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Microsoft Azure Certifications Cost in 2026: Exam Fees and Pricing Guide

Microsoft Azure Certifications Cost in 2026: Exam Fees and Pricing Guide

Updated on Oct 15, 2026 | 9 min read | 53.19K+ views

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What is the Azure certification cost in 2026?
Azure fundamentals certification cost
Azure associate certification cost
Azure expert certification cost
Azure specialty certification cost
Additional costs of Azure certification

Quick Overview

The Azure certification cost in 2026 starts at $99 for fundamentals exams and is typically $165 for many associate and expert exams.
Fundamentals certifications such as AZ-900, DP-900, and SC-900 are suitable for beginners and generally have lower exam fees than role-based certifications.
Associate and expert certifications validate skills in Azure administration, networking, security, cloud architecture, and DevOps. Check current exam availability before booking.
Your total certification budget may include paid training, study materials, practice tests, Azure lab usage, and exam retakes in addition to the exam fee.
This guide covers Azure certification costs by level, exam fees, additional preparation expenses, and ways to plan your certification budget.

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What is the Azure certification cost in 2026?

In 2026 the Azure certification cost varies according to the exam and the location. Microsoft's certifications prices generally start at $99 for the fundamentals exams and $165 for most associate and expert exams.

Azure certification level	Certification exam	US reference exam fee
Fundamentals	Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)	$99
Fundamentals	Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)	$99
Associate	Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)	$165
Associate	Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)	$165
Associate	Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500)	$165
Expert	Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)	$165
Expert	DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400)	$165

Also Read: Azure Data Engineer (DP-203) Certification Cost in 2026

Azure fundamentals certification cost

The Azure Fundamentals certs cover the basics of cloud computing, AI, data and security. They're aimed at people who are new to these areas and want a general understanding before moving on to more specific role based certifications.

Exam Code	Certification	Exam Fee
AZ-900	Azure Fundamentals	$99
AI-900	Azure AI Fundamentals	$99
DP-900	Azure Data Fundamentals	$99
SC-900	Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals	$99

AZ-900: Introduces cloud computing concepts, Azure services, pricing, and governance.
AI-900: Covers foundational AI and machine learning concepts and Azure AI services.
DP-900: Covers the fundamentals of data, both relational and non-relational, and data analytics on Azure.
SC-900: Security, compliance, identity and Microsoft Security solutions.

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Azure associate certification cost

Associate certifications validate the technical skills required for specific Azure job roles (administration, development, networking, security, AI engineering).

Exam Code	Certification	Exam Fee
AZ-104	Azure Administrator Associate	$165
AZ-204	Azure Developer Associate	$165
AZ-500	Azure Security Engineer Associate	$165
AZ-700	Azure Network Engineer Associate	$165
AI-102	Azure AI Engineer Associate	$165

AZ-104: Deals with managing Azure resources, identities, storage, networking, and monitoring.
AZ-204: Deals with developing, deploying, and maintaining applications on Azure.
AZ-500: Deals with implementing security controls in Azure environment.
AZ-700: Deals with design and manage Azure networking solutions.
AI-102: Deals with building and deploying AI solutions on Azure.

Also Read: Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification Path [2026 Roadmap]

Azure expert certification cost

Expert certifications are for the professionals who are actually doing the work in the area of designing cloud solutions or implementing DevOps.

Exam Code	Certification	Exam Fee
AZ-305	Azure Solutions Architect Expert	$165
AZ-400	DevOps Engineer Expert	$165

AZ-305: Covers designing secure, reliable, and scalable Azure infrastructure and cloud solutions.
AZ-400: Focuses on DevOps practices, continuous integration and delivery, automation, and monitoring.

Azure specialty certification cost

Specialty certifications are those which focus on specific Azure technologies and specific technical responsibilities.

Exam Code	Certification	Exam Fee
AZ-140	Configuring and Operating Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop	$165

AZ-140: Validates skills in planning, deploying, configuring, and managing Azure Virtual Desktop environments.

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Additional costs of Azure certification

The exam fee is only one part of the total Azure certification cost. Depending on the preparation method and exam outcome, candidates may incur the following additional expenses.

1. Cost of azure certification training

A good preparation for taking an exam can be ensured through instructor-led training and paid online courses. Training prices depend on the organization, duration of training and learning method. Microsoft Learn also provides free learning modules.

2. Cost of study material

Candidates can buy books and e-books and other learning resources to learn about topics in the exam. The cost is optional as there is free documentation and learning materials provided.

3. Cost of practice tests

Paid mock exams and question banks can be used to determine preparedness for the exam. Cost varies from one organization to another, and candidates should ensure that the materials are up-to-date with the current objectives of the exam.

4. Cost of Azure lab and practical training

The hands-on training involves creation and testing of Azure resources and services. While some of the exercises may be included in free offers, others may incur costs. Candidates should check Azure pricing and remove any unnecessary resources.

5. Azure certification retake cost

Candidates who need another attempt may have to pay the exam fee again. Retake charges depend on the exam's applicable policies and any eligible voucher or offer.

Also Read: Is Microsoft Azure Certification Worth It?

Conclusion

The Azure certification cost in 2026 depends on the exam you choose, your location, and the preparation resources you need. Fundamentals exams such as AZ-900 offer an affordable starting point, while associate and expert certifications help validate role-specific cloud skills.

Remember to budget for training, practice tests, and possible retakes in addition to the exam fee. Before booking, check Microsoft's official certification pages for current prices, exam availability, and requirements.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is AZ-900 the cheapest Azure certification?

Azure fundamentals certification AZ-900 is one of the most affordable Azure certification exams, with an exam fee of $99. Other fundamentals exams may have similar fees, so AZ-900 is not necessarily the only cheapest option.

2. Do Azure certifications expire?

Microsoft Fundamentals certifications do not expire. Associate, expert, and specialty certifications generally remain valid for one year and must be renewed before expiry. Check the rules for your specific credential on Microsoft Learn.

3. Does Azure certification include training?

No, the Azure certification exam fee does not automatically include training. You can prepare using free Microsoft Learn resources or purchase instructor-led courses, practice tests, and study materials separately.

4. Are Azure certification renewals free?

Yes, Microsoft offers free online renewal assessments for eligible associate, expert, and specialty certifications. You can take the assessment during the six-month renewal window before your certification expires. Fundamentals certifications do not require renewal.

5. What happens if I fail an Azure certification exam?

You can retake the exam, but you must wait 24 hours after your first failed attempt. Subsequent attempts require a 14-day waiting period, and you generally need to pay the exam fee again. Microsoft permits up to five attempts within a 12-month period.

6. How much does it cost to become an Azure Architect?

The AZ-305 (Azure Solutions Architect Expert) exam fee is $165. You must also earn the Azure Administrator Associate certification by passing AZ-104, which costs $165. The total exam fee is $330, excluding training and retakes.

7. Does Microsoft offer free Azure certification vouchers?

Microsoft sometimes provides free exam vouchers through eligible events, promotions, or specific programs. Availability, eligibility, and expiry dates vary, so check the official offer terms before relying on a voucher to reduce your Azure certification cost.

8. What is the cheapest Azure certification path?

For beginners, starting with AZ-900 is a cost-effective option because it requires only one fundamentals exam and costs $99. You can use free Microsoft Learn resources to prepare and avoid paying for optional training.

9. How does Azure certification cost compare with AWS and Google Cloud?

The AZ-900 exam fee is $99, while AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner costs $100 and Google Cloud Digital Leader costs $99. Fees vary by exam and region, so compare the official exam prices for your location before budgeting.

10. Which Azure certification should beginners choose first?

Beginners with little or no cloud experience should consider AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) first. It covers cloud concepts, core Azure services, pricing, and governance without requiring advanced technical knowledge. After passing, choose a role-based certification that matches your career goal.

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