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Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900): Complete Overview

Everything you need to know about the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification: what it is, who it's for, exam details, career value, and how to pass it.

✔ Last updated: August 2026 · Sources: official Microsoft Learn & Microsoft exam outline

What is the Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification?

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) is Microsoft's entry-level certification that validates your understanding of cloud concepts, core Azure services, and Azure management and governance. It's designed for beginners — no technical experience or prerequisites required.

Certification details at a glance

ItemDetails
Official nameMicrosoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
LevelBeginner / Fundamentals
Exam codeAZ-900
PrerequisitesNone
Cost$99 USD (free/discounted vouchers available)
Format40–60 questions · 45 minutes · multiple choice, multi-select, drag-and-drop
Passing score700 out of 1000
RenewalNever expires

Who is it for?

  • Beginners entering cloud computing
  • Students building a resume
  • Career changers moving into IT/cloud
  • Non-technical professionals (sales, PM, marketing) working with Azure
  • IT pros planning to pursue AZ-104 or other Azure certifications

What the exam covers (2026 objectives)

DomainWeightWhat it covers
Describe cloud concepts25–30%Cloud benefits, IaaS/PaaS/SaaS, deployment models, shared responsibility, CapEx vs OpEx
Describe Azure architecture & services35–40%Regions, availability zones, compute, storage, databases, networking, identity, AI services
Describe Azure management & governance30–35%Cost management, governance (Policy, RBAC, locks), monitoring, compliance, pricing, SLAs

The January 2026 refresh added Azure AI Services, Microsoft Copilot, and Responsible AI across all domains — see our study guide section 6 for details.

Career value

  • Foundation for all Azure role certifications (AZ-104, AZ-305, and more)
  • Recognized globally by employers as proof of cloud literacy
  • Opens doors to entry-level cloud, support, pre-sales, and business roles
  • Never expires — stays on your resume for life

See our honest breakdown: Is AZ-900 worth it? and AZ-900 salary & jobs.

How to prepare (free)

  1. Complete the free Microsoft Learn learning path (~5–6 hours)
  2. Practice with our 225+ free questions across 8 tests
  3. Take the full mock exam — score 80%+ twice
  4. Book the exam (Pearson VUE online or test center, or Certiport for students)
💡 Total prep time: 1–2 weeks, 1–2 hours daily. Most prepared candidates pass on the first attempt.

Test your knowledge with 225+ free questions

Practice with real exam-style questions — including the new 2026 AI content — and detailed explanations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AZ-900 certification?
AZ-900 (Microsoft Azure Fundamentals) is Microsoft's entry-level certification that validates basic knowledge of cloud concepts, core Azure services, and Azure management and governance.
Is AZ-900 good for beginners?
Yes — it's designed specifically for beginners with no prerequisites and no technical experience required.
How long does it take to get AZ-900 certified?
Most people pass with 1–2 weeks of study (10–20 hours total) using free resources.
What jobs can I get with Azure Fundamentals?
Entry-level cloud support, IT support, pre-sales, and business roles. It's also the foundation for AZ-104 (Azure Administrator) which opens higher-paying roles.
Does AZ-900 expire?
No — fundamentals certifications like AZ-900 never expire.