Azure training and certification can be confusing at first; after all, there are multiple levels of Azure certification and dozens of different training paths to choose from. To make things easier, this article provides an overview of the different certification levels available and what each one means.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)

The MCSA is the first level of certification for those looking to show their expertise in Microsoft Azure. This certification requires passing two exams, which cover topics such as deploying and configuring virtual machines, networking, and storage. With an MCSA, you can prove your skills in using Azure to build solutions that are secure, reliable, and scalable.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) (five sentences): The MCSD is the second level of certification for those looking to show their expertise in Microsoft Azure.

In addition to passing three more exams, you must also show that you have at least one year of experience developing cloud-based solutions. The MCSD will validate your expertise with application development and integration on Microsoft Azure.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) - Second Paragraph: Microsoft Certified Solutions Architect (MCSA): The MCSA is the next step in your certification journey. Now that you’ve proved your skills on a lower level, you can advance to prove that you have mastery of Azure architecture design and solution deployment. You will be required to pass one exam, which focuses on designing an enterprise-level application for managing workloads using Azure services like virtual machines, storage, or databases.

The MCSE is the highest level of certification offered by Microsoft. It provides an applicant with MCSA and MSSE qualifications. With it, you can prove your expertise in implementing solutions based on Microsoft software across an entire enterprise. To earn an MCSE, you must first get an MCSA and then pass a single advanced exam for each area of specialization. You can choose from Cloud Platform and Infrastructure, Mobility, Collaboration, Data Management, Analytics, or Messaging.

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

The Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification is the most sought-after certification Microsoft offers. This credential demonstrates that you have the skills and knowledge to design and implement solutions that span multiple technologies, both on-premises and in the cloud.

This level of certification requires that you pass five exams, and you must hold at least one other current credential. The MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure credential covers various topics related to designing, deploying, and managing Microsoft public cloud services such as Azure. Additionally, you must pass these exams, which include 70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions; the 70-533 exam is about implementing the Microsoft Azure infrastructure; Microsoft Azure Solution Architect 70-535; two electives of your choice. 

Microsoft also offers MCSE specializations for IT professionals who are interested in gaining expertise in a specific technology area. Currently, Microsoft has seven certifications available in four different tracks: Data Management and Analytics, Software Development, Virtualization, and Windows Server.

To earn an MCSE certification, you must pass at least one required exam and two electives. Each track is made up of between one and three exams, depending on whether you want to specialize in a given technology area.

Each of these certifications requires that you hold at least one other current Microsoft certification. For example, to be awarded an MCSE: Data Management and Analytics credential, you need to pass two exams: 70-745: Querying Data with Transact-SQL; and 70-746: Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3.

Master Data Services (MDS)

Microsoft Azure offers different levels of certification for its cloud platform. There are three types of certifications available, namely Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD), and Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE). 

The MCSA is the entry-level certification, and it covers basic Azure administration. The MCSD is geared towards developers who want to create applications on Azure. And finally, the MCSE is for IT professionals who want to focus on the advanced features and functionality of Azure.

All of these certifications come with three different tiers of achievement: associate, professional, and expert. Earning a certification means you’ve passed all of its exams.

Each tier is a stepping stone towards your goal. For example, if you earn an associate certification, you’ll need to then pass all of its associated exams in order to earn a professional-level certification.

Each tier of certification is more advanced than its associated lower level. The MCSA is more difficult to achieve than an associate certification, which is more difficult to achieve than a professional-level certification. Similarly, it takes longer to pass all of your exams and earn your MCSE certification than it does your MCSD or MCSA.

You can attend a training course, study on your own, or use a combination of these methods. All of these options have their pros and cons. If you choose to go to class, you’ll have access to an instructor who can help guide you through material that might otherwise be confusing. The drawback is that classes can be expensive and time-consuming if you need to travel far away from home.

Site Recovery Manager (SRM)

SRM is a solution for ensuring the continuity of business activities and ensuring the protection of data, applications, and virtual machines in both public and private clouds. SRM provides you with the ability to recover from outages with little or no data loss and minimal downtime. There are three different levels of SRM certification: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. All levels have specific qualifications which need to be satisfied to obtain certification. 

To be certified at that level, you must pass two exams: exam 70-543: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions and exam 70-545: Implementing Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines.

To attain silver certification, you’ll need to pass two more exams: exam 70-549: Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Platform Solutions and exam 70-552: Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions.

Gold certification requires passing three more exams: exam 70-547: Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure, exam 70-554: Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions, and exam 70-560: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions.

It’s important to note that each level requires a certain number of credits. Bronze certification requires 10 credits, Silver certification requires 20 credits, and Gold certification requires 30 credits. Certifications must be renewed every year to ensure that you have current knowledge about Microsoft Azure products and services. To renew your SRM certifications, you will need to retake your exams unless you passed them more than 365 days ago.

Microsoft Specialist Certifications by Exam

The Microsoft Specialist certification is an entry-level certification that validates your ability to use specific Microsoft technologies. There are currently three Specialist exams available, each covering a different technology: Windows Server 2012, Configuring; Networking Fundamentals; and Security Fundamentals.

The Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) is the next level up from Specialist and requires you to pass two exams. The first exam is a core exam, which covers either Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2016.

The second exam you need to pass is a specialization exam, which focuses on your area of expertise. For example, if you want to specialize in Windows Server 2012 or 2016 administration, then your specialization exam would be one of these exams: 70-410 Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012; or 70-411 Administering Windows Server 2012.

The Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is one of several of Microsoft’s highest-level certifications. There are three MCSE certification tracks: Infrastructure, Messaging, and Productivity; Security; and Data Management and Analytics. You can earn an MCSE by passing two core exams and two area exams in one track, or you can choose to pursue each certification separately. To get your first MCSE certification, you need to pass four exams.

Conclusion

After reading this blog post, you should have a better understanding of the different Azure certification levels and what each one entails. The three main levels are Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD), and Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE). MCSA is the entry-level certification, MCSD is for intermediate-level professionals, and MCSE is the expert-level certification.

Your specific requirements will determine which certification level you’ll need to pursue. If you’re considering Microsoft certification, and you want to learn more about each of these three levels, please keep reading our next articles. You can also find additional information about Microsoft certifications on our official website.

In our next post, we’ll provide additional details about these three certification levels and how you can get started on your journey.