Microsoft has plans to change its Microsoft Azure certifications, while also updating those for its Data & AI output. According to an article from Microsoft Learning, the changes will be published in March and focus on Azure Developer, Azure AI, Azure Solutions Architect, and Azure Administrator.
In the post, Microsoft explains the changes will center on adding new certification exams. Across Microsoft Azure solutions named above, the company will add new exams. However, the company says the new exams will sit alongside the old exams for a transition period.
Despite the exams changing, the certifications themselves will remain the same.
“We are currently finalizing the updates related to Azure Administrator, Developer, Architect, and AI Engineer. We will be publishing the updated exams in the next few months, but we will leave the old exam in market for 90 days after the new version becomes available.”
Below are the exam changes for Microsoft Azure solutions that are coming soon:
| Certification | Old Exam | New Exam | Expected Release |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate | AZ-103 | AZ-104 | March, 2020 |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate | AZ-203 | AZ-204 | late February, 2020 |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect | AZ-300 & AZ-301 | AZ-303 & AZ-304 | March, 2020 |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate | AI-100 | AI-102 | March 2020 |
Future Plans
Furthermore, Microsoft explains it will look at other certifications in the future and will make similar changes. These have not been announced yet but will likely be across other Microsoft Azure tools.
Keep in mind the certification earned will not change. Only the exams that you will be required to pass when earning the certification will change.
In the meantime, if you want to know more about the changes and Microsoft's reason for making them, head to the official blog here.
