Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (Entry Level)
The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification validates foundational knowledge of cloud concepts, Azure services, Azure pricing, and support . Unlike Associate-level exams that test hands-on implementation, AZ-900 focuses on conceptual understanding—making it perfect for non-technical stakeholders, sales teams, project managers, or anyone taking their first step into cloud. The exam was most recently updated in January 2026; no new topics were added
Quick Specs Table
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exam Code | AZ-900 |
| Level | Foundational |
| Cost | $99 USD |
| Duration | 60-90 minutes (typical) |
| Questions | Multiple choice |
| Passing Score | 700 / 1000 |
| Prerequisites | None |
| Validity | Does not expire (fundamentals certifications have no expiration) |
| Format | Online proctored or test center |
What the Certification Covers
| Domain | % of Exam | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Describe Cloud Concepts | 25-30% | Define cloud computing, shared responsibility model, cloud models (public/private/hybrid), consumption-based model, high availability, scalability, reliability, predictability, security, governance, and cloud service types (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) |
| Describe Azure Architecture and Services | 35-40% | Core architectural components (regions, availability zones, datacenters, resource groups, subscriptions, management groups), compute and networking (VMs, containers, functions, VNet, VPN Gateway, ExpressRoute), storage services (tiers, redundancy, storage accounts, AzCopy, Storage Explorer, Azure Migrate, Data Box), identity and access (Microsoft Entra ID, SSO, MFA, Conditional Access, RBAC, Zero Trust, Defender for Cloud) |
| Describe Azure Management and Governance | 30-35% | Cost management (factors affecting costs, pricing calculator, Cost Management, tags), governance and compliance (Microsoft Purview, Azure Policy, resource locks), deployment and management tools (Azure portal, Cloud Shell, Azure CLI, PowerShell, Azure Arc, IaC, ARM templates), monitoring tools (Azure Advisor, Service Health, Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, Application Insights) |
Key Details: The AZ-900 exam does not expire, making it a permanent addition to your professional credentials . The exam tests conceptual understanding—you will not be asked to perform hands-on tasks.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No technical experience required—anyone can take it | Not sufficient for technical cloud roles (employers want Associate level) |
| Does not expire—permanent certification | Limited salary impact compared to Associate-level certs |
| Excellent starting point for non-technical professionals (sales, marketing, PMs) | Many Azure job postings do not list it as a requirement |
| Builds foundational vocabulary before pursuing harder certs | Covers breadth over depth—you won't learn hands-on implementation |
| Free training available via Microsoft Learn | May be considered "too basic" for experienced IT professionalss |
| Exam cost is low ($99) compared to Associate exams ($165+) | Requires learning Azure-specific terminology even for experienced cloud professionals from other platforms |
Who Is This Certification For?
| ✅ Ideal Candidate | ❌ Not For |
|---|---|
| Non-technical stakeholders (sales, marketing, project managers, finance) | Experienced cloud engineers (skip to AZ-104) |
| Business leaders needing to understand cloud value proposition | Anyone seeking a hands-on technical role (Associate certs required) |
| IT professionals entirely new to cloud computing | Candidates who already have 1+ year Azure hands-on experience |
| Students or career-changers exploring cloud as a potential path | Those wanting to validate implementation skills (this is purely conceptual) |
| Professionals aiming for the highest-ROI Azure certification | Those who prefer IaaS-only workloads (PaaS knowledge is increasingly expected) |
Exam Tip: Use the official Microsoft Learn learning path for AZ-900—it’s free, self-paced, and directly aligned with exam objectives
Recommended Study Resources
| Resource | Type | Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Ref AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (book) | Study Guide | Microsoft Press / Available on Amazon |
| AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Online Course | Video + Labs | Whizlabs |
| Microsoft Learn AZ-900 Learning Path (Free) | Self-paced modules | Microsoft Learn |
| AZ-900T00: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (1-day course) | Instructor-led training | Microsoft Learning Partners |
| MeasureUp AZ-900 Practice Tests | Practice Exams | MeasureUp |
Enroll Research Team Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.4/5)
“The perfect on-ramp for anyone new to Azure—technical or not. It won’t get you a cloud engineering job, but it builds the vocabulary and conceptual foundation you need to pursue higher certifications. The free Microsoft Learn path is excellent and sufficient for most candidates.”
