What is AZ-900 and who should take it?

AZ-900 is Microsoft’s entry-level Azure certification for people who need to understand cloud and Azure basics, not administer production environments. It is designed for beginners, career changers, students, sales and pre-sales staff, project managers, and IT professionals who are new to Microsoft cloud services. The exam validates fundamentals such as cloud concepts, core Azure services, pricing, governance, security, and compliance. It does not prove hands-on administrator or architect skills. If you want a first Microsoft cloud credential or need a foundation before role-based exams like AZ-104, AZ-900 is a sensible starting point.

Is AZ-900 worth it in 2026?

Yes, but mainly as a foundation credential, not a career-changing cert by itself. AZ-900 is worth it if you are new to Azure, want to learn Microsoft’s cloud terminology, or need a low-risk first certification on your resume. It can help in help desk, junior cloud, sales engineering, and internal upskilling scenarios. On its own, though, it usually will not qualify you for Azure administrator or engineer jobs. Its real value is that it makes later certifications easier and gives you a structured way to learn Azure services, cost management, governance, and security basics.

How hard is AZ-900 for beginners?

AZ-900 is one of the easier cloud certifications, but it is not effortless. Most beginners struggle less with technical depth and more with Microsoft-specific terminology, service names, and scenario wording. The exam expects you to know the difference between services like Azure Virtual Machines, App Service, Functions, and containers, plus governance tools such as Policy, Blueprints history, RBAC, and cost concepts. If you are completely new to cloud, expect a learning curve. If you already know basic cloud ideas, AZ-900 is very manageable with focused study and practice questions.

What topics are on the AZ-900 exam?

AZ-900 covers four broad areas: cloud concepts, Azure architecture and services, Azure management and governance, and pricing/SLA/lifecycle concepts. In practice, that means public vs private vs hybrid cloud, IaaS/PaaS/SaaS, core services like compute, networking, storage, identity, and databases, plus security tools such as Microsoft Entra ID, Defender, and governance features like resource groups, subscriptions, Azure Policy, and cost management. Microsoft updates the skills outline periodically, so always check the official exam page before studying. The exam is broad rather than deep, which is why memorizing service purpose and use cases matters.

How many questions are on AZ-900 and what is the exam format?

AZ-900 usually has around 30 to 50 questions, though Microsoft does not guarantee a fixed number. You typically get about 45 minutes of exam time, with additional time for check-in and survey screens. Question types can include multiple choice, multiple select, drag-and-drop, and scenario-based items. Unlike higher-level Azure exams, AZ-900 is a fundamentals test and generally does not include a hands-on lab. The exam is delivered through Pearson VUE, either online with remote proctoring or at a test center. Expect Microsoft’s usual style: short business scenarios that test service recognition and core cloud understanding.

What is the passing score for AZ-900?

The passing score for AZ-900 is 700 out of 1000. That scaled score does not mean you need exactly 70% correct, because Microsoft uses weighted scoring and different questions may carry different value. Some items may also be unscored beta-style questions. The practical takeaway is simple: aim well above the minimum. If your practice test scores are consistently in the 80% range and you understand why answers are correct, you are usually in a safe position. Do not rely on memorizing one question bank alone, because Microsoft often changes wording and mixes conceptual traps into fundamentals exams.

How much does AZ-900 cost?

AZ-900 typically costs USD $99, but the exact price varies by country, taxes, and local currency. Microsoft regional pricing can differ noticeably, so the official exam registration page is the correct source for your final amount. Occasionally, Microsoft training events, student programs, or employer-sponsored initiatives provide discounts or free exam vouchers. If budget matters, check Microsoft Learn challenges, academic access, and partner programs before paying full price. Since AZ-900 is a fundamentals exam, it is one of the cheaper Microsoft certifications, which makes it a relatively low-cost way to start building cloud credentials.

Do you need experience or prerequisites for AZ-900?

No, AZ-900 has no formal prerequisites and no required work experience. Microsoft recommends general IT awareness, but you do not need prior Azure administration experience or another certification first. That said, complete beginners benefit from understanding basic networking, storage, identity, and business IT concepts before sitting the exam. You can absolutely pass without hands-on Azure work, but using the Azure portal at least a little helps the services make sense. Creating a free Azure account and clicking through subscriptions, resource groups, virtual machines, and cost tools will make the exam content much easier to remember.

How long should I study for AZ-900?

Most people need 1 to 4 weeks depending on background. If you already know cloud basics or have used Microsoft 365, a focused week of study may be enough. If you are brand new to cloud, plan on 15 to 30 total study hours across two to four weeks. The fastest route is to combine Microsoft Learn modules, exam-scope notes, and realistic practice questions. Do not spend all your time watching videos. AZ-900 rewards active recall: knowing what each Azure service does, when to use it, and how Microsoft describes governance, compliance, and pricing. Short daily sessions usually work better than cramming.

What are the best resources to pass AZ-900?

The best starting point is Microsoft Learn, because it aligns directly with the official skills measured and uses Microsoft’s current terminology. After that, use a solid video course for reinforcement and then practice questions to identify weak areas. For this exam, practice matters because many questions are about distinguishing similar services and governance features. Hands-on time in the Azure portal is optional but helpful. Since Truekia lists 472 practice questions for microsoft-az-900, a bank that size is useful for drilling patterns and spotting weak domains. Just make sure you understand the explanations instead of memorizing answer letters.

Can I take AZ-900 online from home?

Yes, AZ-900 can usually be taken online through Pearson VUE OnVUE or at an authorized test center. Online testing is convenient, but the rules are strict: quiet room, clean desk, government ID, webcam, and no interruptions. If your internet, webcam, or room setup is unreliable, a test center is safer. Many candidates lose focus worrying about online proctoring rules rather than the exam itself. If you choose online delivery, run the system test in advance and log in early. AZ-900 is not technically difficult to schedule, but your testing environment can absolutely affect your result.

What happens if I fail AZ-900?

If you fail AZ-900, you can retake it, but Microsoft applies a waiting policy. After the first failed attempt, you must wait 24 hours before retaking. For additional failures, the wait period generally increases to 14 days, and there is a cap on how many times you can take the exam in a year. Exact retake terms can change, so verify Microsoft’s current exam policy before booking again. The smart move after a fail is not to rush. Review your score report by domain, fix weak areas like governance or pricing, then retest with fresh practice questions.

Does AZ-900 expire and do you have to renew it?

Yes, AZ-900 is part of Microsoft’s certification program and is generally valid for one year from the date you earn it, with free online renewal available through Microsoft Learn before expiration. Microsoft changed its renewal model several years ago, so older advice saying fundamentals certifications never expire is outdated. Renewal is usually lighter than the original exam and focuses on staying current with Microsoft platform changes. The main thing to remember is timing: do not wait until after expiration. Renew during the eligible window in your certification dashboard so you keep the credential active without paying for another full exam.

Is AZ-900 enough to get a cloud job?

No, AZ-900 alone is usually not enough to land a dedicated cloud engineer or Azure administrator job. It helps you get past the “new to cloud” stage and can strengthen applications for entry-level IT, support, operations, or customer-facing roles, especially if you also show labs, projects, or related experience. Employers see AZ-900 as proof that you understand Azure basics, not that you can deploy and troubleshoot production workloads. If your goal is a technical Azure role, the usual next step is AZ-104 for administration or another role-based cert that matches your target job.

AZ-900 vs AWS Cloud Practitioner: which is better?

Neither is universally better; the right choice depends on the cloud platform you actually plan to use. AZ-900 is better if your employer uses Microsoft, if you work around Microsoft 365, Entra ID, or Windows-heavy environments, or if you plan to continue to AZ-104 or other Azure role-based paths. AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is better if your company is AWS-first or you want broader exposure to the market-leading public cloud. Difficulty is similar, though AZ-900 often feels more enterprise-governance-heavy. If you are choosing one, follow your job market. If you can do both, AZ-900 and AWS CCP pair well.

AZ-900 vs AI-900: which should I take first?

Take AZ-900 first unless your role is specifically focused on AI concepts. AZ-900 gives you the broader cloud foundation: Azure services, pricing, governance, identity, and core architecture. AI-900 is more specialized and focuses on machine learning, computer vision, NLP, and generative AI concepts in Microsoft’s ecosystem. If you are new to Microsoft certifications, AZ-900 makes later fundamentals exams easier because you already know the platform language and service structure. The exception is when your job is directly tied to AI awareness and no one expects you to understand Azure beyond the basics.

AZ-900 vs AZ-104: should I skip fundamentals?

You can skip AZ-900, but many people should not. AZ-104 is a real administrator exam with much more depth in identity, networking, compute, storage, governance, monitoring, and operational tasks. If you already work hands-on in Azure, going straight to AZ-104 can save time. But if you are new to Azure, skipping AZ-900 often makes AZ-104 harder than it needs to be because you are learning fundamentals and administration at the same time. AZ-900 is not required, but it builds the vocabulary and service awareness that make the administrator track more manageable.

AZ-900 vs SC-900: which Microsoft fundamentals cert is more useful?

AZ-900 is more broadly useful for most people because it covers general Azure cloud concepts rather than only security, compliance, and identity. SC-900 is the better choice if your role is clearly security-focused or you work with Microsoft security and compliance products. For general IT, cloud, sales, or technical support paths, AZ-900 has wider relevance and is usually the stronger first Microsoft cert. In many organizations, the sequence that makes sense is AZ-900 first, then SC-900 if you want a security angle. They overlap in identity and governance themes, but the goals are different.

I passed AZ-900 — what should I do next?

The best next step is to choose a role-based path instead of collecting fundamentals badges. If you want hands-on Azure operations, go to AZ-104. If you are aiming at data, security, AI, or architecture, pick the Microsoft path aligned to that role. Also update your LinkedIn profile, resume, and internal skills profile with the exact credential name: Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals. Then build something small in Azure — even a basic VM, storage account, app service, and budget alert setup. AZ-900 proves awareness; projects and the next cert prove capability. That combination is what employers care about.