Do you know if Microsoft is planning to retire or replace the AZ-900 or AZ-204 exams? I want to ensure I'm preparing for the most relevant certification.”

Naveen Kumar 0 Reputation points
2026-04-10T08:36:56.62+00:00

Do you know if Microsoft is planning to retire or replace the AZ-900 or AZ-204 exams? I want to ensure I'm preparing for the most relevant certification.”

i am new to azure and want to do this certification so any one please help me

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  1. Julian Sharp 40,601 Reputation points
    2026-04-10T13:30:30.2866667+00:00

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  2. AI answer

    2026-04-10T08:37:09.23+00:00

    AZ-204 is already scheduled for retirement, and AZ-900 is the long-term replacement for older Azure fundamentals exams.

    From the current documentation:

    • Exam AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure will retire on July 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM Central Standard Time.
    • AZ-204 is the current Azure Developer Associate exam that previously replaced AZ-203. When AZ-203 was replaced, Microsoft kept it available for 90 days after AZ-204 was released, then retired it. The same pattern is typically followed when exams are updated.
    • For fundamentals, AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals is already the replacement for older entry-level Azure exams such as 98-369: Cloud Fundamentals, which retired and was replaced by AZ-900.

    For someone new to Azure:

    • AZ-900 is the recommended starting point for foundational cloud and Azure knowledge. It is the current fundamentals exam and is already the replacement for older fundamentals certifications.
    • AZ-204 is the current role-based exam for Azure developers and remains valid until at least July 31, 2026. Preparing for AZ-204 now is still relevant if the goal is the Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate certification.

    If an exam is updated or replaced in the future, Microsoft typically:

    1. Publishes the new exam.
    2. Keeps the old exam in market for about 90 days after the new one becomes available.
    3. Retires the old exam after that window, while the certification name (for example, Azure Developer Associate) stays the same.

    To ensure preparation is aligned with the most relevant version:

    • Use the official exam pages and study guide for AZ-900 and AZ-204 on Microsoft Learn.
    • For AZ-204 specifically, follow the Study guide for Exam AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure, which is aligned to the current skills being measured.

    References:

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