AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals Certification Guide 2026
The AZ-900 (Microsoft Azure Fundamentals) certification is Microsoft's entry-level cloud computing credential, designed for anyone who wants to demonstrate foundational knowledge of Azure cloud services. Whether you are an IT professional, a developer, or someone new to cloud computing, passing the az-900 exam validates that you understand what cloud services are, how Azure works, and how organizations use cloud solutions. This guide covers everything: what the exam tests, how to prepare, what it costs, and how to pass.
What Is the AZ-900 Certification?
The AZ-900 (Microsoft Azure Fundamentals) is the foundational Microsoft cloud certification. It demonstrates that you understand basic cloud computing concepts, core Azure services, Azure pricing and SLAs, and Microsoft's cloud governance and compliance model. It does NOT require hands-on Azure experience or coding skills — it is genuinely a fundamentals-level exam. Practice with the free AZ-900 practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (16 questions with answer explanations).
The az-900 certification is valuable for:
- IT decision-makers and managers: Understanding what Azure can and cannot do without being hands-on technical
- Non-technical business professionals: Finance, HR, and operations staff who work alongside Azure teams and need cloud fluency
- Technical beginners: Developers and sysadmins who are new to Azure and want a credentialed starting point
- Students: Demonstrating cloud fundamentals knowledge for entry-level IT positions
It is a prerequisite for no other Microsoft certification but is a strong foundation before attempting role-based certifications like AZ-104 (Administrator) or AZ-204 (Developer). Many organizations now expect all IT staff — including non-developers — to hold the az 900 certification.
- Microsoft Exam AZ-900 gives candidates 45 minutes to complete the exam, within a 65-minute appointment. (Microsoft)
- Microsoft fundamentals exams such as AZ-900 have a 45-minute exam duration and a 65-minute seat duration. (Microsoft)
- Microsoft Exam AZ-900 requires a scaled score of 700 or greater on a scale of 1 to 1,000 to pass. (Microsoft)
- Candidates must pay to retake Microsoft Exam AZ-900 where a fee applies. (Microsoft)
- The Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals certification does not expire. (Microsoft)
- Because Microsoft fundamentals certifications do not expire, Azure Fundamentals needs no renewal. (Microsoft)
- Microsoft Exam AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) is scheduled through Pearson VUE, or through Certiport for students and educators. (Microsoft)
- Candidates for Microsoft Exam AZ-900 should have skills and experience working with an area of IT such as infrastructure management, database management or software development. (Microsoft)
Facts verified Oct 25, 2026 against Microsoft. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
AZ-900 Exam at a Glance
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|
| Time limit | 45 minutes (65-minute seat time) | Microsoft |
| Time limit (seat time) | 65 minutes seat time | Microsoft |
| Passing score | 700 on a 1–1,000 scale | Microsoft |
| Retake fee | Payment required for each retake (if applicable) | Microsoft |
| Validity | Does not expire | Microsoft |
| Renewal | No renewal required | Microsoft |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE (all candidates) or Certiport (students and educators) | Microsoft |
| Eligibility | No formal prerequisite; IT experience recommended | Microsoft |
| Registration opens | Schedule up to 90 days in advance | Microsoft |
Facts verified Oct 25, 2026 against Microsoft. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Free AZ-900 Study Tools
Interactive AZ-900 resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
AZ-900 Topics Covered
Microsoft publishes the exact topic breakdown (called the 'skills measured') for the AZ-900 exam. The current domains and their approximate exam weights are:
- Describe cloud concepts (~25–30%): What is cloud computing? Shared responsibility model, cloud service types (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), cloud deployment models (public, private, hybrid). Core vocabulary of cloud computing that every domain builds on.
- Describe Azure architecture and services (~35–40%): Azure regions and availability zones, resource hierarchy (subscriptions, resource groups, resources), core services: Compute (VMs, App Service, Azure Functions, containers), Storage (Blob, File, Queue, Table), Networking (VNet, VPN, ExpressRoute, Load Balancer), Database (Azure SQL, Cosmos DB), and Identity (Azure Active Directory).
- Describe Azure management and governance (~30–35%): Cost management (Azure pricing calculator, TCO calculator, spending factors), governance tools (Azure Policy, RBAC, Blueprints, Management Groups), compliance and privacy (Microsoft Trust Center, Service Trust Portal), monitoring tools (Azure Monitor, Azure Advisor, Service Health).
For a detailed walkthrough of each domain with practice scenarios, see our az 900 study guide which covers all three content domains in depth.
If you want more targeted practice, the az 900 practice test page covers the same material with additional questions and explanations.
If you want more targeted practice, the microsoft az 900 practice test page covers the same material with additional questions and explanations.
If you want more targeted practice, the az 900 exam page covers the same material with additional questions and explanations.
AZ-900 Passing Score and Cost
The AZ-900 az-900 exam uses a scaled score from 100 to 1000. The passing score is 700. Microsoft does not publish the exact number of questions required to reach 700 since the scoring algorithm scales questions differently based on difficulty level.
Key scoring facts:
- You receive your score immediately at the testing center or online, right after completing the exam
- A detailed score report shows your performance by domain area — useful for targeted study if you need to retake
- The AZ-900 certification does NOT expire — once you pass, the credential is yours permanently (unlike some certifications that require renewal)
The exam fee is $165 USD (pricing may vary by region and currency). Microsoft occasionally offers vouchers through learning events, Microsoft Learn promotions, and student discount programs. If you need to retake, there is a 24-hour waiting period after the first attempt and longer waiting periods for subsequent retakes.
For free official preparation: Microsoft Learn at learn.microsoft.com offers a complete, free az 900 course that covers all exam domains with interactive exercises, labs, and knowledge checks — no payment required.
AZ-900 Preparation Checklist
Complete the official Microsoft Learn AZ-900 learning path (free at learn.microsoft.com) — covers all domains Take at least 3 full AZ-900 practice tests under timed conditions before your exam Master the shared responsibility model: know which layer (Microsoft vs customer) manages what in IaaS/PaaS/SaaS Memorize the core Azure services by category: Compute, Storage, Networking, Database, Identity Understand Azure pricing concepts: reserved vs pay-as-you-go, factors affecting cost, the pricing calculator Learn RBAC, Azure Policy, and Management Groups — governance questions appear frequently Study the Azure SLA concepts: availability zones, availability sets, and their effect on uptime guarantees Practice multi-select questions — these are the hardest question type on the AZ-900 Pros
- Industry-recognized credential boosts your resume
- Higher earning potential (10-20% salary increase on average)
- Demonstrates commitment to professional development
- Opens doors to advanced career opportunities
Cons
- Exam preparation requires significant time investment (4-8 weeks)
- Certification fees can be $100-$400+
- May require continuing education to maintain
- Some employers may not require certification
Sample AZ-900 Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free AZ-900 practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
Which Azure networking service provides secure connectivity between Azure virtual networks in different regions using the Microsoft backbone?
- A. Azure VNet Peering (Global VNet Peering)
- B. Azure VPN Gateway
- C. Azure Load Balancer
- D. Azure Private Endpoint
Answer: A. Azure VNet Peering (Global VNet Peering)
Global VNet Peering connects Azure virtual networks across different regions, allowing resources in different regions to communicate privately using Microsoft's backbone network.
Which Azure service provides cloud-based identity and access management, enabling single sign-on to Microsoft cloud applications and other third-party services?
- A. Azure Key Vault
- B. Azure Active Directory
- C. Azure Security Center
- D. Azure Policy
Answer: B. Azure Active Directory
Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) is Microsoft's cloud-based identity and access management service that lets employees sign in and access resources, supporting single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, and conditional access.
When you try to create several managed Microsoft SQL Server instances in an Azure environment, you get a notice telling you that your Azure subscription limitations need to be increased. What should you do to increase the limits?
- A. Create a new support request
- B. Create a service health alert
- C. Modify an Azure policy
- D. Upgrade your support plan
Answer: A. Create a new support request
Azure subscriptions have default service limits to manage resource consumption and prevent abuse. If you encounter a message indicating that your subscription limits need to be increased for a specific service, the standard procedure is to submit a new support request to Microsoft Azure. The Azure support team will then review your request and adjust the limits if appropriate.
Which Azure service provides a fully managed relational database based on the Microsoft SQL Server engine?
- A. Azure SQL Database
- B. Azure Cosmos DB
- C. Azure Table Storage
- D. Azure Cache for Redis
Answer: A. Azure SQL Database
Azure SQL Database is a fully managed PaaS relational database built on the SQL Server engine.
Take the full AZ-900 practice test
AZ-900 Certification Questions and Answers
What is the AZ-900 certification?
AZ-900 (Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals) is Microsoft's entry-level cloud certification. It validates foundational knowledge of cloud computing concepts, core Azure services, Azure pricing and SLAs, and Microsoft's cloud governance model. No Azure hands-on experience or coding skills are required. It is the recommended starting point for anyone new to Azure.
How many questions are on the AZ-900 exam?
The AZ-900 exam has 40–60 questions, varying by test form. Microsoft does not publish the exact number per session. Question types include multiple choice, multi-select, drag-and-drop, and scenario-based questions. Time limit is 45 minutes. The passing score is 700 out of 1000.
How hard is the AZ-900 exam?
The AZ-900 is one of Microsoft's easier certifications. IT professionals with background knowledge typically need 1–2 weeks of study. Complete beginners to cloud computing should plan for 3–6 weeks. The challenge is the breadth of Azure service vocabulary, not deep technical complexity. Passing rates for well-prepared candidates are generally high.
Does the AZ-900 certification expire?
No. The AZ-900 certification is lifetime and does not expire. Once you pass, the Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals credential is permanent. This differs from some higher-level Azure certifications (like AZ-104, AZ-204) which require annual renewal through assessment or retesting.
What jobs can I get with the AZ-900?
The AZ-900 alone is rarely sufficient for technical roles, but it demonstrates cloud fluency for cloud sales, project management, IT coordination, and cloud support roles. It is most powerful as a stepping stone to AZ-104 (Azure Administrator) or AZ-204 (Azure Developer) for technical positions, and for career transition into cloud-related work from non-technical backgrounds.
Can I prepare for AZ-900 for free?
Yes. Microsoft Learn at learn.microsoft.com provides a complete, free AZ-900 learning path covering all exam domains. PracticeTestGeeks offers free AZ-900 practice tests. The exam itself costs $165 USD, but preparation can be entirely free through official Microsoft resources and free practice platforms.
How long is the AZ-900?
Microsoft Exam AZ-900 gives candidates 45 minutes to complete the exam, within a 65-minute appointment. (Verified Oct 25, 2026 against Microsoft.)
What is the passing score for the AZ-900?
Microsoft Exam AZ-900 requires a scaled score of 700 or greater on a scale of 1 to 1,000 to pass. (Verified Oct 25, 2026 against Microsoft.)