CCSP vs AZ-500: which certification should you get?
AZ-500: Microsoft retired this exam on August 31, 2026. Existing holders keep the credential until it expires; Microsoft has not named a direct replacement — check Microsoft Learn before studying.
| Metric | CCSP | AZ-500 |
|---|---|---|
| Exam / Program Cost | $599 | $165✓ |
| Study Hours | ~130h✓ | ~150h |
| Exam Duration | 180 min | 100 min |
| Exam Format | Multiple Choice | Multiple Choice |
| Level | Professional | Associate |
| Overall Score | 9/10✓ | 8.7/10 |
| Domain | Cybersecurity | IT |
| Validity | 3 yrs | 1 yrs |
| Industry Standard | Yes | Yes |
Choose CCSP if...
- →Senior security professionals moving into cloud
- →Cloud architects adding security depth
- →Security managers overseeing cloud environments
Choose AZ-500 if...
- →Azure admins adding security specialization
- →Security engineers in Azure-heavy enterprises
- →Cloud engineers targeting security architect roles
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