Microsoft Certifications are a must-have for any IT professionals looking to excel in the field. From system administrators and database administrators to developers and analysts, these certifications showcase your expertise - helping you leave competitors behind as you strive towards professional growth and career advancements in today's competitive job market.
Become an expert in Microsoft technology with the right certifications for your role. Our guide to Microsoft Certifications in 2024 provides a streamlined path to help you make informed decisions about which credentials are best suited for success and professional development based on your job roles.
Additionally, you'll discover the best role-based Microsoft certifications which are retired and no longer offered by Microsoft.
Benefits of Microsoft Certification
Becoming Microsoft certified is a great method to showcase your knowledge, validate your abilities, and advance your IT career. Microsoft Certified experts, according to studies:
Earn more: Up to 20% more is earned by up to 23% of Microsoft-certified technologists.
Stand out: Due to validation, certified employees' skills are more widely recognized.
Advance: 49% think cloud certifications make people more employable.
Microsoft Certification Pathway
Five main technologies are used to categorize Microsoft certifications. Which are:
You can pursue one of three certifications for each of the technologies mentioned above:
Fundamental - perfect for those just starting off with Microsoft certifications.
Role-Based - develop the abilities required to support a specific employment role. The role-based certifications are separated into associate and expert.
Microsoft job roles definition:
AI Engineer
DevOps Engineer
Security Engineer
Functional Consultant
Data Engineer
Data Scientist
Developer
Administrator
Solution Architect
Specialty Certifications - Increase your technological proficiency and oversee business solutions.
View the Microsoft Certification Roadmap for 2022 below for a better understanding. To view the whole certification list, click on the image to enlarge it.
Microsoft Power Platform Certifications
Microsoft Power Platform certifications are a great way for tech professionals to demonstrate the skills, knowledge and competence needed to create business solutions using systems and services powered by Microsoft.
With certifications covering Power Apps, Microsoft Flow, Power BI and Power Automate, IT professionals can prove their expertise enabling businesses to optimize their data analytics, improve customer service processes, optimize workflow and automation capabilities while also increasing productivity and efficiency.
Whether an individual is just starting out with Power Platform or has considerable experience working with Microsoft cloud technologies, attaining these credentials requires extensive preparation and mastery of both theoretical and practical applications of Power Platform, ensuring that those certified have a deep understanding of how to effectively use all the different parts together to fulfil their intended purpose.
Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals Certifications:
Microsoft Power Platform Associate Certifications:
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)
Microsoft Power Platform Expert Certifications:
Microsoft Azure Certifications
With the IT industry rapidly transitioning to a cloud-based approach, Azure certifications offer vital advantages in staying ahead of the game. Job seekers between positions can give themselves an edge and demonstrate proficiency with this specialized certification; while established organizations can use it as a reliable means for recruiting top talent and cultivating internal skill sets that coincide with their business' unique needs.
Microsoft Azure certifications are invaluable tools for professionals that wish to expand their knowledge and skillset in the cloud-computing field. With a range of available options for various cloud roles, learners who're new to cloud as well as experienced cloud computing professionals can benefit from unlocking their potential through these certifications.
Earning an Azure certification is a great way to boost your IT career. Cloud-enabled solutions have increased demand for Azure certified professionals, making Azure certifications the most sought-after Microsoft qualifications in 2022.
If you're new to Azure and want to learn more, you should start with the fundamentals.
Azure Fundamentals Certifications:
Following that, you should pursue a certification depending on your job duties.
The Azure Associate and Azure Expert certifications are two examples of this.
Azure Associate Certifications:
Azure Expert Certifications:
Afterwards, you can expand your technical knowledge of Azure by earning a specialized certification.
Azure Specialty Certifications:
Dynamics 365 Certifications
Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a collection of SaaS programs and services created to meet enterprise applications' demands for CRM, intelligent analytics, and ERP.
There are two ways to obtain Microsoft Certified in Dynamics 365. the Finance and Operations Apps Path and the Customer Engagement Apps Path.
Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement Apps
You can choose from six certifications for the Customer Engagement Apps path. One specialty certification, four associate certifications and one fundamental certification.
These in particular include:
Dynamics 365 Fundamental Certifications:
Dynamics 365 Associate Certifications:
Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultant (PL-200, MB-210)
Dynamics 365 Marketing Functional Consultant (PL-200, MB-220)
Dynamics 365 Customer Service Functional Consultant (PL-200, MB-230)
Dynamics 365 Field Service Functional Consultant (PL-200, MB-240)
Dynamics 365 Specialty Certifications:
Customer Data Platform Specialty (MB-260)
Dynamics 365 Finance Operations Apps
You have eight certifications for the Finance and Operations Apps route. Six associate certifications, one expert certification, and one fundamentals certification.
These in particular include:
Dynamics 365 Fundamental Certifications:
Dynamics 365 Associate Certifications:
Dynamics 365 Finance Functional Consultant (MB-300, MB-310)
Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Functional Consultant (MB-300, MB-320)
Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Functional Consultant (MB-300, MB-330)
Dynamics 365 Commerce Functional Consultant (MB-300, MB-340)
Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Apps Developer (MB-300, MB-500)
Dynamics 365 Business Central Functional Consultant (MB-800)
Dynamics 365 Expert Certifications:
Microsoft 365 Certifications
Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365) is a platform that enables individuals and organizations to develop and implement Office apps and intelligent cloud services.
Microsoft 365 Fundamental Certifications:
Microsoft 365 Associate Certifications:
Microsoft 365 Expert Certifications:
Microsoft 365 Teams Voice Engineer Expert (MS-700, MS-720)
Microsoft 365 Specialty Certifications:
Exchange Online Support Engineer Specialty (MS-220) - Coming Soon
Teams Support Engineer Specialty (MS-740) - Coming Soon
Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identify Certifications
Those who want to become experts in Security, compliance, and identity (SCI) across all Microsoft platforms may consider obtaining a Microsoft Security certification.
Microsoft Security Fundamentals Certifications:
Microsoft Security Associate Certifications:
Microsoft Security Expert Certifications:
Microsoft Role-Based Certifications
Information technology was a generalist career decades ago when computer technology was still in its infancy. This meant that you learned how to perform the same fundamental duties on various systems. While some asked you to modify your training to meet a new system, some required certain qualifications.
Everything has changed in the present. The IT sector has been completely transformed by the opportunities offered by the internet, cloud-based, mobile, and other technologies.
Microsoft now provides solutions based on job responsibilities, matching IT training with particular jobs within IT departments. Businesses and you both gain from this in two ways.
First, it offers the sector a large number of freshly trained personnel who are educated in the most recent technologies in the areas of necessity.
Second, rather than spending months learning platforms and abilities that might or might not be relevant to employment prospects, workers can expedite their training to match current job openings.
A Shift from Platform to Role-Based Certifications as the Primary Focus
The increased IT possibilities have brought about this shift in mentality and concentration.
Training based on many platforms is no longer sufficient. Today, we receive training for the particular job needed on those platforms. The work roles may vary across different platforms in some circumstances, but they are still unique.
Which of these employment roles are some instances of? Some roles go beyond the usual "troubleshooter" job, such as developers, administrators, and solutions architects.
Although they use the platforms radically differently, each of these professions requires a solid understanding of the platform.
Everyone can find something in IT, and Microsoft Certifications can provide you with the knowledge you need to take advantage of the work opportunities that are currently accessible.
Microsoft Developer Certifications
Certification Type | Certification Name | Exams Code |
Associate | Azure Developer | AZ-204 |
Associate | Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps Developer | MB-300, MB-500 |
Associate | Microsoft 365 Developer | MS-600 |
Associate | Power Platform Developer | PL-400 |
Associate | Power Automate RPA Developer | PL-500 |
Specialty | Azure IoT Developer | AZ-220 |
Specialty | Azure Cosmos DB Developer | DP-420 |
Solutions Architect Certifications
Certification Type | Certification Name | Exams Code |
Expert | Azure Solutions Architect | AZ-305 |
Expert | Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps Solution Architect | MB-700 |
Expert | Power Platform Solution Architect | PL-600 |
Expert | Cybersecurity Architect | SC-100 |
Microsoft Administrator Certifications
Certification Type | Certification Name | Exams Code |
Associate | Azure Administrator | AZ-104 |
Specialty | Azure for SAP Workloads | AZ-120 |
Specialty | Azure Virtual Desktop | AZ-140 |
Associate | Azure Stack Hub Operator | AZ-600 |
Associate | Messaging Administrator | MS-203 |
Associate | Modern Desktop Administrator | MD-100, MD-101 |
Associate | Security Administrator | MS-500 |
Expert | Enterprise Administrator | MS-100, MS-101 |
Associate | Teams Administrator | MS-700 |
Associate | Identity and Access Administrator | SC-300 |
Associate | Information Protection Administrator | SC-400 |
Expert | Teams Voice Engineer | MS-720 |
Associate | Windows Server Hybrid Administrator | AZ-800, AZ-801 |
Expert | Cybersecurity Architect | SC-100 |
Functional Consultant Certifications
Certification Type | Certification Name | Exams Code |
Associate | Dynamics 365 Customer Service Functional Consultant | PL-200, MB-230 |
Associate | Dynamics 365 Field Service Functional Consultant | PL-200, MB-240 |
Associate | Dynamics 365 Finance Functional Consultant | MB-300, MB-310 |
Associate | Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Functional Consultant | MB-300, MB-320 |
Associate | Dynamics 365 Marketing Functional Consultant | PL-200, MB-220 |
Associate | Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultant | PL-200, MB-210 |
Associate | Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Functional Consultant | MB-300, MB-330 |
Associate | Power Platform Functional Consultant | PL-200 |
Associate | Dynamics 365 Business Central Functional Consultant | MB-800 |
Specialty | Customer Data Platform | MB-260 |
Security Engineer Certifications
Certification Type | Certification Name | Exams Code |
Associate | Azure Security Engineer | AZ-500 |
Associate | Security Operations Analyst | SC-200 |
Associate | Identity and Access Administrator | SC-300 |
Associate | Information Protection Administrator | SC-400 |
Associate | Windows Server Hybrid Administrator | AZ-800, AZ-801 |
Expert | Cybersecurity Architect | SC-100 |
Data Engineer Certifications
Certification Type | Certification Name | Exams Code |
Associate | Azure Data Engineer | DP-203 |
Specialty | Customer Data Platform | MB-260 |
Data Scientist Certifications
Certification Type | Certification Name | Exams Code |
Associate | Azure Data Scientist | DP-100 |
Specialty | Customer Data Platform | MB-260 |
AI Engineer Certifications
Certification Type | Certification Name | Exams Code |
Associate | Azure AI Engineer | AI-102 |
DevOps Engineer Certifications
Certification Type | Certification Name | Exams Code |
Expert | DevOps Engineer | AZ-400 |
GemRain Consulting is an authorized Microsoft Partner that provides all the Microsoft certifications training. Besides official certifications training, we do provide Microsoft customized training as well. These are courses that our Master Trainer developed throughout his years of experience in training the official Microsoft courseware. He had compiled all questions and feedback commonly asked in all of his different pieces of training and crafted this 100% hands-on style workshop series. This ensures all attendees share the same real-world experiences that our Master Trainer evangelized all these years. Most of our clients thoroughly enjoyed this variety of training and had broadly endorsed them.
Our Custom-Developed Courses are conducted in a workshop format, which is training based entirely on instructor-led hands-on driven classes. Our trainers thoroughly guide and perform hands-on lab exercises with the attendees to give them the maximum learning experience possible. If you are looking for a Microsoft series training that is not the "follow-the-book" or "read-the-instruction-manual" type, please email us at enquiry@gemrain.net or chat with us via our Live Chat.
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