Azure Certification Path in 2025: Step-by-Step Guide

Azure Certifications are a way to demonstrate and validate your knowledge of specialized cloud roles. Despite this, there are numerous Azure Certifications available, and you may be unsure which certification is the best fit for your needs. As a result, we’re back with another blog post covering everything about the Azure Certification Learning Path that you need to know in order to choose the best certification for your needs.

Importance of Microsoft Azure certification

Azure is the world’s most popular cloud computing platform and is the market leader in cloud computing. The demand for cloud-based solutions is increasing all the time, and most organizations and businesses, whether small or large, are moving their operations to the cloud to stay competitive. It also has a direct impact on the demand for cloud-based professionals. Microsoft awards certifications to those who, in Microsoft’s opinion, are the best candidates for a particular job role. Microsoft certifications are valuable, and most employers prefer that their employees have them on their resumes if at all possible.

Why Should You Learn Microsoft Azure?

The worldwide cloud computing market has witnessed remarkable growth and is projected to reach approximately 397 billion U.S. dollars by the end of 2024, underscoring the significant impact of cloud computing in recent years. Microsoft Azure remains a dominant force among the leading cloud vendors driving this expansion.

Its top-level tools and service offerings, make it a worthy choice for businesses. Well-known brands such as eBay, Samsung, and BMW are some of the biggest customers of Microsoft Azure. They are evidence of Azure’s capabilities and offerings.

Microsoft Azure Certifications

Azure certifications are essential while seeking a career in the cloud computing industry. Microsoft now has 13 Azure certifications classified into three levels: Fundamental, Associate, and Expert. These exams are to validate your expertise in the Azure cloud. And purely focus on developing knowledge and skills related to current market job roles.

Microsoft now has 14 Microsoft Azure certifications with 14 exams. This substitution was made with the engagement of the community after classifying the job requirements. Microsoft also has three fundamental level certifications, Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals Exam [AI-900], Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), and Azure Data Fundamentals Exam [DP-900].

Azure Certification Levels

Microsoft has arranged its certifications into four different levels, from beginner to expert. All the certification provided by Microsoft comes under these Azure Certifications path levels.

• Fundamentals Certification – Fundamentals Certification is for beginners who have started their journey into learning cloud concepts. Also, people with non-technical backgrounds can start their journey in the cloud with these certifications.
• Associate Certification – If you are already familiar with Azure, you are good to go to get these certifications listed in your resume.
• Expert Certification – With prior experience, deep understanding, and associate-level knowledge in Azure, you can get an expert certification.
• Specialty Certification – These are currently available for a few roles like Azure for SAP Workloads and Azure IOT Developer Speciality.

Azure Certification Path in 2025

Various Azure training and certification and job roles are available, but we have listed the Microsoft Azure certification learning paths for some most popular job roles that most aspirants prefer to get.

Microsoft Azure Certifications

I have listed the most searched Azure Certifications with a brief overview, exam details, and domain covered below based on their levels:

Fundamentals

1) AZ-900: Microsoft Azure fundamentals certification

Azure Fundamentals covers all the foundational knowledge of cloud services. This certification covers all the basics of cloud services like networking, storage, computing, security, etc. It proves your knowledge of cloud concepts, services, security, workloads, and pricing in Azure. This certification is the first step towards Azure, and it is beneficial for everyone from technical and non-technical backgrounds. If you are looking for a Microsoft Azure certification roadmap but don’t know much about cloud concepts, this certification is surely for you.

• Certification Name: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Certification.
• Exam Code: AZ-900
• Pre-requisites: There are no prerequisites for the Microsoft Azure Fundamental (AZ-900) exam, but you should be familiar with basic cloud services and the Azure platform.
• Exam Cost: USD 99 (based on the location)
• Exam Languages: English, French, Indonesian (Indonesia), Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Chinese (Traditional), Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian.
• Schedule Exam: Click here

• To prepare for the certification:
  • Check out our blog for Step By Step Activity Guides/Hands-On Labs, which are essential for effective learning and mastering key concepts.
• To know more about the certification:
  • Explore our detailed blog on the certification exam for comprehensive insights.

2) AI-900: Microsoft AI Fundamentals

AI Fundamentals covers all the foundational knowledge in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) concepts in Azure. For this certification, general knowledge of a programming language will be beneficial but not mandatory, and everyone with technical and non-technical backgrounds can enroll in the AI-900 Azure certification roadmap.

• Certification Name: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals
• Exam Code: AI-900
• Pre-requisites: There are no prerequisites for this exam, but you should have a basic awareness of common ML and AI concepts and their relation with Azure.
• Exam Cost: USD 99 (based on the location)
• Exam Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Indonesian (Indonesia), Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Chinese (Traditional), Italian
• Schedule Exam: Click Here

• To prepare for the certification:
  • Check out our blog for Step By Step Activity Guides/Hands-On Labs, which are essential for effective learning and mastering key concepts.
• To know more about the certification:
  • Explore our detailed blog on the certification exam for comprehensive insights.

3) DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals

Azure Data Fundamentals covers all the foundational knowledge of core data concepts. This certification covers all the basics of data concepts and how to work with Microsoft data services. It proves your knowledge of cloud concepts, services, security, workloads, and pricing in Azure. This certification is the first step towards Azure, and it is beneficial for everyone from technical and non-technical backgrounds. If you are looking for an Azure certification path but don’t know much about cloud concepts, this certification is surely for you.

• Certification Name: Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals
• Exam Code: DP-900
• Pre-requisites: There are no prerequisites for this exam.
• Exam Cost: USD 99 (based on the location)
• Exam Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Indonesian (Indonesia), Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Chinese (Traditional), Italian
• Schedule Exam: Click Here

• To prepare for the certification:

4) AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate

Azure Administrator implements and manages the storage, computing, identity, governance, and virtual networks in a cloud. Administrators also provide and monitor the resources in the cloud. The candidates need to be experienced in using Azure Portal, Power Shell, Azure CLI, and ARM Templates.

• Certification Name: Microsoft Azure Administrator
• Exam Code: AZ-104
• Pre-requisites: There are no prerequisites for taking this exam. But it would be better if you go for AZ-900 (optional) first. The candidate should have at least six months of hands-on experience administering Azure.
• Exam Cost: USD 165 (based on the location)
• Exam Languages:English, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, Japanese, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese (Brazil), Chinese (Traditional), Italian
• Schedule Exam: Click Here

• To prepare for the certification:

5) AZ-204: Microsoft Azure Developer Associate

Azure Developer deals with designing, building, testing, and maintaining cloud applications and services. For this role, Microsoft will look in you for the ability to program in a language supported by Azure and working proficiency in Azure PowerShell, Azure SDKs, Azure CLI, data storage options, data connections, APIs, app authentication, and authorization. The developer goes through various phases as follows.

• Cloud development requirements, definition, and design.
• Development, deployment, and maintenance.
• Performance tuning and monitoring.

• Certification Name: Microsoft Certified Azure Developer Associate
• Exam Code: AZ-204
• Pre-requisites: There are no prerequisites for taking this exam. But it would be better if you go for AZ-900 (optional) first. The candidate should have 1-2 years of professional development, Microsoft Azure experience, and programming expertise in at least one high-level language supported by Azure.
• Exam Cost: USD165 (based on the location)
• Exam Language: English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Chinese (Traditional), Italian
• Schedule Exam: Click Here

• To prepare for the certification:

6) DP-100: Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate

Data Scientists deal with data science and implement machine learning workloads on Azure. An Azure Data Scientist should have knowledge of data science and experience in using Azure Machine Learning and Azure Databricks. The key job role includes managing, optimizing, and deploying machine learning models into production.

• Certification Name: Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate.
• Exam Code: DP-100
• Pre-requisites: There are no such prerequisites for taking this certification. But it would be better if you go for DP-900 (optional)/ AI-900 (optional) first. The candidate should have knowledge and experience in data science and using Azure Machine Learning and Azure Databricks.
• Exam Cost: USD 165 (based on the location)
• Exam Language:English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, German, Chinese (Traditional), French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Italian
• Schedule Exam: Click Here

• To prepare for the certification:

7) AI-102: Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate

The AI-102 exam, titled “Designing and Implementing an Azure AI Solution,” tests your ability to design and implement AI solutions using Azure Cognitive Services, Azure Machine Learning, and related Azure services.

• Certification Name: Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
• Exam Code: AI-102
• Prerequisites: There are no mandatory prerequisites. However, knowledge of AI-900 (optional) or experience in AI and Azure Cognitive Services is recommended.
• Exam Cost: USD 165 (based on location)
• Exam Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Chinese (Traditional), Italian
• Schedule Exam: Click Here

• To prepare for the certification:

8) DP-203: Microsoft Azure Data Engineer Associate

Data engineering deals with integrating, transforming, and consolidating data from various data systems for building analytics solutions. A data engineer designs, implements, optimizes, and monitors data platforms to meet the data pipeline needs. Also, they help stakeholders understand the data through exploration and maintaining secure and compliant data processing pipelines by using different tools and techniques.

• Certification Name: Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure
• Exam Code: DP-203

This certification has been retired from Microsoft. The alternate of this certification is DP-700.

To Know more: Check this blog

9) DP-300: Azure Database Administrator Associate

Azure Database Administrator implements and manages the platform solutions with Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Azure Data Services. The day-to-day task involves various methods and tools for daily operations, including the management of T-SQL.

• Certification Name: Administering Relational Databases on Microsoft Azure
• Exam Code: DP-300
• Pre-requisites: There are no prerequisites for taking this exam. But it would be better if you go for DP-900 (optional) first.
• Exam Cost: USD 165 (based on the location)
• Languages: English, Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, Korean, French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), Italian, Chinese (Traditional), Spanish
• Schedule Exam: Click Here

• To prepare for the certification:

10) PL-300: Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate

Data Analyst deals with loading, transforming, and analysis of data. The goal and motive of a data analyst are to generate meaningful insights using the huge collection of raw data. The Data Analyst is responsible for analyzing the data and creating easy-to-comprehend data visualizations. In the process, they create data models, graphs, and charts and use DAX expressions and machine learning models. This Azure certification path is for everyone interested in analyzing data and learning to perform data operations for their business and organization.

• Certification Name: Power BI Data Analyst Associate
• Exam Code: PL-300
• Pre-requisites: There are no prerequisites for taking this exam. But it would be better if you go for DP-900 (optional) first. The Candidates must have a fundamental understanding of data repositories and data processing (on-premises and in the cloud).
• Exam Cost: USD 165 (based on the location)
• Exam Languages:  English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Russian, Chinese (Traditional), Italian, Indonesian (Indonesia)
• Schedule Exam: Click Here

• To prepare for the certification:

• To prepare for the certification:

• To prepare for the certification:

13) AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate

Azure Security Engineer manages identity and access, implements security controls and threat protection, and protects data, applications, and networks in the cloud. The Azure Security Engineer knows networking, virtualization, and cloud N-tier architecture to propose various security solutions to overcome any vulnerability or threat.

• Certification Name: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies
• Exam Code: AZ-500
• Exam Cost: USD 165 (based on the location)
• Pre-requisites: Microsoft doesn’t have any mandatory prerequisites for the AZ-500 exam. It is advised that you take the AZ-900  (optional)  exam if you are just starting your career in the cloud.
• Exam Languages:English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Chinese (Traditional), Italian
• Schedule Exam: Click Here

• To prepare for the certification:

Expert

12) Microsoft Certified Solutions Architect  [AZ-305]

It is initiated for designing and implementing solutions that run on Microsoft Azure. Including aspects like compute, network, storage, and security.

It is geared towards advising stakeholders and translating business requirements into secure, scalable, and reliable solutions. In addition, candidates should have expert-level skills in Azure administration and experience in Azure development and DevOps processes.

• Certification Name: Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies
• Exam Code: AZ-305
• Pre-requisite: You must clear Azure Administrator ( Az-104 Exam)  certification.
• Exam Cost: USD 165 (based on the location)
• Exam Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Chinese (Traditional), Italian
• Schedule Exam: Click Here

• To prepare for the certification:

13) AZ-400: Microsoft DevOps Engineer Expert

The DevOps Engineer designs and implements strategies for collaboration, code, infrastructure, source control, security, compliance, continuous integration, testing, delivery, monitoring, and feedback. They create software automation pipelines for a complete development and deployment lifecycle in the cloud. Candidates applying for this certification should have knowledge of Azure administration and development and have already passed one exam, either the AZ-104 or AZ-204 exam.

• Certification Name: Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert
• Exam Code: AZ-400
• Pre-requisite: You must clear either Azure Administrator (AZ-104) or Azure Developer (Az-204) Certification.
• Exam Cost: USD 165 (based on the location)
• Exam Languages: English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Russian, Chinese (Traditional), Italian, Indonesian (Indonesia)
• Schedule Exam: Click Here

• To prepare for the certification:

Conclusion

Cloud is rapidly growing with pace, and to cope with the upcoming challenges, every cloud job aspirant needs to prepare themselves. Microsoft Azure, therefore, provides various cloud certifications for multiple cloud roles. We have listed the Microsoft Azure certification path for the top certifications that most candidates want to get.

FAQs

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