Certification expiration policy

Role-based and specialty certifications expiry

Microsoft role-based (associate and expert) and specialty certifications are valid for one (1) year from the date that you complete all requirements to earn that certification.

To prevent your certification from expiring you must renew the certification before the certification expiration date. For more information about certification renewals, visit Renew your certification. After the certification expires, you will no longer be able to renew that certification and will need to re-earn the certification by passing all the required exam(s).

Fundamentals certifications expiry

Microsoft fundamentals certifications do not expire.

Other Microsoft Certifications expiry

MOS, MTA, MCSA, MCSD, MCSE, and MCE certifications do not expire.

Beta exam certification expiry

If you passed a beta exam and earned a certification as a result, your certification achievement and expiration dates will be based on the date that the certification exam goes live, not the date you passed the beta exam. This ensures that you have sufficient time to renew your certification after earning it.

For certifications earned before June 30, 2021

Certifications earned prior to June 30, 2021 @12am GMT (June 29, 2021 @5pm PT) are valid for two (2) years from the date that all requirements for the certification are completed. Certifications earned after this date and time are valid for one (1) year. For more information, read the announcement about the policy change.