Microsoft certifications are credentials that show you know how to use specific Microsoft products and services

A Microsoft certification is a badge or credential issued by Microsoft that proves you have passed an exam on a particular Microsoft technology — things like Windows Server, Azure cloud services, Microsoft 365, or SQL Server. The certification itself is not a degree or a job may provide. It is a way to document that you studied a specific skill and passed a test on it.

Microsoft offers dozens of certifications at different levels. Some are aimed at people just starting out with a Microsoft product. Others are for people who already work with that product and want to prove advanced knowledge. Each certification requires you to pass one or more exams, which you take online or at a testing center.

The main reason people pursue these certifications is to show employers they have hands-on knowledge of tools the employer actually uses. If a company runs Microsoft Azure, they may prefer to hire someone who has already passed the Azure certification exam over someone who has not.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft certifications prove you passed an exam on a specific Microsoft product, but they do not may provide a job or a salary increase.
  • Each certification requires you to pass one or more exams, which cost money and can be taken online or at a testing center.
  • Certifications expire after a set period — usually one to three years — and you must renew them by passing another exam or completing continuing education.
  • The most common entry-level certifications are for Microsoft 365, Azure Fundamentals, and Windows Server, and each targets a different type of work.
  • You can study for these exams using Microsoft's free learning materials, paid courses from third-party vendors, or a combination of both.

The main certification paths and what they cover

Microsoft groups its certifications into a few broad paths. The Azure path covers cloud computing — storing data, running applications, and managing infrastructure on Microsoft's cloud servers. The Microsoft 365 path covers the office and productivity tools most people use: Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint. The Windows Server path covers managing computers and networks in a business environment.

Within each path, certifications are stacked by difficulty. "Fundamentals" certifications are the easiest and assume no prior experience. "Associate" certifications are the next level and assume you have some hands-on experience. "informed" certifications are the hardest and are meant for people who work with that technology every day.

For example, if you wanted to work with Azure, you might start with "Azure Fundamentals," then move to "Azure Administrator Associate" if you wanted to manage Azure systems, or "Azure Developer Associate" if you wanted to build applications on Azure. Each one is a separate exam and a separate credential.

What the exams actually test and how they are scored

Microsoft certification exams are multiple-choice tests taken on a computer. Most exams have 40 to 60 questions and last between 90 minutes and two hours. The questions test whether you can actually do the work, not just whether you memorized facts. You might be asked to troubleshoot a problem, choose the right tool for a task, or identify what went wrong in a scenario.

Each exam is scored on a scale, and Microsoft sets a passing score for each one. The passing score varies by exam — some require 70 percent, others require 65 percent. When you finish the exam, you get your score when ready, and you find out whether you passed or failed. If you fail, you can take the exam again, but you have to wait a set period (usually 24 hours) before you can retake it, and you have to pay the exam fee again.

The exams are proctored, meaning someone watches you take the test to make sure you are not cheating. You can take the exam at a testing center in person, or you can take it online from home with a proctor watching through your webcam. The online option requires a quiet room, a clear desk, and a stable internet connection.

How much certifications cost and how long they last

Most Microsoft certification exams cost between $99 and $165 per attempt. Some certifications require only one exam, while others require two or three exams to earn the full credential. If you fail an exam and need to retake it, you pay the full fee again.

Microsoft certifications do not last forever. Most certifications are valid for one to three years from the date you pass the exam. After that time, your certification expires. To keep it active, you can either retake the exam or complete continuing education activities that Microsoft recognizes — things like taking a free online course or passing a related exam.

Some people renew by taking a renewal exam, which is a shorter, cheaper version of the full exam. Others renew by completing Microsoft Learn modules, which are free online courses. The renewal method depends on which certification you hold.

Free and paid study materials

Microsoft provides free study materials for every certification exam. Microsoft Learn is a free website where you can read about the technology, watch videos, and do hands-on labs in a sandbox environment (a practice space where you can experiment without breaking anything real). These materials are written by Microsoft and are kept up to date.

Many people also use paid study materials from third-party vendors. Companies like Pluralsight, A Cloud Guru, and Udemy offer video courses that walk you through the exam topics. Some people find these courses easier to follow than Microsoft's materials, or they prefer learning from an instructor's voice and pacing. These courses typically cost $10 to $50 per course.

Practice exams are another common study tool. Websites like Examtopics and MeasureUp sell practice tests that mimic the real exam format and difficulty. These cost $15 to $50 and can help you identify which topics you need to study more. Many people study with free Microsoft materials first, then buy a practice exam a week or two before the real exam to test themselves.

How certifications fit into a job search or career move

A Microsoft certification can help you get hired, but it is not a substitute for experience or a degree. Employers usually want to see both — either a degree in a related field plus a certification, or several years of hands-on work with the technology plus a certification to prove you know it well.

Certifications are most useful when you are trying to move into a new role or prove you have a skill you have not used in a job yet. For example, if you have been a general IT support person and want to move into Azure administration, an Azure Administrator certification shows you have studied the topic and passed a test on it. It does not replace the need to learn on the job, but it shows you are serious and have a foundation.

Some employers offer to pay for certifications if you work for them, especially in tech companies or large organizations that use Microsoft products heavily. If your employer offers this, it is worth taking advantage of — the exam fee is paid, and you gain a credential that makes you more valuable to that employer and to future employers.

Common mistakes people make when pursuing certifications

One common mistake is studying only the exam topics and not actually using the technology. The exams test whether you can do the work, not just whether you know the theory. If you can, set up a free trial account or use a sandbox environment while you study so you can practice the actual steps.

Another mistake is waiting too long to take the exam after you study. If you study for three months and then wait another month to schedule the exam, you will forget material. Most people do best when they schedule the exam while they are still in the middle of studying, which gives them a important date and keeps the material fresh.

A third mistake is not checking the exam retirement schedule. Microsoft retires exams and updates certifications regularly. If you are studying for an exam that is being retired soon, you might want to take it before the retirement date, or you might want to switch to the newer version of the certification. You can check the retirement schedule on Microsoft's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a degree to get a Microsoft certification?

No. Microsoft certifications do not require a degree, though some certifications recommend that you have prior experience with the technology. You can take the exam whenever you feel ready, as long as you pay the exam fee and pass the test.

Can I take the exam from home?

Yes. Microsoft allows you to take most certification exams online from home using a webcam proctor. You need a quiet room, a clear desk, a stable internet connection, and a computer that meets Microsoft's technical requirements. You cannot have anyone else in the room or visible on camera.

What happens if I fail the exam?

You get your score when ready and can see which topics you did not do well on. You can retake the exam after waiting 24 hours, but you have to pay the full exam fee again. Most people who fail study the weak areas and retake the exam within a few weeks.

How long does it take to study for a certification?

It depends on your background and the certification level. Entry-level certifications like Azure Fundamentals typically take 20 to 40 hours of study. Associate-level certifications usually take 40 to 100 hours. If you already work with the technology, you may need less time.

Will a certification may provide me a job?

No. A certification shows you have knowledge of a specific technology, but employers also want to see experience, a degree, or both. Certifications are most useful when combined with real work experience or when you are trying to move into a new role in your current job.