Azure Certification Levels - A comprehensive guide

 Microsoft Azure's certification roadmap is structured to align with various cloud computing roles, offering a clear progression from foundational knowledge to specialized expertise. Here's an overview of the certification paths available as of 2025.

Before diving into the cloud you should know the certification roadmap so that you can choose your path accordingly.

Here is a short description of Azure's certification roadmap.

Azure certifications are categorized into four levels:-

1. Fundamentals

2. Associate

3. Expert

4. Specialty

Let's see each one more clearly.

  1. Fundamentals (Beginner)

    • Ideal for individuals new to cloud computing or Azure.

    • No prerequisites required.

    • Examples:

      • Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

      • Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900)

      • Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)

  2. Associate (Intermediate)

    • Designed for professionals with some experience in Azure.

    • Examples:

      • Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)

      • Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)

      • Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500)

  3. Expert (Advanced)

    • For individuals with extensive Azure experience.

    • Prerequisites often include relevant Associate-level certifications.

    • Examples:

      • Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)

      • Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400)

  4. Specialty (Niche Expertise)

    • Focused on specialized roles or technologies.

    • Examples:

      • Microsoft Certified: Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty (AZ-120)

      • Microsoft Certified: Azure IoT Developer Specialty (AZ-220)

      • Microsoft Certified: Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty (AZ-140)

Above discussion will give you a clear idea of Azure's roadmap . It will help you to determine tour path towards your cloud journey.

For further understanding role-based certifications path is explained below.

1. Administrator Path

  • Start with: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

  • Advance to: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)

  • Further specialization:

    • Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500)

    • Azure Network Engineer Associate (AZ-700)

    • Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate (AZ-800, AZ-801)

2. Developer Path

  • Start with: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

  • Advance to: Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)

  • Further specialization:

    • Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102)

    • Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty (DP-420)

    • DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400)

3. Data & AI Path

  • Start with: Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)

  • Advance to:

    • Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP-203)

    • Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)

    • Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102)

4. Security Path

  • Start with: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900)

  • Advance to:

    • Security Operations Analyst Associate (SC-200)

    • Identity and Access Administrator Associate (SC-300)

    • Information Protection and Compliance Administrator Associate (SC-400)

    • Cybersecurity Architect Expert (SC-100)

5. Solution Architect Path

  • Prerequisite: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)

  • Advance to: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)


Once You will pass the required level, You will be awarded one of the following badges depending your level. You will be eligible to use these badges as per their validity.



Hope this article will guide you to determine your journey towards Azure's cloud computing world.


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