June 18 th, 2025 | Credo Systemz | Career Insights

Introduction

In the Microsoft data platform, professionals who tend to showcase their knowledge and validate their data engineering skills come across two major certifications: DP-203 and DP-700. These exams focus on data engineering in which DP-203 centers around traditional Azure services like Data Factory and Synapse which have now been retired and making way for DP-700, a newer certification built around Microsoft Fabric—Microsoft’s unified data and analytics platform. This article explores the key differences between DP-203 and DP-700, compares their technical focus, career implications, and outlines.

Overview

DP‑203: Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure

• Focus: Building pipelines, storage, batch/stream processing using Azure services like Data Factory, Synapse Analytics, Azure Databricks
• Certification: Azure Data Engineer Associate
• Status: Retired on March 31, 2025.

DP‑700: Implementing Data Engineering Solutions Using Microsoft Fabric

• Focus: Data ingestion, transformation, analytics using Microsoft Fabric platform—SQL, PySpark, KQL
• Certification: Fabric Data Engineer Associate
• Status: Active and now the recommended path forward

Core Differences

What Happens When DP‑203 Retired?

The DP‑203 certification remains valid on your transcript, but cannot be renewed after March 31, 2025.

No automatic transition exists from DP‑203 to DP‑700. You must pass the full DP‑700 exam.

Should You Take DP‑700?

If you plan to stay relevant in Microsoft’s data engineering ecosystem, you can take the DP-700 exam and prepare for modern data engineering roles, such as:

• Microsoft Fabric Data Engineer: To design and implement data ingestion, transformation, and storage using Fabric components.
• Data Engineer: Working with cloud-based data solutions involving SQL, PySpark, and Kusto Query Language (KQL).
• Analytics Engineer: Transform raw data into meaningful datasets using Fabric tools like Lakehouses, Notebooks, and Pipelines.
• Business Intelligence Developer: Create real-time data models and insights using Microsoft Fabric integrated with Power BI.
• Data Platform Engineer: Build and optimize end-to-end data platforms using Microsoft Fabric.
• Azure Data Engineer (with Fabric Focus): Having familiarity with Azure, Fabric expertise will add support to modern workloads across the full Microsoft data stack.
• Data Solutions Architect (Entry-level): Assist in designing Fabric-based data architectures, ensuring scalability, performance, and integration.

Bonus Career Advantages

As organizations are increasingly migrating from traditional Azure services to Fabric, DP-700 certified professionals are in growing demand in the IT field. Microsoft is heavily investing in Fabric and DP-700 shows your skills which are suited for the future of data engineering in the Microsoft cloud. You can become more versatile in analytics and data science workflows as Fabric ties in with Power BI, Synapse, and AI models.

Suggested Actions

To begin Microsoft Fabric Data Engineer Training in Chennai Credo Systemz offers the best to gain the essential knowledge and skills of DP-700. This training session focuses on the professional skills to build end-to-end data engineering solutions using Microsoft’s latest platform. We ensure mastering the knowledge of DP-700, such as:

• Designing and implementation of data Ingestion
• Preparing and transforming data
• Designing and implementing data models
• Exploring and analysing data
• Implementing data security and governance

Final Thought

Fabric (DP‑700) is Microsoft’s future and staying ahead means adding DP‑700 to your credentials. Choose a certification path that aligns with your long-term platform preferences.

Want to know more about the course curriculum, career counseling, or video references? Just ping us on WhatsApp!

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