September 05 th , 2024 | 
Credo Systemz | 
Career InsightsIntroduction
Microsoft Azure providing the best cloud services with unique and innovative services. Recently Microsoft restructured the Azure Certifications by Role based which is mainly focusing on job roles. If you want to change your career in Microsoft Azure, then Azure Certification will help you to achieve it.
There are many certifications in Azure and you have to carefully choose the best fit for your career. Here you can find detailed information about Microsoft Azure Certification Path which is recently updated. This article helps you to choose the Best Azure certification that suits you
There are different Microsoft Azure Certifications are available and each of it has its own roles, they are,
- Azure Fundamentals
- Azure Administrator Associate
- Azure Developer Associate
- Azure Solutions Architect Expert
- Azure DevOps Engineer Expert
- Azure Security Engineer Associate
- Azure Data Engineer Associate
- Azure AI Engineer Associate
- Azure Data Scientist Associate
- Azure IoT Developer
- Azure Architect for SAP Workloads
1. Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Exam AZ-900
Azure Fundamentals (AZ 900 Exam) is the foundational level exam in the new Azure certifications path. This exam is particularly meant for those who want to demonstrate their basic knowledge of Microsoft Azure Cloud Services. Even if the candidates are from non-technical background but if they have some basic understanding of the cloud concepts, you can take this certification exam.
Prerequisites: No Specific Prerequisites but one should be familiar and have a basic understanding of the cloud services and the Microsoft Azure platform.
Domains Covered in AZ-900 Exam:
| Domain | % Weight |
|---|---|
| Describe Cloud Concepts | 15-20% |
| Describe Core Azure Services | 30-35% |
| Describe Security, Privacy, Compliance, and Trust | 25-30% |
| Describe Azure Pricing, Service Level Agreements, and Lifecycles | 25-30% |
Certification Cost: USD 99
2. Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate Exam AZ-104
The AZ-104 certification exam is the ideally meant for Microsoft Azure Administrator. AZ-104 is the updated version of existing AZ-103 exam. This exam tests the capabilities of candidates in implementation, management, and monitoring of identity, storage, virtual networks, compute, and governance in cloud environments.
Prerequisites: The important prerequisites for the AZ-104 exam are as follows.- Minimum six months of practical experience in Azure administration.
- Clear understanding of core Azure services, security, governance, and Azure workloads.
- Hands-on experience in PowerShell, ARM templates, Command Line Interface, and Azure Portal.
Domains Covered in AZ-104 Exam
| Domain | % Weight |
|---|---|
| Manage Azure identities and governance | 15-20% |
| Implementation and management of storage | 10-15% |
| Deployment and management of Azure compute resources | 25-30% |
| Configuring and managing virtual networks | 30-35% |
| Monitoring and backup for Azure resources | 10-15% |
Certification Cost: $165 USD
3. Azure Developer Associate Exam AZ-204
The AZ-204 Azure Certification exam is for Azure cloud developers. This certification is ideally meant for Azure developers who predominantly involved in different phases of development, such as designing, building, deploying, and maintaining cloud solutions.
Prerequisites: The important prerequisites for the AZ-204 exam are as follows,- In-depth proficiency in Azure SDKs, APIs, data storage options, app authentication, and authorization, debugging, monitoring, compute and container deployment, data connections, monitoring, and performance tuning.
- At least 1 to 2 years of hands-on experience in professional development.
- Practical experience in working on the Microsoft Azure platform.
- Knowledge of at least 1 programming language supported by Azure.
Domains Covered in AZ-204 Exam:
| Domain | % Weight |
|---|---|
| Develop Azure compute solutions | 25-30% |
| Implementation of Azure security | 15-20% |
| Monitoring, troubleshooting and optimizing Azure solutions | 15-20% |
| Connect to and consume Azure services and third-party services | 25-3o% |
Certification Cost: $165 USD
Azure Solution Architect Expert
As per the new role-based Azure certifications path, for Azure Solution Architect Expert role, one need to pass two certifications – One is Exam AZ-303: Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies and the other is Exam AZ-304: Microsoft Azure Architect Design.
Once exams for AZ-303 and AZ-304, are cleared, you will become Microsoft Certified Azure Solution Architect Expert and will receive a badge of Azure Solution Architect Expert.
4. Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies Exam (AZ-303)
The AZ-303 Azure Certification exam is the updated version of existing Azure Solution Architects, AZ-300. This exam basically tests the capabilities of candidates to advise stakeholders and convert business requirements into solutions with higher security, reliability, and scalability.
- Good knowledge and comprehensive experience in IT operations such as virtualization, business continuity, networking, identity, data platform, governance, disaster recovery, and budgeting.
- High-level expertise in Azure administration.
- Hands-on experience in DevOps processes and Azure development processes.
Domains Covered in AZ-303Exam
| Domain | % Weighting |
|---|---|
| Implement and monitor an Azure infrastructure | 50-55% |
| Implementation of management and security solutions | 25-30% |
| Implementation of solutions for apps | 10-15% |
| Implementation and management of data platforms | 10-15% |
Certification Cost: $165 USD
5. Microsoft Azure Architect Design Beta Exam (AZ-304)
The AZ-304 beta exam is the updated version of Microsoft Azure solution architects, AZ-304.
- Expertise in skills for Azure administration.
- Practical experience in Azure development processes and DevOps processes.
- In-depth knowledge and experience regarding IT operations such as networking, identity, governance, security, virtualization, disaster recovery, budgeting, and business continuity.
Domains Covered in AZ-304Exam
| Domain | % Weighting |
|---|---|
| Design monitoring | 10-15% |
| Designing identity and security | 25-30% |
| Designing data storage | 15-20% |
| Designing for business continuity | 10-15% |
| Designing infrastructure | 25-30% |
Certification Cost: $165 USD
6. Microsoft Azure DevOps Solutions Exam AZ-400
One who already holds the badge of Azure Administrator Associate or Azure Developer Associate can become an Azure DevOps Engineer Expert. To become Azure Devops Engineer, one needs to clear the Microsoft Azure DevOps Solutions exam (AZ-400)
- Familiar with both Azure development and Azure administration
- Able to design and implement DevOps practices for infrastructure as code, version control, configuration management, compliance, release, build, and testing with the use of Azure technologies.
- Proficiency in Agile practices.
Domains Covered in AZ-400 Exam
| Domain | % Weighting |
|---|---|
| Design a DevOps Strategy | 20-15% |
| Implement DevOps Development Processes | 20-25% |
| Implement Continuous Integration | 10-15% |
| Implement Continuous Delivery | 10-15% |
| Implement Dependency Management | 5-10% |
| Implement Application Infrastructure | 5-10% |
| Implement Continuous Feedback | 10-15% |
Certification Cost: $165 USD
7. Azure Security Engineer Associate Exam AZ-500
Azure Security Engineer is the newest role added in Azure certification path. To hold the badge of Azure Security Engineer, one need to clear the certification exam AZ-500:
Microsoft Azure Security Technologies (AZ-500)
Microsoft has recently launched AZ-500: Azure Security Technologies exam for Azure security engineers.
- Familiar with the implementation of security controls on Microsoft Azure platform
- Ability to recognize and address vulnerabilities using several security tools; implementing
- security solutions for the protection of networks, applications, and data
- Expertise in scripting and automation, identity and access management, and maintaining security status
Domains Covered in AZ-500 Exam
| Domain | % Weighting |
|---|---|
| Manage Identity and Access | 20-25% |
| Manage Security Operations | 15-20% |
| Secure Data and Applications | 30-35% |
Certification Cost: $165 USD
8. Azure Data Engineer Associate Exam DP-201 Designing an Azure Data Solution exam
Microsoft Certified Azure Data Engineer Associate is one of the latest additions to the Azure certifications path. The certification is meant for individuals who want to pursue their role in Azure Data Engineer. Azure data engineers are specialized in design and implementation of data management, monitoring the data, Data security, and Data privacy.
DP-200 Implementing an Azure Data Solution
DP-200: Implementing an Azure Data Solution exam is suitable for Microsoft azure data engineers.
- The ability for implementing the data solutions using Azure cloud services.
- Previous Azure certification is not needed.
Domains covered in DP-200 Exam: :
| Domain | % Weighting |
|---|---|
| Implementing data storage solutions | 40-45% |
| Managing and developing data processing | 25-30% |
| Monitoring and optimization of data solutions | 30-35% |
Certification Cost: $165 USD
9. DP-201 Designing an Azure Data Solution
This certification is a part of the Azure Data Engineer Associate job role in the new role-based certification path. Candidates have to clear DP-200 and DP-201 both to obtain the Azure Data Engineer Associate certification.
Prerequisites: The prerequisites for DP-201: Designing an Azure Data Solution exam are as follows.- The ability for designing solutions using Azure cloud services.
- Prior certification is not really needed.
Domains covered in DP-201 Exam
| Domain | % Weighting |
|---|---|
| Designing Azure data storage solutions | 40-45% |
| Designing Azure data processing solutions | 25-30% |
| Designing for data security and compliance | 25-30% |
Certification Cost: $165 USD
10. Exam AI-900: Microsoft Certified Azure AI Fundamentals
The increasing emphasis of Azure on ML and AI has resulted in the creation of many AI-based job roles. Candidates should qualify the newly launched AI-900 certification exam for this fundamental level role.
Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals AI-900
Microsoft Azure, AI Fundamentals certification, is one of the recent additions in Azure’s certification model. It is helpful in proving the fundamental knowledge of candidates in artificial intelligence and machine learning concepts.
Prerequisites: Candidates should note that there are no specific prerequisites for the AI-900 Azure certification. AI-900 exam is suitable for candidates from technical and non-technical backgrounds. However, the following prerequisites can helps to understand the qualifying nature of the exam.- Programming knowledge or experience.
- Good at anyone of the high-level programming language.
- Basic awareness of common ML and AI concepts and their relation with Azure Services.
Domains Covered in AI-900 Exam:
| Domain | % Weighting |
|---|---|
| Describe AI workloads and considerations | 15-20% |
| Describe fundamental principles of machine learning on Azure | 30-35% |
| Describe features of computer vision workloads on Azure | 15-20% |
| Describe features of Natural Language Processing (NLP) workloads on Azure | 15-20% |
| Describe features of conversational AI workloads on Azure | 15-20% |
Exam Languages: English
Certification Cost: $99 USD
11. Azure AI Engineer Associate Exam AI-100 Designing and Implementing an Azure AI Solution
The Microsoft Certified Azure AI Engineer Associate certification is the latest addition in the role-based Azure certifications path. The rising popularity of AI and machine learning is one of the prominent reasons for the emerging need for skilled AI professionals. The certification is suitable for IT professionals aspiring for the role of Azure AI Engineers.
The primary role of an Azure AI Engineer is to collaborate with data engineers, AI developers, data scientists, and IoT specialists.
The certification exam tests the fluency of candidates in the use of Azure Bot Service and Microsoft Azure Cognitive Services.
AI-100 Designing and Implementing an Azure AI Solution
The AI-100 exam in the Azure certification path is the right option for aspiring Microsoft Azure AI professionals. Candidates could clear only one exam to achieve the credential of an “Azure AI Engineer Associate.” Candidates could find around 62 questions in which five questions would relate to a case study.
The format of the AI-100 certification exam can also include scenario-based questions with single and multiple-choice answers. You could also find drag and drop questions as well as tasks for arranging in a proper sequence in the AI 100 exam.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for the “AI-100: Designing and Implementing an Azure AI Solution” certification exam. It is an associate-level exam, thereby implying that certification in Azure Fundamentals would be sufficient.
Domains covered in the AI-100 exam
| Domain | % Weighting |
|---|---|
| Analysis of Solution Requirements | 25-30% |
| Designing AI Solutions | 40-45% |
| Implementation and Monitoring of AI Solutions | 25-30% |
Exam Languages: The exam is available in four languages, such as English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, and Korean.
Certification Cost: The total registration fee for the AI-100 certification exam is $165 USD
12. Azure Data Scientist Associate Exam DP-100 Designing and Implementing a Data Science Solution on Azure
TThe role of an Azure data scientist involves the knowledge areas in data science and machine learning for implementing and running machine learning workloads on Azure. The specific abilities of an Azure Data Scientist Associate should be in the use of Azure Machine Learning Service.
Azure Data Scientist would have to plan and create an ideal working environment for data science workloads on Microsoft Azure. In addition, they should also show their capabilities in conducting data experiments alongside training predictive models. The work of Azure Data Scientists also involves the management and optimization of machine learning models. Most important of all, they are also responsible for the deployment of machine learning models into production.
DP-100 is the only exam in the new Azure certifications path which is suitable for the role of Azure Data Scientist Associate. The expected number of questions in the DP-100 exam is 40 to 60. Total duration of the exam would be 180 minutes. The format of the exam involves multiple-choice questions as well as case studies with different questions.
Single-choice questions based on the scenario could also be a part of the exam. In addition, candidates should also prepare for questions that require completion of code in the fill-in-the-blanks format. You could also find questions that involve tasks for arranging specific components in a particular sequence.
Prerequisites: The DP-100: Designing and Implementing a Data Science Solution on Azure is an associate-level certification exam. Therefore, candidates don’t need any previous certification to have eligibility to appear for the DP-100 exam.
Domains covered in the DP-100 exam
| Domain | % Weighting |
|---|---|
| Setting up an Azure Machine Learning Workspace | 30-35% |
| Running Experiments and Training Models | 25-30% |
| Optimization and Management of Models | 20-25% |
| Deployment and Consumption of Models | 20-25% |
Certification Cost: The total registration fee for the DP-100 exam in the new Azure certifications path is $165 USD.
13. Azure IoT Developer Exam AZ-220 Microsoft Azure IoT Developer
Azure IoT developer is the new role added in the list of role-based Microsoft Azure certifications. This new role gives a promising career option to the IoT developers who are responsible for the implementation and coding required to develop and maintain the cloud and edge of an IoT solution, to set up the physical devices, and to maintain the devices throughout the life cycle.
Microsoft has only one Azure certification exam in the new role-based certification model for the Azure Architect job role. The title of the exam is “Microsoft Azure IoT Developer”. One who clears the exam receives the badge of Microsoft Certified: Azure IoT Developer Specialty and becomes Microsoft Certified Azure IoT Developer Specialist. The code for the exam is AZ-220. Let us reflect on some basic information regarding the certification exam.
Microsoft Azure IoT Developer Exam (AZ-220)
The Microsoft Azure IoT Developer Beta Exam, AZ-220, is a specialty-level Azure certification. The exam is ideal for candidates aspiring to become an Azure IoT Developer. The job role of an Azure IoT Developer involves the implementation of IoT solutions as well as coding needed for creating and maintaining the cloud and edge aspects of an IoT solution.
Prerequisites: The prerequisites for the AZ-220 Azure certification exam are,
- Thorough knowledge of the implementation of Azure services for developing an IoT solution.
- Ability to recognize Azure IoT service configuration settings in the code part of an IoT solution.
- Skills for performing particular IoT coding tasks in at least one programming language supported by Azure such as Python, C#, C or Node.
Domains Covered in AZ-220 Exam
| Domain | % Weighting |
|---|---|
| Implementation of IoT solution infrastructure | 15-20% |
| Provisioning and management of devices | 20-25% |
| Implementation of Edge | 15-20% |
| Data processing and management | 15-20% |
| Monitoring, troubleshooting and optimizing IoT solutions | 15-20% |
| Implementation of security | 15-20% |
Certification Cost: $165 USD.
The addition of Azure Architect with SAP Workloads track in the new Azure certifications path is also promising news for aspiring candidates. The role of an Azure Architect with SAP workloads involves the application of knowledge in industry standards that are specific to the long-term operation of an SAP solution.
Microsoft has only one Azure certification exam in the new role-based certification model for the Azure Architect for SAP Workloads job role. The title of the exam is “Planning and Administering Microsoft Azure for SAP Workloads”. The code for the exam is AZ-120. Let us reflect on some basic information regarding the certification exam.
Planning and Administering Microsoft Azure for SAP Workloads (AZ-120)
The AZ-120 Azure certification exam is ideal for architects and engineers having knowledge regarding SAP Landscape Certification Process. In addition, it also tests the knowledge of candidates about the industry standards related to long-term operations of SAP solutions. The AZ-120 exam is the sole requirement to achieve the Microsoft Certified: Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty certification.
Prerequisites: The prerequisites for Planning and Administering Microsoft Azure for SAP Workloads (AZ-120) exam are:
- In-depth experience and knowledge of SAP applications, SAP NetWeaver, S/4HANA, SAP HANA, OS Servers for SAP applications and databases, and SAP BW.
- Candidates should also have fluency in Azure Portal, virtualization, ARM templates, cloud infrastructure, operating systems, storage structures, disaster recovery design, networking, data protection concepts, and high availability design.
- An Azure Architect or Azure Administrator certification is highly recommended alongside Linux and SAP HANA certifications.
Domains Covered in AZ-120 Exam:
| Domain | % Weighting |
|---|---|
| Migration of SAP Workloads to Azure | 10-15% |
| Designing an Azure Solution for supporting SAP workloads | 20-25% |
| Development and deployment of Azure for SAP workloads | 35-40% |
| Validation of Azure infrastructure for SAP workloads | 10-15% |
| Enabling operations of an Azure SAP architecture | 10-15% |
Exam Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese
Certification Cost: $165 USD.
15. Azure Database Administrator Associate Exam DP-300 Administering Relational Databases on Microsoft Azure
The role of an Azure Database Administrator or Azure Database Management Specialist also includes implementation and management of operational aspects pertaining to cloud-native and hybrid data platform solutions on Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Azure data services.
In addition, Azure Database Administrators or database management specialists have to focus on management, performance monitoring, security, optimization of contemporary relational database solutions, and availability.
Administering Relational Databases on Microsoft Azure Exam (DP-300)
Microsoft DP-300: Administering Relational Databases on the Microsoft Azure certification exam is one of the new additions among existing role-based certifications. The new certification by Microsoft Azure would be the ideal exam for aspiring cloud-based database administrator and database management specialists.
Candidates will receive the Azure Database Administer Associate certification on clearing this exam. The role of certified candidates would primarily involve the management of relational databases on the cloud as well as on-premises, developed on top of Microsoft Azure data services and Microsoft SQL Server. The certification exam is presently in the beta stage, thereby implying that there would be no facility of immediate scoring.
Prerequisites: As you all know, there are no mandatory prerequisites for the Azure certification exams. The recommended prerequisites for the new Azure certification exam for the database administrator role include the following.
- Skills for using a variety of tools and methods for performing day-to-day database administration tasks.
- At least two years of industry involvement in database administration.
- Minimum of one year of hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure Cloud ecosystem.
Domains Covered in DP-300 Exam:
| Domain | % Weighting |
|---|---|
| Planning and implementation of data platform resources | 15-20% |
| Implementation of a secure environment | 15-20% |
| Monitoring and optimization of operational resources | 15-20% |
| Optimization of query performance | 5-10% |
| Performing automation of tasks | 10-15% |
| Planning and implementation of a High Availability and Disaster Recovery (HADR) environment | 15-20% |
| Performing administration through the use of T-SQL | 10-15% |
Certification Cost: $165 USD.