relational databases
- T-SQL, Power Query, and DAX
- Data visualization
Cost: $165
17. Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate
This associate-level exam is perfect for junior cloud developers. To earn this certification, you’ll need to understand how to develop, deploy and maintain the Azure cloud. You should understand data storage, APIs, app authentication, and debugging to sit for this certification exam.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Azure compute, storage, and security solutions
- Monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimizing Azure
- Connecting Azure to third-party services
Cost: $165
18. Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate
Azure Database Administrators manage Azure’s availability, security, and performance by optimizing its database. They regularly work with data engineers, architects, developers, and data scientists to keep Azure running as efficiently as possible. To earn this certification, you need to understand how to build SQL Server and Azure SQL databases.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Planning and implementing data platform resources
- Monitoring, configuring, and optimizing databases
- Automating tasks
Cost: $165
19. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate
This certification equips you with the knowledge to run machine learning workloads on Azure. As an Azure Data Scientist Associate, you’ll apply data science principles to train and scale machine learning models.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Designing and preparing machine learning solutions
- Deploying and retraining models
- Exploring data models
Cost: $165
20. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals
This beginner-level certification proves basic knowledge of data in the cloud. You’ll need to understand relational data, big data, analytics, and nonrelational data — it also helps to understand how data teams work together.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Transactional and analytical data workloads
- Relational and nonrelational data
- Analytics workloads on Azure
Cost: $99
21. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate
If you consider yourself a subject matter expert in both data science and Azure, this Microsoft certificate is a great fit for your skills. Certified Azure Data Engineers integrate, transform, and consolidate data for analytics. To succeed at this certification exam, you’ll need to know multiple data processing languages, as well as be proficient in Azure Data Factory and other data processing solutions within Azure.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- SQL, Python, and Scala programming languages
- Designing and implementing data storage
- Optimizing data processing
Cost: $165
22. Microsoft Certified: Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty
Cloud-native applications in Azure require a lot of expertise. This specialty certification qualifies you to design and implement data models, load data into Azure Cosmos DB, and integrate with other Azure services.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Integrating, optimizing, and maintaining Azure Cosmos DB solutions
- Designing and implementing data models and data distribution
- Developing applications using the Azure Cosmos DB API
Cost: $165
23. Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
Azure administrators primarily work on cloud infrastructure, but they also need to understand networking, security, and apps in Azure. To do well on this certification exam, you’ll need to understand operating systems, networking, and virtualization in Azure.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Azure properties, such as Azure Resource Manager and Microsoft Azure Active Directory
- Managing Azure identities and governance
- Configuring and managing virtual networking
Cost: $165
24. Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals
This fundamental certification will demonstrate your understanding of how to use artificial intelligence (AI) within Azure. It’s a good fit for professionals who want to demonstrate their knowledge of AI and machine learning as it applies to Azure.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- AI workloads and considerations
- Principles of machine learning on Azure
- Natural Language Processing (NLP) workloads on Azure
Cost: $99
25. Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
Do you know how to build, manage, and deploy AI solutions within Azure? This associate-level certification proves your experience as an Azure AI engineer. You’ll need to understand Python, C#, REST-based APIs, and SDKs to do well on this certification exam.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Planning and managing Azure AI solutions
- Image and video processing solutions
- Natural language processing solutions
Cost: $165
26. Microsoft Certified: Customer Data Platform Specialty
Customer profiles are a must-have for any data-centric organization. This certification proves that you have the necessary, specialized skills to build customer profiles and track engagement for Azure.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Customer Insights solutions
- Creating customer profiles with data unification
- Configuring measures, segments, and third-party connections
Cost: $165
Microsoft’s 24 Most Valuable Azure Exams
27. Exam AZ-720: Troubleshooting Microsoft Azure Connectivity
This exam is a fit for professionals who want to test their advanced Azure troubleshooting skills. You’ll need hands-on experience with Azure virtual machines, virtual networks, and diagnostic tools to do well on this exam.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Troubleshooting business continuity, cloud connectivity, authentication, and access control issues
- VM connectivity issues
- Network and PaaS troubleshooting
Cost: $165
28. Exam 62-193: Technology Literacy for Educators
This exam is uniquely tailored to professionals who want to become educators. This certification exam measures how competent you are in the 21st Century Learning Design (21CLD) framework, which includes using tools like Azure.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Facilitating collaboration and skilled communication
- Student use of Information and Communication Tools (ICT)
- Using ICT to be an effective educator
Cost: $127
29. Exam AZ-120: Planning and Administering Microsoft Azure for SAP Workloads
Do you have experience with SAP solutions on Microsoft Azure? This exam will measure your knowledge of resiliency, performance, and monitoring of SAP resources within Azure. You’ll also need to understand SAP NetWeaver, SAP HANA, and S/4HANA.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Migrating SAP workloads to Azure
- Designing and implementing SAP workloads on Azure
- Maintaining SAP workloads on Azure
Cost: $165
30. Exam SC-900: Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals
This fundamental exam will help you learn about the basics of security, compliance, and identity (SCI) in Microsoft services, including Azure. It’s designed for IT professionals, but anyone with an interest in SCI can take this exam to prove their knowledge.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Capabilities of Microsoft Azure AD
- Capabilities of Microsoft Security and compliance solutions
- The concepts of security, compliance, and identity
Cost: $99
31. Exam SC-200: Microsoft Security Operations Analyst
Microsoft Security Operations Analysts specialize in securing an organization’s IT infrastructure. To do well on this exam, you need experience remediating attacks and recommending threat protection practices.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Mitigating threats with Microsoft 365 Defender
- Mitigating threats with Microsoft Defender for Cloud
- Mitigating threats with Microsoft Sentinel
Cost: $165
32. Exam PL-600: Microsoft Power Platform Solution Architect
Do you want to specialize in creating business solutions that make your organization more effective? This Azure exam will prove your technical knowledge of Power Platform, Dynamics 365, and other Microsoft cloud solutions.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Architecting solutions
- Solution envisioning and requirement analysis
- Technical disciplines of Microsoft Power Platform
Cost: $165
33. Exam SC-300: Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator
The Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator exam is perfect for anyone who wants to take a leadership role in managing an organization’s access systems. Passing this exam will prove you have the experience necessary to configure and manage users, devices, Azure resources, and application identities.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Identities in Azure AD
- Authentication and access management
- Implementing identity governance in Azure AD
Cost: $165
34. Exam SC-100: Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect
Cybersecurity architects specialize in designing cybersecurity strategies to lock down an organization’s Azure infrastructure. You need advanced experience in security engineering to do well on this exam, including knowledge of identity and access, security operations, securing applications, and platform protection.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Designing a Zero Trust strategy and architecture
- Evaluating GRC strategies
- Designing strategies for infrastructure, data, and applications
Cost: $165
35. Exam MB-260: Microsoft Customer Data Platform Specialist
This specialist exam proves you have experience with KPIs, data visualization, data segmentation, and enhancement. You’ll also need high-level knowledge of Azure Machine Learning, Azure Synapse Analytics, and Azure Data Factory.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Creating customer profiles with data unification
- Configuring third-party connections, measures, and segments.
- Designing and administering Customer Insights
Cost: $165
36. Exam AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies
Passing the Microsoft Azure Security Technologies exam proves you understand how to implement, manage, and monitor resources in Azure environments. As a certified Azure security engineer, you’ll work with architects, administrators, and developers to design systems that meet your business’s security requirements.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Managing identity and access
- Secure networking, computing, storage, and databases
- Managing security operations
Cost: $165
37. Exam DP-203: Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure
This technical exam measures how well you’re able to design and implement data storage in Microsoft Azure. You’ll need to understand how to explore data, build compliant data processing pipelines, and enhance datasets for analysis. Passing this exam could make you eligible for ACE college credit, too.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Designing and implementing data storage
- Developing data processing
- Securing, monitoring, and optimizing data storage
Cost: $165
38. Exam AZ-600: Configuring and Operating a Hybrid Cloud with Microsoft Azure Stack Hub
To take this exam, Microsoft recommends you have experience providing IaaS and PaaS using Azure Stack Hub. Passing this exam will allow you to plan, deploy, update, and maintain Azure Stack Hub infrastructure for your organization.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Planning and deploying Azure Stack Hub
- Providing services
- Managing infrastructure
Cost: $165
39. Exam AZ-700: Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions
Do you have hands-on experience in planning, implementing, and managing Azure networking solutions? This exam will test your mettle and prove you know how to manage core network infrastructure, hybrid connectivity, network security, and private access to Azure services.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Designing and implementing core networking infrastructure and application delivery services
- Securing network connectivity to Azure resources
- Designing, implementing, and managing connectivity services
Cost: $165
40. Exam DP-420: Designing and Implementing Cloud-Native Applications Using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB
Cloud-native applications are essential for scaling up an organization. Passing the Microsoft DP-420 exam proves you have the skills necessary to design and implement cloud-native applications using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB. You’ll need experience designing, implementing, and monitoring cloud-native applications to do well on this exam.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Designing and implementing data models and data distribution
- Integrating, optimizing, and maintaining an Azure Cosmos DB solution
- Writing SQL queries for API and creating index policies
Cost: $165
41. Exam DP-300: Administering Microsoft Azure SQL Solutions
If you have subject matter expertise in building database solutions with SQL Server and Azure SQL, you’re the perfect candidate for DP-300. Taking this exam demonstrates you know how to manage the availability, security, and performance of database solutions. You also need to have experience with Azure SQL Edge, Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and SQ Server on Azure Virtual Machines.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Planning and implementing data platform resources
- Monitoring, configuring, and optimizing database resources
- Configuring and managing task automation
Cost: $165
42. Exam DP-100: Designing and Implementing a Data Science Solution on Azure
Studying for the DP-100 exam will teach you how to apply data science and machine learning for Azure workloads. Once you pass this exam, you’ll be able to design and create infrastructure data science workloads as well as train machine learning models.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Preparing models for deployment
- Training data models
- Designing and preparing machine learning solutions
Cost: $165
43. Exam AI-102: Designing and Implementing a Microsoft Azure AI Solution
As a Microsoft Azure AI engineer, you’ll build AI solutions for Azure Cognitive Services. Once you pass this exam, you’ll be certified to manage all stages of AI for your organization, from development to ongoing monitoring.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Planning and managing Azure AI solutions
- Implementing NLP, image and video, and knowledge-mining solutions
- Conversational AI solution implementation
Cost: $165
44. Exam AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure
Do you have experience as a cloud developer? Passing AZ-204 will qualify you to develop solutions for Microsoft Azure alongside cloud administrators and cloud DBAs. To do well on the exam, you need at least one year of professional experience using Microsoft Azure, as well as Azure CLI and Azure PowerShell.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Developing Azure compute solutions and storage
- Implementing Azure security
- Monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimizing Azure solutions
Cost: $165
45. Exam AI-900: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals
Exam AI-900 measures your knowledge related to machine learning and AI within Azure services. Suited for both technical and non-technical professionals, you don’t need data science experience to do well on the exam, although it’s helpful to understand cloud basics.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- AI workloads
- Machine learning on Azure
- Features of computer vision workloads on Azure
Cost: $99
46. Exam AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator
Microsoft Azure Administrators implement cloud infrastructure to deliver networking, security, database, and other solutions. To do well on this exam, you’ll need to understand operating systems, networking, servers, and virtualization. Experience with Powershell and other Azure applications is also helpful.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Managing Azure identities and governance
- Implementing and managing storage
- Monitoring and maintaining Azure resources
Cost: $165
47. Exam AZ-800: Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure
Professionals who pass AZ-800 are qualified to configure and manage Windows Server platform workloads with Azure services. You’ll also be able to migrate and deploy workloads to Azure, as well as manage and maintain IaaS workloads.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Deploying and managing AD DS
- Managing Windows Servers and workloads in a hybrid environment
- Managing storage and file services
Cost: $165
48. Exam AZ-801: Configuring Windows Server Hybrid Advanced Services
If you have several years of experience with Windows Server operating systems, you might want to take AZ-801 to test your knowledge. If you pass, this exam will approve you to work as a Windows Server hybrid administrator, who specializes in managing Azure services and Windows Server on-premises networks.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Implementing disaster recovery
- Migrating servers and workloads
- Monitoring and troubleshooting Windows Server
Cost: $165
49. Exam AZ-400: Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions
Passing AZ-400 qualifies you to work as a Microsoft DevOps engineer. To do well on this exam, you’ll need to understand how people, processes, and products deliver value in an organization. You need experience administering and developing in Azure, as well as familiarity with Azure DevOps and GitHub.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Configuring processes and communications
- Designing and implementing source control, and build and release pipelines
- Developing security and compliance plans
Cost: $165
50. Exam DP-500: Designing and Implementing Enterprise-Scale Analytics Solutions Using Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Power BI
Enterprise-wide analytics allow large companies to better understand their performance and spot opportunities to improve. This exam helps professionals hone their experience designing and deploying enterprise-scale data analytics solutions in Azure. To do well, you’ll need advanced Power BI skills and be proficient in Azure Synapse Analytics.
Some of the topics you can expect to find on this exam are:
- Implementing and managing data analytics
- Querying and transforming data
- Exploring and visualizing data
Cost: $165
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