IT & Cloud
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
Free AZ-900 practice questions 30 questions with full answer explanations. No sign-up. Start practice →Overview
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) is the entry point to Microsoft's Azure certification path. It covers cloud concepts, core Azure services, and Azure pricing, governance and management at a conceptual level.
There is no technical prerequisite, and unlike Microsoft's role-based certifications, the fundamentals certification does not expire. It suits beginners, students, and non-technical staff at Microsoft-centric organisations.
✓ Who it is for
- Beginners who want to learn cloud vocabulary on the Microsoft platform
- Non-technical staff (sales, procurement, finance, project) in Azure-using organisations
- Students and career changers wanting a never-expiring first badge
- Decision-makers who need to follow Azure cost, governance and service conversations
- Anyone planning AZ-104 or AZ-204 later who wants a gentle on-ramp first
✕ Who it is not for
- People already working in Azure - skip to AZ-104.
- Those needing a hands-on role credential.
- Anyone wanting AWS or GCP.
Exam structure
| Describe cloud concepts | 25–30% |
|---|---|
| Describe Azure architecture and services | 35–40% |
| Describe Azure management and governance | 30–35% |
How the exam is weighted
- Cloud concepts 25-30%
- Azure architecture & services 35-40%
- Azure management & governance 30-35%
Realistic study time
- Non-technical / new 15-25 hours over 2-3 weeks
- Some IT 8-12 hours
Bars show relative effort, not a guarantee. Your time depends on background and study method.
Turn this into a week-by-week schedule with the Study Plan Generator.
What it really costs
Fees change and vary by region. Confirm the current amount on the official site before you register.
Want your full out-of-pocket figure? Try the Cost Calculator.
Salary & career value
Indicative ranges for orientation only - not surveyed data, and not financial or career advice. Sources and date below.
AZ-900 is foundational, so it rarely moves pay on its own. Indicative US pay for the entry roles below is broad and varies a lot by region and experience; the cert is one factor among many and is best treated as a stepping stone to role-based certs (AZ-104, AZ-204) that carry more weight.
Pass rate: Not published. Microsoft does not publish pass rates for Azure Fundamentals or any of its exams. As a beginner-friendly exam, AZ-900 is widely considered approachable, but no official percentage exists; you need 700 / 1000 to pass.
Indicative annual pay (USD), each role's typical band on a shared scale.
Other markets (indicative)
| United Kingdom | ~£32k-55k |
|---|---|
| India | ~₹4-9 LPA |
| Australia | ~A$75k-115k |
Jobs that often ask for it:
- Cloud Support Associate
- IT Support Specialist
- Junior Cloud Engineer
- Project Coordinator (cloud teams)
- Technical Sales (entry)
Is it worth it?
Worth it as a confidence builder and a CV line for non-technical roles in Microsoft environments, and the fact that it never expires makes it low-maintenance once earned. It is a sensible first step if Azure terminology feels unfamiliar and you want structure before AZ-104 or AZ-204. It is not worth much on its own for engineering jobs, where employers expect the role-based certifications, and people already comfortable with cloud basics can usually skip it and go straight to AZ-104. Treat it as orientation, not a hiring credential.
Not sure this is the right exam for you? Compare your options with the Exam Finder.
Compare AZ-900 with other exams
Independent, like-for-like comparisons to help you choose the right one.
Career paths featuring AZ-900
What to do next
AZ-900 is the entry point; follow with AZ-104 (admin) or AZ-204 (developer). See the Cloud Engineer career path.
On exam day
Through Pearson VUE, centre or online; about 45 minutes, mostly multiple-choice. The free practice assessment on Microsoft Learn mirrors the real style.
Keeping your certification
Fundamentals certifications do not expire, so there is nothing to renew.
FAQ
- Is AZ-900 worth it?
- As a foundational, never-expiring certification it is a low-risk first step, especially for non-technical roles. For engineering jobs, AZ-104 carries far more weight.
- How long to prepare for AZ-900?
- Most people need one to two weeks of part-time study. It is conceptual, with no hands-on requirement.
- AZ-900 or AWS Cloud Practitioner?
- Choose the platform your target employers use. Both are entry-level, vendor-fundamentals exams of similar difficulty.
- Can I self-study for AZ-900?
- Yes, very easily. The free Microsoft Learn path and free practice assessment are usually enough; most people prepare in two to three weeks of light study.
- What jobs can AZ-900 help me get?
- It is foundational, so it rarely lands a technical role alone. It helps non-technical staff (sales, PM, support) work with Azure teams and is a stepping stone to AZ-104 or AZ-204.
- How much does AZ-900 cost in total?
- Around US$99 (varies by country), and the free Microsoft Learn path means materials can cost nothing. It does not expire, so there is no renewal cost.
- Is AZ-900 recognised by employers?
- As a foundational badge it is recognised but not weighty on its own. Its value is demonstrating cloud literacy and as a confidence-building first step toward role-based Azure certs.
Related exams
- Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) - Microsoft
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C02) - Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Free study resources
- Microsoft Learn free AZ-900 path ↗
- AZ-900 skills measured and free practice ↗
- freeCodeCamp free full-length courses ↗