Microsoft is retiring 12 role-based certifications through 2026
Microsoft's largest credential overhaul since 2019 retires 12 role-based certifications between June and September 2026, replacing most with AI-focused exams.
By MyCertPath Editorial
The short version
- ✓12 role-based certifications retiring June–September 2026
- ✓Affected: AI-900, AI-102, DP-100, AZ-204, AZ-500, AZ-800/801 and more
- ✓Replacements are AI- and security-focused (AI-901, AI-103, SC-500, AZ-802)
- ✓Check Microsoft Learn for your exam's exact date and replacement path
Microsoft has announced the retirement of 12 role-based certifications, phased between June and September 2026 — the biggest change to its certification program since the shift to role-based credentials in 2019.
The retiring credentials include Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900), Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102), Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100), Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204), Azure Security Engineer Associate (AZ-500), and the Windows Server Hybrid Administrator track (AZ-800/AZ-801), along with several Power Platform and Dynamics 365 exams.
Microsoft is rebuilding the program around AI, agentic architectures, and modern cloud security. Most retiring exams have AI-focused replacements — for example AI-900 maps to a new AI-901, AI-102 to AI-103, AZ-500 to SC-500, and AZ-800/801 to AZ-802.
If you are mid-study for any of these exams, check Microsoft Learn for the exact retirement date and the recommended replacement path before scheduling. Certifications you already hold remain on your transcript.