Azure Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Guide and Budget Breakdown
Microsoft Azure certifications are among the most valuable cloud credentials in 2026, and it pays to know the full cost before you book an exam. The exam fee is simple enough, but study materials, retakes, and less obvious costs can add a lot to the total. This guide lists each cost involved in an Azure certification and the ways to keep it down without cutting corners on preparation.
Overview: Microsoft Azure Exam Pricing in 2026
Microsoft has kept exam pricing steady for most Azure certifications through 2026. The current fees by level:
Standard Exam Fees by Certification Level
Fundamentals Level Exams: $99 USD
- AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals)
- SC-900 (Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals)
- DP-900 (Azure Data Fundamentals)
- AI-901 (Azure AI Fundamentals; AI-900 retired 30 June 2026)
Associate Level Exams: $165 USD
- AZ-104 (Azure Administrator Associate)
- AZ-204 (Azure Developer Associate, retired 31 July 2026; AI-200 is current)
- AZ-500 (Azure Security Engineer Associate, retired 31 August 2026; SC-500 is current)
- AZ-700 (Azure Network Engineer Associate)
- And 15+ additional associate certifications
Expert Level Exams: $165 USD
- AZ-305 (Azure Solutions Architect Expert): $165 USD
- AZ-400 (Azure DevOps Engineer Expert): $165 USD
- Advanced specialty exams: $165 USD each
Important Pricing Considerations
Azure certification cost varies by country and currency, because Microsoft sets prices according to local market conditions. Check the exact fee on the Microsoft Learn certification dashboard before booking, as prices may have changed since this article was published.
The exam fee in 2026 covers:
- One attempt at the exam
- Exam delivery via Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored format
- Immediate score results
- Official certification badge upon passing
Complete Azure Certification Pricing Table
Exam fees for the main Azure certifications in 2026. Recently retired exams are marked.
| Certification | Exam Code | Exam Fee | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Azure Fundamentals | AZ-900 | $99 | Fundamentals |
| Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals | SC-900 | $99 | Fundamentals |
| Azure Data Fundamentals | DP-900 | $99 | Fundamentals |
| Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900 retired 30 June 2026; AI-901 is the current exam) | AI-901 | $99 | Fundamentals |
| Azure Administrator Associate | AZ-104 | $165 | Associate |
| Azure Developer Associate (retired 31 July 2026; AI-200 is the current exam) | AZ-204 | $165 | Associate |
| Azure Solutions Architect Expert | AZ-305 | $165 | Expert |
| Azure DevOps Engineer Expert | AZ-400 | $165 | Expert |
| Azure Security Engineer Associate (retired 31 August 2026; SC-500 is the current exam) | AZ-500 | $165 | Associate |
| Azure Data Engineer Associate (retired 31 March 2025; DP-700 is the current exam) | DP-203 | $165 | Associate |
| Azure Database Administrator Associate | DP-300 | $165 | Associate |
| Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialist | DP-420 | $165 | Specialty |
| Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty | AZ-140 | $165 | Specialty |
| Power Platform Fundamentals | PL-900 | $99 | Fundamentals |
| Power Platform Functional Consultant Associate (retired 31 August 2026) | PL-200 | $165 | Associate |
| Power Automate RPA Developer Associate (retired 30 June 2026) | PL-500 | $165 | Associate |
| Dynamics 365 Customer Service Functional Consultant | MB-230 | $165 | Associate |
| Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultant | MB-210 | $165 | Associate |
| Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate | DP-600 | $165 | Associate |
| Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate (retires 30 September 2026) | AZ-800 | $165 | Associate |
Standard Associate and Expert Exam Fee: $165 USD
Most Azure exams in 2026 cost $165 USD. Fundamentals exams cost $99 USD.
Hidden Costs Beyond the Exam Fee
The exam fee is only part of the total. Many candidates underestimate what preparation costs on top of it.
Study Materials and Resources
Free Resources (Recommended First Step)
- Microsoft Learn: Free official learning paths for every Azure exam, and the most complete resource available.
- azureprep.com: AZ-900 and GH-900 practice is free in full with a free account; every other live certification has a free preview, and an All-Access subscription unlocks everything.
- Microsoft documentation: All official Azure documentation, free
- YouTube tutorials: Hundreds of free Azure certification prep videos from the community
Paid Study Materials
- Udemy Azure courses: $15-$50 (frequently on sale for $15)
- A Cloud Guru or Pluralsight: $29-$49 per month
- Official Microsoft exam prep courses: $50-$100
- Video training bundles: $100-$300
Bootcamp and Instructor-Led Training (Not Recommended for Most)
- Online bootcamps: $500-$2,000
- In-person bootcamps: $1,500-$5,000
- Corporate training programmes: $2,000-$10,000 per person
Practice Exam Costs
Practice exam options and their prices:
- azureprep.com: AZ-900 and GH-900 free in full with a free account, a free preview for other live certifications, and an All-Access subscription for full access
- Whizlabs: $10-$15 per exam
- MeasureUp: $99-$149 per exam
- Exam topics and brain dumps: Free but unreliable and against exam policy
- Microsoft Practice Assessments: Free for some exams
Budget Estimate for Practice Exams: $0-$99 (Microsoft Practice Assessments and the free AZ-900 practice on azureprep.com cost nothing; full practice for other certifications needs a paid resource)
Exam Retake Fees
A retake costs the full exam fee again, with no discount. In 2026, retake costs are:
- Fundamentals retake: $99 USD
- Associate retake: $165 USD
- Expert retake: $165 USD
Every failed attempt adds the full fee again, so thorough preparation (for example with practice on azureprep.com) saves money.
Time Investment Cost (Opportunity Cost)
Study time is not a direct expense, but it is a real opportunity cost:
- Fundamentals exams (AZ-900, SC-900, DP-900): 20-40 hours of study
- Associate exams (AZ-104, AZ-700): 80-120 hours of study
- Expert exams (AZ-305): 150-200+ hours of study
- Specialty exams (AZ-140, DP-420): 100-150 hours of study
Total Time Investment: 2-16 weeks of part-time study
Study time has a real opportunity cost, even though it is not a direct expense. How much it adds to the total depends entirely on what your time is worth to you.
How to Reduce Your Azure Certification Cost in 2026
Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) and Enterprise Skills Initiative (ESI) Discounts
Microsoft partners enrolled in MPN get discounts on exam fees:
- 50% discount on all Azure exams: Reduces $165 exams to $82.50
- Free exam vouchers: Available through MPN benefits
- ESI programme: The Enterprise Skills Initiative gives free or heavily discounted exams to organisations training their staff
If your employer is a Microsoft partner, you probably qualify. Ask your manager or HR department about MPN benefits.
Student and Academic Discounts
Students and educators get reduced exam fees:
- 50% discount for students: Valid with .edu email or student verification
- Free and discounted exams for educators: The Microsoft Learn for Educators programme gives eligible educators a free voucher for an advanced role-based certification and a discounted voucher for a Fundamentals certification
- Campus activation: Some academic institutions provide free exam vouchers
Complete Microsoft's academic verification before booking.
Workplace Training Budget Reimbursement
Most large employers set aside training budgets that cover certifications:
- Average corporate training budget: $500-$2,000 per employee annually
- Azure certification coverage: Most companies cover exam fees for job-relevant certifications
- Timeline: Reimbursement typically occurs 2-4 weeks after exam completion
Next step: Send the exam receipt to your HR department with a reimbursement request.
Exam Replay Packs
Microsoft sells exam replay packages that bundle the exam with one free retake:
- Standard exam: $165 USD
- Exam replay pack: $185 USD for two attempts (savings if you need a retake)
- Available for: Most associate and expert level exams
Recommendation: Buy a replay pack for associate-level exams, where the chance of passing first time is lower. Skip it for fundamentals exams, which most candidates pass on the first attempt.
Real Azure Certification Cost Breakdown by Path
Fundamentals Certification Path: Minimum Cost
Scenario: Preparing for AZ-900 using free resources
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| Exam fee | $99 |
| Study materials (Microsoft Learn) | $0 |
| Practice exams (azureprep.com, AZ-900 free in full) | $0 |
| Retake fee (if needed) | $0 (if you pass) |
| Total Cost | $99 |
This is the lowest possible cost, using only free study resources.
Administrator Certification Path
Scenario: AZ-900 then AZ-104 with modest study investment
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| AZ-900 exam | $99 |
| AZ-104 exam | $165 |
| Udemy course (AZ-104) | $15 |
| Microsoft Learn (free) | $0 |
| azureprep.com free preview | $0 |
| Total Exam and Study Cost | $279 |
| Study time: 120-160 hours | (Opportunity cost: varies by your hourly rate) |
Full Architect Certification Path
Scenario: AZ-900, AZ-104, then AZ-305 with comprehensive preparation
| Component | Cost |
|---|---|
| AZ-900 exam | $99 |
| AZ-104 exam | $165 |
| AZ-305 exam | $165 |
| Udemy courses (2 courses) | $30 |
| Exam replay pack for AZ-305 | $20 (incremental) |
| MeasureUp practice exams | $99 |
| Microsoft Learn (free) | $0 |
| azureprep.com free preview | $0 |
| Total Direct Cost | $578 |
| Study time: 280-350 hours | (Opportunity cost: varies by your hourly rate) |
With free resources, the direct cost stays modest. Study time is the larger cost.
Free vs. Paid Study Materials
Should You Pay for Study Materials?
That depends on how you learn, how much Azure you already know, and how much time you have.
Recommended: Use Free Resources First
-
Microsoft Learn (Free): Start here. The official learning paths follow the exam objectives. Allow 30-60 hours per exam.
-
azureprep.com (free tier and subscription): AZ-900 and GH-900 are free in full with a free account, other live certifications have a free preview, and one All-Access subscription (monthly or annual) gives full access.
-
Microsoft documentation (Free): The official reference for hands-on work and real configurations.
When to Invest in Paid Materials
- Video learners: Buy a Udemy course ($15 on sale) if reading does not work well for you
- Short on time: Paid bootcamps can shorten a 12-week study plan to 2-3 weeks, at a high price
- Little Azure background: Pluralsight ($29/month) has structured learning paths
- More detailed explanations: MeasureUp exams ($99) explain answers in more depth than free platforms
Options to Skip
- Expensive bootcamps for fundamentals: $500-$2,000 bootcamps are unnecessary for AZ-900 or SC-900, where free resources are enough.
- Brain dump sites: Break Microsoft exam policies and contain unreliable content
- Outdated Udemy courses: Check the release date (2024 or later for current Azure services)
Employer Reimbursement: How to Get Your Company to Pay
Most large organisations cover Azure certification costs from their professional development budgets. To request reimbursement:
Building Your Business Case
Write a one-page document covering:
- Job relevance: How the certification supports your current role or career path
- Business value: What the certification lets you contribute to company projects
- Cost: The exam fee ($165 for most Azure certifications)
- Timeline: A realistic study timeline (6-12 weeks for associate exams)
Submission Process
- Verify existing training budget: Most employees have $500-$2,000 annual training budgets
- Check company certification policies: Some organizations require manager approval before exam registration
- Submit request: Provide exam name, code, fee, and business justification
- Register for exam: Once approved, book the exam
- Submit receipt: After the exam, submit proof of payment for reimbursement
Tips
- Tie it to performance goals: Link the certification to upcoming projects or a change of role
- Claim after passing: Most companies reimburse only passed exams
- Mention retention: Explain how professional development keeps you engaged in the role
- Group requests: Ask for several certifications at once to cut paperwork
Renewal Costs: Microsoft's Free Renewal Policy
Renewal of Microsoft certifications is free in 2026, which keeps the long-term cost low.
How Microsoft Renewal Works
- No exam required: Renew your certification online without scheduling an exam
- Free assessment: Complete a free online renewal assessment annually
- Time investment: About 45 minutes to complete the renewal assessment (per Microsoft)
- No cost: No fee of any kind
- One-year extension: Each successful renewal extends your certification by one year
Timeline for Renewal
- Renewal window opens 6 months before the one-year expiration date
- Multiple certification holders: Renew each certification annually to maintain portfolio
Renewal Cost Calculation
Without Microsoft's renewal programme, recertification would require:
- If AZ-104 lapses, you retake the full exam: $165 each time
- With free renewal: $0 additional cost
Compared with certification providers that charge renewal fees, this saves hundreds of dollars over a career.
Conclusion: Total Azure Certification Cost in 2026
A single exam costs $165 USD for most Azure certifications in 2026. The total cost is much higher once preparation is included.
Complete Cost Breakdown for One Associate Certification
| Category | Range |
|---|---|
| Direct exam cost | $165 |
| Study materials | $0-$100 |
| Practice exams | $0-$99 |
| Retake (if needed) | $0-$165 |
| Total Direct Cost | $165-$529 |
| Study time (80-120 hours) | Opportunity cost varies by your hourly rate |
| Complete Investment | $165-$529 direct, plus your own study time |
Free resources such as Microsoft Learn and the free azureprep.com content can keep direct costs under $200 per certification without weaker preparation.
Key Takeaways for Managing Azure Certification Costs:
- Make free resources (Microsoft Learn, the azureprep.com free tier) your main study material
- Pay only for materials that fill a specific gap
- Use employer reimbursement where it is offered
- Buy exam replay packs for associate-level certifications