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Microsoft Azure Certifications

Microsoft credentials are changing alongside cloud and AI roles. Use a current role page as the source of truth for eligibility, exam status, and prerequisites.

Azure certification paths illustrated with Fundamentals, Associate, Security roles, Expert roles
Azure certification paths — an illustrated overview of the topics on this page.

Content reviewed: October 25, 2026

Selected current routes

DirectionCredential examples
Cloud foundation & operationsAzure Fundamentals; Azure Administrator Associate
ArchitectureAzure Solutions Architect Expert
Application developmentAzure AI Cloud Developer Associate
Security engineeringCloud and AI Security Engineer Associate
Security architectureCybersecurity Architect Expert
Delivery engineeringDevOps Engineer Expert

Retirements that affect older diagrams

Azure Data Scientist Associate retired June 1, 2026; Azure AI Engineer Associate retired June 30; Azure Developer Associate retired July 31; Azure Security Engineer Associate retired August 31. These older routes should not be presented as currently bookable certifications.

An earned certification can remain active on the holder’s transcript until its expiry even after the credential retires. This page describes study options; it does not change anyone’s earned badges.

Plan a role-based path

  • Open the current credential page and verify its exam, required certifications, and skills outline.
  • Treat Fundamentals as an optional starting point according to experience.
  • Build labs around identity, policy, deployment, diagnostics, and recovery.
  • For data and AI roles, browse the current catalog rather than following old DP-203 or AI-102 diagrams.
  • Check renewal eligibility and dates directly in Microsoft Learn.
Microsoft Azure Certifications topic map: Selected current routes, Retirements that affect older diagrams, Plan a role-based path, Sources & further reading
Microsoft Azure Certifications — topic overview

Sources & further reading

Official provider poster

Official provider poster retrieved October 25, 2026. Check the live catalog before booking. This Microsoft poster still includes AZ-500, which the current retirement register marks retired; the updated text on this page takes precedence for availability.

Microsoft certification paths — official poster; enlarge to read

Open full-resolution poster ↗

Original certification chart

Retained from the previous site for reference. This older chart is historical; use the updated paths above and the official catalog for current exam availability.

Original Microsoft Azure Certifications chart retained for historical reference; some credentials have changed