Introduction
Are you thinking of a career in cloud computing? If yes, Azure certification is the way to go!
We all are aware that most businesses have already moved their operations to the cloud. This is the main reason for the high demand for professionals with expertise in Azure. However, with so many different Azure certifications available, it is sometimes confusing to choose the right one.
In this blog, you will learn about the different Microsoft Azure certifications available, and their benefits. Whether you are a beginner or a professional who is looking to upskill, this blog will surely assist in taking your Azure skills to the next level. To solidify your skills and become a well-rounded Azure professional, consider Microsoft AZ-900 and AZ-104 Combo Training.
Before getting into the details of different Microsoft Azure certifications, let’s first understand what Azure certification is.
What is Azure Certification?
Azure certification is a professional credential that showcases your skills and knowledge in using Microsoft Azure. Getting an Azure certification simply demonstrates your expertise in designing, implementing, and managing solutions on Azure. With the help of these certifications, you will learn about core concepts such as cloud infrastructure, security, and data management. You will also get hands-on experience with Azure services, which include storage, networking, and computing. Also, advanced topics such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and DevOps.
Now, for your better understanding, we have tried to explain the different certification levels of Microsoft Azure. It outlines various certification exams and their respective levels, categorized into Fundamentals, Associate, and Expert levels.
Now that you have a basic understanding of what Azure Certification really is and its different levels. Let’s discuss some of the most important in detail.
Microsoft Azure Certifications
We have listed out some of the most sought-after Azure certifications categorized by level, exam details, and respective domains.
Beginner Level (Fundamental)
Azure Fundamental certifications are entry-level certifications. It is a starting point for those who are new to Azure. It mainly covers the basics of Azure architecture, workloads, and security best practices.
AZ 900 (Azure Fundamental Certification)
Azure AZ-900 certification teaches you the basics of Microsoft Azure. You’ll discover how to create and manage virtual machines, store and access data, configure virtual networks, and secure your resources with authentication and access control. You will also learn about database services, monitoring, troubleshooting, and active directory in Azure.
Az 900 makes you ready to take on more advanced certifications in the future. AZ 900 is the most in-demand among beginner certifications, and various online institutes offer this course.
| Concepts | Weightage |
| Cloud Concepts | 25%-30% |
| Azure Architecture and Services | 35%-40% |
| Azure Management and Governance | 30% – 35% |
Prerequisite: It is recommended that you have basic knowledge of IT concepts, some familiarity with Microsoft Azure, and a basic understanding of security principles.
DP 900 (Azure Data Fundamentals Certification)
In the Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals course, you will learn the basics of Azure data services. You will explore data concepts, like structured and unstructured data, and work with different data formats. You will also learn about Azure services like Azure Storage, Azure Databricks, Azure Functions, and Azure Synapse Analytics and how to use them to store, process, and analyze data.
| Concepts | Weightage |
| Core Data Concepts | 25-30% |
| Relational Data on Azure | 20-25% |
| Non-Relational Data on Azure | 15-20% |
| Analytics Workload on Azure | 25-30% |
Prerequisite: You will need basic computer skills and a basic understanding of data concepts and cloud computing.
Note: At the fundamental level, there is one more certification you can go for i.e., AI 900 (Microsoft AI fundamentals).
Associate level
At this level, you get familiar with a specific skill set, like building apps or keeping data safe. In the given table, you can look into some of the certifications that you can choose as per your interest.
| Certifications | Exam Code |
| Azure Administrator | AZ 104 |
| Azure Developer | AZ 204 |
| Azure Security Engineer | AZ 500 |
| Azure Data Engineer | DP 203 |
| Data Analyst | DP 100 |
| Azure Data Scientist | PL 300 |
| Azure Database Administrator | DP 300 |
Expert Level
Expert-level Azure certifications focus on specialized topics such as architecture and DevOps engineering. With the help of these courses, you will learn how to design scalable and secure cloud architectures, optimize data pipelines, and ensure compliance with industry regulations.
| Azure Expert Level Certifications | Exam Code |
| Azure Solutions Architect | AZ 305 |
| Azure DevOps Engineer | AZ 400 |
These are the Expert level Azure Certifications. Now, we have covered all the Microsoft Azure Certifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1 – Which certification is best in Azure?
There are many Azure certifications that students can choose from. For beginners, it is recommended to go for Azure Fundamentals (AZ 900) and Azure Administrator (AZ 104). For experts, one can go for Azure Solutions Architect (305) and Azure DevOps Engineer (400).
Q2 – What is the Azure certification?
The Azure certification is a professional credential offered by Microsoft that showcases your skills and knowledge in designing, implementing, and managing cloud-based solutions on the Microsoft Azure platform. It covers various aspects, including architecture, development, security, and deployment, demonstrating expertise in cloud computing and Azure services.
Q3 – Is the AZ-900 exam difficult?
The AZ-900 exam is a beginner-level certification that demands basic knowledge of Azure cloud concepts, services, and security. It is important to note that some questions can be tricky, making it challenging for those without Azure experience.
Q4 – Is IT worth getting Azure certified?
Getting Azure certified is worth it because it increases job opportunities, boosts career growth, and showcases your expertise in cloud computing.
Conclusion
We have covered some of the most demanding Microsoft Azure Certification. With the vast range of certifications available, you can choose as per your interest. To get started, we recommend starting your career with the Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) and Azure Administrator (AZ-104) courses. These courses will help you learn both Azure fundamental concepts and how to compute, identify, secure, and govern organizations’ Cloud Infrastructure.
