Microsoft Azure Certifications Guide (2022 Update)

Microsoft Azure is the most popular cloud platform for building agile business applications. The success of Azure led to an increased demand for Azure certified experts and more and more IT professionals are looking into Microsoft Azure Certifications.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about Azure certifications. In particular, we’ll cover the following topics:

• Azure Certifications List
• How to Become Azure Certified?
• Azure Certifications Path
• Which is the Best Azure Certification?
• Azure Certification Salary
• Is Azure Certification Hard?
• Is Azure Certification Worth it?

Azure Certifications List

Microsoft currently offers eighteen (18) Azure Certifications grouped into associate and expert certifications. The certifications cover all areas related to the Azure cloud platform including administration, security, application design, and development.

The table below shows all Azure certifications together with their certification level and associated exams.

How to Become Azure Certified?

To become azure certified you need to pass the exams associated with the Azure certification you want to pursue.

As you can see in the table above, all certifications come with one exam, with the exception of the Azure Solution Architect certification (two exams).

Microsoft Azure Exams

Azure exams (and in general all exams for Microsoft Certifications) come in three different forms:

Azure fundamentals exams: They typically contain between 40-60 multiple-choice questions and the total duration is 45 minutes.

Azure exams with labs: This type is applicable for both associate and expert Azure certifications. The total duration is 120 minutes and as part of the exam, you’ll have to complete lab exercises, in addition to the multiple-choice questions.

Azure exams without labs: Some Azure associate and expert certification exams do not require a lab test. The duration for this exam type is 100 minutes.

How to prepare for an Azure Exam?

You can prepare for an Azure exam using one of the training options below:

Bootcamp training: This is the fastest way to learn Azure and get certified. Azure Bootcamps are taught using official Microsoft courseware and they include hands-on training, exam preparation, and certification.

Bootcamps usually last for a week and it’s the best way to get a Microsoft certification.

Instructor-Led classes: Microsoft offers a number of Azure training classes through certified training partners. Classes can be taken in person or online.

Self-paced learning: You can prepare for an exam using Microsoft self-paced training courses. It’s not the ideal solution but it’s one of the options available. You can find the material for Azure certifications here.

Azure Certifications Paths

Depending on your job role and skills, there are different learning paths to follow to become Azure certified. Microsoft offers Azure role-based certifications for IT pros, developers, and data & AI pros.

Azure Training Path For IT Pros

The Azure training path for IT pros includes a mixture of associate, expert, and specialty certifications.

If you’re new to cloud technologies and to Azure, you should being your learning journey with the Azure Fundamentals Certification. This certification will teach you the basics of cloud services and how these services are provided with Microsoft Azure.

If you already know the basics, you can start with the Azure Administrator Associate certification. This certification will teach you how to implement, manage and monitor an organization’s Azure environment.

Depending on your job role, you can then select to continue your studies with an associate, expert, or specialty certification. The available options for IT pros are:

Azure Security Engineer Associate – you’ll learn how to manage security on Azure including identity management, data protection, application security, and network security.

Azure Solutions Architect Expert – Becoming an Azure Architect is the top Azure certification you can pursue. You’ll learn how to design and implement effective Azure solutions.

Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty – You’ll learn how to manage the operation of an SAP system on Azure.

DevOps Engineer Expert – You’ll learn how to deliver business value on Azure by combining people, processes, and technology together.

Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate – You’ll learn how to provide cloud services to their end-users or customers from within their own datacenter using Azure Stack Hub.

Azure Virtual Desktop Speciality –  You’ll learn how to plan, deliver and manage virtual desktops and apps on Azure.

Azure Training Path For Developers

The Azure training path for developers starts with the Azure Developer Associate certification and then depending on your job role, you can choose one of the following:

• DevOps Engineer Expert
• Azure AI Engineer Associate
• Azure 1oT Developer Specialty
• Azure Solutions Architect Expert

If you’re new to software development and or Azure, before attempting the Azure Developer Associate exam, you need to study and get the following certifications:

• Azure Fundamentals
• Azure Data Fundamentals
• Azure AI Fundamentals

Azure Training Path for Data & AI Pros

The Azure training path for data professionals and AI pros includes fundamentals and associate certifications only. Currently, there is no expert or specialty certifications for the data and AI pros roles.

Fundamentals Certifications

• Azure Fundamentals
• Azure Data Fundamentals
• Azure AI Fundamentals

Associate Certifications

• Azure Database Administrator Certificate
• Azure AI Engineer Associate
• Azure Data Engineer Associate
• Azure Data Scientist Associate
• Data Analyst Associate

Which is the Best Azure Certification?

The best Microsoft Azure Certification is the Azure Solutions Architect Expert. Azure Solution Architects can design and implement solutions that run on Microsoft Azure, including aspects like, compute, network, storage, and security.

The average salary for Azure Architects in the United States is between $150,000 – $180,000 per year, making this certification one of the highest paying Microsoft certifications.

To become a Microsoft Azure Architect, you need to pass two exams:

• AZ-303: Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies
• AZ-304: Microsoft Azure Architect Design

Azure Certification Salary

Azure certified professionals are among the highest-paid in the IT industry. Top earners may earn more than $180K per year while Azure Fundamentals holders start with $125K per year.

The table below shows the average annual salary of Azure certifications in the United States.

Is Azure Certification Hard?

Azure certifications are not hard to achieve provided that you allocate the necessary time to build the skills necessary to pass the exams.

As explained above, there are a number of ways to do this.  The most efficient way is to enroll in a boot camp. Bootcamps are designed so that you acquire the needed skills fast by combining both hands-on training and classroom training into one solution.

Beginners should start their learning journey with an associate certification and then continue to expert certifications. Microsoft designed associate certifications for novice users so no prior experience is required.

Is Azure Certification Worth it?

Azure certifications are definitely worth it. For starters, they equip you with job-ready skills. This means you can easily find a job in the IT industry as Azure professionals are high in demand.

Other reasons include:

High-paying salaries: Holders of an Azure fundamentals certification earn $125K per year and Azure architects earn up to $180k per year.

Career opportunities: The way Azure certification paths are structured makes it possible to advance your career without having to change your specialty.

Beginners can start with the Azure Fundamentals certification and then become either Azure Administrators or Architects.