Are you looking to break into the cloud computing industry? Then look no further than the Azure certification programs! You must be thinking why Azure? Well, Microsoft Azure is the world’s second largest cloud computing service provider after AWS of course. 

This comprehensive guide compares the most relevant Azure job roles and their associated certification exams, breaks down costs and prerequisites, and provides a proven, step‑by‑step study plan designed to get you from beginner to expert as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

In this guide, we will compare roles, exams, costs, and a proven study plan to pass fast, right from beginner up to the expert level.

If this resonates with you, make sure that you keep reading.

TL;DR

To acquire an Azure Online Training Certification in 2025, start with AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) if you are fresh, then a role-based one (Admin AZ-104, Developer AZ-204, Security AZ-500, Architect AZ-305, Data Engineer DP-203, AI AI-102, DevOps AZ-400). Utilize Microsoft Learn for free for structured paths, add hands-on labs, and utilize this 8-week study plan below. Most role-based Microsoft certifications renew at a free annual exam.

Why is Azure Certification Worth it in 2025?

The following are some of the prominent reasons why you must choose Azure certification in 2025:

• Market relevance: Microsoft Azure remains a leading global cloud platform powering applications, data, artificial intelligence, and security workloads across industries.

• Role definition: Microsoft’s role-based certifications closely align with real job functions (admin, developer, architect, security, data, AI, DevOps), meaning what you learn directly maps to daily responsibilities.

• Structured learning: Microsoft Learn provides official, always up-to-date learning paths with modules, labs, and credentials—all free and online.

Renewal model: Many certifications now include annual renewal through a free online exam at Microsoft Learn (no extra exam fee).

Complete Azure Certification Path Explained

There are various in-demand certifications that you can earn completely through online training and online proctored exam. The Azure certifications are mainly divided into a hierarchy starting right from the basics which is called the foundational certification. Followed by it, we also have the associate-level, professional-level and specialty-level. 

From all the paths mentioned below, you can choose any one of the following certifications. These are mentioned below:

1. Foundational-Level Certifications

This is the level you need to start with if you’re a complete beginner in cloud computing. 

Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

This is the most basic certification that covers cloud concepts, core services, pricing, governance and security at a high-level. It is a beginner-level certification. It is recommended that you have prior experience/knowledge of Windows Server. Once you know how to work on-premise, you can easily implement those concepts on cloud.

The following are the key details of the AZ-900 certification:

Associate/Expert-Level Certifications

Once you’re done with the foundational-level certification, it is important that you move forward with Associate-level certifications. We have highlighted and explained all the important certifications offered by Microsoft. These are as follows:

• Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)

This certification focuses completely on administrator and operations. You learn about the following concepts while preparing to take the exam for this certification:

• Manage services with Azure portal

• Introduction to Azure Cloud Shell

• Introduction to Bash

• Introduction to PowerShell

• Deploy Azure infrastructure by using JSON ARM templates

The following are the key details of the AZ-104 certification:

• Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)

If you want to become a developer, the AZ-204 certification is for you. This certification helps you validate your skills in building and deploying cloud apps, working with storage, compute, APIs, messaging, security, CI/CD, and instrumentation.

The following are the key details of the AZ-204 certification:

• Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500)

If you want to enter the cloud security space, then this cloud security AZ-500 certification is for you. This certification validates your skills in identity & access, platform protection, security operations, and data/app security across Azure.

The following are the key details of AZ-500 certification:

• Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)

The AZ-305 is an expert-level architect certification for cloud which validates your skills in designing secure, resilient, and cost-optimized architectures across compute, network, storage, monitoring. As it is an expert-level certification, you must have at least 3 years of hands-on experience in the industry.

The following are the key details of AZ-305 certification:

• Data Engineer (DP-203)

DP-203 is a certification for data engineering. It is a certification to validate your skills in designing and implementing data storage and processing solutions. You also validate your knowledge in securing, monitoring and optimizing data storage and data processing.

The following are the key details of DP-203 certification:

• AI Engineer (AI-102)

This AI Engineer certification provided by Azure is an intermediate/associate-level certification. You learn to build, manage, and deploy AI solutions that leverage Azure AI. This certification validates your skills in developing, deploying, integrating, maintaining and monitoring the development of AI solutions.

After this certification, you can successfully create computer vision solutions with Azure AI Vision and develop generative AI apps with Azure AI Foundry portal.

The following are the key details of AI-102 certification:

• DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400)

AZ-400 is an expert-level certification meant for candidates who want to become DevOps engineers. Their goal is to enable continuous delivery of value in organizations. This certification validates your skills in CI/CD, IaC, release strategies, monitoring/feedback loops using Azure DevOps and GitHub.

The following are the key details of AZ-400 certification:

Note:  If you're not sure, start with AZ-900, then Admin (AZ-104) if you like infrastructure, AZ-204 if you like coding, AZ-500 if security is your thing, AZ-305 if you like solution design, DP-203 for data pipelines, and AZ-400 if you love automation and delivery.

Why Choose Network Kings’ Azure Online Training?

The following are the highlighted features of enrolling at Network Kings:

Network Kings is a 100% online IT career platform, especially for becoming a network security expert. The following are the highlighted features of online training at Network Kings:

• You learn from the top 1% engineers working in top tech giants like Cisco, Microsoft, Apple, Aricent, Palo Alto Networks, Juniper Networks, etc.

• You get to practice hands-on in the world's biggest virtual labs like Cisco Packet Tracer and EVE-NG.

• You also get placement assistance as we have partnered with Engineer Edge. They craft your resume and apply for jobs for you.

• You get to become a Cloud Security Engineer in just 6-8 months.

Ready to supercharge your career as a Cloud Engineer? Check out more info here.

FAQs:

Which certification should I start with if I’m new to cloud computing?

Start with AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals). It covers cloud concepts, core services, pricing, governance, and security at a high level and costs USD 99.

How much do most role-based Azure exams cost?

Most associate/expert role-based exams cost USD 165, while AZ-900 is USD 99.

Are Azure certifications renewed or do I need to retake full exams?

Many Microsoft role-based certifications offer annual renewal through a free online assessment on Microsoft Learn instead of retaking the paid exam.

Which certification is best if I want to focus on security?

AZ-500 (Azure Security Engineer Associate) validates skills in identity & access, platform protection, security operations, and data/app security.

Do I need hands-on experience before taking associate or expert exams?

It’s recommended. Foundational AZ-900 can be taken by beginners, but associate/expert exams (like AZ-104, AZ-204, AZ-305) expect practical, hands-on experience—expert-level roles typically require several years of industry experience.