Learn about Azure Fundamentals Certification benefits, requirements, and career opportunities in this 2025 guide.
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals is a six-part learning series that includes exam preparation and a certification exam. It focuses on providing a high-level overview of core Azure cloud platform components. The Azure suite contains over 200 products and services that range from AI and machine learning to web services [1]. Learners will also gain hands-on experience through exercises. The list below summarises course content for the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals programme:
Cloud computing concepts, cloud services, hybrid cloud models, and cloud-based solutions
Core Azure architectural components
Azure management tools and governance features
Networking services and compliance features
Microsoft service level agreements and cost management
Once you feel proficient in these areas, you can register for the Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 exam, which covers the concepts above. Your certification will show employers or clients your expertise in the Azure cloud platform.
The exam itself only takes 45 minutes. The amount of time it takes to prepare depends on you. You have two options for earning the Azure Fundamentals Certification:
1. Your study can be self-paced and independent. Microsoft offers this option at no charge.
2. You can opt for an instructor-led learning series. This paid option includes several modules and requires up to 10 hours on average.
Certification in Microsoft Azure Fundamentals is valuable for those who want to acquire or prove foundational knowledge of cloud services and Azure functions. Benefits of earning an Azure Fundamentals Certification include:
Develop in-demand skills. Many companies and enterprises are migrating to cloud-based solutions, increasing the demand for professionals with cloud expertise.
Potential to earn college credit through the American Council on Education (ACE). College credits through ACE recognise the hours you spent completing the certification.
Flexible continued education. Continued education can help you master the ever-expanding technical skills you need to compete in the job market. A 100 percent online learning experience you can complete independently or with instructor guidance benefits those with a busy lifestyle.
An Azure Fundamentals Certification can be an excellent way to make your CV stand out to potential employers. Certifications from industry leaders like Microsoft can help demonstrate your knowledge of cloud computing models, cloud governance strategy, cloud migration, and more. Skill-based hiring practices are rising and will likely continue gaining popularity.
Cloud technologies are in high demand, and Microsoft Azure is one of the leading cloud platforms. It holds 25 percent of the worldwide cloud infrastructure market share behind Amazon Web Service's 31 percent, according to Statista [2], and Microsoft reports that over 95 percent of Fortune 500 companies use Azure [3].
You can work in nearly any industry with Azure Fundamentals certification. Microsoft Azure provides cloud solutions for many industries, including but not limited to:
Financial services
Government
Health care
Manufacturing
Retail
Energy
Media and entertainment
Agriculture
Gaming
Banking
Azure Fundamentals certification can enhance your employability and success in many cloud-based IT roles. Below is a list of cloud-related job titles and their average Indian base salaries according to Glassdoor United Kingdom’s June 2024 data.
Cloud developer: £49,412 [4]
Security engineer: £56,672 [5]
Data engineer: £52,424 [6]
Cloud engineer: £52,709 [7]
The Azure Fundamentals programme is beginner-friendly and appropriate for professionals new to the Azure platform. Before taking the certification exam, you should have foundational level knowledge of information technology (IT), familiarity with the concepts of cloud computing, and a basic understanding of application development, networking, and storage services. You must also have a working knowledge of Azure architecture, services, management, and governance. You can take the Azure Fundamentals learning series or enrol in other online AZ-900 Certification exam preparations to meet these prerequisites.
You must answer between 40 and 60 questions on the Azure Fundamentals exam. Question formatting ranges from multiple-choice to drag-and-drop. You must obtain a score of 700 or higher out of 1,000 to pass.
The Azure Fundamentals Certification does not expire. However, other offerings, such as role-based and speciality certifications, expire after one year. These certifications are eligible for renewal as long as the renewal process begins before expiration.
You can study independently, take instructor-led courses, or combine the two to prepare for the certification exam. Within these learning paths are both paid and free options.
You can learn the core concepts of Azure by accessing Microsoft's collection of six learning paths. The coursework is online and includes both text and video instruction. The modules take approximately 10 hours to complete. However, this free training version is self-paced so that you can take time.
Microsoft also offers preparation for the Azure Fundamentals exam through instructor-led classes. You'll learn the same concepts as in its self-paced modules with the added benefit of a live instructor. You will have access to lectures, hands-on labs, and demonstrations to aid your learning. The course takes one day to complete and is primarily virtual. Prices vary by location.
After learning the basic concepts, practice tests are an excellent approach to preparing for the exam. Practice tests designed by Microsoft professionals assess all the objectives you'll encounter on your exam. You can access an official practice exam for a fee through Microsoft's educational partner, Pearson.
Only you can ultimately decide if Microsoft Azure Fundamentals is worth it. If the benefits of earning this credential align with your goals, consider taking some online courses to help you prepare. For example, you can explore core cloud concepts and familiarise yourself with Microsoft Azure services, architect components, and application design with the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 Exam Prep Specialisation.
Microsoft. "Azure, https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/." Accessed 20 January 2025.
Statista. "Cloud infrastructure services vendor market share worldwide from fourth quarter 2017 to first quarter 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/967365/worldwide-cloud-infrastructure-services-market-share-vendor/." Accessed 20 January 2025.
Microsoft. "What is Azure?, https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/cloud-computing-dictionary/what-is-azure." Accessed 20 January 2025.
Glassdoor United Kingdom. "Cloud Developer Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/cloud-developer-salary-SRCH_KO0,15.htm." Accessed 20 January 2025.
Glassdoor United Kingdom. "Security Engineer Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/security-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,17.htm." Accessed 20 January 2025.
Glassdoor United Kingdom. "Data Engineer Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/data-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,13.htm." Accessed 20 January 2025.
Glassdoor United Kingdom. "Cloud Engineer Salaries, https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/cloud-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm." Accessed 20 January 2025.
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