Azure Fundamentals

Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) is Microsoft’s entry-level certification that validates foundational knowledge of cloud concepts, core Azure services, pricing, support, governance, security, privacy, and compliance features—no prior technical experience required. Perfect for beginners, IT professionals, sales teams, and decision-makers, the exam covers cloud models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), Azure regions and availability zones, resource groups, Azure Resource Manager, cost management tools, SLAs, and key services like compute (VMs, App Service), storage, networking, and identity (Microsoft Entra ID). In 2025, the updated AZ-900 continues to emphasize AI governance, sustainability, and the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework.

Earning the Azure Fundamentals certification typically takes 15–30 hours of study using free Microsoft Learn paths, practice assessments, and the official exam sandbox. Priced at around $99 USD (varies by region) with frequent student and promotional discounts, it’s the fastest way to prove cloud literacy, boost your resume, and prepare for role-based certifications like Azure Administrator (AZ-104) or Architect (AZ-305). Over 2 million people worldwide have earned AZ-900, making it the most popular starting point for anyone entering the Microsoft Azure ecosystem.