Azure · Certifications
The Microsoft certifications most relevant to my experience and work profile, prioritized by practical value.
Last reviewed · 13 July 2026
AZ-104 provides the operational foundation and is a formal requirement for Solutions Architect Expert. AZ-305 builds the architecture capability. SC-300 goes deeper into the area closest to my recent work: identity, authentication, authorization and governance.
Foundation
Implementation and operation of identity, governance, storage, compute, networking, monitoring and recovery. It is also the prerequisite for Azure Solutions Architect Expert.
Primary goal
Design of cloud and hybrid solutions across identity, governance, observability, data, continuity, compute, integration and networking. Requires Azure Administrator Associate.
Specialization
Microsoft Entra, hybrid identity, authentication methods, Conditional Access, workload identities, application access, PIM and identity governance.
Watch
The new developer track combines container compute, Azure data services for AI, messaging and events, Functions, security and observability. Relevant to further work with AI-assisted development.
Retiring
The former developer certification still covers useful Azure knowledge, but the exam, certification and renewals are retiring. It is therefore not a long-term primary track here.
For my profile, the architecture track matters most, but architecture without operational platform understanding quickly becomes abstract. That is why the recommendation begins with AZ-104 before AZ-305. SC-300 is a natural specialization because identity and access have been central to my work in recent years.