Microsoft Certifications
Microsoft Certifications
Enterprise cloud, AI, and developer certifications. 6 Azure certifications from fundamentals to expert level, covering cloud administration, development, architecture, DevOps, and AI.
Microsoft Certification Portfolio
| Certification | Level | Cost | Questions | Duration | Pass Score | Difficulty | Median Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Azure FundamentalsAZ-900 |
Fundamentals | $99 | ? | ? min | 700 | $94K | Active | |
| Associate | $165 | ? | 100 min | 700 | $117K | Active | ||
| Associate | $165 | ? | 100 min | 700 | $133K | Active | ||
| Expert | $165 | ? | 120 min | 700 | $149K | Active | ||
| Expert | $165 | ? | 120 min | 700 | $139K | Active | ||
| Fundamentals | $99 | ? | 45 min | 700 | $108K | Active |
Microsoft Certification Pathway
Microsoft Certification Salaries
Median US salaries by certification. All figures from third-party salary surveys — not TechJacks estimates.
Which Microsoft Certification Is Right for You?
Recertification & Renewal
Microsoft certifications are valid for 1 year. Renewal is free — complete an online assessment on Microsoft Learn before expiration. No exam fee, no proctor, and you can retake the assessment if you don’t pass. This makes Microsoft the most renewal-friendly vendor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Microsoft offers dozens of certifications across Azure, Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and Dynamics 365. This page covers the 6 core Azure certifications most relevant to cloud and AI careers.
Start with AZ-900 (fundamentals). Then branch: AZ-104 for admins, AZ-204 for developers, AI-900 for AI roles. Expert certs (AZ-305, AZ-400) build on associate-level knowledge.
Fundamentals exams (AZ-900, AI-900) cost $99. Associate and expert exams (AZ-104, AZ-204, AZ-305, AZ-400) cost $165. Renewal is free via online assessment.
Yes, after 1 year — the shortest validity of any major vendor. However, renewal is free: complete an online assessment on Microsoft Learn. No exam fee, no proctor.
AWS leads in market share (31%) but Azure dominates enterprise IT, especially in Fortune 500 companies using Microsoft ecosystems. Holding both AWS and Azure certs maximizes opportunities.