Microsoft certifications are role-based and span several tracks - Azure infrastructure (AZ), Microsoft 365 (MS/MD), Security, Compliance and Identity (SC), Data (DP), and Power Platform (PL). Most people start with a Fundamentals exam, pick the Associate that matches their job, and work up to an Expert or Specialty credential. Here is how the tracks progress, with free practice for every exam.
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Fundamentals
Start here if you are new to the platform or subject.- AZ-900Microsoft Azure FundamentalsCloud and Azure basics: core services, pricing, SLAs, and governance. The entry point for everyone.View AZ-900 practice exam →
- AI-901Azure AI FundamentalsCore AI and machine-learning concepts and the Azure AI services that implement them.View AI-901 practice exam →
- DP-900Azure Data FundamentalsCore data concepts and how relational and non-relational data work on Azure.View DP-900 practice exam →
- SC-900Security, Compliance, and Identity FundamentalsSecurity, compliance, and identity fundamentals across Microsoft Entra, Defender, and Purview.View SC-900 practice exam →
- PL-900Microsoft Power Platform FundamentalsPower Platform fundamentals: Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, and Copilot Studio.View PL-900 practice exam →
Associate
Pick the role that matches your work.- AZ-104Microsoft Azure AdministratorDay-to-day Azure administration: identity, governance, storage, compute, and networking. The most popular associate exam.View AZ-104 practice exam →
- AZ-700Azure Network Engineer AssociateDesigning and implementing Azure networking. For network engineers.View AZ-700 practice exam →
- MS-102Microsoft 365 AdministratorMicrosoft 365 tenant administration: identity, security, and compliance across the suite.View MS-102 practice exam →
- MD-102Microsoft Endpoint AdministratorEndpoint administration: deploying, managing, and protecting Windows devices with Intune.View MD-102 practice exam →
- SC-200Microsoft Security Operations AnalystSecurity operations: detection, investigation, and response with Defender XDR and Sentinel.View SC-200 practice exam →
- SC-300Microsoft Identity and Access AdministratorIdentity and access administration with Microsoft Entra.View SC-300 practice exam →
- SC-500Cloud and AI Security Engineer AssociateSecuring Azure and AI workloads: identity, platform, data, and security operations. The successor to AZ-500.View SC-500 practice exam →
- PL-300Microsoft Power BI Data AnalystBuilding and publishing Power BI reports and data models. For data analysts.View PL-300 practice exam →
Expert
Design solutions across a whole platform.- AZ-305Azure Solutions Architect ExpertDesigning Azure infrastructure solutions across identity, data, continuity, and infrastructure. Do AZ-104 first.View AZ-305 practice exam →
- AZ-400Azure DevOps Engineer ExpertDevOps: combining people, process, and tooling for continuous delivery on Azure.View AZ-400 practice exam →
- SC-100Microsoft Cybersecurity ArchitectDesigning a Zero Trust strategy and cybersecurity architecture. An associate security background is recommended.View SC-100 practice exam →
Specialty
Go deep in one focused area.Compare popular exams
How CertGrid helps you pass
Every exam in this path has a full CertGrid practice bank: hundreds of exam-style questions, an explanation for every answer (including why each wrong option is wrong), and timed mock exams that score like the real thing. Start free and upgrade to Pro for unlimited practice across the whole path.
Frequently asked questions
Which Microsoft certification should I get first?
A Fundamentals exam that matches your area - AZ-900 for Azure, SC-900 for security, DP-900 for data, PL-900 for Power Platform. They need no prior experience and build the vocabulary the later exams assume.
Do I have to take the exams in order?
No. Fundamentals exams are recommended but never required prerequisites. Experienced professionals often start directly at the Associate level for their role.
What is the difference between the AZ, MS, SC, DP, and PL tracks?
AZ is Azure infrastructure, MS/MD is Microsoft 365 and endpoints, SC is security/compliance/identity, DP is data, and PL is Power Platform. Choose the track that matches your job, then follow it up through Associate and Expert.
Do I need an Associate before an Expert exam?
It is not officially required, but Expert exams like AZ-305 and SC-100 assume hands-on, associate-level knowledge. Most people earn the matching Associate first.