Role-Based Certifications
Overview
With the retirement of the MCSE Azure certifications on December 31, 2018 (see below) and the release of the new Azure certifications, the next generation of Microsoft certifications is here. And, it is truly a new generation. For the first time, Microsoft certifications will focus on building the skills required for actual job roles rather than focusing on the features and services of the Microsoft software product itself. As a result, Microsoft is calling these new certs “role-based” certifications.
Job Task Analysis (JTA)
The first step in creating role-based certifications is what Microsoft calls Job Task Analysis (JTA). This is the process of identifying the specific job skills (or “job tasks”) for the job roles for which Microsoft will offer certifications. To accomplish this, Microsoft engages in in-depth research with customers and the tech community in general to develop an extensive list of job tasks for each role.
Training and Certification
Once all JTA’s are established, Microsoft determines which of these JTA’s are included in the certification requirements. Microsoft then builds the curriculum that aligns with these JTA’s. The result is the new generation of training and certifications designed to upskill Microsoft IT Professionals and Developers to fill specific job roles. The overall certification structure for future Microsoft certifications has three levels – Fundamental, Associate, and Expert. Here is an example using the new Azure certifications:
New Azure Role-Based Certifications
Azure leads the way into the new certification structure. Two of the three job roles that will align with the new Azure certifications are:
- Azure Administrator Associate
- Azure Developer Associate
Azure Administrator Associate
An Azure Administrator is responsible for implementing, monitoring, and maintaining Microsoft Azure solutions, including major services related to compute, storage, network, and security.
The Certification Path to Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate is comprised of two certification exams:
- Exam AZ-100: Microsoft Azure Infrastructure and Deployment
- Exam AZ-101: Microsoft Azure Integration and Security
By passing both exams, you earn the Azure Administrator Associate certification.
The Learning Path for these two exams consists of one 5-day track (or course) and one 4-day track (or course) that have names and numbers corresponding to the cert exams:
- AZ-100 Azure Administrator Infrastructure and Deployment
- Manage Subscriptions and Resources
- Implement and Manage Storage
- Deploy and Manage Virtual Machines
- Configure and Manage Virtual Networks
- Manage Identities
- AZ-101 Azure Administrator Integration and Security
- Migrate Servers to Azure
- Implement and Manage Application Services
- Implement Advanced Virtual Networking
- Secure Identities
Click here for upcoming class dates at Centriq for these courses.
Azure Developer Associate
An Azure Developer builds cloud applications and services and works with Cloud DBAs, Admins and Solution Architects to implement the solutions on the Azure platform.
The Certification Path to Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate is comprised of two certification exams:
- Exam AZ-200: Microsoft Azure Developer Core Solutions
- Exam AZ-201: Microsoft Azure Developer Advanced Solutions
By passing both exams, you earn the Azure Developer Associate certification.
The Learning Path for these two exams consists of one 4-day track (or course) and one 3-day track (or course) that have names and numbers corresponding to the cert exams:
- AZ-200 Microsoft Azure Developer Core Solutions
- Select the Appropriate Cloud Technology Solution
- Developing for Cloud Storage
- Developing PaaS Solutions
- Securing Cloud Solutions
- AZ-201 Microsoft Azure Developer Advanced Solutions
- Develop an Azure Cloud Model
- Integrating Cloud Integration Solutions
- Developing AI, Machine learning, and IoT Solutions
Click here for upcoming class dates at Centriq for these courses.
Retired Azure Certifications and Transition Exams
Retired Azure Exams and Certifications
As of December 31, 2018, all previous Azure exams and related certifications were retired and are no longer available. This includes the following:
Exams:
- 70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions
- 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Solutions
- 70-535: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions
Certifications:
- MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure
- MCSA: Linux on Azure
- MCSA: Cloud Platform
If you have previously passed any of the above exams, see below for information on Transition Exams. If you have not passed any of these exams, then you will want to focus your training and preparation on the new Role-Based Azure training and certifications.
Transition Exams
If you have previously passed any of the three exams above (70-532, 70-533 or 70-535), you can obtain a new Azure Role-Based Certification by passing a single “Transition” exam rather than following the new certification paths set out above. The Transition exams generally cover the differences between the current certification and what Microsoft has added to the new Role-Based Certifications. These Transition exams are only available until June 30, 2019! Here are the new Transition exams for each of the previous exams:
- Old Exam: 70-532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions
- Transition Exam: AZ-202: Microsoft Azure Developer Certification Transition
- New Certification: Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate
- Old Exam: 70-533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
- Transition Exam: AZ-102: Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification Transition
- New Certification: Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
We understand that this is a lot of information. If you have any questions about the new Role-Based Certifications or the Transition exams, please reach to our team and we will help you find the right path.