The AZ-900 certification costs $99 USD in the United States in 2026. This is the official Microsoft exam voucher price for Azure Fundamentals — reduced from the previous $165 price. Outside the US, the cost varies by region — in India it is approximately 3,696 INR, in the UK approximately £50, and in Canada approximately CAD 136. The $99 exam fee is not your only cost. Your total investment depends on how you prepare, whether you retake, and which discount strategies you use — and with the right approach you can reduce the total to zero.
AZ-900 Exam Fee in 2026: The Official Price
The AZ-900 exam costs $99 USD as of 2026. Microsoft reduced the AZ-900 price from $165 to $99 to make cloud fundamentals more accessible. This price applies when booking directly through Pearson VUE or the Microsoft Learn certification portal.
| Pricing Detail | Information |
| Official exam fee (US) | $99 USD |
| Previous price | $165 USD |
| Exam delivery | Pearson VUE — online proctored or testing center |
| Payment methods | Credit card, debit card, voucher code |
| Voucher expiry | 1 year from purchase date |
| Reschedule deadline | At least 6 business days before exam |
| Cancellation deadline | At least 6 business days before exam |
Always verify the current price on the official Microsoft Learn exam scheduling page before purchasing. Microsoft occasionally adjusts regional pricing and the $99 figure reflects the US standard price as of June 2026.
AZ-900 Certification Cost by Country in 2026
Microsoft adjusts exam pricing by region based on local purchasing power and currency. The $99 USD price applies to the United States. Every other country pays a locally adjusted equivalent.
| Country | AZ-900 Exam Cost |
| United States | $99 USD |
| India | ₹3,696 INR |
| United Kingdom | £50 GBP |
| Canada | CAD 136 |
| Australia | AUD 133 |
| Germany | €91 EUR |
| United Arab Emirates | AED 363 |
| Singapore | SGD 133 |
| Pakistan | PKR 27,500 approx |
Important: Vouchers are region-locked. You cannot use an India voucher in the USA or vice versa. Always purchase your voucher for the country where you plan to take the exam.
The Real Total Cost of AZ-900: Complete Budget Breakdown
The $99 exam fee is only the beginning. Here is the honest total cost breakdown across every possible budget scenario:
Scenario 1: Zero Cost Path
| Item | Cost |
| Microsoft Learn free study path | $0 |
| Microsoft Virtual Training Day voucher | $0 — see discount section |
| Exam fee with free voucher | $0 |
| Total | $0 |
This is genuinely achievable. Microsoft regularly hosts free Virtual Training Day webinars for AZ-900 that include a free exam voucher upon attendance. This is the most underutilized cost-saving strategy in Azure certifications.
Scenario 2: Minimum Cost Path
| Item | Cost |
| Microsoft Learn free study path | $0 |
| YouTube study resources (John Savill AZ-900 cram) | $0 |
| Exam fee | $99 |
| Total | $99 |
This is the standard path for candidates who missed the free voucher window. Microsoft Learn is comprehensive enough that no paid course is required.
Scenario 3: Standard Preparation Path
| Item | Cost |
| Microsoft Learn free study path | $0 |
| Udemy course (on sale) | $15 to $20 |
| Practice exams | $10 to $30 |
| Exam fee | $99 |
| Total | $124 to $149 |
This is the most common path. A Udemy course during a sale plus practice exams plus the exam fee covers most candidates thoroughly.
Scenario 4: Full Investment Path
| Item | Cost |
| Microsoft Learn study path | $0 |
| Premium video course | $50 to $200 |
| Official practice assessment | $0 — free on Microsoft Learn |
| Third-party practice exams | $30 to $60 |
| Exam fee | $99 |
| Total | $179 to $359 |
Candidates who want maximum preparation comfort and the highest first-attempt pass rate typically invest in this range. For the complete career analysis of whether AZ-900 is worth this investment, our Is AZ-900 Worth It guide covers every detail including salary data and ROI calculation.
AZ-900 Retake Cost: What Happens If You Fail?
If you fail the AZ-900 exam, you pay the full $99 fee again for every retake. Microsoft does not offer discounted retake pricing.
| Retake Scenario | Policy | Cost |
| First retake | Must wait 24 hours after failing | $99 |
| Second retake | Must wait 14 days after failing | $99 |
| Third and subsequent retakes | Must wait 14 days between each | $99 per attempt |
| Maximum retakes per year | 5 attempts in any 12-month period | — |
| Retake if you passed and want a higher score | Allowed — no special restriction | $99 |
Worst-Case Retake Budget
| Scenario | Total Cost |
| Pass on first attempt | $99 |
| Pass on second attempt | $198 |
| Pass on third attempt | $297 |
The math makes a compelling case for thorough preparation. Investing $30 in quality practice exams before your exam date is significantly cheaper than one retake at $99. Well-prepared candidates using quality training and practice exams achieve first-attempt pass rates of 85 to 90 percent. Candidates relying on minimal preparation face pass rates closer to 50 to 60 percent.
The Exam Replay bundle tip: The Mindhub store periodically offers an Exam Replay bundle for approximately $160 that includes the exam voucher plus one guaranteed free retake plus a practice test. If you are not fully confident in your preparation, this bundle can reduce your total worst-case cost significantly.
Our AZ-900 exam preparation materials are aligned to the current 2026 exam blueprint and help candidates maximize their first-attempt pass rate.
How to Get AZ-900 for Free or at a Major Discount
This is the section that separates this guide from every other AZ-900 cost blog. There are four legitimate ways to reduce your AZ-900 exam cost — one of which makes it completely free.
Strategy 1: Microsoft Virtual Training Day (Free Exam Voucher)
Microsoft hosts free Virtual Training Days — online webinars covering fundamentals certifications including AZ-900, SC-900, AI-901, and DP-900. Candidates who attend all required sessions and complete the modules receive a free exam voucher for the corresponding fundamentals exam.
This makes AZ-900 completely free if you time it correctly. Microsoft Learn Events page lists upcoming Virtual Training Day dates. Check it monthly and register for the next AZ-900 session.
How to claim:
- Register for a Microsoft Azure Virtual Training Day: Fundamentals session on the Microsoft Learn Events page
- Attend all required live sessions
- Complete all required learning activities
- Receive your free exam voucher by email within a few business days
Strategy 2: Microsoft Ignite and Build Challenges (50 Percent Off)
Microsoft runs Azure Skilling Challenges at Microsoft Ignite and Microsoft Build annual conferences. Completing qualifying challenges earns 50 percent off certification exams. These challenges are free to participate in and reduce the AZ-900 cost from $99 to approximately $49.
Strategy 3: Student Discount
If you have a verified student email address, Microsoft offers significant discounts on certification exams. The discount percentage varies but candidates report reductions of 30 to 50 percent on fundamentals exams.
Strategy 4: Enterprise Skills Initiative (ESI — Free for Qualifying Employees)
The Microsoft Enterprise Skills Initiative is a program for organizations that purchase qualifying Microsoft products. Under ESI, employees can receive free certification vouchers plus free retake vouchers. If your employer is a Microsoft partner or has an Enterprise Agreement, check with your HR or IT department whether ESI vouchers are available.
Strategy 5: Employer Professional Development Budget
Many organizations fund professional certifications as part of employee development programs. At $99 for AZ-900, this is one of the most affordable professional certifications to request employer funding for. Present it as an investment in your organization’s cloud literacy — most employers approve requests this small without significant review.
AZ-900 Cost vs Other Microsoft Fundamentals Certifications
Candidates often consider multiple Microsoft fundamentals certifications. Here is the complete pricing comparison:
| Certification | US Exam Fee | India (INR) | UK (GBP) | Never Expires? |
| AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals | $99 | ₹3,696 | £50 | Yes |
| SC-900 Security Fundamentals | $99 | ₹3,696 | £50 | Yes |
| AI-901 AI Fundamentals | $99 | ₹3,696 | £50 | Yes |
| DP-900 Data Fundamentals | $99 | ₹3,696 | £50 | Yes |
| PL-900 Power Platform Fundamentals | $99 | ₹3,696 | £50 | Yes |
All Microsoft fundamentals certifications cost $99 USD and never expire. If you are considering multiple fundamentals certifications, Microsoft Virtual Training Day vouchers are available for most of them — meaning you can potentially earn all five for free by attending five separate free webinar sessions over several months.
For the comparison of AZ-900 versus SC-900 to decide which fundamentals certification to take first, our SC-900 vs AZ-900 guide covers every difference. For the comparison of AZ-900 and AI-901, our AZ-900 vs AI-901 guide covers which to take for your specific career direction.
AZ-900 Cost vs Azure Associate and Expert Certification Costs
Understanding where AZ-900 sits in the full Azure certification pricing landscape helps you plan your complete certification budget.
| Certification | Level | US Exam Fee | Expires? | Renewal Cost |
| AZ-900 | Fundamentals | $99 | Never | Free |
| SC-900 | Fundamentals | $99 | Never | Free |
| AZ-104 | Associate | $165 | 1 year | Free online assessment |
| AI-200 | Associate | $165 | 1 year | Free online assessment |
| SC-500 | Associate | $165 | 1 year | Free online assessment |
| AZ-305 | Expert | $165 | 1 year | Free online assessment |
| AZ-400 | Expert | $165 | 1 year | Free online assessment |
AZ-900 is the most affordable entry point into the Azure certification ecosystem. At $99 it costs 40 percent less than any associate or expert level exam. For candidates building toward AZ-104, the path from AZ-900 to AZ-104 requires a total exam investment of $264 for both exams — delivering $88,000 to $161,000 in average annual salary for Azure administrators. For the complete comparison of AZ-900 and AZ-104, our AZ-104 vs AZ-900 guide covers exactly when to move from fundamentals to associate level.
Is AZ-900 Worth the $99 Investment?
Yes — unequivocally. At $99 AZ-900 delivers one of the strongest cost-to-career-impact ratios of any professional certification available in 2026.
| Investment | Return |
| Exam fee | $99 |
| Total with study materials | $99 to $149 |
| Credential validity | Permanent — never expires |
| Career doors opened | Entry cloud roles, all Azure certification paths |
| Average salary for AZ-104 path (next step) | $88,000 to $161,000 |
| Break even time | Less than 1 week of higher earnings |
For professionals who use the free Virtual Training Day voucher strategy, the ROI is literally infinite — zero investment, permanent credential, meaningful career impact.
AZ-900 Study Materials Cost Breakdown
Beyond the exam fee, here is the honest breakdown of every study resource option and its cost:
| Resource | Cost | Quality |
| Microsoft Learn AZ-900 path | Free | Excellent — official and comprehensive |
| Microsoft official practice assessment | Free | Good — aligned to real exam |
| John Savill YouTube AZ-900 study cram | Free | Excellent — best free video resource |
| Udemy course (Stephane Maarek or Scott Duffy) | $15 to $20 on sale | Very good — updated regularly |
| CertEmpire AZ-900 practice questions | Low cost | Excellent — current 2026 blueprint |
| Official Microsoft Press study guide | $40 to $60 | Good — comprehensive but slower |
| Instructor-led classroom training | $300 to $800 | High quality but rarely necessary for AZ-900 |
The honest recommendation: Free Microsoft Learn path plus free YouTube cram video plus CertEmpire practice questions. This combination consistently produces 85 to 90 percent first-attempt pass rates at the lowest possible total cost. For current AZ-900 practice materials aligned to the 2026 blueprint, our AZ-900 exam preparation materials cover all three exam domains with scenario-based questions.
What Does the AZ-900 Exam Actually Cover?
Understanding the exam content ensures you do not overspend on study materials for topics not tested.
| Domain | Weight | What You Need to Know |
| Cloud concepts | 25-30% | IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, public/private/hybrid cloud, consumption model, scalability, CapEx vs OpEx |
| Azure architecture and services | 35-40% | Regions, availability zones, resource groups, VMs, storage, networking, databases, AI services overview |
| Azure management and governance | 30-35% | Cost Management, Azure Policy, RBAC, Purview, Monitor, Compliance Manager |
Where candidates most commonly lose points: The management and governance domain at 30 to 35 percent is consistently where AZ-900 candidates underperform. Azure Policy, RBAC, Cost Management, and compliance tools feel less intuitive than the services domain but represent a significant portion of the exam. Invest extra study time here before your exam date.
FAQS
How much does AZ-900 cost in 2026?
AZ-900 costs $99 USD in the United States in 2026. In India the cost is approximately ₹3,696 INR. In the UK it is approximately £50. Prices vary by region and are set by Microsoft in local currencies.
Can I get AZ-900 for free?
Yes. Attend a Microsoft Virtual Training Day for Azure Fundamentals and receive a free exam voucher upon completion. Microsoft hosts these free webinars regularly throughout the year. Eligible employees at Microsoft ESI partner organizations can also receive free vouchers through their employer.
How much does it cost to retake AZ-900?
Each AZ-900 retake costs $99 — the full exam fee with no discount. You must wait 24 hours after a first failure and 14 days after subsequent failures. You are allowed a maximum of five attempts in any 12-month period.
Does AZ-900 expire?
No. AZ-900 is a Microsoft fundamentals certification with lifetime validity. Once earned it stays on your Microsoft Learn transcript permanently with no renewal requirement and no annual fee.
Is the AZ-900 exam fee the same worldwide?
No. Microsoft adjusts pricing by region. The $99 USD price applies to the United States. India pays approximately ₹3,696. The UK pays approximately £50. Always verify the current price on the Microsoft Learn exam scheduling page for your specific region before purchasing.
What is included in the $99 AZ-900 exam fee?
The $99 fee includes one exam attempt delivered through Pearson VUE online proctoring or at a testing center. It does not include study materials, practice exams, or retakes. Each of those is a separate optional cost.
How do I get a discount on AZ-900?
Four main discount strategies exist. First, Microsoft Virtual Training Days provide free vouchers for fundamentals exams. Second, Microsoft Ignite and Build challenges provide 50 percent discount vouchers. Third, student discounts reduce the fee by 30 to 50 percent for verified students. Fourth, the Microsoft ESI program provides free vouchers for qualifying employer organizations.
Can my employer pay for AZ-900?
Yes. At $99, AZ-900 is one of the most affordable professional certifications to request employer funding for. Most organizations approve small professional development requests without significant review. Present it as an investment in cloud literacy relevant to your role.
What is the difference between AZ-900 exam cost and AZ-104 exam cost?
AZ-900 costs $99 USD. AZ-104 costs $165 USD. AZ-900 is a fundamentals certification that never expires. AZ-104 is an associate certification that requires annual renewal through a free online assessment. For the complete comparison of what each covers and when to move from AZ-900 to AZ-104, our AZ-104 vs AZ-900 guide covers every detail.
Are there hidden costs in AZ-900 certification?
The main hidden costs are retake fees if you fail, study materials, and optional Azure subscription costs for hands-on practice. Azure offers a free trial account with $200 in credits for new users which covers most AZ-900 preparation needs without additional cost.
