Azure Certification Path Explored: Your Gateway to Azure Proficiency

Are you interested in advancing your career as an Azure cloud professional using a structured Azure Certification Path? Comprehending the different Azure certification levels and their significance can greatly direct your path to becoming an elite Azure expert.

If you are concerned about the examinations you must take to obtain the certification, I can assist you with the necessary assistance regarding the certification you must obtain and point you in the right azure certification path.

Let’s dive into the Azure Certification Path and explore it in detail.

Why Microsoft Azure Certification?

Before explaining why we need Microsoft Azure certification, let us look at what it is. Microsoft Azure is a widely used cloud provider worldwide, and being a Microsoft Azure certified professional will help you advance your career. By taking the Azure Certification Path, you will have a wide range of opportunities to explore the field of Microsoft Azure.

Microsoft Azure certification costs in India range from 3.3 lakhs to 15 lakhs, averaging 7.1 lakhs each year. According to the US, this works out at about $147,779 to $167,807 per year.

Azure Certification Levels

Microsoft Certification has been segregated into 4 different levels which help the user follow the path to becoming a Microsoft Azure-certified professional. The certification levels for Microsoft Azure are provided as

• Fundamental Level Azure Certification

  – It is for beginners who want to start their journey in the cloud concept, and also, people with zero knowledge and technical skills can start their journey with this certification. It mainly consists of basic knowledge to get started with Azure.

• Associate Level Azure Certification

  This certificate is about who has a basic knowledge about Azure and where you will be ready to add this certificate in your resume which will help in your career path, but before getting this certification you need to clear the fundamental level certification.

• Expert Level Azure Certification

  This certificate is about who has experience in Azure and which will help them to get the certification, but before getting this certification you need to clear the associate level certification as well as fundamental level certification.

• Specialty Azure Certification

  This certificate can be used when we want to learn and get certified in specific roles such as Azure IOT Developer Specialty and Azure for SAP Workloads.

Fundamental Level Azure Certification

• Microsoft Certified – Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)       

This Azure Certification Path will be covering all the basic functional knowledge of cloud services, it is a go-to starting point for anyone new to cloud. This is the best certification for beginners.

Exam code: AZ-900

Exam cost: $99 USD

• Microsoft Certified – Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)

It can be the starting step to aspire data-focused cloud practitioners. It helps database administrators and database engineers to get started with data in the cloud.

Exam code: DP-900

Exam cost: $99 USD

• Microsoft Certified – Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900)

It has knowledge about Artificial Intelligence and concepts of Machine Learning in Azure. Both technical and non-technical backgrounds can enroll in this certification.

Exam code; AI-900

Exam cost: $99 USD

Associate level certification

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate  (AZ-104)

It shall still be one of the best certifications for the IT professional who is looking into administering Azure subscriptions and resources, including user accounts. It deals with the core tasks in administering Azure.

Exam code: AZ-104

Exam cost: $165 USD

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate  (AZ-204)

That is their rightful entitlement as developers. The associate-level Azure Developer Associate certification allows the holder to actively participate in the design, development, testing, and maintenance of cloud applications and services with the Azure platform. 

Exam code: AZ-204

Exam cost: $165 USD

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500)

It mainly focuses on implementing security control, threat protection and networks in the cloud. It knows networking, virtualization and architecture to various security solutions to overcome any vulnerability.

Exam code: AZ-500

Exam cost: $165 USD

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate (AI-100)

This certification deals with data science and how to implement machine learning workload on Azure. They should have knowledge of data science and experience in using Azure Data bricks and Machine Learning.

Exam code: DP-100

Exam cost: $165 USD

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate  (DP-203)

The professional certification mainly targets professionals responsible for designing and implementing data solutions with Azure.

Exam code: DP-203

Exam cost: $165 USD

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300)

This certification includes implementing and managing the platform solution with Microsoft SQL and Microsoft Data Service. If you complete this certification, you will know how to manage the security, availability, and optimization of modern relational database solutions.

Exam code: DP-300

Exam cost: $165 USD

Expert Level Azure Certification

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)

This certification is for experienced DevOps and IT pros with Azure administration and development skills. After completing this certification you will be among the Azure elite members in compute, network, storage and security.

Exam code: AZ-305

Exam cost: $165 USD

• Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400)  

This Azure Certification Path is for engineers who are pro-level wranglers who are familiar with administration and development.

Exam code: AZ-400

Exam cost: $165 USD

Specialty Azure Certification

•  Microsoft Certified: Azure IOT Developer Specialty (AZ-220)

This certification is for IOT developers who are looking to get into IOT or IOT developers who want to get into Azure. This certification can help the Azure services that form an IOT solution including PaaS, data analytics and many more.

Exam code: AZ-220

Exam cost: $165 USD

• Microsoft Certified: Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty (AZ-120)

This certification is for the people who are planning and administering SAP workload to be hosted in Microsoft Azure and make suggestions on services and optimize resources.  

Exam code: AZ-120

Exam cost: $165 USD

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty (AZ-140)

This certification is for people who have experience in planning, managing and delivering remote apps and virtual desktop on Azure.

Exam code: AZ-140

Exam cost: $165 USD

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty (DP-420)

This certificate is for people who are expertise in designing, implementing and monitoring cloud-native applications that are used in storage and managing data where you can support your business organization goals with Azure Cosmos DB and modern cloud apps.

Exam code: DP-420

Exam cost: $165 USD

Roles based on Azure certification

The most job roles of Microsoft Azure Certification in 2024 are as follows:

• Cloud Support Specialist- It comes under the Fundamental level certification where you have to take the certification exam of AZ-900.
• Azure Administrator- It comes under Associate level certification where you have to take the certification exam of AZ-104.
• Azure Cloud Developer- It comes under Associate level certification where you have to take the certification exam of AZ-204.
• Azure Security Engineer- It comes under Associate level certification where you have to take the certification exam of AZ-500.
• AI Solution Architect- It comes under Associate level certification where you have to take the certification exam of AI-102.
• Data Engineer- It comes under Associate level certification where you have to take the certification exam of DP-203.
• DevOps Engineer- It comes under Expert level certification where you have to take the certification exam of AZ-400.
• Azure Solution Architect- It comes under Expert level certification where you have to take the certification exam of AZ-305.
• Virtual Desktop Administrator- It comes under Specialty certification where you have to take the certification exam of AZ-140.
• IOT Solution Developer- It comes under Specialty level certification where you have to take the certification exam of AZ-220.
• SAP Cloud Specialist- It comes under Specialty level certification where you have to take the certification exam of AZ-120.

Conclusion

Microsoft Azure Certifications offer a clear route to boost your career – from basic cloud tech knowledge to specialized skills. Each certificate focuses on specific job roles and abilities that can improve your professional standing and make you more attractive in the job market. These certifications help you stay competitive in the fast-growing world of cloud computing. As a result, investing in Azure certification is a smart move for long-term success and growth in your career.

This concludes our blog post on Azure certification trends for professionals in various countries and industries. This overview has offered valuable insights into the earning potential in different regions and sectors, highlighting how Azure expertise can impact your career earnings.

If you are interested in advancing your skills and career prospects as an Azure professional, then you should explore the latest courses and training programs. We recommend you take up the Azure Certification Training offered by Edureka. Edurekas Azure certification course by PwC provides dual certification in cloud computing. The training is live instructor-led and offers hands-on experience with real-time projects. It prepares you for the official Azure certification exams and includes simulated real-world scenarios.

Do you have any questions or need further information? Feel free to leave a comment below, and we’ll respond as soon as possible!