Azure Certification Cost
Overview
Azure certification costs vary depending on the level and specific exam. Generally, associate-level exams cost around $165 USD, while expert-level exams cost approximately $165 to $250 USD. Additional costs may apply for exam preparation materials and practice tests. Microsoft also offers certification bundles and retake options at discounted rates, making it more affordable to pursue Azure certifications.
Why Should You Learn Microsoft Azure?
Learning Microsoft Azure is essential due to its high demand in the job market, versatility, scalability, and strong security features. It enables building innovative cloud solutions and offers a vast ecosystem of resources and community support.
Why Azure Certifications?
Let's understand the need of Azure Certifications with the help of a short story.
In the competitive tech industry, two candidates, Alex and Mia sought a position at CloudTech Solutions. Both had impressive background.
Despite having extensive experience in cloud technologies, Alex lacked an Azure certification, while Mia had dedicated herself to obtaining this crucial validation of her skills and expertise in Microsoft's cloud platform. Mia's Azure certification showcased her dedication to Microsoft's cloud platform, while Alex lacked this validation. During the interview, Mia confidently demonstrated her practical knowledge of Azure, while Alex struggled to prove his expertise. Recognizing the importance of certifications, CloudTech chose Mia for the role, highlighting how Azure certifications set candidates apart and propel their careers in the cloud computing world.
The scenario emphasized the crucial role that Azure certifications play in setting candidates apart, validating their capabilities, and propelling their careers in the competitive world of cloud computing.
Azure Certification Levels
The Azure certification program comprises various certification levels and paths, each catering to different job roles and levels of expertise. Here are some of the key Azure certification levels:
- Fundamentals:
Entry-level certifications designed to provide foundational knowledge of Azure services and concepts. - Associate:
Suitable for professionals with practical experience in Azure, covering more advanced topics and specialized domains. - Expert:
Designed for experienced professionals who can architect and implement complex Azure solutions. - Specialty:
Certifications that validate skills in specific Azure domains, such as security, AI, and data engineering.
Fundamentals Certifications
Let's take a look into the Azure Fundamental Certifications:
Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (Exam AZ-900):
- This certification validates your foundational knowledge of cloud concepts, core Azure services, security, privacy, compliance, and Azure pricing and support.
- It is a recommended first step for beginners or individuals who are new to Microsoft Azure.
Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals (Exam MS-900):
- This certification validates your basic understanding of Microsoft 365 services, including Microsoft 365 productivity and collaboration tools like Teams, SharePoint, Exchange Online, and OneDrive.
- It is suitable for individuals who want to explore Microsoft's cloud-based productivity suite and its various components.
Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (Exam MB-901):
- This certification covers the basics of Dynamics 365 business applications and related cloud services.
- It focuses on understanding business value and core functionalities of Dynamics 365.
- It is ideal for individuals who want to start their journey with Dynamics 365 business applications.
Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals (Exam PL-900):
- This certification focuses on the Power Platform components, including Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, and Power Virtual Agents.
- It is suitable for beginners interested in exploring the - Power Platform and creating business solutions without extensive coding.
The table below summarizes the Azure Fundamental certifications along with the cost and skills needed for each.
Certification Name | Exam Code | Azure Certification Cost (USD) | Skills | Recommended for |
---|---|---|---|---|
Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals | AZ-900 | $99 | Basic understanding of cloud concepts and services | Beginners or individuals new to Azure |
Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Fundamentals | MB-901 | $99 | Familiarity with Dynamics 365 business applications | Beginners or individuals new to Dynamics 365 |
Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals | MS-900 | $99 | Basic understanding of Microsoft 365 services and offerings | Beginners or individuals new to Microsoft 365 |
Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals | PL-900 | $99 | Basic understanding of Power Platform components | Beginners or individuals new to Power Platform |
Associate Certifications
Certification Name | Exam Code | Azure Certification Cost (USD) | Skills | Recommended for | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate | AI-100 | $165 | Designing and implementing AI solutions on Azure | AI Engineers and Developers | ||
Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate | AZ-104 | $165 | Azure administration and management skills | Azure Administrators and IT Professionals | ||
Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate | DP-203 | $165 | Data engineering with Azure data services | Azure Data Engineers and Data Professionals | ||
Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate | AZ-204 | $165 | Developing and deploying applications on Azure | Azure Developers and Software Engineers | ||
Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate | AZ-500 | $165 | Securing Azure resources and workloads | Azure Security Engineers and IT Professionals | ||
Microsoft Certified: Power Platform App Maker Associate | PL-100 | $165 | Building Power Platform apps with Power Apps | Power Platform App Makers and Business Analysts | ||
Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultant Associate | MB-210 | $165 | Implementing solutions that support sales processes with Dynamics 365 | Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultants | ||
Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Marketing Functional Consultant Associate | MB-220 | $165 | Implementing marketing solutions with Dynamics 365 Marketing | Dynamics 365 Marketing Functional Consultants | Managing security and compliance solutions in Microsoft 365 | Microsoft 365 Security Administrators and IT Professional |
Microsoft Certified: Microsoft 365 Security Administrator Associate | MS-500 | $165 | Managing security and compliance solutions in Microsoft 365 | Microsoft 365 Security Administrators and IT Professionals | ||
Microsoft Certified: Microsoft 365 Messaging Administrator Associate | MS-203 | $165 | Managing messaging infrastructure in Microsoft 365 | Microsoft 365 Messaging Administrators and IT Professionals |
Expert Certifications
Certification Name | Exam Code | Azure Certification Cost (USD) | Skills | Recommended for |
---|---|---|---|---|
Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert | AZ-303, AZ-304 | $165 each | Designing and implementing solutions on Azure | Azure Solutions Architects and IT Professionals |
Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert | AZ-400 | $165 | mplementing DevOps practices on Azure | Azure DevOps Engineers and IT Professionals |
Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Expert | AZ-500 | $165 | Securing Azure resources and managing security operations | Azure Security Engineers and IT Professionals |
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Expert | AI-102 | $165 | Designing and implementing AI solutions on Azure | Azure AI Engineers and Developers |
Microsoft Certified: Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator Expert | MS-100, MS-101 | $165 each | Managing Microsoft 365 services and identities | Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrators and IT Professionals |
Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Solution Architect Expert | PL-600 | $165 | Designing and creating Power Platform solutions | Power Platform Solution Architects and IT Professionals |
What is Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Certification Training?
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Certification Training is an introductory program that provides a comprehensive understanding of Azure cloud services. It covers essential concepts and prepares learners for the AZ-900 certification exam. Upon completion, individuals earn the Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals certification.
What is Microsoft Azure Associate Level Certification?
Microsoft Azure Associate Level Certification is a series of role-based certifications for individuals with intermediate-level skills in Azure. It includes certifications for Azure Administrator, Azure Developer, Azure Security Engineer, and more. Candidates need to pass relevant exams to demonstrate their expertise and gain recognition in the field of cloud computing. These certifications are suitable for IT professionals, developers, and architects seeking to validate their Azure knowledge and advance their careers.
What is Microsoft Azure Expert Level Certification?
Microsoft Azure Expert Level Certification is a set of advanced-level certifications for experienced professionals with in-depth knowledge of Azure solutions. It includes certifications like Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Azure DevOps Engineer Expert, Azure Security Engineer Expert, and more. To earn these certifications, candidates must pass rigorous exams that assess their ability to design, implement, and manage complex Azure solutions. Azure Expert Level Certifications validate the expertise of cloud architects, engineers, and consultants and showcase their ability to deliver scalable and secure Azure solutions for organizations.
Azure Certifications Path
The Azure Certifications Path offers a structured journey for individuals to enhance their skills and knowledge in Microsoft Azure. The path includes various certification tracks, each catering to specific roles and expertise levels.
Is Microsoft Azure Certification Worth the Money?
Microsoft Azure Certifications are worth the money for several reasons:
- Enhanced Skills:
Azure certifications improve your knowledge and expertise in cloud computing. - Career Opportunities:
They open up better job prospects and potential salary increases. - Industry Recognition:
Azure is a leading cloud platform, and its certifications are widely recognized in the industry. - Credibility and Confidence:
Holding an Azure certification adds credibility to your skills and boosts your confidence.
Advantages of Microsoft Azure Certification Training
The advantages of Microsoft Azure Certification Training are listed below:
- Comprehensive Learning:
Azure certification training provides in-depth knowledge and practical skills to work with Microsoft Azure cloud services. - Hands-on Experience:
Training programs often include hands-on labs and real-world projects to gain practical experience. - Industry-recognized Credentials:
Earning a Microsoft Azure certification showcases your expertise and is widely recognized by employers in the IT industry. - Career Growth:
Azure-certified professionals are in high demand, leading to better job opportunities and career advancement. - Cloud Adoption:
Training helps organizations adopt Azure efficiently, improving overall productivity and reducing operational costs. - Stay Updated:
Azure is continually evolving, and certification training ensures you stay up-to-date with the latest developments and best practices. - Access to Resources:
Certified individuals gain access to Microsoft's Azure community and resources, including forums and documentation.
Conclusion
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Microsoft Azure offers a comprehensive certification program catering to various job roles and levels of expertise in cloud computing.
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The certification path includes Fundamentals, Associate, Expert, and Specialty certifications, allowing professionals to choose the most relevant track for their career goals.
- Azure Fundamentals Certifications costs $99 each
- Azure Associate Certifications costs $165 each
- Azure Expert Certifications costs $165 each
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Azure certifications enhance skills, boost career opportunities, and provide industry recognition, making them worthwhile investments.
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Azure certifications empower professionals to stay updated with the latest Azure technologies, benefit from networking opportunities, and contribute to successful cloud adoptions and migrations.