Azure Certifications were introduced to enable aspiring techno-geeks to pursue a wide range of career options as a Developer, Cloud Architect or Solution Architect. More and more companies are adopting Azure for their cloud computing services. This has compelled the companies to look for individuals who have specialised technical skills in operating this cloud computing software.
A certified Azure professional can earn thousands of dollars a month, depending on the organisation they work for and their location. The real reason behind their higher average salary is the time, energy, and commitment required to pass the certification successfully.
Presently, there are a total of 15 Microsoft Azure certifications that are divided into 4 levels:
- Fundamentals-level Certifications
- Associate-level Certifications
- Expert-level Certifications
- Specialty-level Certifications
Microsoft offers several Azure certifications, but the ultimate pathway to earn any is by appearing for the fundamental examination.
New Microsoft Azure Certifications Path
The certifications offered by Azure are all role-based (such as for developer, cloud architect, and cloud solution) and range from fundamental level to speciality level.
| Fundamental Level Certifications | Azure Certification Cost | |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals | AZ-900 | $99 (USD) |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals | DP-900 | $99 (USD) |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals | AI-900 | $99 (USD) |
| Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals Azure | SC-900 | $99 (USD) |
| Associate Level Certifications | ||
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate | DP-203 | $165 (USD) |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate | AI-102 | $165 (USD) |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate | AZ-600 | $165 (USD) |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate | AZ-204 | $165 (USD) |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate | DP-300 | $165 (USD) |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate | AZ-500 | $165 (USD) |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate | AZ-104 | $165 (USD) |
| Expert Level Certifications | ||
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert | AZ-305 | $165 (USD) |
| Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert | AZ-400 | $165 (USD) |
| Speciality Certifications | ||
| Microsoft Certified: Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty | AZ-120 | $165 (USD) |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure IoT Developer Specialty | AZ-220 | $165 (USD) |
Microsoft Azure Certifications
Azure Certificates are of high value. It portrays that the candidate can stay committed to a task as the preparation for the certification exam itself requires long-term commitment, time, and energy.
Currently, Microsoft offers 15 Azure certifications on 4 main levels –
- Fundamentals Level
- Associate Level
- Expert Level
- Specialty Level
Fundamental Level
The fundamental Level is the most basic level. This level was designed for those individuals who are new to Clouding or Azure. It is the starting point for attaining higher Microsoft Azure certification. There are no certificates required as a prerequisite.
The Certificates offered at the Fundamental Level are as follows:
- Azure Fundamentals
- Azure Data Fundamentals
- Azure AI Fundamentals
- Compliance, Microsoft Security, and Identity Fundamentals
Associate Level
If you are familiar with Azure, you should consider starting from the associate level. You don’t have to be a developer or have an organised team to create software because Azure certification training at the associate level helps individuals plan and create software independently.
The Certificates offered at the Associate level are as follows:
- Azure Data Engineer Associate
- Azure AI Engineer Associate
- Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate
- Azure Developer Associate
- Azure Database Administrator Associate
- Azure Security Engineer Associate
- Azure Administrator Associate
Expert Level
If you know your way well through cloud computing and are serious about it, then expert-level Azure Certifications are for you. There are only 2 specialisations offered on the Expert Level, and Candidates willing to earn these certifications need to meet the prerequisites.
- Azure Solutions Architect Expert
- DevOps Engineer Expert
For Azure Solutions Architect Expert, an Individual needs to have certifications in Azure Developer Associate or Azure Administrator Associate.
For DevOps Engineer Expert, certification in Azure Solutions Architect Expert is required.
Specialty Level
If you are a specialist at an advanced level, you don’t need to have a certificate to earn the speciality level badges. Azure Certifications offered at the Speciality level are:
- SAP Workloads Specialty
- IoT Developer Specialty
Conclusion
Microsoft released Azure Certifications in the year 2018. The certification course tests candidates’ technical skills in 3 significant fields as Developer, Cloud Architect, and Solution Architect.
There are 4 levels to the Azure Certification training, based on candidates’ experience and knowledge regarding cloud computing. The path to earning these certifications requires lots of time, energy, and commitment. Several courses help the aspirants earn a certificate.
