Quick Answer: Azure certification costs $99 for all Fundamentals exams and $165 for all Associate, Expert, and Specialty exams. That is the official Microsoft price. But the real total cost, once you factor in study materials, practice tests, and potential retakes, runs anywhere from $99 to over $600 depending on how you prepare. This guide breaks down every exam fee, every hidden cost, every discount method, and the exact salary ROI so you know exactly what you are spending and why it is worth it. If you want to score 80% or higher on your practice tests before booking your exam, CertMage has updated Azure practice exams for every level.
The Two Numbers You Need to Know First
Before getting into individual exams, understand the pricing structure. Microsoft uses a two-tier fee system for all Azure certifications.
Fundamentals exams cost $99 each. Most other Azure exams, covering Associate, Expert, and Specialty levels, cost $165 each. That is the entire pricing structure. There are no mid-tier prices, no premium exams at $200 or $300. Every single Azure exam falls into one of those two buckets.
Sales tax applies in some regions. Outside the United States, prices vary by country and currency, but the two-tier structure remains consistent. Always verify your local price on the official Microsoft Learn page before scheduling, because the exact amount you pay depends on where your billing address is located.
Fundamentals Level: $99 Each
The Fundamentals tier contains four Azure exams: AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals, AI-900 Azure AI Fundamentals, DP-900 Azure Data Fundamentals, and SC-900 Security Compliance and Identity Fundamentals. Each test costs $99.
These are the entry points into the Azure certification system and the best place to start if you are new to cloud computing, new to Microsoft Azure specifically, or looking to validate foundational knowledge before committing to an associate-level credential.
Most Fundamentals exams contain about 40 to 60 questions and take roughly 45 minutes to complete, though the exam appointment is booked for 60 minutes to allow for check-in and surveys.
AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals is the most popular starting point. It covers cloud concepts, Azure architecture, Azure services, security, privacy, compliance, and pricing. No prerequisites are required and the certification does not expire. It is the only Azure certification with lifetime validity.
AI-900 Azure AI Fundamentals covers AI workloads, machine learning principles, computer vision, natural language processing, and generative AI concepts on Azure. With AI roles growing faster than almost any other category in tech, this is the highest-momentum Fundamentals cert to hold in 2026.
DP-900 Azure Data Fundamentals covers relational and non-relational data, analytics workloads, and Azure data services including Azure SQL, Cosmos DB, and Synapse Analytics.
SC-900 Security Compliance and Identity Fundamentals covers Microsoft security, compliance, and identity concepts including Azure Active Directory, Microsoft Defender, and Microsoft Purview.
All four cost $99. All four are entry-level. None expire.
Associate Level: $165 Each
Associate certifications are where Azure careers are built. These are the credentials that appear most frequently in job listings, drive the most salary increases, and form the foundation of the Azure certification path.
Every Associate exam costs $165. A retake doubles that amount. Many candidates also purchase a practice test for about $120 or a study guide near $50.
Here is the complete current Associate-level Azure exam list with costs and key details.
AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator at $165 is the most hired-against Azure certification on the market. With 78,000 plus job openings and average salaries of $110,000, AZ-104 is one of the most valuable IT certifications in 2026. It covers identity management, storage, compute resources, networking, and monitoring. Prep time runs 4 to 8 weeks. You can go directly to AZ-104 without AZ-900, though AZ-900 first is recommended if you have no prior cloud experience.
AZ-204 Microsoft Azure Developer Associate at $165 validates skills in building, deploying, and maintaining Azure-hosted applications. It covers Azure App Service, Azure Functions, Azure Storage, API Management, and monitoring solutions. Developers with existing coding experience typically prep in 6 to 10 weeks.
AZ-400 Microsoft DevOps Engineer Expert at $165, though technically expert-branded, requires either AZ-104 or AZ-204 as a prerequisite. It covers source control, CI/CD pipelines, DevSecOps, and infrastructure as code. Total path cost if coming from scratch is $330 ($165 prereq plus $165 for AZ-400).
AZ-500 Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate at $165 is the security track credential. It covers identity management, platform protection, security operations, and data security. Azure security engineers enjoy some of the highest-paying roles due to the in-demand nature of their work. Salary ranges from $125,000 to $175,000 for certified security engineers in 2026.
AI-102 Azure AI Engineer Associate at $165 covers designing and implementing AI solutions using Azure Cognitive Services, Azure OpenAI Service, and Azure Machine Learning. This is the fastest-growing certification track in the Azure portfolio as organizations build AI-powered applications.
DP-100 Azure Data Scientist Associate at $165 covers machine learning model design, training, and deployment using Azure Machine Learning. It is the data science specialist credential.
DP-203 Azure Data Engineer Associate at $165 covers data storage, processing pipelines, Azure Synapse Analytics, and Azure Data Factory. Data engineers who hold this cert typically earn $120,000 to $160,000.
DP-300 Azure Database Administrator Associate at $165 covers implementing, managing, and securing Azure SQL and other database services.
Expert Level: $165 Each Plus Prerequisites
Expert certifications are the highest tier in the Azure role-based model. They validate deep design and governance capability and command the highest salaries in the Azure ecosystem.
This is crucial: the total cost for an Expert certification is the sum of its prerequisite exams plus the Expert exam itself. Many people miss this when budgeting. Achieving an Expert certification requires a financial commitment of at least $330 in exam fees alone.
AZ-305 Azure Solutions Architect Expert at $165 is the pinnacle Azure credential. It requires passing AZ-104 first, making the total path $330 in exam fees at minimum. According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for an Azure Solutions Architecture expert is $146,601 per year. The ROI on a $330 investment against a six-figure salary increase is among the strongest of any IT certification in 2026.
AZ-400 DevOps Engineer Expert at $165 requires either AZ-104 or AZ-204 first, making the total exam cost $330.
Specialty Level: $165 Each
The cost of Azure Specialty certifications is the same as Associate and Expert. The cost of Azure specialty certifications in the United States is $165.
Specialty certifications go deep into specific technical domains. Current active Specialty certifications include AZ-140 Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty for organizations running Windows desktop workloads in Azure, AZ-700 Azure Network Engineer Associate for advanced networking professionals, and AZ-720 Azure Support Engineer for Connectivity Specialty for support engineers.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
The exam fee is only the beginning. The real total cost of Azure certification includes several additional categories that most budget guides ignore.
Practice Tests: $20 to $120
This is the most important optional investment and the one most directly tied to whether you pass on the first attempt. Practice exams are one of the most effective tools for gauging your readiness and building confidence. Reputable providers offer exam simulations that mimic the real exam’s format, timing, and question types. This small investment can save you the much larger cost of an exam retake.
For every Azure exam at every level, CertMage provides practice tests built to match the current exam format with full answer explanations. Scoring consistently at 80% or higher on CertMage practice tests before scheduling your actual exam is the most reliable way to pass on the first attempt and avoid the cost of a retake.
Study Materials: $0 to $500
Microsoft Learn provides free, official learning paths for every Azure exam. For many candidates, this is sufficient. Video courses from platforms like Udemy, A Cloud Guru, or Pluralsight often cost $15 to $50 and can provide a more structured, guided learning experience that saves you time. Instructor-led training from Microsoft partners costs significantly more, typically $1,295 to $2,395 for a multi-day course.
Retake Fees: Full Price Each Time
The retake policy for re-appearing in the exam is: if you fail an exam the first time, you must wait 24 hours before retaking it. All additional attempts up to 5 are subject to a 14-day waiting period. You may only retake an exam up to five times in 12 months following your first attempt.
Each retake costs the full exam fee, $99 for Fundamentals and $165 for everything else. If you fail AZ-104 twice, you have spent $495 before counting any study materials. This is why quality practice test preparation before booking is not optional spending, it is cost-reduction strategy.
Renewal: Free, But Required Annually
All role-based Azure certifications (Associate, Expert, and Specialty) are valid for one year. The renewal process is completely free. You must pass a shorter, unproctored, open-book online assessment on Microsoft Learn within the six months before your certification expires to extend its validity.
Fundamentals certifications do not expire. AZ-900, AI-900, DP-900, and SC-900 are permanent once earned. All other Azure certifications require annual free renewal assessments.
7 Ways to Pay Less for Azure Certification
1. Microsoft Virtual Training Days (Get Fundamentals Exams Free)
Microsoft frequently hosts free webinars covering the fundamentals. Attendees who complete the full training for a fundamental topic often receive a voucher that covers 100% of the cost for the corresponding -900 level exam. This makes AZ-900, AI-900, DP-900, and SC-900 completely free if you attend the corresponding Virtual Training Day and complete all modules. Check the Microsoft Learn Events page for upcoming dates.
2. Microsoft Ignite and Build Challenges (50% Off)
The Azure Skilling Challenges at Microsoft Ignite earn 50% off Microsoft certification exams. Complete Azure Skilling Challenges and unlock exclusive vouchers. Microsoft runs similar challenges at Microsoft Build each year. Vouchers are delivered by email after challenge completion. The Ignite 2026 vouchers are valid through April 30, 2026, so there may still be time to redeem them.
3. Enterprise Skills Initiative (100% Off for Qualifying Employers)
The Microsoft ESI program includes multiple courses, a certificate practice exam, free certification voucher for developers, administrators, or engineers, with one-time retakes. If your employer has a nontrivial Azure subscription with Microsoft and bulk MSDN business with Microsoft, your company may qualify.
The Microsoft ESI program provides a 100% discount voucher to apply at checkout on the Pearson Vue site for the exam. Ask whoever manages your company’s Azure billing or your IT training manager whether your organization is enrolled. This is the single most valuable discount available and many employees never know it exists.
4. Beta Exams (80% Off)
Beta exams are early versions of new Microsoft certifications offered at an 80% discount to the first 300 registrants. Microsoft announces beta exams on the Microsoft Learn Blog with a unique discount code. If you pass a beta exam, your certification counts immediately. Watch the Microsoft Learn Blog for new exam announcements to catch beta opportunities.
5. Student Discount (50% Off)
Microsoft offers a 50% discount for students on the AZ-900 exam fee. You just need to verify your student status to access this benefit. Academic pricing is available for other Azure exams as well through verified student accounts on Microsoft Learn.
6. Microsoft Partner Network Vouchers
Organizations that are members of the Microsoft Partner Network receive certification vouchers as part of their membership benefits. If you work for a Microsoft Partner, ask your Partner Network administrator about available exam vouchers.
7. Employer Reimbursement
Most large organizations with Azure infrastructure have a learning and development budget. Before spending anything out of pocket, ask your manager or HR team whether certification exam fees are reimbursable. Many companies will cover the full exam cost, and some will cover study materials as well.
What You Actually Spend: Real Cost Scenarios
Scenario 1: AZ-900 for free Attend a Microsoft Virtual Training Day for Azure Fundamentals, complete all modules, and receive your voucher. Total cost: $0.
Scenario 2: AZ-104 on a budget Free Microsoft Learn study path plus CertMage practice tests at certmage.com plus $165 exam fee. Pass first attempt. Total cost: $165 plus practice test.
Scenario 3: AZ-104 with one retake Same as above but fail the first attempt. Cost becomes $330 in exam fees plus study materials.
Scenario 4: Full Azure Solutions Architect Expert path from scratch AZ-900 ($99) plus AZ-104 ($165) plus AZ-305 ($165) plus study materials and practice tests. Total exam fees: $429. With CertMage practice tests for all three exams and free Microsoft Learn content for study, total investment stays well under $600.
Scenario 5: ESI-eligible professional Employer qualifies for Microsoft Enterprise Skills Initiative. Exam fees: $0. Study on Microsoft Learn: $0. Practice tests on CertMage: cost of practice tests only. Total out of pocket: minimal.
Azure Certification Cost vs. Salary ROI
The cost of Azure certification is one of the easiest investment calculations in the technology industry.
The AZ-104 exam costs $165 USD per attempt. The total certification cost is $165 if you pass on the first try or $330 if you need one retake. This compares favorably to the $15,000 to $25,000 average salary increase most AZ-104 holders report.
Azure certifications can have a significant impact on compensation, with certified professionals earning on average 10% more than non-certified professionals. On a $110,000 salary, a 10% increase is $11,000 per year. That makes the $165 exam fee an investment with over 6,600% annual return.
By certification level, the salary ranges in 2026 look like this:
AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals opens entry-level cloud roles at $65,000 to $85,000 for career changers. AZ-104 Azure Administrator commands $88,000 to $161,000 with a national average of $110,000. AZ-500 Azure Security Engineer earns $125,000 to $175,000. AI-102 Azure AI Engineer earns $120,000 to $180,000. The average salary for an Azure Solutions Architecture expert is $146,601 per year, with associate-level Azure certs commanding an average of $129,253.
As of early 2026, the average annual pay for a Microsoft Azure professional in the United States is $121,476 per year.
Azure vs. AWS vs. Google Cloud: Certification Cost Comparison
All three major cloud providers use similar two-tier pricing structures. AWS certification costs $100 for Cloud Practitioner (the AWS equivalent of AZ-900) and $300 for all Associate and Professional exams. Google Cloud charges $99 for its Associate Cloud Engineer exam and $200 for Professional-level credentials.
Azure is the most affordable path to associate and professional credentials at $165 versus AWS’s $300. For organizations where Azure is the primary cloud platform, Azure certification provides stronger employer signal at a lower cost per exam than the AWS path.
Complete Azure Certification Cost Reference Table
| Certification | Exam | Cost | Expires |
| Azure Fundamentals | AZ-900 | $99 | Never |
| Azure AI Fundamentals | AI-900 | $99 | Never |
| Azure Data Fundamentals | DP-900 | $99 | Never |
| Security, Compliance, Identity Fundamentals | SC-900 | $99 | Never |
| Azure Administrator Associate | AZ-104 | $165 | 1 year |
| Azure Developer Associate | AZ-204 | $165 | 1 year |
| Azure AI Engineer Associate | AI-102 | $165 | 1 year |
| Azure Security Engineer Associate | AZ-500 | $165 | 1 year |
| Azure Data Scientist Associate | DP-100 | $165 | 1 year |
| Azure Data Engineer Associate | DP-203 | $165 | 1 year |
| Azure Database Administrator Associate | DP-300 | $165 | 1 year |
| Azure Network Engineer Associate | AZ-700 | $165 | 1 year |
| Azure Solutions Architect Expert | AZ-305 | $165 | 1 year |
| Azure DevOps Engineer Expert | AZ-400 | $165 | 1 year |
| Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty | AZ-140 | $165 | 1 year |
Retake fee equals the original exam fee at every level. Renewal assessments are free for all role-based certifications annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Azure certification cost in total? A single Fundamentals certification costs $99 if you pass on the first attempt. A single Associate certification costs $165 if you pass first try. A full path from AZ-900 through AZ-305 costs $429 in exam fees minimum, not counting study materials.
Is Azure certification worth the cost? With 78,000 plus job openings, average salaries of $110,000, 17% job growth, and 6,000 percent plus ROI, AZ-104 is one of the most valuable IT certifications in 2026. At $165, every Azure associate-level exam has one of the highest return-on-investment ratios of any professional certification available.
Can I get Azure certified for free? Yes. Attend a Microsoft Virtual Training Day for a Fundamentals topic and receive a free voucher for the corresponding exam. For Associate and Expert exams, ESI-eligible employees can receive 100% discount vouchers through their employer. Microsoft Ignite and Build challenges provide 50% discount vouchers as well.
Do Azure certifications expire? Fundamentals certifications (AZ-900, AI-900, DP-900, SC-900) never expire. All Associate, Expert, and Specialty certifications expire after one year but can be renewed for free through online assessments on Microsoft Learn.
How many times can I retake an Azure exam? You may only retake an exam up to five times in 12 months following your first attempt. If you fail an exam the first time, you must wait 24 hours before retaking it. All additional attempts are subject to a 14-day waiting period.
What is the cheapest way to get Azure certified? Attend a Virtual Training Day to get a free AZ-900 voucher. Use free Microsoft Learn study paths for all content. Use CertMage practice exams to verify you are ready before booking. Pass on the first attempt and pay nothing or near-nothing total.
