Hybrid Administrator Certfication Retiring? (Az-800/Az-801)

Question

Hello, I just wrote and pass the Az-801 exam, meaning I now have the Hybrid Certification Administrator certificate.

I was writing a "Passed" thread on Reddit when someone wrote "Shame it's retiring in a few months!". I've spent so much time on these TWO exams, that now the certification is going to be retired in a few months. Apparently the AZ-802 will be replacing it.

Is this true, because if it was I probably will never do another MS certification again in my life-time, lol.

Obviously, it's not a total waste of time because I gained a lot of knowledge, but going for certain jobs, MSPs, that entertain certifications as a prerequisite (so they can charge more!) this does hurt somewhat.

Most of all, I'm annoyed that this information was not made public to about a year before the retiring, not just a couple of months !! I would have never spent this amount of time on a certification that was retiring. If they offer an upgrade path for those that have the certification, the sting is not so bad.

So, can you confirm that it is indeed retiring, does anyone know anything!

Signed: A new sad Hybrid Administrator.

Answer 1

Just to update - it turns out that yes, indeed. This exam - the Hybrid Administrator Certification does indeed become invalid after one year. We paid out for 2 exams (£260), lots of study material and some of us spent over a year studying along with other commitments.

I got this rather dismissive response from MS (what else do you expect);

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Hello

Thank you for your interest in Microsoft Certifications. If you're planning to take the current exam before June, you're still eligible to do so. However, please note that once the certification expires, currently scheduled for September, it will no longer be renewable.

Alternatively, you may consider taking the new AZ-802 exam, which aligns with the latest skills and updates.

I hope this helps with your transition planning.

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So we are unable to renew the certification, meaning we have to fully take the Az-802 to be Hybrid Administrator certified. If I had known the certification was only going to last a year, I certainly would not have done it. Indeed, its a good certification and the knowledge gained is crucial and applicable, but they want us to study another x-number of months and pay them AGAIN (so that's £360+) to keep cert active.

All just so they can add/push/shovel AI into everything.

At this time, I'm certainly not thinking of take any other MS certification now or in the future. And, the only positive from this situation is the knowledge learned, gained from the exam objectives; which at the end of the day IS the most important aspect.

Answer 2

Yes, it's true.

Its replacing the 800/801 exams, apparently with a heavier emphasis on the Hybrid and Azure Arc for management.

Beta due around June and full certification available around Septeember 2026.

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/skills-hub-blog/the-ai-job-boom-is-here-are-you-ready-to-showcase-your-skills/4494128

Answer 3

Hi @SpencerK ,

please take a look here: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/support/credential-retirement

There are no official information regarding a retirement of the AZ-801 on this website.

I am just wondering if the source of the retirement statement at reddit post of AZ-801 and its replacing by AZ-802 is trustworthy.

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(If the reply was helpful please don't forget to upvote and/or accept as answer, thank you)

Regards

Andreas Baumgarten