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Azure certification path for developers

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Sadia Khan
Azure certification path for developers

Microsoft announced some key changes in Azure certification in the Ignite conference in 2018. These changes were implemented to make the Azure certifications more role-based. Azure certification path is divided into multiple tiers according to the level of advancement each certification deals with. Microsoft Azure has created a multi-tiered learning path going from Fundamental level to Associate level to Expert level. There are various roles that Azure professionals can pursue. These roles are as follows:

  • Azure fundamentals
  • Azure Administrator Associate
  • Azure Developer Associate
  • Azure DevOps Engineer Expert

The abovementioned roles are few of the options available for cloud developers looking to diversify or further specialize their skills. For IT professionals looking to grow as cloud professionals, Azure provides clear cut paths to pursue depending on the field that interests their IT professionals. This article will guide you through the tiers and discuss the various certifications and exams available by Microsoft Azure at every level and the options Cloud professionals have at Fundamental, Associate, and Expert levels.

Microsoft Azure Fundamentals

This certification consists of one exam (AZ-900), passing this exam will earn a Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification.

Microsoft offers a foundational course aimed at individuals with a foundational knowledge of various cloud services and how these serviced are offered through the Microsoft Azure platform. This certification is for individuals who have basic, or no knowledge of technical aspects of cloud platforms, but are related to selling or purchasing these services or are involved in cloud services in some other way. For this certification, general knowledge of IT and experience is beneficial, while any technical IT knowledge is not required. Apart from providing foundational knowledge and exemplifying it through the Azure platform, this certification is not a prerequisite for any of the advanced Azure role-based courses.

Azure Administrator Associate

This Azure certification consists of two exams, i.e. Exam AZ-100: Microsoft Azure Infrastructure and Deployment and Exam AZ-101: Microsoft Azure Integration and Security. 

This certification is intended for cloud professionals who have experience in managing cloud services and aspects of cloud platforms such as storage, networking, security, and compute cloud capabilities. Candidates for these exams are expected to have in-depth knowledge of each service and its life cycle, infrastructural facilities, applications, and cloud environments. Their roles include analyzing and recommending which approaches to pursue optimization and effective scaling of cloud services as well as monitoring and adjusting the resources according to the needs of IT infrastructures in place.

This certification does not have a prerequisite exam that candidates need to pass, but they must be fluent in PowerShell and Command Line interface. Furthermore, candidates should be familiar with the Azure Portal, ARM Templates, OS, cloud infrastructure, storage structures, and networking.

Exam Az-100 consists of topics such as Manage Azure subscriptions and resources, implement manage and storage, deploy and manage virtual machines; configure and manage virtual networks; and manage identities.

Exam AZ-101 includes such topics as Evaluate and perform server migration to Azure; Implement and manage application services; implement advanced virtual networking, and secure identities.

Azure Developer Associate

This Azure Developer certification can be had through passing just one certification exam: Exam AZ-203: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure.

The exam for this Azure Developer certification is intended for individuals seeking to become Azure developers and passing the relevant exam will earn candidates a Microsoft Azure Developer Associate certification. This certification validates the expertise of cloud developers in designing and building effective cloud solutions such as applications and services. These cloud professionals take part in all the stages of deployment of cloud solutions, ranging from solution design to development and deployment, to monitoring, scrutiny, and maintenance of cloud solutions. These individuals communicate with their peers in other departments, such as cloud solutions architect, cloud DBAs, cloud administrators, and clients to implement the most effective solutions that cater to the demands of various stakeholders to the cloud infrastructure within an organization.

For clients to get this Azure Developer certification, cloud professionals must have the expertise and in-depth knowledge of designing and installing applications and facilities through the Microsoft Azure platform, using the storage, computer, security, technologies, and apparatuses available.

There are no prerequisites, and unlike the previous exams intended for developers, passing Exam 70-532 is not required anymore.

Azure Developer Certification (Transition)

This Azure Developer Certification can be achieved by passing one exam: Exam AZ-202.

This Azure Developer certification is intended for Azure developers who have passed the exam 70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions and are seeking to update their qualification by attempting exams based on the latest trends being applied in cloud platforms.

This exam facilitates experienced individuals who work as Azure developers and are willing to add more value to their skillset. This exam considers the need for innovation and takes into consideration the newest trends and practices being inculcated in cloud platforms as well as new technologies being integrated, such as AI, Robotics, Internet of Things (IoT) etc.

This is an excellent choice for cloud developers intending to familiarize themselves with the latest business practices. It provides immense value for Azure Developers and greatly enhances their career prospects.

Azure DevOps Engineer Expert

This is an advanced certification that rewards candidates with the title of Azure DevOps Engineer Expert. Since this is an advanced certification, it requires that individuals already have Azure Administrator Associate or Azure Developer Associate certification. Candidates who have fulfilled the prerequisites need to pass the Exam AZ-400: Microsoft Azure DevOps Solutions to become Azure DevOps Engineer.

This certification allows cloud professionals to optimize cloud solutions by making them more effective and streamlined. This certification is just one of the many options available to Azure Developers looking to specialize their qualifications and set an upwards trajectory for their career.

Azure Developers cannot go wrong with any of the certifications they choose, as there is tremendous demand for these certifications, owing to the corporate world rapidly shifting to the cloud.

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