Which Microsoft Azure certification should I start with for a career in Cloud Architecture?

All answers to this question.

If you already have a solid grasp of networking, virtual machines, and storage, you can technically skip AZ-900. However, I usually recommend taking it anyway. It’s a lower-stakes exam that gets you used to the Microsoft testing environment and terminology. More importantly, it covers the "Governance and Compliance" aspects that are often ignored in technical roles but are vital for Architects. If you’re paying out of pocket, jumping to AZ-104 saves money, but the failure rate is significantly higher for those without the foundational concepts down.

   Answered 2025-05-20 by Emily Watson

Are you currently working in an environment that uses Azure, or are you learning entirely through sandboxes and theoretical labs for now?

   Answered 2025-05-22 by Mark Thompson

• Experience is everything for AZ-104. If you don't have hands-on access, the exam labs will be very difficult. I suggest using the free Azure credits to build a small hybrid network. If you can't configure a VNet peering or a VPN gateway from memory, you aren't ready for the Associate level yet.

     Commented 2025-05-25 by David Miller

The AZ-900 is great for the resume if you are applying for entry-level roles, as it shows you understand the business value of the cloud, not just the tech.

   Answered 2025-05-27 by Jessica Taylor

• Spot on, Jessica. Many Project Managers and Business Analysts take AZ-900 just to bridge the communication gap with the technical engineering teams.

     Commented 2025-05-30 by Sarah Jenkins