Microsoft Certification Retirements 2026: What’s Changing and How to Prepare
Which Microsoft Certifications Are Retiring in 2026?
Microsoft has announced the retirement of three major Azure certifications in 2026. Each is being replaced by a new exam that better reflects how cloud roles now integrate AI capabilities.
AI-102: Azure AI Engineer Associate retires 30 June 2026. It is being replaced by AI-103: Azure AI App and Agent Developer Associate. The AI-103 beta exam is available from April 2026.
DP-100: Azure Data Scientist Associate retires 1 June 2026 — the earliest of the three. It is being replaced by AI-300: Machine Learning Operations (MLOps) Engineer Associate. Training retires in April 2026 and the AI-300 exam is expected to go live in May 2026.
AZ-500: Azure Security Engineer Associate retires 31 August 2026. It is being replaced by SC-500: Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate. The SC-500 beta opens in May 2026.
All three retiring exams remain available until their retirement dates. Your existing certifications stay valid on your transcript until they expire — retirement only affects new exam attempts and renewals.
What Replaces AI-102?
The AI-102 (Azure AI Engineer Associate) is being replaced by the AI-103 (Azure AI App and Agent Developer Associate). This isn’t a minor update — it’s a fundamentally different exam.
AI-102 focused on deploying pre-built Azure AI services like Computer Vision, Language Understanding, and Azure Bot Service. AI-103 shifts the focus to building generative AI applications and multi-agent orchestration using Azure AI Foundry. Expect heavy coverage of agentic architectures, multi-step reasoning workflows, and production-ready agent deployment.
If you’re currently studying for AI-102 and your exam date is before 30 June 2026, you can still sit it. If you’re just starting out, go straight to AI-103 material — the skills it tests are more relevant to how AI engineering roles actually work in 2026.
ReadRoost has a practice pack for AI-103. Search for AI-103 in the ReadRoost marketplace to start practising for the replacement exam.
What Replaces DP-100?
The DP-100 (Azure Data Scientist Associate) is being replaced by the AI-300 (Machine Learning Operations Engineer Associate). The shift reflects Microsoft’s recognition that the data scientist role has evolved from model building to full lifecycle ML operations.
DP-100 covered Azure Machine Learning workspaces, experiment tracking, and model training. AI-300 expands into deploying, operationalising, and maintaining ML and generative AI solutions in production — think MLOps pipelines, model monitoring, responsible AI governance, and scaling inference endpoints.
DP-100 retires first (1 June 2026), so you have the least runway of the three. If you haven’t booked yet, seriously consider whether AI-300 is a better use of your study time — especially if your role involves production ML systems.
ReadRoost is building an AI-300 practice pack now. In the meantime, visit the ReadRoost marketplace for other Azure and AI study packs to keep your study momentum going.
What Replaces AZ-500?
The AZ-500 (Azure Security Engineer Associate) is being replaced by the SC-500 (Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate). This is the biggest scope change of the three — the new exam expands the security role to cover AI model protection alongside traditional cloud security.
AZ-500 focused on Azure-specific security controls: network security groups, Azure Firewall, Key Vault, Defender for Cloud, and identity management. SC-500 retains that foundation but adds AI security topics: securing AI model deployments, protecting training data, governing AI outputs, and implementing security patterns for enterprise AI solutions.
You have the most time here — AZ-500 doesn’t retire until 31 August 2026, and the SC-500 beta opens in May 2026. If you’re already deep into AZ-500 study, finish it. If you’re just starting, consider waiting for SC-500 to go live.
ReadRoost has a practice pack for SC-500. Search for SC-500 in the ReadRoost marketplace to get started on the replacement exam.
Should I Take the Old Exam or Wait?
The right call depends on how far through your study plan you are and how much time you have before retirement. Here’s a simple framework:
Retiring within 30 days: Take it now if you’re ready, or cut your losses and switch to the replacement. Do not cram for an exam that’s about to disappear — the replacement cert will be more valuable on your CV.
Retiring in 1 to 3 months: You have time to decide. If you’re more than halfway through your study plan, finish and sit the old exam. If you’re just starting, switch to replacement material now.
Retiring in 3 to 6 months: Start with the replacement material. By the time you’re exam-ready, the new version will be generally available and you’ll earn a more current certification.
One practical note on beta exams: Microsoft beta exams are typically offered at an 80% discount, but results take 4 to 6 weeks to come back. If you need your result by a specific date, plan accordingly.
What About Certifications You’ve Already Earned?
If you already hold AI-102, DP-100, or AZ-500, your certification remains valid until its expiration date. Microsoft does not revoke certifications when exams retire.
However, you will not be able to renew a retired certification once the exam is gone. When your cert expires, you’ll need to earn the replacement certification instead. Microsoft typically provides a renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn up until the retirement date — if your cert is expiring soon, renew it before the exam retires.
Your certification transcript continues to show your earned credentials regardless of exam retirement status.
The Bigger Picture: Why Microsoft Is Doing This
These retirements are part of Microsoft’s broader push to embed AI across every cloud role. Security engineers now need to understand AI model threats. Data scientists need MLOps skills. AI engineers need agentic architecture expertise.
This isn’t unique to Microsoft — AWS retired the ML Specialty (MLS-C01) in favour of the ML Engineer Associate (MLA-C01) in early 2026 for similar reasons. The industry is converging on the view that AI literacy is now table stakes for cloud professionals.
If you’re planning your certification path for 2026 and beyond, prioritise exams that include AI and automation topics. They’ll stay relevant longer, and they reflect where hiring managers are focusing right now.
Start Studying for the Replacement Exams
ReadRoost has practice packs for AI-103 (Azure AI App and Agent Developer) and SC-500 (Cloud and AI Security Engineer) available now. An AI-300 (MLOps Engineer) pack is in development.
All packs include AI-generated practice questions, spaced repetition flashcards, and detailed explanations. No credit card required to get started — create a free account and begin studying today.
Visit the ReadRoost marketplace to browse all available practice packs for Microsoft, AWS, and other vendors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the AI-102 certification retiring?
Yes. The AI-102 (Azure AI Engineer Associate) retires on 30 June 2026. It is being replaced by the AI-103 (Azure AI App and Agent Developer Associate), which covers generative AI and agentic architectures using Azure AI Foundry.
What is replacing AZ-500?
The AZ-500 (Azure Security Engineer Associate) is being replaced by the SC-500 (Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate), which expands the security role to include AI model protection and governance. AZ-500 retires on 31 August 2026.
When does DP-100 retire?
The DP-100 (Azure Data Scientist Associate) retires on 1 June 2026. It is being replaced by the AI-300 (Machine Learning Operations Engineer Associate), which focuses on production MLOps and generative AI operations.
Is my existing Microsoft certification still valid after the exam retires?
Yes. Exam retirement only affects new attempts and renewals. Your earned certification remains valid on your transcript until its expiration date. However, you cannot renew it once the exam retires, so complete your renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn before the retirement date if needed.
Should I take the old Microsoft exam or wait for the replacement?
If your exam retires within 30 days and you are ready, take it. If you are just starting to study, switch to the replacement exam material. The replacement certifications cover more current skills and will serve you better long-term.
Does ReadRoost have practice packs for the replacement exams?
Yes. ReadRoost has practice packs for AI-103 (Azure AI App and Agent Developer) and SC-500 (Cloud and AI Security Engineer) available now. An AI-300 (MLOps Engineer) pack is in development. All packs are free to start with no credit card required.
Is AZ-500 being retired completely or just updated?
The current AZ-500 exam is being retired on 31 August 2026. The replacement is a new exam with a new code: SC-500, the Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate. It covers the same Azure security fundamentals but adds AI security topics. You will need to pass SC-500 to hold an equivalent active certification after AZ-500 retires.
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