Microsoft Azure Developer Associate (AZ 204) Certification Overview

The urge of enterprises to move their operations to the cloud is increasing every day. Public cloud service providers are persistently upgrading their services with the offering of new developments in technology. Hence, the demand for cloud computing certifications like Az 204 is also becoming noteworthy every day.

If you have been looking for the best source to learn about the AZ 204 exam preparation, then you are at the right place already!

This blog covers everything you need to know for the Microsoft-certified AZ 204 exam preparation. So, let’s jump in to start with what looks like a promising career ahead!

1. What Is Azure Developer Certification?
2. Who should go for Azure Developer?
3. Why Become An Azure Developer?
4. AZ-204 | Certification Benefits
5. AZ-204 | Exam Details
6. AZ-204 Course Outline
7. Who This Certification Is For?
8. Complete AZ-204 Hands-on Labs

What Is Azure Developer Certification? 

The Azure Developer certification is designed for professionals responsible for all stages of cloud development, including requirements gathering, design, development, deployment, maintenance, performance tuning, and monitoring. It validates expertise in building and managing applications on Microsoft Azure, ensuring proficiency in leveraging cloud technologies to optimize and support the entire development lifecycle.

Who should go for Azure Developer?

The AZ-204 exam is ideal for individuals who are either currently working or looking to work with cloud solutions. It is particularly suited for those interested in the following concepts:

• Programming in Azure-supported languages (e.g., C#, Java, Python)
• Working with Azure SDKs
• Utilizing Azure CLI and PowerShell
• Managing Azure Resource Manager
• Implementing Azure DevOps
• Understanding Azure Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory)
• Data storage and database management
• Containers and Kubernetes

This certification is designed for professionals aiming to build, deploy, and maintain cloud-based applications on Microsoft Azure.

Why Become An Azure Developer?

Becoming an Azure developer offers strong career prospects due to the high demand for cloud skills. It provides access to cutting-edge technologies, career growth, and job security as businesses increasingly adopt Azure. The role also offers competitive salaries, opportunities to work on scalable cloud solutions, and versatility in various industries. Azure development positions you at the forefront of cloud technology, enhancing both your professional growth and earning potential.

• By getting your certification in this field, it’s likely you will see career growth which in turn increases your earnings.
• If flexibility is what you are looking for when it comes to your career, a Microsoft Azure certification can offer you just that.
• You learn how theoretical concepts can be used to solve business problems.

Related Readings: What is the difference between Data Science vs Data Analytics vs Data Engineer?

AZ 204 | Certification Benefits 

• Cloud Technology in the past, present, and future.
• As discussed earlier the transitions of the industries lead to the demand for Cloud Computing professionals will continue to grow.
• Better chances of getting shortlisted for an interview with the certificate.
• It provides security in your job.
• This certification is a prerequisite for the DevOps exam.

Related Readings: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure

AZ 204 | Exam Details

• Name of the Exam: Microsoft Certified Azure Developer Associate
• Exam Code: AZ 204
• Technology: Microsoft Azure
• Prerequisites: Although there are no strict formal prerequisites or prior certification needed, but it is good if a candidate has 1-2 years of professional development experience and experience with Microsoft Azure and also need to have programming expertise in a high-level language supported by Azure.
• Exam Duration: 100 minutes
• Number of Questions: 40-60
• Registration Fee: $165 USD (plus applicable taxes)
• Exam Language:English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Chinese (Traditional), Italian, Indonesian (Indonesia), Arabic (Saudi Arabia)

AZ-204 Course Outline

Develop Azure compute solutions (25-30%)

This section consists of Azure compute such as:

1. Containerized solutions (ACR, ACI, Container Apps)
2. Azure App Service (Creating and configuring Webapp, logging, autoscaling)
3. Azure Functions (Create and configure function app, function triggers)

Related Readings: Understanding Azure Compute Services

Develop for Azure storage (15-20%)

Azure storage section is fulfilled by:

1. Azure Cosmos DB (providing solution in database using SDK)
2. Azure Blob Storage (Perform operations on data using SDK, storage policies, data lifecycle management)

Related Readings: Microsoft Azure Storage Account: A Comprehensive Guide

Implement Azure security (15-20%)

Implementing Azure security covers:

1. Authentication and Authorization (Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft Identity platform, Microsoft Graph)
2. Secure Azure solutions (Azure Key Vault, Managed Identities)

Related Readings: What is Azure security?

Monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize Azure solutions (10-15%)

This Module consists of:

1. Caching for solutions (Azure Cache for Redis, CDN)
2. Application Insights (Configure app for Application Insights, analyse logs, alerts)

Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services (20-25%)

Various Azure services includes:

1. API Management (Azure API Management includes create, configure and policies)
2. Event-based solutions (Azure Event Grid, Azure Event Hub)
3. Message-based solutions (Azure Service Bus, Azure Queue Storage)

You can review the detailed overview of the course outline on the official site.

Who This Certification Is For?

If you are still wondering if you can get this certification, here is your answer:

1. Candidates working as Azure Engineers.
2. Those who have subject matter expertise in designing, building, testing, and maintaining cloud applications.
3. People who are cloud DBAs and cloud administrators.
4. People who have a basic understanding of networking and virtualization.
5. Those who are good at the implementation of cloud solutions.

Also, check out this blog on Azure development tools

Complete AZ 204 Hands-on Labs

Step-By-Step Activity Guides of [AZ 204] Microsoft Azure Developer Certification training program that you must perform to gain proficiency with this course.

1. Register for Azure Free Trial Account
2. Building a web application on the Azure platform as a service offerings
3. Retrieving Azure Storage resources and metadata by using the Azure Storage SDK for .NET
4. Constructing a polyglot data solution
5. Deploying compute workloads by using images and containers
6. Authenticating to and querying Microsoft Graph by using MSAL and .NET SDKs
7. Access resource secrets more securely across services
8. Creating a multi-tier solution by using services in Azure
9. Publishing and subscribing to Event Grid events
10. Asynchronously processing messages by using Azure Storage Queues
11. Monitoring services that are deployed to Azure
12. Enhancing a web application by using the Azure Content Delivery Network

Next Task For You

Begin your journey towards becoming a Microsoft [AZ-204] Azure Developer Associate and earn a lot more in 2025 by joining our FREE Masterclass.

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