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What’s the Best Microsoft Azure Certification Path ????

VEPSUN TECHNOLOGIES
16 min readMar 23, 2022

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Wondering what’s the best Microsoft Azure certification path for you or which Azure certifications you should get? Sadly, I can’t tell you what to do with your life. (OK. If you insist, I’d say it’d be pretty cool if you got really good at parkour or formed an electric scooter demolition derby league.)

But if you’re looking to begin a cloud career or looking to move up by picking up some of the most in-demand skills, I can offer an overview to help with plotting your path and picking the Azure cloud certs that may get you where you’re looking to go. There’s never been a better time to develop cloud skills in Microsoft Azure and level up your career.

Consider this post your Microsoft Azure certifications guide. Let’s get started!

Whether you’re wondering what Microsoft Azure is and where to begin or where to go next in your cloud career, there’s a Microsoft certification for you. There are 19 Azure cloud certifications (and a handful of Azure-adjacent certifications).

Here are the Microsoft Azure certifications out there today. Click the links below to jump to more info about each certification, what it takes to earn it, and what it can mean for your cloud career.

Table of contents

Microsoft Azure certifications

In addition to the above, there are few other Azure-adjacent Microsoft certifications. While we won’t go into detail about them in this post (because it’s already a novel), they may be worth exploring depending on your career path and role.

And there are many others. So many others. You can go here to browse the full library of Microsoft certifications (if you literally have nothing else to do right now).

What’s the point of Azure certifications?

So you’re thinking of snagging some Azure cloud certifications? Excellent! (If you were looking to get pants altered, I couldn’t help… But if it’s certs you seek, you’ve come to the right place!)

There’s great value in cloud certifications. Why? Well, most Azure certifications are based on job roles. That means Azure certifications show employers you have a specific skill set for a typical role. Due to this naming convention, the certification names make it pretty clear as to what you’re getting yourself into. (This is a relief when compared to the often confusingly named exams in the world of Azure.)

What are Azure certifications (and what are they NOT)?

Whether you’re going to focus solely on Azure or mix it up and go multi-cloud, there are a few misconceptions about certifications worth clearing before you invest the time, money, and energy into earning them.

  • Certifications ARE proof of knowledge. They are NOT a substitute for experience working in the cloud.
  • Certifications ARE potentially door-openers. They can help you get an interview or earn a promotion, but they are NOT a guarantee of a job.
  • Certifications ARE valuable. (Average salaries for cloud architects range from $89,500 to $210,500.) But certifications are NOT just about earning. Certifications are often used to get teams on the same wavelength with a common cloud “language.”

Certifications are good for many things. But one thing they aren’t is a golden ticket that can be instantly redeemed for a six-figure salary.

Think of them more like power-ups to make the cloud-career game a little easier for you — and potentially unlock some shortcuts to help you reach the next level.

I like to think of it in the same way I like to think about everything in life: through the lens of Super Mario Bros. 3. Sure, you can beat the classic Nintendo game without any warp whistles, but warp whistles make it easier to get farther faster. However, there’s a flip side to this. If you warp from World 1 to World 8 without picking up the skills you’d earn with hands-on time through natural progression, you may get your raccoon tail handed to you fast.

To leave the Mushroom Kingdom behind and put it more simply, certifications help you get ahead by acting as an achievement or trophy. But nothing beats experience picked up from the grind. Get in the cloud and get your hands dirty — or cloudy. Studying up for certifications and getting certified are helpful ways to push yourself to learn new things, but experience is king.

Why should you get Azure cloud certified?

Whether you’re looking to move into a high-paying cloud career or just looking to declare your existing cloud skills, Microsoft Azure certifications are a great choice — whether you’re starting there or migrating to Azure from another provider.

But why might you want to pursue Azure certifications over AWS certifications or Google Cloud certifications?

Microsoft has been making smart moves that play to its unique strengths, using legacy footholds in organizations to ease reluctant organizations to the cloud. That means there’s plenty of opportunity to put Azure skills to use.

  • Maybe your employer (current or future) uses Azure.
  • Maybe you think the future is multi-cloud and you’re taking a “gotta catch ’em all” approach to certs to flex your well-roundedness.
  • Maybe you think it’s a good first step in your quest to make Bill Gates your BFF. (We’re here to help you pick up cloud skills — not judge.)

Whatever the reason you might be considering Azure certifications, it’s clear that this cloud runner-up is doing more than just keeping pace with AWS and warrants serious consideration when choosing your Azure cloud path.

AWS may be the frontrunner in terms of workload and adoption numbers, but the gap is closing fast. According to the Flexera 2021 State of Cloud Survey, Azure adoption is increasing in enterprises while AWS adoption remains relatively flat.

  • Businesses are continuing to adopt Azure as Big M pushes hard into the enterprise space. (Microsoft claims that around 95% of Fortune 500 companies use Azure.)
  • Azure has also historically been the preferred choice for hybrid deployments, and (shocker) it plays well with the Microsoft solutions businesses have been using since before the days of dial-up.

This probably won’t be your deciding factor, but Azure offers one cool bonus. Last year, Microsoft rolled out some big certification renewal and expiration changes that make Azure certs free to renew indefinitely. This move makes Azure’s arguably the best certification renewal option out there.

Besides the value they’ll bring to your employer and your career, all the Azure certs can be obtained remotely, meaning you can get certified while working from home.

(Side note: Whether you opt for online or in-person, whenever you’re ready to take your test, we have a few tips for preparing for your Azure certification exam.)

Which Azure certification path is right for me?

Which certification is best for you? There’s no single, best Microsoft Azure certification path for everyone. And getting started in the cloud can be overwhelming. (Do you know the basics of cloud migration? And should you go with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud?)

Once you’ve decided which cloud provider path is right for you, figuring out your next steps isn’t exactly a walk in the park either.

So let’s take a deep breath and take an explain-it-like-I’m-five (but-for-some-reason-I’m-a-five-year-old-who-is-super-interested-in-cloud) look at Azure’s cert selection.

Where should you begin with Azure certifications?

Microsoft offers a smorgasbord of certifications and — as of 2022–12 role-based Azure certifications, three fundamentals certs, plus a quartet of “specialty” certifications around IoT, SAP, Azure VDI (Azure Virtual Desktop), and Cosmos DB. There are also a mix of Azure-adjacent certifications.

Where should you begin?

Here are three possible scenarios that may help you when deciding where to begin.

  1. “I’m new to tech. I know almost nothing about this ‘cloud’ you speak of.”
    If you’re the type of person who lists “Microsoft Word” as experience with technology on your resume, you too can learn to cloud. If you’re looking to begin your cloud career, an entry-level certification will give you the vocab and understanding needed to better assess where you might want to go next. The first stop on the Azure path for you is the AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals certification. The cloud can be intimidating, but what you learn to earn this certification will break it down in a way that even a total newcomer can understand — especially with the training for beginners. (Call me biased, but I think our Azure Fundamentals course is pretty fantastic.)
  2. “I’m new to tech. I know almost nothing about this ‘cloud’ you speak of.”
    If you’re the type of person who lists “Microsoft Word” as experience with technology on your resume, you too can learn to cloud. If you’re getting started, an entry-level certification will give you the vocab and understanding needed to better assess where you might want to go next. The first stop on the Azure path for you is the AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals certification. The cloud can be intimidating, but what you learn to earn this certification will break it down in a way that even a total newcomer can understand — especially if you have the right training. (Call me biased, but I think our Azure Fundamentals course is pretty awesome.)
  3. “I know a little bit about the cloud.”
    Maybe you’ve got some IT experience. Maybe you’ve poked around with AWS, GCP, or Azure. Think you’re ready to jump in the deep end? Tap the brakes. You too should probably start with the Azure Fundamentals certification. Best-case scenario, it’s a breeze for you. But however high you ascend in Azure, this cert will set the foundation for future success. The Azure Administrator Associate is the next certification on the ladder, and it can be a serious challenge. You’ll need all the knowledge of the Fundamentals cert and a whole lot of hands-on time with Azure before attempting it.
  4. “I work with the cloud, I’m familiar with Azure, and I’m looking to level up.”
    Microsoft’s Azure certifications are mostly role-based. See a job title you have or would like to have? That’s the certification for you. Of course, those certifications don’t always 100% align with what every employer might ask of a person with that title. Check job postings for the name of the cert you’re considering and see if the role and responsibilities sound like something you’d be interested in.

A Vepsun also offers several Azure learning paths that are perfect for beginners and those who are looking to take their skills to the next level:

Microsoft Azure certifications

What are the Microsoft Azure certification levels, and what do they mean? Microsoft certifications are organized into four levels: Fundamentals, Associate, Expert, and Specialty.

What do those mean for you and your cloud certification quest? Not too much. With a couple of exceptions, you don’t necessarily need to clear one level to move up to the next level.

Before we get into our rundown of all those sweet certs, a quick side note: Microsoft is always making updates to certification exams. (Here are a few of the updates as of early 2022.) These changes are typically covered on the Microsoft Learn Blog. So exam details and requirements are subject to change. The good news is once new exams go up, old exams will remain accessible for 90 days. So plan (and study) accordingly!

With all that out of the way, let’s dig into the bounty of Azure certifications available from Microsoft.

Fundamentals-level certifications

Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

TL;DR? This is the best Microsoft Azure certification for beginners. It’s a go-to starting point for anyone new to cloud or Microsoft Azure. If exam-naming made more sense, this one would be Azure 101.

Requirements: Exam AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals ($99 USD)

Prerequisites: None

Skills covered:

  • High availability in cloud computing
  • Foundational cloud concepts
  • Cloud scalability
  • Fault tolerance in cloud computing
  • Capex vs Opex cloud computing

Who’s it for?
Pretty much anyone. New or aspiring developers or IT pros and non-technical people with a cloud-adjacent job could benefit from understanding what the heck the cloud actually is and isn’t. The knowledge needed to pass this exam is essential for anyone who wants to understand the Microsoft Azure ecosystem.

Why should you get it?
This cert isn’t mandatory for those looking to continue up the Azure ladder, but what you’ll learn to earn it will prove a solid first step. If the cloud plays or will play a big role in your organization — and signs indicate it will — this exam (or the equivalent from AWS) should be a requirement for nearly everyone on staff. Even non-technical people can benefit from speaking cloud. Managers, marketers, salespeople, and more can benefit from learning the fundamentals.

What’s this certification mean?
The AZ-900 got a refresh in 2021 and some other updates in early 2022, but the basics still hold true. This cert shows you can talk semi-intelligently about Azure without embarrassing yourself. It proves you have an understanding of basic cloud concepts and security, privacy, compliance, services, pricing (Azure cost management), and support in Azure.

What’s it mean for your career?
The Azure Fundamentals certification is one of the top-paying cloud certifications with cert owners pulling in an average $126,000 salary. But real talk: cloud-embracing companies aren’t going to be beating down your door just because you have this certification. Still, the basics you’ll learn here are a foundation for cloud understanding. If you’re an aspiring Azure guru, this is a great place to get your feet wet before jumping into a full-on career change.

Suggested training: Ready to take your first step into the wild world of Azure? We make it simple (and fun) with our Azure Fundamentals course. I hear the instructor is AMAZING. (Disclaimer: It’s me, and I try.)

Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)

TL;DR? This is a good first-step certification for aspiring data-focused cloud practitioners.

Requirements: Exam DP-900: Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals ($99 USD)

Prerequisites: None

Skills covered:

  • Core data concepts
  • Relational and non-relational data on Azure
  • Analytics workloads on Azure
  • Modern data warehousing
  • Data ingestion and processing
  • Data visualization in Microsoft Power BI

Who’s it for?
The Azure Data Fundamentals cert is for database engineers and database administrators just getting started working with data in the cloud.

Why should you get it?
While this certification isn’t a necessary prerequisite for climbing up the Azure ladder, it can equip you with the data-specific know-how needed to move up to the next level of Microsoft Azure certifications, like the Azure Database Administrator Associate or Azure Data Engineer Associate.

Suggested training: Check out our DP-900 Azure Data Fundamentals course to learn the basics needed to start working data in cloud.

Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900)

TL;DR? This Microsoft Azure certification for beginners of both technical and non-technical backgrounds serves as proof that you get the basics of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in Azure.

Requirements: Exam AI-900: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals ($99 USD)

Prerequisites: None.

Skills covered:

  • AI workloads and considerations
  • Principles of machine learning on Azure
  • Computer vision workloads on Azure
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP) workloads on Azure
  • Conversational AI workloads on Azure

Who’s it for?
AI Engineers, Data Scientists, Developers, and Solutions Architects who have a basic understanding of AI and ML and Azure services related to them. Like all the Azure Fundamentals certifications, this one is for people with both technical and non-technical backgrounds. That means data science and software engineering experience aren’t mandatory — but some general programming understanding or experience is a plus.

Why should you get it?
This isn’t a required stepping stone in any Azure career path, but it can be helpful in getting you ready for certs like Azure AI Engineer Associate and Azure Data Scientist Associate.

Suggested training: Get a crash course in ML on Azure with our AI-900: Microsoft Certified Azure AI Fundamentals course.

Associate-level certifications

Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)

TL;DR? This is Azure management basics for the IT crowd. This takes you from knowing a bit about the cloud to being able to do cloud things (and hopefully get paid to do them).

Requirements: Exam AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator ($165 USD)

Prerequisites: None officially, but candidates should ideally have a minimum of six months’ worth of Azure hands-on experience. A basic understanding of cloud, Microsoft Azure, PowerShell, the Azure portal, and the command-line interface will be needed.

Skills covered:

  • Configure Azure backups
  • Manage Microsoft Azure resource groups
  • Microsoft Azure subscription management
  • Create Azure file storage
  • Deploy Azure virtual machines
  • Manage Azure Active Directory
  • Implement Azure load balancer

Who’s it for?
IT pros and administrators who keep tabs on cloud assets and resources and manage cloud infrastructure should seek this cert. This exam gets (mistakenly) regarded as an entry-level exam, but there’s a monster-truckload of assumed knowledge you’ll need to know to pass and not get your AZ handed to you.

Why should you get it?
This is one of the top-paying Azure certifications. If you’re wanting to get into the Azure management game, it’s a no-brainer. This builds on a basic cloud knowledge foundation and puts theoretical concepts into real-world practice, ensuring you can keep Azure apps and services up and running (and running well). Bonus: This certification (or the Azure Developer Associate cert) is required to continue your climb up the Azure skill tree and snag the Azure DevOps Engineer Expert certification.

What’s this certification mean?
Having your Azure Administrator Associate certification means you have a solid grasp on the basics of cloud storage, security, networking, and compute. You’re also proficient in the basics of PowerShell, Azure’s portal, and command-line interface.

What’s it mean for your career?
You’ll be equipped with the Azure understanding needed to help organizations get more out of their cloud investments — advising on, evaluating, managing, and optimizing Azure apps and services. Mix in a little bit of experience and you may find yourself a good fit for roles like Azure Administrator, Systems Administrator, or Database Administrator. From there, some further grinding and training can propel you into the world of some of the most sought-after cloud gigs (with the six-figure salaries that often come with them).

Suggested training: Get ready for your AZ-104 exam (and your dream job) with our Azure Administrator Associate course.

Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)

TL;DR? This certification (a solid first step Microsoft Azure certification for developers) proves you know the basics of developing apps and services for Azure, with the skills needed to design, build, test, and maintain cloud solutions.

Requirements: Exam AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure ($165 USD)

Prerequisites: Development on Azure is as much about the services on the platform and how you integrate them in your application as it is about actual syntax and programming languages. That’s why with the AZ-204 exam, Microsoft requires candidates to have at least 1–2 years’ experience with development and Azure development. Granted, they’re not going to ask your boss to sign a permission form before you sit the exam, but you’ll ideally want to have that under your belt (so the exam doesn’t catch you with your pants down). You’ll also need know an Azure supported language: C#, PHP, Java, Python, or JavaScript.

Skills covered:

  • Deploy Azure Resource Manager (ARM)
  • Build Azure Managed Kubernetes Service (AKS) cluster
  • Create Azure app services
  • Implement Azure RBAC
  • Implement IaaS with Azure
  • Develop Azure Cosmos DB solutions

Who’s it for?
This certification is for developers who want to flex their Azure skills. You’ll need to learn Azure and get up to speed on development before taking a swing at this exam. The ideal candidates have proven development experience and familiarity with Azure command-line interface, PowerShell, C#, Azure SQL, and the Azure portal. Sound like you? Note that even though this is an Associate-level certification, many find this exam to be especially tricky. Approach it with patience, and don’t feel discouraged or overwhelmed if you don’t ace it on your first try.

Why should you get it?
Azure can feel more intuitive for developers with experience with Microsoft, and the integrations available in Microsoft-based enterprise environments can simplify development.

What’s this certification mean?
You’re an Azure developer capable of designing and building cloud-native apps from start to finish — having a hand in every step from design to deployment to testing and maintenance.

What’s it mean for your career?

Proving your prowess at developing in Azure is another feather in your cloud cap. (Stylish!) The more platforms you can develop for, the more you set yourself apart from the competition.

Suggested training: Get ready for the AZ-204 exam and gain hands-on experience designing, building, testing, and maintaining cloud applications with our Azure Developer Associate course.

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VEPSUN TECHNOLOGIES

Written by VEPSUN TECHNOLOGIES

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