Question about retiring Microsoft certifications

• AZ-500 is still worth taking if it aligns with current responsibilities. The official study guide notes that Exam AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies will retire on August 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM Central Standard Time. Until that date, it remains an active path to the Azure Security Engineer Associate certification, and can still be used to validate Azure security skills.
• After retirement, the associated certification and exam can no longer be earned, but any certification already earned remains on the transcript. Retired certifications stay visible in the Microsoft Learn profile: they remain in the Active Certifications section until they expire and then move to Historical Certifications. This means employers can still see that the certification was earned, even though it is no longer offered.
• The provided context confirms AZ-500’s retirement date and general retirement behavior but does not describe SC-500 or how its content compares to AZ-500. Based on the available information, only the following can be stated: AZ-500 will retire on the specified date, and once a replacement exam is introduced, it typically reflects updated technologies and role definitions. No detailed comparison between AZ-500 and SC-500 content is available in the context.

For planning:

• If the goal is to validate Azure security skills before August 31, 2026, AZ-500 remains a valid option.
• Once retired, AZ-500 cannot be taken, but the earned certification will continue to appear on the transcript according to the general retirement rules.

References:

• Study guide for Exam AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies
• Exam and assessment lab retirement
• Credential retirement
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about renewal