List of Azure Certification Numbers and Path to Get Started

Getting started with Azure certifications can be overwhelming, but don't worry, I've got you covered. There are 22 Azure certifications to choose from, each with its own unique focus and requirements.

The certifications are grouped into three main categories: Developer, Architect, and Administrator. You can start by choosing a category that aligns with your career goals and current skill level.

To get started, you'll need to create a Microsoft Learn account and take the required preparatory courses for your chosen certification path. The courses are designed to be hands-on and interactive, so you can apply your new skills to real-world scenarios.

If you're new to Azure, it's essential to start with the basics.

There are three main categories of Azure certifications: Developer, Architect, and Engineer.

If you're a beginner, the Developer category is a great place to start.

To begin, you'll need to choose an Azure certification path that aligns with your career goals.

The Azure Developer Associate certification is a popular choice for those new to Azure, as it covers the fundamentals of cloud development.

It's also important to note that there are different levels of certification, ranging from Associate to Expert.

To become an Azure Associate, you'll need to pass the AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure exam.

If you're looking to get certified in Azure, there are several paths to choose from. The most basic one is the Azure Fundamentals certification, which covers the basics of Azure-based cloud services.

Azure certification paths are categorized into several roles, including Administrators, Developers, Security Engineers, DevOps engineers, Data and AI Professionals, and Solution Architects. Each path has its own set of exams and prerequisites.

Here's a quick rundown of the main Azure certification paths:

Keep in mind that these are just some of the main paths, and there may be additional certifications and exams within each role.

The AZ-900: Introduction to Azure Fundamentals certification is a great starting point for anyone looking to validate their foundational knowledge of Azure-based cloud services. It's geared towards people in technical roles who want to demonstrate their understanding of cloud services, as well as those in non-technical roles who want to speak a common language with cloud professionals.

The exam is designed to test your knowledge of Azure fundamentals, and it's a great way to get started with Azure certifications. The exam prep course is available, which will help you prepare for the exam and gain hands-on experience with Azure.

To get started with the AZ-900 certification, you don't need any prior experience or prerequisites. It's an ideal starting point for anyone new to Azure.

The AZ-801: Windows Server Hybrid Core exam is a crucial part of the Azure certification path for Windows Server administrators. It's designed for those with extensive experience working with Windows Server and is a great way to validate your skills in managing Windows Server on-premises, hybrid, and cloud environments.

This exam is part of the Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification, which requires passing both the AZ-800 and AZ-801 exams. The AZ-800 exam focuses on administering Windows Server hybrid core infrastructure, while the AZ-801 exam focuses on configuring Windows Server hybrid advanced services.

To be eligible for the AZ-801 exam, you should have already passed the AZ-104 Azure Administrator exam and have extensive experience working with Windows Server. The exam itself consists of 45-60 questions and costs $165 USD to take.

The AZ-801 exam covers a range of topics, including securing Windows Server on-premises and hybrid infrastructures, implementing and managing Windows Server high availability, and migrating servers and workloads. It's a challenging exam, but with the right preparation, you can earn the Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification.

Here's a breakdown of the exam objectives:

By passing the AZ-801 exam, you'll demonstrate your expertise in managing Windows Server hybrid environments and be well on your way to earning the Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification.

The SC-900 certification is a great starting point for security professionals who want to dive into the world of cloud security. It's an additional fundamentals exam that's specifically targeted at security professionals.

To prepare for the SC-900 exam, you can take an Exam Prep Course, which is a great resource to get you started. This course will help you understand the basics of security, compliance, and identity fundamentals.

The SC-900 exam is a great first step for security professionals who want to build a strong foundation in cloud security. It's an ideal second step after completing the fundamentals exam.

Here's a summary of the SC-900 exam:

By taking the SC-900 exam, you'll gain a solid understanding of security, compliance, and identity fundamentals, which will prepare you for more advanced certifications like the AZ-500.

The DP-300 certification is a crucial step in your Azure journey. It focuses on administering SQL Server database infrastructure across cloud and hybrid environments.

This certification is designed to help you develop the skills needed to manage and maintain databases in Azure. You'll learn how to perform tasks such as database deployment, configuration, and security.

One of the key aspects of the DP-300 certification is its focus on cloud and hybrid environments. This means you'll learn how to manage databases in Azure, as well as on-premises SQL Server instances.

The DP-300 certification is a valuable asset for anyone looking to advance their career in database administration. It's a great way to demonstrate your skills and knowledge to potential employers.

If you're interested in pursuing the DP-300 certification, you can start by taking the exam prep course, which is specifically designed to help you prepare for the exam.

The DP-203: Azure Data Engineer Associate certification is a must-have for professionals looking to validate their skills in performing common data engineering tasks using Azure services. It covers a range of skills, including designing and implementing data storage, developing data processing, and securing, monitoring, and optimizing data storage and processing.

To pass the exam, you'll need to score at least 700 out of 1000, and it's a 120-minute exam with 45-60 questions. The cost is $165 USD.

The exam is divided into three main sections: Design and implement data storage (15-20%), Develop data processing (40-45%), and Secure, Monitor and optimize data storage and data processing (30-35%).

DP-420: Cosmos DB is a specialty-level certification that covers the skills needed to work with Azure Cosmos DB. This includes querying, creating indexes, managing and provisioning resources in the SQL API and SDK.

To prepare for this exam, you can take the DP-420: Azure Cosmos DB Developer Speciality exam prep course. This course will help you develop the skills and knowledge required to pass the exam and become certified.

The DP-420 exam covers the skills required to query, create indexes, manage and provision resources in the SQL API and SDK with Azure Cosmos DB.

The Microsoft Certified: Azure Support Engineer for Connectivity Specialty (AZ-720) certification is a must-have for networking superstars who can plan, implement, and maintain networking solutions, including hybrid solutions.

This certification is designed for support engineers with subject matter expertise in using advanced troubleshooting methods to resolve networking and connectivity issues in Azure.

To become certified, you'll need to pass the Exam AZ-720: Troubleshooting Microsoft Azure Connectivity, which costs $165 USD.

The exam essentially takes the AZ-700: Designing and implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions and adds the ability to break and fix everything.

Here are some of the key areas you'll need to focus on:

To prepare for this certification, I recommend checking out Pluralsight's Designing and Implementing Microsoft Azure Networking Solutions (AZ-700) course and the AZ-700 Microsoft Azure Network Engineer Associate course on A Cloud Guru.

Planning SAP Workloads requires a deep understanding of SAP applications, SAP NetWeaver, S/4HANA, SAP HANA, OS Servers for SAP applications and databases, and SAP BW.

To plan SAP workloads in Azure, you'll need in-depth experience and knowledge of these areas. This includes familiarity with SAP Landscape Certification Process, industry standards for long-term operations of SAP solutions, and Azure Portal.

Fluency in Azure Portal, virtualization, ARM templates, cloud infrastructure, operating systems, storage structures, disaster recovery design, networking, data protection concepts, and high availability design is also essential.

Having an Azure Architect or Azure Administrator certification is highly recommended, alongside Linux and SAP HANA certifications. This will give you a solid foundation for planning and administering Microsoft Azure for SAP workloads.

Azure Certification Topics cover a wide range of skills and expertise, including AI and ML, security, architecture, and database administration.

Microsoft Azure has a strong focus on AI and ML, with the AI-900 certification exam testing fundamental level roles in this area. The exam covers skills such as familiarizing with the implementation of security controls on the Microsoft Azure platform.

The AZ-500 exam for Azure security engineers requires expertise in scripting and automation, identity and access management, and maintaining security status. Candidates should be familiar with security tools and solutions for protecting networks, applications, and data.

The AZ-303 and AZ-304 exams for Azure Solution Architects test capabilities in advising stakeholders and converting business requirements into solutions with higher security, reliability, and scalability. These exams cover skills such as IT operations, Azure administration, and DevOps processes.

Here is a summary of the main topics covered in Azure certification exams:

Security is a massive and growing concern in the cloud world, and Azure has a certification to prove it. The Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500) is a must-have for security engineers who design, configure, and implement security tools and controls in Azure.

This certification requires no prerequisites, but strong scripting and automation chops, plus familiarity with networking, virtualization, and cloud, are a must. The exam itself costs $165 USD and covers topics such as configuring Azure log analytics, managing Azure security alerts, securing cloud-based infrastructure, and Azure privileged identity management.

To pass the exam, you'll need to demonstrate expertise in implementing security controls on the Microsoft Azure platform, recognizing and addressing vulnerabilities using several security tools, and implementing security solutions for the protection of networks, applications, and data.

Here are the key areas covered in the AZ-500 exam:

The exam consists of 45-60 questions and must be completed within 150 minutes. To pass, you'll need to score at least 700 out of 1000. With this certification, you'll be able to demonstrate your skills in keeping data in the cloud locked down and ensuring cloud and hybrid environments are secure.

Design is a crucial aspect of Azure certification, and it's where things get really interesting. You can implement relational storage solutions, such as designing solutions using Azure cloud services.

To design solutions using Azure cloud services, you'll need to have the ability to do so, which is a requirement for the DP-201 certification. This certification is a part of the Azure Data Engineer Associate job role, and candidates must clear both DP-200 and DP-201 to obtain the certification.

Designing solutions using Azure cloud services involves expertise in skills for Azure administration, which is also a requirement for the AZ-304 beta exam. This exam is the updated version of Microsoft Azure solution architects, and it requires practical experience in Azure development processes and DevOps processes.

Here are some key skills required for designing solutions using Azure cloud services:

These skills are essential for passing the DP-201 and AZ-304 beta exams, which are both part of the Azure certification path. By mastering these skills, you'll be well on your way to becoming a certified Azure professional.

The world of IoT is a rapidly growing field, and Azure is at the forefront of it all. The demand for IoT skills is skyrocketing, with 80% of IT decision makers lacking the necessary skills to deliver IoT solutions.

Azure offers a certification program specifically designed for IoT developers, the Microsoft Certified: Azure IoT Developer Specialty (AZ-220). This certification is for Azure-fluent developers looking to get into IoT or IoT devs who want to get into Azure.

To become an Azure IoT Developer, you'll need to implement IoT solution infrastructure and security, provision and manage devices, and set up, deploy, and configure an IoT Edge device. You'll also need to process and manage data, as well as troubleshoot and optimize IoT solutions.

The prerequisites for this certification are a thorough understanding of IoT solutions and fluency in one Azure-supported language, such as C#, Node, C, or Python.

Here are the key skills you'll need to master:

By achieving this certification, you'll become an Azure-savvy developer who can implement the Azure services that form an IoT solution, including data analysis, data processing, data storage options, and PaaS options. This will open up new career opportunities for you, including implementing solutions to manage, monitor, and transform IoT-related data.

Microsoft Certified: Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty (AZ-140) is a certification for Azure admins with experience in planning, delivering, and managing virtual desktops and remote apps on Azure.

This certification requires exam AZ-140: Configuring and Operating Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop, which costs $165 USD. Microsoft emphasizes that candidates must have expert Azure administration skills.

To be a good candidate for this certification, you should be an administrator with hands-on experience planning, delivering, and managing virtual desktops and remote apps on Microsoft Azure. You should also understand on-prem virtual desktop infrastructure technologies as they relate to migrating to Azure Virtual Desktop.

Using the Azure portal and Azure Resource Manager templates with ease is also essential. Bonus points if you have experience with automation using PowerShell and Azure Command-Line Interface (CLI). If you're interested in pursuing this certification, check out Pluralsight’s Configuring and Operating Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AZ-140) learning path.

The Windows Server Hybrid certification is a big deal for anyone working with Windows Server. It's designed for experienced admins who configure and manage core and advanced Windows Server workloads and services using on-premises, hybrid, and cloud technologies.

The certification consists of two exams: AZ-800 and AZ-801. You'll need to pass both exams to earn the Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate certification. Each exam costs $165 USD.

To prepare for this challenging cert, you'll want to check out Pluralsight's Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure (AZ-800) learning path and the Introduction to Exam AZ-801: Configuring Windows Server Hybrid Advanced Services course.

The certification validates the skills of Windows Server administrators who are making the most of hybrid environments. If you're already an Azure Administrator Associate, this cert is a great next step.

Here are some key skills you'll need to master for the Windows Server Hybrid certification:

The AZ-303 Azure Certification exam requires a strong foundation in various technologies.

To pass this exam, you'll need 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 is also a must-have. This includes hands-on experience with Azure services and tools.

Here are some key areas you should focus on:

Administering relational databases is a crucial aspect of Azure certification. The role of an Azure Database Administrator or Azure Database Management Specialist involves implementation and management of operational aspects pertaining to cloud-native and hybrid data platform solutions on Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Azure data services.

The primary focus of Azure Database Administrators or database management specialists is on management, performance monitoring, security, optimization of contemporary relational database solutions, and availability.

To administer relational databases on Microsoft Azure, candidates need to have hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure Cloud ecosystem, which includes at least one year of experience.

Recommended prerequisites for the Azure certification exam include skills for using various tools and methods for performing day-to-day database administration tasks, at least two years of industry involvement in database administration, and a minimum of one year of hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure Cloud ecosystem.

The Microsoft DP-300: Administering Relational Databases on the Microsoft Azure certification exam is ideal for aspiring cloud-based database administrators and database management specialists.

Azure Certification Exams are a great way to validate your skills and knowledge in Microsoft Azure. The exams are designed to assess your understanding of Azure services and features.

There are several types of Azure certification exams, including Associate, Specialist, and Expert levels. Associate exams are entry-level and cover the fundamentals of Azure services.

The AZ-900 exam is a popular Associate-level exam that covers Azure fundamentals, including Azure services, pricing, and security. It's a great starting point for those new to Azure.

The AZ-104 exam is another Associate-level exam that focuses on implementing and managing Azure services, including virtual machines, storage, and networking. It's a good next step for those who have already passed the AZ-900 exam.

Specialist-level exams, such as the AZ-500 exam, cover more advanced topics, like security, networking, and identity. These exams are designed for those who have already gained some experience with Azure.

Expert-level exams, like the AZ-100 exam, require a deep understanding of Azure services and features. These exams are designed for those who have already gained significant experience with Azure and want to demonstrate their expertise.