Microsoft Azure Certification Path in 2023 | Azure Certification Roadmap 2023

Azure Certifications are an effective way to showcase and prove your expertise in specific cloud positions. However, with various options available, selecting the right one for your requirements can be confusing.

What is Cloud computing?

Cloud computing is a method of delivering computing resources and services over the internet. It allows users to access and use shared resources, including software, storage, and processing power, on demand and without the need to manage and maintain the underlying infrastructure. This enables businesses and individuals to scale their use of computing resources up or down as needed, pay only for what they use, and access the latest technology without a large up-front investment. Some of the most common types of cloud computing include Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS).

Why Azure Certifications?

Obtaining a certification attests to your capacity to navigate the intricacies of Azure and highlights your level of proficiency. Organizations worldwide are in search of individuals with Azure certification who are willing to work for a reasonable salary. With various Azure certifications available, it’s crucial to choose the one that aligns with your level of expertise and background. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of the different types of certifications, which one is best suited for you, their associated costs, curriculum and more.

What are the benefits of Getting Microsoft Certified?

There are several benefits of getting Microsoft certified, including:

1. Increased earning potential: Microsoft certified professionals are often in high demand, and they tend to command higher salaries than their non-certified counterparts.
2. Improved job opportunities: Having a Microsoft certification can open up new job opportunities and help you stand out in a competitive job market.
3. Recognition of your skills and knowledge: Microsoft certifications are widely recognized and respected in the industry, and they demonstrate that you have a high level of knowledge and expertise in your field.
4. Access to exclusive resources: Microsoft certified professionals have access to exclusive resources, such as the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) community and the Microsoft Partner Network.
5. Opportunity for career advancement: Microsoft certifications can help you advance your career by demonstrating your commitment to professional development and staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and industry trends.
6. Increased credibility and confidence: Being a Microsoft certified professional can give you increased credibility and confidence when working with clients, colleagues and management.

Azure Certification Levels

What are the various tiers of Microsoft Azure certification and their significance? Microsoft certifications are divided into four categories: Fundamentals, Associate, Expert, and Specialty. What does this mean for your journey towards cloud certification? Not much. With some exceptions, you do not have to finish one tier before proceeding to the next one.

Fundamentals Certification — Designed for individuals who are new to cloud concepts, this certification is a good starting point for those with non-technical backgrounds to start their cloud journey.

Associate Certification — Suitable for those who are already familiar with Azure and want to showcase their knowledge by including it on their resume.

Expert Certification — To earn an expert certification in Azure, one must have prior experience, a complete understanding, and associate-level proficiency of the platform.

Specialty Certification — Currently offered for specific roles such as Azure for SAP Workloads and Azure IoT Developer Speciality.

Azure Certification Path 2023

Azure Certification Path for Fundamental-level Certifications

1. Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: AZ-900

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) is a certification that is designed to validate your understanding of the basic concepts of cloud computing and Microsoft Azure. It is the entry-level certification for Azure and covers a wide range of topics, including cloud concepts, Azure services, security, compliance, and trust. The certification focuses on the fundamentals of Azure and is intended for individuals who are new to cloud computing or are looking to start their journey in Azure. It is also a good option for those who have non-technical backgrounds and want to gain a general understanding of Azure and its capabilities. The certification can be earned by passing a single exam, the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) exam.

Exam Name: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
Exam Code: AZ-900
Cost: $99 USD*
Number of Questions: 40–50
Duration: 60 Minutes
Passing Score Required: 700/1000
Exam Pre-requisites: There are no pre-requisites for taking Microsoft certification AZ 900 exam. You should be familiarity with concepts of networking, storage, compute, application support, and application development.
Azure AZ-900 Exam Objectives:
* Describe cloud concepts (25–30%) (Study Material)
* Describe Azure architecture and services (35–40%) (Study Material)
* Describe Azure management and governance (30–35%) (Study Material)

2. Microsoft AI Fundamentals: AI-900

Microsoft AI Fundamentals (AI-900) is a certification that is designed to validate your understanding of the basic concepts of Artificial Intelligence and how it can be applied to real-world scenarios. It is the entry-level certification for AI and covers a wide range of topics, including AI services and solutions, machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and ethical considerations. The certification focuses on the fundamentals of AI and is intended for individuals who are new to AI or are looking to start their journey in AI. It is also a good option for those who have non-technical backgrounds and want to gain a general understanding of AI and its capabilities. The certification can be earned by passing a single exam, the Microsoft AI Fundamentals (AI-900) exam.

Exam Name: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals
Exam Code: AI-900
Cost: $99 USD*
Number of Questions: 40–50
Duration: 60 Minutes
Passing Score Required: 700/1000
Exam Pre-requisites: There are no pre-requisites for taking Microsoft certification AI 900 exam. You should be familiarity some general programming knowledge or experience, but it is not required
Azure AI-900 Exam Objectives:
* Describe Artificial Intelligence workloads and considerations (20 —
25%) (Study Material)
* Describe fundamental principles of machine learning on Azure (25 —
30%) (Study Material)
* Describe features of computer vision workloads on Azure (15–20%) (Study Material)
* Describe features of Natural Language Processing (NLP) workloads
on Azure (25–30%) (Studies Materials)

3. Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals: DP-900

Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900) is a certification that validates your understanding of the basic concepts of data and how it is used in Azure. It covers a wide range of data-related topics, including data storage options, data management, data security, data privacy, and data governance. The certification is intended for individuals who are new to data in Azure or looking to start their journey in Azure data. It’s a good option for those who have non-technical backgrounds and want to gain a general understanding of data and its capabilities in Azure. The certification can be earned by passing a single exam, the Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900) exam. This certification is designed to help individuals understand the fundamentals of data services and solutions available on Azure, and how they can be used to store, manage, and analyze data in the cloud.

Exam Name: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals
Exam Code: DP-900
Cost: $99 USD*
Number of Questions: 40–50
Duration: 60 Minutes
Passing Score Required: 700/1000
Exam Pre-requisites: There are no pre-requisites for taking Microsoft certification DP 900 exam. You should be knowledge of core data concepts and how they are implemented through Microsoft Azure data services.
Azure DP-900 Exam Objectives:
* Describe core data concepts (25–30%) (Study Material)
* Identify considerations for relational data on Azure (20–25%) (Study Material)
* Describe considerations for working with non-relational data on Azure (15–20%) (Study Material)
* Describe an analytics workload on Azure (25–30%) (Study Material)

4. Microsoft Security Fundamentals: SC-900

Microsoft Security Fundamentals (SC-900) is a certification that validates your understanding of the basic concepts of cybersecurity and how it relates to Microsoft Azure and other Microsoft technologies. It covers a wide range of security-related topics, including threat protection, identity and access management, data protection, and security management. The certification is intended for individuals who are new to cybersecurity or looking to start their journey in the field. It’s a good option for those who have non-technical backgrounds and want to gain a general understanding of cybersecurity and its importance. The certification can be earned by passing a single exam, the Microsoft Security Fundamentals (SC-900) exam. This certification is designed to help individuals understand the fundamentals of security services and solutions available on Azure and other Microsoft technologies, and how they can be used to protect against cyber threats and ensure compliance.

Exam Name Exam SC-900: Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals
Exam Duration: 180 Minutes
Exam Fee: $99
Number of Questions: 110 Questions
Exam Type: Multiple Choice Examination
Exam Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, and Portuguese
Passing Marks: 700
Exam validity: Lifetime

SC-900 Exam Objectives:

*Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity (10–15%)
*Describe the capabilities of Microsoft identity and access management solutions (30–35%)
*Describe the capabilities of Microsoft security solutions (35–40%)
*Describe the capabilities of Microsoft compliance solutions (25–30%)

Azure Certification Path for Associate-level Certifications

1. Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate: AZ-104

Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) is a certification that validates your ability to manage and maintain Azure resources. It covers a wide range of topics including Azure administration, Azure Virtual Machines, Azure storage, Azure network, Azure active directory, and Azure security. The certification is intended for individuals who have experience in Azure administration and are looking to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in this area. It is a good option for those who are responsible for managing and maintaining Azure resources in their organization. The certification can be earned by passing a single exam, the Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) exam. This certification is designed to help individuals understand how to manage and maintain Azure resources, monitor Azure usage and costs, and troubleshoot Azure issues.

Exam Name: Microsoft Azure Administrator
Exam Code: AZ-104
Cost: $165 USD*
Number of Questions: 45–60
Duration: 120 Minutes
Passing Score Required: 700/1000
Exam Pre-requisites: They should be able to implement, manage, and monitor identity, governance, storage, compute, and virtual networks in a cloud environment. (Study Material)
Azure AZ-104 Exam Objectives:
* Manage Azure identities and governance (15–20%) (Study Material)
* Implement and manage storage (15–20%) (Study Material)
* Deploy and manage Azure compute resources (20–25%) (Study Material)
* Configure and manage virtual networking (20–25%) (Study Material)
* Monitor and maintain Azure resources (10–15%) (Study Material)

2. Microsoft Azure Developer Associate: AZ-204

Microsoft Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204) is a certification that validates your ability to develop and maintain applications on Azure. It covers a wide range of topics including Azure development, Azure compute, Azure storage, Azure network, Azure security, and Azure development tools. The certification is intended for individuals who have experience in developing and maintaining applications on Azure and are looking to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in this area. It is a good option for those who are responsible for developing and maintaining applications on Azure. The certification can be earned by passing a single exam, the Microsoft Azure Developer (AZ-204) exam. This certification is designed to help individuals understand how to develop and maintain applications on Azure, integrate Azure services, and secure and troubleshoot Azure applications.

Exam Name: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure
Exam Code: AZ-204
Cost: $165 USD*
Number of Questions: 45–60
Duration: 120 Minutes
Passing Score Required: 700/1000
Exam Pre-requisites: They should have 6months–2 years professional development experience and experience with Microsoft Azure. They should be able to program in an Azure-supported language, and should be proficient using Azure CLI, Azure PowerShell, and other tools.
Azure AZ-204 Exam Objectives:
* Develop Azure compute solutions (25–30%) (Study Material Link1, Link2, Link3)
* Develop for Azure storage (15–20%) (Study Material Link1, Link2)
* Implement Azure security (20–25%) (Study Material Link1, Link2)
* Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions (15–20%) (Study Material Link1, Link2)
* Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services (15–20%) (Study Material Link1, Link2, Link3)

3. Azure Database Administrator Associate: DP-300

Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300) is a certification that validates your ability to manage and maintain Azure databases. It covers a wide range of topics including Azure SQL Database, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure Database for MySQL, Azure Database for PostgreSQL, Azure Database for MariaDB, Azure Data Factory, and Azure Stream Analytics. The certification is intended for individuals who have experience in managing and maintaining Azure databases and are looking to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in this area. It is a good option for those who are responsible for managing and maintaining Azure databases in their organization. The certification can be earned by passing a single exam, the Microsoft Azure Database Administrator (DP-300) exam. This certification is designed to help individuals understand how to manage and maintain Azure databases, monitor Azure usage and costs, and troubleshoot Azure database issues.

Exam Name: Exam DP-300: Administering Relational Databases on Microsoft Azure
Exam Duration: 150 Minutes
Exam Type: Multiple Choice Examination
Number of Questions: 40–60 Questions
Exam Fee: $165
Eligibility/Pre-Requisite: None
Exam validity: 2 years
Exam Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese

Domains Covered in the Exam

Implement a secure environment (15–20%)
Plan and implement data platform resources (15–20%)
Monitor and optimize operational resources (15–20%)
Plan and implement a High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HADR) environment (15–20%)
Perform administration by using T-SQL (10–15%)
Perform automation of tasks (10–15%)
Optimize query performance (5–10%)

4. Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate: AZ-500

Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500) is a certification that validates your ability to implement and manage security on Azure. It covers a wide range of topics including Azure security management, Azure identity and access management, Azure platform protection, Azure data protection, and Azure threat protection. The certification is intended for individuals who have experience in implementing and managing security on Azure and are looking to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in this area. It is a good option for those who are responsible for securing Azure resources in their organization. The certification can be earned by passing a single exam, the Microsoft Azure Security Technologies (AZ-500) exam. This certification is designed to help individuals understand how to implement and manage security on Azure, protect Azure resources, and respond to security incidents.

Exam Name: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies
Exam Code: AZ-500
Cost: $165 USD*
Number of Questions: 45–60
Duration: 150 Minutes
Passing Score Required: 700/1000
Exam Pre-requisites: They should be able to managing the security posture, identifying and remediating vulnerabilities, performing threat modeling, implementing threat protection, and responding to security incident escalations.
Azure AZ-500 Exam Objectives:
* Manage identity and access (30–35%) (Study Material)
* Implement platform protection (15–20%) (Study Material)
* Manage security operations (20–25%) (Study Material)
* Secure data and applications (20–25%) (Study Material)

5. Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate: DP-100

Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100) is a certification that validates your ability to implement and manage data science solutions on Azure. It covers a wide range of topics including Azure Machine Learning, Azure Databricks, Azure HDInsight, Azure Data Factory, Azure Stream Analytics and Azure Data Lake Storage. The certification is intended for individuals who have experience in implementing and managing data science solutions on Azure and are looking to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in this area. It is a good option for those who are responsible for creating and implementing data science solutions on Azure. The certification can be earned by passing a single exam, the Microsoft Azure Data Scientist (DP-100) exam. This certification is designed to help individuals understand how to implement and manage data science solutions on Azure, creating and managing machine learning models, and implementing data science workflows on Azure.

Exam Name: Exam DP-100: Designing and Implementing a Data Science Solution on Azure
Exam Duration: 180 Minutes
Exam Type: Multiple Choice Examination
Number of Questions: 40–60 Questions
Exam Fee: $165
Eligibility/Pre-Requisite: None
Exam validity: 2 years
Exam Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese

Domains Covered in the Exam

Manage Azure resources for machine learning (25–30%)
Run experiments and train models (20–25%)
Deploy and operationalize machine learning solutions (35–40%)
Implement responsible machine learning (5–10%)

6. Microsoft Azure Data Engineer Associate: DP-203

Microsoft Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP-203) is a certification that validates your ability to implement and manage data engineering solutions on Azure. It covers a wide range of topics including Azure Data Factory, Azure Databricks, Azure SQL Data Warehouse, Azure Data Lake Storage, Azure Stream Analytics and Azure Cosmos DB. The certification is intended for individuals who have experience in implementing and managing data engineering solutions on Azure and are looking to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in this area. It is a good option for those who are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining data engineering solutions on Azure. The certification can be earned by passing a single exam, the Microsoft Azure Data Engineer (DP-203) exam. This certification is designed to help individuals understand how to implement and manage data engineering solutions on Azure, creating and managing data pipelines, and implementing data storage solutions on Azure.

Exam Name: Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure
Exam Code: DP-203
Cost: $165 USD*
Number of Questions: 45–60
Duration: 120 Minutes
Passing Score Required: 700/1000
Exam Pre-requisites: They should be able to helping stakeholders understand the data through exploration, building and maintaining secure and compliant data processing pipelines by using different tools and techniques. This professional uses various Azure data services and languages to store and produce cleansed and enhanced datasets for analysis.
Azure DP-203 Exam Objectives:
* Design and implement data storage (40–45%) (Study Material Link1, Link2)
* Design and develop data processing (25–30%) (Study Material Link1, Link2, Link3, Link4, Link5)
* Design and implement data security (10–15%) (Study Material Link1, Link2)
* Monitor and optimize data storage and data processing (10–15%) (Study Material Link1)

7. Azure AI Engineer Associate: AI-102

Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102) is a certification that validates your ability to implement and manage Artificial Intelligence solutions on Azure. It covers a wide range of topics including Azure Machine Learning, Azure Databricks, Azure Cognitive Services, Azure Bot Service, Azure Search and Azure Media Services. The certification is intended for individuals who have experience in implementing and managing Artificial Intelligence solutions on Azure and are looking to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in this area. It is a good option for those who are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining AI solutions on Azure. The certification can be earned by passing a single exam, the Microsoft Azure AI Engineer (AI-102) exam. This certification is designed to help individuals understand how to implement and manage AI solutions on Azure, creating and managing machine learning models, and implementing AI workflows on Azure.

Exam Name: Designing and Implementing a Microsoft Azure AI Solution
Exam Code: AI-102
Cost: $165 USD*
Number of Questions: 45–60
Duration: 120 Minutes
Passing Score Required: 700/1000
Exam Pre-requisites: They should be able to plan and manage an Azure Cognitive Services solutions, implement Computer Vision solutions, implement natural language processing solutions, implement knowledge mining solutions, and implement conversational AI solutions.
Azure AI-102 Exam Objectives: (Study Material)
* Plan and manage an Azure Cognitive Services solution (10–15%) (Study Material Link1, Link2, Link3, Link4, Link5)
* Implement Computer Vision solutions (20–25%) (Study Material Link1)
* Implement natural language processing solutions (25–30%) (Study Material Link1)
* Implement knowledge mining solutions (15–20%) (Study Material Link1)
* Implement conversational AI solutions (10–15%) (Study Material Link1)

8. Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate: AZ-600

Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate (AZ-600) certification is for professionals who are responsible for operating, managing, and maintaining Azure Stack Hub environments.

Azure Stack Hub is an extension of Azure that brings the Azure services and management to your data center. It allows you to run Azure services on-premises, in a disconnected environment, or in a hybrid scenario.

The certification covers a wide range of topics including Azure Stack Hub infrastructure, Azure Stack Hub services, Azure Stack Hub updates, Azure Stack Hub troubleshooting, and Azure Stack Hub security. The certification is intended for individuals who have experience in operating, managing, and maintaining Azure Stack Hub environments and are looking to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in this area. The certification can be earned by passing a single exam, the Microsoft Azure Stack Hub Operator (AZ-600) exam. This certification is designed to help individuals understand how to operate and maintain Azure Stack Hub environments, manage Azure Stack Hub services and troubleshoot Azure Stack Hub issues.

Exam Name: AZ-600: Configuring and Operating a Hybrid Cloud with Microsoft Azure Stack Hub Exam
Exam Duration: 120 Minutes
Exam Type: Scenario-based single answer questions, multiple-choice questions, arrange in the correct sequence type questions, and drag & drop type questions.
Number of Questions: 110 Questions
Exam Fee: $165
Eligibility/Pre-Requisite:
1. Understanding of network configurations
2. Understanding of active directory concepts
3. Understanding of on-premises virtualization technologies
Exam validity: 2 years
Exam Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean

Domains Covered in the Exam

Provide Services 30–35%
Implement Data Center Integration 15–20%
Manage Identity and Access 10–15%
Manage Infrastructure 30–35%

9. Microsoft Azure Networking Associate: AZ-700

Microsoft Azure Networking Associate (AZ-700) certification is for professionals who are responsible for designing, implementing, and managing Azure Networking solutions.

This certification covers a wide range of topics including Azure Virtual Network, Azure Load Balancer, Azure Application Gateway, Azure ExpressRoute, Azure VPN Gateway, Azure DNS, and Azure Network Watcher.

The certification is intended for individuals who have experience in Azure Networking and are looking to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in this area. It is a good option for those who are responsible for designing, implementing, and managing Azure Networking solutions in their organization. The certification can be earned by passing a single exam, the Microsoft Azure Networking (AZ-700) exam. This certification is designed to help individuals understand how to design and implement Azure Networking solutions, manage Azure Networking services and troubleshoot Azure Networking issues.

Exam Name: Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions
Exam Code: AZ-700
Cost: $165 USD*
Number of Questions: 45–60
Duration: 120 Minutes
Passing Score Required: 700/1000
Exam Pre-requisites: They should be able to recommending, planning, and implementing Azure networking solutions. Professionals in this role manage the solutions for performance, resiliency, scale, and security. They deploy networking solutions by using the Azure Portal and other methods, including PowerShell, Azure Command-Line Interface (CLI), and Azure Resource Manager templates (ARM templates).
Azure AZ-700 Exam Objectives: (Study Material)
* Design, implement, and manage hybrid networking (10–15%) (Study Material)
* Design and implement core networking infrastructure (20–25%) (Study Material)
* Design and implement routing (25–30%) (Study Material)
* Secure and monitor networks (15–20%) (Study Material)
* Design and implement Private access to Azure Services (10–15%) (Study Material)

10. Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure: AZ-800

Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure (AZ-800) certification is for professionals who are responsible for administering a hybrid infrastructure that spans Azure and on-premises environments. It covers the skills needed to design, implement, and manage a hybrid infrastructure that includes Windows Server, Azure Arc, Azure Stack, Azure Stack HCI and Azure Stack Hub.

The certification is intended for individuals who have experience in administering a hybrid infrastructure that spans Azure and on-premises environments and are looking to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in this area. It is a good option for those who are responsible for designing, implementing, and managing a hybrid infrastructure that includes Windows Server, Azure Arc, Azure Stack, Azure Stack HCI and Azure Stack Hub in their organization. The certification can be earned by passing a single exam, the Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure (AZ-800) exam. This certification is designed to help individuals understand how to design, implement and manage a hybrid infrastructure that spans Azure and on-premises environments and troubleshoot issues.

Exam Name: Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure
Exam Code: AZ-800
Cost: $165 USD*
Number of Questions: 45–60
Duration: 120 Minutes
Passing Score Required: 700/1000
Exam Pre-requisites: They should be able to deploy and manage Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) in on-premises and cloud environments, manage Windows Servers and workloads in a hybrid environment, manage virtual machines and containers; implement and manage an on-premises and hybrid networking infrastructure, and manage storage and file services.
Azure AZ-800 Exam Objectives:
* Deploy and manage AD DS in on-premises and cloud environments (30–35%) (Study Material Link1, Link2, Link3)
* Manage Windows Servers and workloads in a hybrid environment (10–15%) (Study Material)
* Manage virtual machines and containers (15–20%) (Study Material Link1)
* Implement and manage an on-premises and hybrid networking infrastructure (15–20%) (Study Material Link1)
* Manage storage and file services (15–20%) (Study Material Link1)

11. Configuring Windows Server Hybrid Advanced Services: AZ-801

Configuring Windows Server Hybrid Advanced Services (AZ-801) certification is for professionals who are responsible for configuring advanced services for a hybrid infrastructure that spans Azure and on-premises environments. It covers the skills needed to design, implement, and manage advanced services such as Azure Arc-enabled servers, Azure Arc-enabled Kubernetes, Azure Arc-enabled SQL and Azure Arc-enabled Windows Virtual Desktop.

The certification is intended for individuals who have experience in configuring advanced services for a hybrid infrastructure that spans Azure and on-premises environments and are looking to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in this area. It is a good option for those who are responsible for designing, implementing, and managing advanced services such as Azure Arc-enabled servers, Azure Arc-enabled Kubernetes, Azure Arc-enabled SQL and Azure Arc-enabled Windows Virtual Desktop in their organization. The certification can be earned by passing a single exam, the Configuring Windows Server Hybrid Advanced Services (AZ-801) exam. This certification is designed to help individuals understand how to design, implement and manage advanced services for a hybrid infrastructure that spans Azure and on-premises environments and troubleshoot issues.

Exam Name: Configuring Windows Server Hybrid Advanced Services
Exam Code: AZ-801
Cost: $165 USD*
Number of Questions: 45–60
Duration: 120 Minutes
Passing Score Required: 700/1000
Exam Pre-requisites: They should be able to secure Windows Server on-premises and hybrid infrastructures,, implement and manage Windows Server high availability, implement disaster recovery, migrate servers and workloads, and monitor and troubleshoot Windows Server environments.
Candidates who already passed AZ-800 exam, will earn the Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification by passing the AZ-801 exam.
Azure AZ-801 Exam Objectives:
* Secure Windows Server on-premises and hybrid infrastructures (25–30%) (Study Material Link1)
* Implement and manage Windows Server high availability (10–15%) (Study Material Link1)
* Implement disaster recovery (10–15%) (Study Material Link1)
* Migrate servers and workloads (20–25%) (Study Material Link1)
* Monitor and troubleshoot Windows Server environments (20–25%) (Study Material Link1)

Azure Certification Path for Expert-level Certifications

1. Microsoft DevOps Engineer Expert: AZ-400

Microsoft DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400) certification is for professionals who are responsible for implementing DevOps practices on Azure. It covers a wide range of topics including Azure DevOps, Azure Boards, Azure Repos, Azure Artifacts, Azure Test Plans, Azure Monitor, Azure Policy, Azure Automation and Azure Blueprints. The certification is intended for individuals who have experience in implementing DevOps practices on Azure and are looking to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in this area. It is a good option for those who are responsible for implementing DevOps practices on Azure in their organization. The certification can be earned by passing a single exam, the Microsoft Azure DevOps Solutions (AZ-400) exam. This certification is designed to help individuals understand how to implement DevOps practices on Azure, automate infrastructure, and manage Azure resources using Azure DevOps.

Exam Name: Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions
Exam Code: AZ-400
Cost: $165 USD*
Number of Questions: 45–60
Duration: 120 Minutes
Passing Score Required: 700/1000
Exam Pre-requisites: They should be able to configure processes and communications; design and implement source control, design and implement build and release pipelines, develop a security and compliance plan, and implement an instrumentation strategy.
Candidates who already passed AZ-104(Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate) or AZ-204(Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate)exam, will earn the Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert certification by passing the AZ-400 exam.
Azure AZ-400 Exam Objectives: (Study Material)
* Configure processes and communications (10–15%) (Study Material Link1, Link2)
* Design and implement source control (15–20%) (Study Material Link1)
* Design and implement build and release pipelines (40–45%) (Study Material Link1, Link2, Link3, Link4)
* Develop a security and compliance plan (10–15%) (Study Material Link1)
* Implement an instrumentation strategy (10–15%) (Study Material)

2. Azure Solutions Architect Expert: AZ-305

Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) certification is for professionals who are responsible for designing, building, and implementing complex Azure solutions. It covers a wide range of topics including Azure architecture, Azure compute options, Azure storage, Azure networking, Azure security, Azure governance, and Azure cost management. The certification is intended for individuals who have experience in designing, building, and implementing complex Azure solutions and are looking to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in this area. It is a good option for those who are responsible for designing, building, and implementing complex Azure solutions in their organization. The certification can be earned by passing two exams, the Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies (AZ-300) and Microsoft Azure Architect Design (AZ-301) exams. This certification is designed to help individuals understand how to design, build and implement complex Azure solutions, and manage Azure resources.

Exam Name: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
Exam Code: AZ-305
Cost: $165 USD*
Number of Questions: 45–60
Duration: 120 Minutes
Passing Score Required: 700/1000
Exam Pre-requisites: They should be able to design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions, design data storage solutions, design business continuity solutions, and design infrastructure solutions.
Candidates who already passed AZ-104(Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate) exam, will earn the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification by passing the AZ-305 exam.
Azure AZ-305 Exam Objectives: (Study Material)
* Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions (25–30%) (Study Material Link1)
* Design data storage solutions (25–30%) (Study Material Link1)
* Design business continuity solutions (10–15%) (Study Material Link1)
* Design infrastructure solutions (25–30%) (Study Material Link1, Link2, Link3)

Azure Certification Path for Specialty-level Certifications

1. Azure IoT Developer Specialty: AZ-220

Azure IoT Developer Specialty (AZ-220) certification is for professionals who are responsible for designing, building, and deploying IoT solutions on Azure. It covers a wide range of topics including Azure IoT Hub, Azure IoT Edge, Azure Stream Analytics, Azure Time Series Insights, Azure Event Grid, Azure Functions, and Azure Notification Hubs. The certification is intended for individuals who have experience in designing, building, and deploying IoT solutions on Azure and are looking to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in this area. It is a good option for those who are responsible for designing, building, and deploying IoT solutions on Azure in their organization. The certification can be earned by passing a single exam, the Microsoft Azure IoT Developer (AZ-220) exam. This certification is designed to help individuals understand how to design, build and deploy IoT solutions on Azure and manage Azure resources.

Exam Name: Exam AZ-220: Microsoft Azure IoT Developer
Exam Duration: 180 Minutes
Exam Type: Multiple Choice Questions
Number of Questions: 110 Questions
Exam Fee: $165
Eligibility/Pre-Requisite: None
Retirement Date: None
Exam Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean

Domains Covered in the Exam

Set up the IoT solution infrastructure 10–15%
Provision and manage devices 15–20%
Implement IoT Edge 15–20%
Implement business integration 5–10%
Process and manage data 15–20%
Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize IoT solutions 15–20%
Implement security10–15%

2. Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty: AZ-120

Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty (AZ-120) certification is for professionals who are responsible for designing, building, and deploying SAP workloads on Azure. It covers a wide range of topics including Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Virtual Network, Azure Storage, Azure Backup, Azure Site Recovery, Azure Monitor, and Azure ExpressRoute. The certification is intended for individuals who have experience in designing, building, and deploying SAP workloads on Azure and are looking to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in this area. It is a good option for those who are responsible for designing, building, and deploying SAP workloads on Azure in their organization. The certification can be earned by passing a single exam, the Microsoft Azure for SAP Workloads (AZ-120) exam. This certification is designed to help individuals understand how to design, build and deploy SAP workloads on Azure and manage Azure resources.

Exam Name: Exam AZ-120: Planning and Administering Microsoft Azure for SAP Workloads
Exam Duration: 150 Minutes
Exam Type: Multiple Choice Examination
Number of Questions: 40–60
Exam Fee: $165
Eligibility/Pre-Requisite: None
Exam Validity: 2 years
Exam Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, and Simplified Chinese

Domains Covered in the Exam

Migration of SAP Workloads to Azure 10–15%
Designing an Azure Solution for Supporting SAP Workloads 20–25%
Building and Deployment of Azure for SAP Workloads 35–40%
Validation of Azure Infrastructure for SAP Workloads 10–15%
Ensuring Operations of the Azure SAP Architecture 10–15%

3. Configuring and Operating Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop: AZ-140

Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (Azure VDI) is a service provided by Microsoft that allows customers to deliver a Windows desktop experience as a service to their users. The service is built on top of Azure Infrastructure Services and enables customers to provide a Windows desktop experience to their users without having to manage the underlying infrastructure. To know more details about the certification related to Azure Virtual Desktop, it’s best to check the Microsoft’s website for the most updated and accurate information.

Exam Name: Configuring and Operating Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop
Exam Duration: 100 Minutes
Exam Fee: $165
Number of Questions: 40–60
Retirement date: None
Exam Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, French and Simplified Chinese

Domains Covered in the Exam

Plan an Azure Virtual Desktop architecture 10–15%
Implement an Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure 25–30%
Manage access and security 10–15%
Manage user environments and apps 20–25%
Monitor and maintain an Azure Virtual Desktop infrastructure 20–25%

4. Azure Cosmos DB Developer Speciality: DP-420

Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty (DP-420) certification is for professionals who are responsible for designing, building, and deploying applications that use Azure Cosmos DB. It covers a wide range of topics including Azure Cosmos DB data model, Azure Cosmos DB SQL API, Azure Cosmos DB Gremlin API, Azure Cosmos DB MongoDB API, Azure Cosmos DB Table API, Azure Cosmos DB data distribution, Azure Cosmos DB data partitioning, Azure Cosmos DB data replication, Azure Cosmos DB data consistency, Azure Cosmos DB data security, Azure Cosmos DB data optimization, Azure Cosmos DB data scalability, and Azure Cosmos DB data monitoring. The certification is intended for individuals who have experience in designing, building, and deploying applications that use Azure Cosmos DB and are looking to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in this area. It is a good option for those who are responsible for designing, building, and deploying applications that use Azure Cosmos DB in their organization. The certification can be earned by passing a single exam, the Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB Developer (DP-420) exam. This certification is designed to help individuals understand how to design, build and deploy applications that use Azure Cosmos DB, manage Azure Cosmos DB resources and troubleshoot Azure Cosmos DB issues.

Exam Name: DP-420: Designing and Implementing Cloud-Native Applications Using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB
Passing Marks: 700
Exam Fee: $165
Eligibility/Pre-Requisite: None
Exam Validity: Lifetime
Exam Languages: English

Domains Covered in the Exam

Design and implement data models 35–40%
Design and implement data distribution 5–10%
Integrate an Azure Cosmos DB solution 5–10%
Optimize an Azure Cosmos DB solution 15–20%
Maintain an Azure Cosmos DB solution 25–30%

How to Prepare for Azure Certifications

There are several ways to prepare for Azure certifications:

1. Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Learn is an online learning platform that provides free, self-paced training on Azure technologies. It covers a wide range of topics, including Azure fundamentals, Azure administration, Azure development, Azure data, and Azure security.
2. Azure documentation: Azure documentation provides detailed information on Azure services and technologies. It is a great resource for understanding the features and capabilities of Azure services and how to use them.
3. Azure Labs: Azure Labs provides hands-on experience with Azure services in a live environment. You can use Azure Labs to experiment with Azure services and test your knowledge before taking the certification exam.
4. Practice Tests: Taking practice tests can help you familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions that will be on the certification exam. You can find practice tests on sites such as MeasureUp, Udemy, and Pluralsight
5. Books, eBooks, and other study materials: There are a variety of books, eBooks, and other study materials available that can help you prepare for Azure certifications. Some popular choices include Microsoft Azure Certification Guide by Michael S. Collier, Exam Ref AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals by Jim Cheshire, and Exam Ref AZ-103 Microsoft Azure Administrator by Michael Washam.
6. Join a Study Group: Joining a study group can be a great way to stay motivated, share knowledge and get feedback on your progress.
7. It’s important to note that the best way to prepare for an Azure certification exam is to have a combination of hands-on experience and classroom training, which together with the above mentioned resources will help you to be well-prepared for the certification exam.

Conclusion

As the cloud market continues to expand, Microsoft Azure stands out as one of the biggest and fastest-growing platforms. I strongly recommend considering one or more of the certifications listed above. As more and more companies adopt Azure’s services, the demand for certified professionals in roles such as Azure Administrator, DevOps Expert, Solution Architect, Developer, Data Engineer, and Security Engineer is increasing. With the increasing automation of IT functions, it is expected that over 70% of all IT jobs will be automated in the future.

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