List of Azure Certifications - Cost, Training and Exams

The cloud computing revolution is reshaping industries, and Microsoft Azure is leading the charge. Azure certifications are the credentials that verify an individual's skills in various aspects of cloud computing.

Microsoft Azure provides a total of 20 certifications currently, and these certifications are categorized into three categories: Fundamental, Associate, and Expert. There is also one additional category called Specialized.

In this article, we have covered all 20 Azure certifications, and provided their details like costs, exams and training. You can also check out our Azure certification courses, to start your cloud computing journey with Azure certification.

What is Azure Certification? 

Azure certifications are credentials designed for professionals who want to showcase their ability to create, deploy, and manage cloud-based solutions using Azure.  

The three Azure certification levels are:  

1. Fundamentals: Perfect for beginners to grasp basic cloud concepts and Azure services.  

2. Associate: Tailored for intermediate professionals specializing in roles like data engineering, AI, or security.  

3. Expert: Aimed at advanced professionals mastering complex cloud architectures and solutions. 

Additionally, Azure provides Specialty certifications for niche areas such as Cosmos DB, IoT, and Virtual Desktop. It is always recommended to follow the Azure certification path from fundamentals to specialized.

Get Online Training in Cloud ComputingExplore various courses on cloud computing certifications and training.Explore course

Why Are Azure Certifications in Demand? 

Cloud computing continues to be one of the fastest-growing fields, and Azure certifications remain highly valued. According to the latest Flexera 2024 State of the Cloud Report, Azure is the leading cloud provider, maintaining its edge over competitors like AWS.

Businesses across various sectors—healthcare, finance, entertainment, and more—are increasingly transitioning to the cloud, driving a high demand for Azure-certified professionals.  

Why Get Azure Certifications? 

Earning an Azure certification can transform your career in multiple ways:  

1. Accelerate Career Growth 

Azure certifications are globally recognized and can help you secure roles like cloud architect, data engineer, or AI specialist. They also pave the way for leadership positions and greater responsibilities within your organization.  

2. Explore Diverse Career Paths 

With an Azure certification, you can work in various industries and locations. From healthcare to finance, organizations worldwide are seeking skilled professionals to manage their cloud infrastructure.  

3. Boost Your Earning Potential 

Azure-certified professionals earn competitive salaries. For instance:  

✓ Azure Cloud Architect: $133,721/year  

✓ Azure DevOps Engineer: $126,096/year  

✓ Azure Data Engineer: $120,387/year 

4. Sharpen Your Skill Set 

Azure certifications validate your expertise in cutting-edge technologies like AI, machine learning, and data analytics. They also deepen your understanding of cloud security, governance, and compliance.    

List of Azure Certifications 

Here is a table listing 20 Azure certifications: 

1. Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) 

The Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900) certification provides an entry point into the rapidly expanding world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Microsoft Azure.

Since the launch of Azure AI in 2016, the cloud platform has been instrumental in making AI accessible for both technical and non-technical professionals, sparking a new wave of intelligent cloud-based solutions.

This certification is designed to help you grasp foundational AI concepts and how they integrate with Azure's expansive suite of AI services.

● Exam cost: $99 USD

● What It’s Best For:  Building a foundational understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) concepts and how they integrate with Microsoft Azure’s AI services. 

● Key Skills: Involves understanding machine learning, deep learning, and neural networks. Azure AI Services provide tools like Azure Cognitive Services and Azure Machine Learning to deploy and manage AI models effectively.

● Career Path: AI Enthusiast, Data Analyst, AI/ML Entry-Level Roles. 

● Ideal For: Beginners interested in AI and machine learning looking to start with Azure’s AI services. 

2. Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900) 

The Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900) certification taps into the global data-driven revolution, as the amount of data created worldwide is expected to reach 175 zettabytes by 2025.

This certification provides foundational knowledge of data concepts and Microsoft Azure's suite of data services, laying the groundwork for an entry into the expanding fields of data analysis, management, and engineering.

● Exam cost: $99 USD

● What It’s Best For:  Developing a foundational understanding of data concepts and Microsoft Azure’s data services for roles in data analysis, management, and engineering. 

● Key Skills: Understanding relational and non-relational data, proficiency in Azure data services like SQL Database and Cosmos DB, data analytics with Power BI, and data management in Azure

● Career Path: Data Analyst, Database Administrator, Entry-Level Data Engineer. 

● Ideal For: Those beginning their careers in data-related fields looking to build expertise in Azure’s data tools. 

3. Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) 

Since the cloud computing boom in the early 2010s, Microsoft Azure has emerged as one of the leading cloud service providers globally. With over 60% of Fortune 500 companies using Azure, this certification is perfect for individuals looking to dive into cloud computing.

The Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) exam offers a high-level overview of cloud services and Microsoft Azure's tools for professionals new to the cloud.

Practice with AZ-900 Mock Test

● Exam cost: $99 USD

● What It’s Best For: Providing a high-level understanding of cloud computing concepts and Microsoft Azure, ideal for individuals new to the cloud industry. 

● Key Skills: Cloud models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), core Azure services like Virtual Machines and Azure Active Directory, Azure pricing and support models, and Azure security basics. 

● Career Path: Entry-Level IT Roles, Cloud Support, Help Desk Technician. 

● Ideal For: Beginners looking to understand the basics of cloud computing and Azure, making it a great entry point for aspiring cloud professionals. 

4. Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) 

As cloud adoption accelerated, the role of cloud administrators became pivotal in ensuring smooth operations and governance of cloud resources. The Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) certification reflects the growing importance of cloud administrators.

Azure's dominance in the cloud computing sector, with a 21% market share in 2023, underlines the critical role this certification plays. 

Get online training with the Azure Administrator Associate Course

Practice with AZ-104 Mock Test

● Exam cost: $165 USD

● What It’s Best For: Managing an organization’s Microsoft Azure environment. 

● Key Skills: Managing Azure AD identities, Governance with RBAC, Configuring virtual networks, Managing VMs and VMSS, Azure storage and backup.

● Career Path: Azure Administrator, Cloud Engineer, Systems Administrator, Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, Cloud Operations Specialist. 

● Ideal For: Professionals looking to manage and maintain Azure resources and ensure optimal performance in a cloud environment. 

5. Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102) 

Azure's AI Engineer Associate (AI-102) certification aligns with the increasing adoption of AI in businesses worldwide. In 2024, AI spending is expected to hit $110 billion, showcasing how vital AI has become to companies.

This certification delves deeper into developing, managing, and deploying AI solutions on Azure.

● Exam cost: $165 USD

● What It’s Best For: Building, managing, and deploying AI solutions within Azure. 

● Key Skills: Implementing AI with Azure Cognitive Services, Developing ML solutions with Azure ML, NLP for text analysis and translation, Computer Vision for image processing, Model management and retraining.

● Career Path: AI Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, Data Scientist, Cloud AI Developer, AI Specialist. 

● Ideal For: Professionals who want to specialize in AI and machine learning development within the Azure ecosystem, focusing on automation, prediction, and analysis. 

6. Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP-203) 

With data being generated at an unprecedented rate, the role of a data engineer is more critical than ever. Data creation is expected to reach 97 zettabytes in 2023, and professionals equipped with Azure’s data engineering skills are in high demand.

This certification prepares you to manage big data solutions, optimize workflows, and ensure data security in Azure environments.

● Exam cost: $165 USD

● What It’s Best For: Storing and managing data for analysis and building data pipelines. 

● Key Skills: Designing data storage with Azure Data Lake, Cosmos DB, SQL Database, Building ETL/ELT pipelines with Data Factory and Synapse, Implementing data security and compliance, Optimizing data workflows for scalability and performance.

● Career Path: Data Engineer, Big Data Engineer, Data Architect, Data Warehouse Engineer, Cloud Data Engineer. 

● Ideal For: Those wanting to work on large-scale data engineering projects, focusing on building data solutions and pipelines for organizations. 

7. Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100) 

AI and machine learning are projected to add $13 trillion to the global economy by 2030. As a data scientist, using Azure's advanced tools like Azure Machine Learning and Databricks can help you design and deploy cutting-edge models that drive decision-making for businesses.

This certification focuses on model building, data exploration, and optimization for high-performance solutions. 

● Exam cost: $165 USD

● What It’s Best For: Exploring data science and using Azure Machine Learning and Azure Databricks. 

● Key Skills: Building and deploying ML models with Azure ML, Data exploration and preparation, Model evaluation and optimization, Using Azure Databricks for big data processing.

● Career Path: Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, Data Analyst, AI Specialist. 

● Ideal For: Professionals looking to specialize in the data science field with a focus on Azure's machine learning tools and techniques. 

8. Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300) 

With businesses relying heavily on data to drive operations, database administrators have become essential to ensure the availability and performance of databases.

Azure's Database Administrator certification provides expertise in managing SQL and NoSQL databases, including performance tuning and implementing high availability strategies to keep systems running smoothly.

● Exam cost: $165 USD

● What It’s Best For: Managing the operational aspects of data platform solutions. 

● Key Skills: Managing SQL Server and Azure data services, Implementing high availability and disaster recovery, Database security and compliance, Monitoring and optimizing databases.

● Career Path: Database Administrator (DBA), Cloud DBA, Data Platform Engineer, SQL Server Administrator. 

● Ideal For: Professionals interested in managing the database infrastructure and ensuring the availability, security, and performance of data systems in Azure. 

9. Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204) 

Cloud computing is growing rapidly, with 85% of enterprises expected to use cloud services by 2025. Developers who specialize in building cloud applications with Azure are in high demand.

This certification equips you with skills to build scalable applications using Azure App Services, Functions, and Logic Apps, providing developers with the tools to streamline modern cloud-based applications.

● Exam cost: $165 USD 

● What It’s Best For: Building cloud applications and working with Azure computing and storage. 

● Key Skills: Developing cloud applications with Azure App Services, Functions, Logic Apps, Integrating APIs and services with Azure SDKs, Managing Azure Storage (Blob, Queue, Table) and data pipelines, Deploying applications with Azure DevOps and CI/CD.

● Career Path: Cloud Developer, Azure Application Developer, Software Engineer, Cloud Solutions Architect. 

● Ideal For: Developers who want to deepen their cloud development expertise with Azure and work on modern cloud-based applications. 

10. Azure Enterprise Data Analyst Associate (DP-500) 

The business intelligence and analytics market is growing at a pace, and data-driven decision-making is becoming a key competitive edge.

With data analytics projected to be worth $40 billion by 2025, this certification helps professionals develop expertise in tools like Power BI and Azure Synapse Analytics, enabling them to create insightful reports and dashboards that drive business decisions. 

● Exam cost: $165 USD

● What It’s Best For: Building expertise in data analytics solutions. 

● Key Skills: Designing analytics solutions with Synapse and Power BI, Data visualization with Power BI, Business intelligence through reports and visualizations, Data governance and security in analytics.

● Career Path: Data Analyst, Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst, Analytics Consultant, Power BI Developer. 

● Ideal For: Professionals looking to develop data analytics expertise, particularly in business intelligence, data visualization, and reporting. 

11. Azure Network Engineer Associate (AZ-700) 

With hybrid and multi-cloud adoption on the rise (81% of enterprises use hybrid cloud), network engineers are vital for ensuring seamless and secure connectivity across environments.

This certification helps professionals design and implement Azure networks, ensuring high availability and performance while optimizing security and hybrid connectivity solutions. 

● Exam cost: $165 USD

● What It’s Best For: Validating your knowledge and skills in Azure network solutions. 

● Key Skills:  Designing Azure networking solutions with virtual networks, subnets, peering, Configuring load balancing and VPN gateways, Implementing network security with firewalls and monitoring, Enabling hybrid networking with on-premises and Azure resources.

● Career Path: Network Engineer, Cloud Network Specialist, IT Consultant, Cloud Solutions Architect. 

● Ideal For: Professionals aiming to specialize in cloud networking, from designing networks to optimizing security and connectivity. 

12. Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500) 

 The cybersecurity market is growing at an accelerated rate, with an expected market value of $1.75 trillion by 2025. As security concerns in the cloud continue to rise, this certification focuses on securing Azure environments, from identity management to threat protection, ensuring businesses stay compliant and protected from evolving threats. 

● Exam cost: $165 USD

● What It’s Best For: Planning and implementing cloud-based management and security. 

● Key Skills: Managing identity and access with Azure AD and MFA, Threat protection and security monitoring, Implementing network security with firewalls and security groups, Data protection with encryption and data loss prevention.

● Career Path: Cloud Security Engineer, Security Administrator, IT Security Specialist, Cybersecurity Consultant. 

● Ideal For: Security-focused professionals interested in protecting Azure environments from threats and ensuring compliance with security standards. 

13. Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate (AZ-600) 

Hybrid cloud adoption is crucial as organizations look to integrate on-premises systems with cloud-based resources.

Azure Stack Hub certification helps professionals manage and monitor infrastructure that bridges on-prem data centers with Azure services, offering flexibility and scalability across both environments. 

● Exam cost: $165 USD

● What It’s Best For: Enhancing your skills in providing PaaS and IaaS using Azure Stack Hub. 

● Key Skills: Managing Azure Stack Hub infrastructure, Deploying and managing hybrid cloud solutions, Configuring and managing resources, security, and monitoring in Azure Stack Hub.

● Career Path: Cloud Operator, Hybrid Cloud Specialist, Infrastructure Engineer. 

● Ideal For: Professionals working with hybrid cloud solutions, focusing on integrating Azure services with on-premises infrastructure. 

14. Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400) 

DevOps is revolutionizing how organizations approach software development, with the DevOps market expected to grow from $4.3 billion in 2020 to $12.9 billion by 2025.

Azure DevOps Engineers play a key role in implementing CI/CD pipelines, automating infrastructure management, and ensuring continuous monitoring and security.

This certification validates your ability to streamline software development processes and collaborate efficiently across teams, making it essential for those aiming to master DevOps practices in Azure environments. 

● Exam cost: $165 USD

● What It’s Best For: Building on your experience as an infrastructure administrator or developer, and focusing on DevOps practices in the Azure cloud. 

● Key Skills: Implementing CI/CD pipelines with Azure DevOps, Monitoring, security, and compliance with Azure Monitor and Log Analytics, Infrastructure as Code with ARM templates and Terraform, Collaboration and version control with Git.

● Career Path: DevOps Engineer, Site Reliability Engineer (SRE), Automation Engineer, Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, CI/CD Architect. 

● Ideal For: Professionals looking to deepen their expertise in DevOps practices, automation, and infrastructure management in the Azure cloud, optimizing both development and operational workflows. 

15. Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) 

With cloud adoption soaring, enterprises are looking for cloud architects who can design robust and secure infrastructures. The global market for cloud architecture services is expected to reach $71 billion by 2026.

Azure Solutions Architects are responsible for designing scalable solutions that integrate on-premises resources with Azure, ensuring high availability and disaster recovery.

This certification is ideal for professionals who want to lead cloud transformation initiatives and build enterprise-level solutions on Azure. 

● Exam cost: $165 USD

● What It’s Best For: Designing cloud and hybrid solutions that run on Microsoft Azure, focusing on optimizing and securing infrastructure and workloads. 

● Key Skills:  Architecting scalable and secure solutions with AKS, Functions, App Service, Managing complex cloud infrastructures for high availability and disaster recovery, Optimizing workloads for performance and cost, Designing hybrid cloud solutions with Azure Arc, Implementing governance and security strategies.

● Career Path: Cloud Architect, IT Consultant, Solutions Architect, Enterprise Architect, Cloud Strategy Specialist. 

● Ideal For: Experienced professionals who want to lead cloud transformation efforts, design enterprise-level solutions, and manage the architecture of large-scale Azure environments. 

16. Azure Support Engineer for Connectivity Specialty (AZ-720) 

As hybrid and multi-cloud strategies become more common, network engineers who can troubleshoot and optimize connectivity are in high demand.

The role of a support engineer for connectivity is critical, especially with 81% of enterprises using hybrid cloud solutions.

This certification helps you specialize in diagnosing connectivity issues and implementing hybrid solutions to ensure seamless communication between on-premises and cloud networks.

● Exam cost: $165 USD

● What It’s Best For: Troubleshooting and resolving network connectivity issues within Azure environments. 

● Key Skills: Diagnosing network connectivity issues, Implementing hybrid connectivity with ExpressRoute, VPN Gateway, Azure Firewall, Network monitoring with Azure Network Watcher, Configuring load balancing for VMs, applications, and services. 

● Career Path: Cloud Network Engineer, Network Support Engineer, Azure Solutions Architect, Hybrid Cloud Engineer. 

● Ideal For: Professionals focused on the connectivity aspect of cloud environments, especially those working with hybrid or multi-cloud networking solutions. 

17. Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty (DP-420) 

As global data continues to grow, the demand for NoSQL databases like Cosmos DB is accelerating. By 2023, over 70% of enterprises will rely on multi-model NoSQL databases to handle large-scale data.

Azure Cosmos DB is designed to handle the scale and availability required for mission-critical applications. This certification is perfect for developers who want to specialize in building and optimizing high-performance, globally distributed applications using Cosmos DB. 

● Exam cost: $165 USD

● What It’s Best For: Designing and implementing solutions using Azure Cosmos DB, a globally distributed, multi-model database service. 

● Key Skills:  Working with NoSQL databases using Cosmos DB, Optimizing Cosmos DB performance with partitioning and indexing, Scaling Cosmos DB with global distribution and multi-region replication, Data migration and integration with Cosmos DB.

● Career Path: Cosmos DB Developer, Database Engineer, Cloud Architect, NoSQL Database Expert. 

● Ideal For: Developers and data architects who want to specialize in Cosmos DB for building scalable, high-performance applications that require global distribution and high availability. 

18. Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty (AZ-140) 

With remote work becoming a permanent part of many organizations, virtual desktop solutions are in greater demand. The Azure Virtual Desktop market is expected to grow by 18.6% annually over the next few years.

This certification equips professionals with the skills to deploy, configure, and optimize virtual desktop infrastructures, enabling seamless remote work experiences while maintaining high security and performance standards. 

● Exam cost: $165 USD

● What It’s Best For: Managing and optimizing Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) environments, including configuration and deployment of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions. 

● Key Skills: Deploying and configuring virtual desktops with AVD, Managing user access and security in AVD, Optimizing virtual desktop performance, Integrating on-premises resources with Azure Virtual Desktop.

● Career Path: Virtual Desktop Administrator, VDI Specialist, Azure Solutions Architect, Cloud Infrastructure Engineer. 

● Ideal For: Professionals looking to specialize in virtual desktop management and optimization, particularly in environments where remote work and virtualized workspaces are essential. 

19. Azure IoT Developer Specialty (AZ-220) 

The global IoT market is set to exceed $1 trillion by 2026, and Azure IoT is one of the leading platforms for managing connected devices.

This certification is ideal for developers and engineers who want to specialize in IoT solutions, from connecting devices through Azure IoT Hub to processing massive volumes of telemetry data with Azure services.

Professionals with this expertise are in high demand as IoT solutions drive innovation across industries. 

● Exam cost: $165 USD

● What It’s Best For: Building and managing Internet of Things (IoT) solutions on Azure. 

● Key Skills: Implementing IoT Hub and Edge solutions, Integrating IoT devices with provisioning and security, IoT data processing with Stream Analytics and Functions, Creating IoT solutions for real-time analytics and machine learning. 

● Career Path: IoT Developer, Cloud Solutions Architect, IoT Solutions Architect, Embedded Systems Engineer. 

● Ideal For: Developers or engineers who want to specialize in designing and implementing IoT solutions, connecting devices, and processing large amounts of sensor data in the Azure cloud. 

20. Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty (AZ-120) 

SAP environments are critical for large enterprises, and as more organizations migrate their SAP workloads to the cloud, Azure has become a leading platform for hosting these solutions.

The global SAP cloud market is expected to grow by 11.2% annually, with many companies relying on Azure to ensure the scalability and reliability of their SAP solutions.

This certification helps professionals manage and optimize SAP workloads, integrating them seamlessly with Azure resources. 

● Exam cost: $165 USD

● What It’s Best For: Managing SAP workloads on Azure, ensuring high availability and performance for SAP environments. 

● Key Skills: Deploying and optimizing SAP solutions in Azure, Ensuring high availability and performance for SAP systems, Hybrid integration with on-premises SAP environments, Cost optimization and management for SAP workloads.

● Career Path: SAP Solutions Architect, Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, SAP HANA Consultant, Cloud Migration Specialist. 

● Ideal For: Professionals with SAP experience who want to focus on managing and optimizing SAP workloads on Azure. 

How to Earn Your Azure Certification 

Follow these steps to achieve your Azure certification:  

1. Build Relevant Skills Through Training 

Begin by enrolling in Azure training programs. We offer comprehensive courses to prepare you for certification exams. Microsoft also provides free learning paths and virtual training days to help you develop the necessary skills.  

2. Meet the Prerequisites 

While Fundamentals certifications have no prerequisites, Associate and Expert certifications require prior experience or foundational knowledge. For example:  

✓ Azure Solutions Architect Expert: Requires passing the Azure Administrator Associate exam.  

✓ Azure DevOps Engineer Expert: Requires either Azure Administrator Associate or Azure Developer Associate certification. 

3. Pass the Certification Exam 

Each certification has an associated exam scored on a scale of 1 to 1,000. A score of 700 or higher is required to pass. Microsoft offers practice exams to help you prepare.  

4. Keep Your Certification Current 

Azure certifications (except Fundamentals) require annual renewal. You can renew your certification by passing a free online assessment on Microsoft Learn.  

How to Choose the Right Azure Certification?

Based on your level of experience, we have made some suggestions for the best Azure certifications.

✓ Beginners: Start with Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) to build a strong foundation. 

✓ Intermediate Professionals: Pursue Associate-level certifications like Azure Administrator (AZ-104) or Azure Developer (AZ-204). 

✓ Advanced Professionals: Aim for Expert-level certifications like Azure Solutions Architect (AZ-305) or Azure DevOps Engineer (AZ-400). 

Final Thoughts 

Azure certifications are your gateway to a thriving career in cloud computing. Whether you're starting or aiming to advance, these certifications validate your skills and unlock exciting opportunities.

Begin your journey today with Uninets and take the first step toward becoming an Azure-certified professional in 2025!  

Ready to get started? Explore our Azure certification courses and unlock your potential in the cloud!