Pluralsight Azure Certification Prep 2026

Microsoft Azure holds 25% of the cloud market and is the preferred cloud platform for enterprise organizations worldwide. Azure certifications are among the most valuable credentials in tech, with certified professionals earning 15-25% higher salaries than non-certified peers.

But preparing for Azure certifications without a structured plan leads to frustration. Microsoft exams test both theoretical knowledge and practical implementation skills. You need more than video lectures---you need hands-on labs in real Azure environments, expert instruction on complex topics like Azure networking and identity, and practice exams that mirror actual certification questions.

Pluralsight offers the most comprehensive Azure certification training available. With role-based learning paths aligned to Microsoft’s certification framework, Cloud Labs where you practice in real Azure portals, Skill IQ assessments to identify knowledge gaps, and courses taught by Microsoft MVPs and Azure experts, Pluralsight provides everything you need to pass Azure certifications and apply those skills immediately in production environments.

Quick Navigation: Azure Certifications by Role

Microsoft organizes Azure certifications by job role. Choose your path based on your career goals:

Azure Fundamentals (Entry Level):

• AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals - Start here if you are new to Azure or cloud computing. No prerequisites required. Perfect for managers, salespeople, or anyone transitioning to cloud roles.

Administrator Path:

• AZ-104: Azure Administrator - Manage Azure subscriptions, implement storage, configure virtual networks, and manage identities. This is the most popular Azure certification for IT professionals.

Developer Path:

• AZ-204: Azure Developer - Build cloud-native applications, implement Azure services, develop for storage and security, and monitor solutions. Essential for software developers working with Azure.

Solutions Architect Path:

• AZ-305: Azure Solutions Architect Expert - Design identity, governance, monitoring, data storage, and infrastructure solutions. Requires AZ-104 or equivalent experience.

Security Path:

• AZ-500: Azure Security Engineer - Implement security controls, manage identity and access, and secure data and applications. For security professionals moving to cloud.

DevOps Path:

• AZ-400: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert - Design and implement DevOps strategies for version control, compliance, infrastructure, and continuous integration. Requires AZ-104 or AZ-204.

Data & AI Paths:

• DP-203: Azure Data Engineer - Design and implement data storage, processing, and security for data workloads
• DP-300: Azure Database Administrator - Implement and manage operational aspects of cloud-native and hybrid database solutions
• AI-102: Azure AI Engineer - Design and implement Azure AI solutions using Cognitive Services and Applied AI

Top Azure Certification Prep Courses on Pluralsight

After analyzing course quality, instructor expertise, alignment with current exam objectives, and hands-on lab availability, here are the best Azure certification courses on Pluralsight:

AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals

Instructor: Lars Klint Duration: 7.5 hours Level: Beginner Best For: Azure newcomers, IT professionals transitioning to cloud

Lars Klint delivers the perfect introduction to Azure for complete beginners. This course covers cloud concepts, core Azure services, security and compliance, and Azure pricing. You will learn compute (VMs, App Service, Container Instances), networking (Virtual Networks, VPN Gateway), storage (Blob, File, Disk), and databases (SQL Database, Cosmos DB) at a foundational level.

What makes it great: Lars avoids overwhelming beginners with technical depth while providing enough detail to pass the AZ-900 exam. The course includes clear explanations of cloud economics and the shared responsibility model that many beginners struggle with.

Exam details: AZ-900 has 40-60 questions, costs $99, and requires a passing score of 700/1000. The exam validates foundational cloud knowledge and is perfect for non-technical roles or as a stepping stone to Associate certifications.

AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator

Instructor: Tim Warner Duration: 22 hours Level: Intermediate Best For: IT administrators managing Azure infrastructure

Tim Warner’s comprehensive AZ-104 course is the gold standard for Azure Administrator certification prep. You will master identity management with Azure AD, implement and manage storage (Blob, File, Disk, backup), deploy VMs and configure networking (VNets, NSGs, Load Balancer, Application Gateway), and monitor resources with Azure Monitor and Log Analytics.

What makes it great: Tim teaches you to think like an Azure administrator, not just memorize facts. Each module includes troubleshooting scenarios that mirror real-world production issues. The networking section is particularly strong, making VNet peering and hybrid connectivity concepts crystal clear.

Exam details: AZ-104 replaced AZ-103 in 2020. Expect 40-60 questions with case studies, costs $165, requires 700/1000 to pass. Microsoft recommends 6+ months Azure experience, but dedicated study with Pluralsight can prepare you in 2-3 months.

AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure

Instructor: Reza Salehi Duration: 20 hours Level: Intermediate Best For: Developers building Azure cloud applications

Reza Salehi covers everything developers need to build on Azure: implementing Azure Functions and Web Apps, developing for Azure storage (Blob, Queue, Table, Cosmos DB), implementing authentication with Azure AD and managed identities, implementing solutions with API Management and Event Grid, and monitoring applications with Application Insights.

What makes it great: The course emphasizes hands-on coding with C# and .NET examples, though the concepts apply to Python, Java, and Node.js developers as well. Reza’s serverless architecture patterns and event-driven design sections are excellent.

Exam details: AZ-204 replaced AZ-203 in 2020. Requires programming experience in a language supported by Azure (C#, Python, JavaScript, Java). 40-60 questions, costs $165, passing score 700/1000. This certification significantly boosts salary for cloud developers.

AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions

Instructor: John Savill Duration: 28 hours Level: Advanced Best For: Solutions architects designing enterprise Azure solutions

John Savill (Microsoft MVP and Azure expert) delivers an advanced course for architects. You will design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions, design data storage solutions (relational, non-relational, caching, data integration), design business continuity and disaster recovery, and design infrastructure solutions (compute, networking, application architecture, migrations).

What makes it great: John’s deep Microsoft expertise shines through. This course goes beyond certification prep to teach you how to architect real enterprise solutions. The hybrid cloud and migration strategies section is particularly valuable for organizations moving from on-premises to Azure.

Exam details: AZ-305 replaced AZ-303/304 in 2022. Requires AZ-104 or equivalent experience. This Expert-level certification validates advanced architecture skills. 40-60 questions with case studies, costs $165, passing score 700/1000. Leads to senior architect roles paying $130K-180K.

AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies

Instructor: Reza Salehi Duration: 18 hours Level: Intermediate to Advanced Best For: Security engineers implementing Azure security controls

Reza Salehi’s security-focused course covers managing identity and access (Azure AD, Privileged Identity Management, Conditional Access), implementing platform protection (network security, host security, container security), managing security operations (Azure Sentinel, Security Center, Key Vault), and securing data and applications (encryption, database security).

What makes it great: Security is complex, but Reza breaks down Zero Trust architecture, identity protection, and threat detection into understandable concepts. The Azure Sentinel SIEM labs are excellent for security analysts.

Exam details: AZ-500 replaced AZ-101 security content. Requires intermediate Azure knowledge (AZ-104 level). 40-60 questions, costs $165, passing score 700/1000. Demand for cloud security professionals exceeds supply---this certification opens high-paying security roles.

AZ-400: Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions

Instructor: James Millar Duration: 24 hours Level: Advanced Best For: DevOps engineers implementing CI/CD on Azure

James Millar covers DevOps transformation strategies, source control with Git and GitHub, implementing CI/CD pipelines with Azure DevOps and GitHub Actions, dependency management and package management, implementing application infrastructure (ARM templates, Bicep, Terraform), and implementing continuous feedback and monitoring.

What makes it great: DevOps is about culture and process as much as tools. James teaches you both. The infrastructure as code section with ARM templates and Bicep is excellent. You will build complete CI/CD pipelines that deploy containerized applications to Azure Kubernetes Service.

Exam details: AZ-400 requires AZ-104 or AZ-204 as a prerequisite. This Expert-level certification validates advanced DevOps skills. 40-60 questions, costs $165, passing score 700/1000. DevOps engineers with Azure expertise earn $120K-170K.

DP-203: Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure

Instructor: Janani Ravi Duration: 19 hours Level: Intermediate to Advanced Best For: Data engineers building Azure data solutions

Janani Ravi teaches you to design and implement data storage solutions (Azure Data Lake, Synapse Analytics), design and develop data processing (Azure Databricks, Stream Analytics, Event Hubs), and design and implement data security (encryption, masking, row-level security).

What makes it great: Data engineering on Azure involves many services. Janani provides clear guidance on when to use Data Factory vs. Databricks vs. Synapse. The real-time streaming analytics section is excellent.

Exam details: DP-203 replaced DP-200/201 in 2021. Requires experience with data processing languages (SQL, Python, Scala). 40-60 questions, costs $165, passing score 700/1000. Data engineers are in high demand with salaries from $110K-160K.

AI-102: Designing and Implementing a Microsoft Azure AI Solution

Instructor: Sahil Malik Duration: 16 hours Level: Intermediate Best For: AI engineers implementing Azure Cognitive Services

Sahil Malik covers implementing computer vision solutions, implementing natural language processing solutions, implementing knowledge mining solutions, implementing conversational AI solutions, and implementing responsible AI practices.

What makes it great: AI and machine learning can be intimidating. Sahil makes Azure’s AI services accessible by focusing on practical implementation rather than deep math. You will build image recognition, text analytics, and chatbot solutions using Azure’s pre-built AI services.

Exam details: AI-102 replaced AI-100 in 2021. Requires programming experience in Python or C#. 40-60 questions, costs $165, passing score 700/1000. AI engineering roles pay $120K-180K as organizations adopt machine learning.

Learning Paths for Each Azure Certification

Pluralsight organizes Azure content into role-based learning paths that guide you from beginner to expert:

Fundamentals Path (4-8 weeks)

For: Complete Azure beginners, non-technical stakeholders Certification: AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals

Learning sequence:

1. Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: Cloud Concepts (Lars Klint, 2 hours) - Understand cloud models, benefits, and economics
2. Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: Core Services (Lars Klint, 3 hours) - Learn compute, networking, storage, databases
3. Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: Security, Privacy, Compliance (Lars Klint, 1.5 hours) - Understand Azure security and governance
4. Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: Pricing and Support (Lars Klint, 1 hour) - Master Azure pricing models and SLAs

Hands-on practice:

• Create virtual machines in Azure Portal
• Deploy a web app to Azure App Service
• Configure virtual networks and network security groups
• Set up Azure SQL Database and connect applications

Study timeline: 1-2 hours daily for 4-6 weeks Total investment: 40-60 hours including labs Expected outcome: Pass AZ-900 and understand Azure fundamentals for Associate certifications

Administrator Path (2-4 months)

For: IT administrators, systems engineers, cloud operations Certification: AZ-104: Azure Administrator Associate

Learning sequence:

1. AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator (Tim Warner, 22 hours) - Complete certification prep course
2. Implementing and Managing Azure Networking (Tim Warner, 6 hours) - Deep dive into VNets, NSGs, Load Balancers
3. Managing Microsoft Azure Subscriptions (Tim Warner, 4 hours) - Master governance, RBAC, policies
4. Monitoring Microsoft Azure Resources and Workloads (Reza Salehi, 5 hours) - Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, alerts

Hands-on practice:

• Deploy and manage VMs across multiple regions
• Configure VNet peering and VPN Gateway
• Implement Azure Backup and Site Recovery
• Set up Azure AD with hybrid identity
• Create monitoring dashboards with Log Analytics

Study timeline: 10-15 hours weekly for 8-12 weeks Total investment: 100-150 hours including labs Expected outcome: Pass AZ-104 and have production-ready Azure administration skills

Developer Path (2-4 months)

For: Software developers, application architects Certification: AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure

Learning sequence:

1. AZ-204: Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure (Reza Salehi, 20 hours) - Complete certification prep
2. Implementing Serverless Architecture on Azure (Mark Heath, 7 hours) - Azure Functions, Logic Apps, Event Grid
3. Implementing Microservices on Azure (Mark Heath, 8 hours) - Containers, AKS, Service Fabric
4. Securing Applications in Microsoft Azure (Reza Salehi, 5 hours) - Authentication, Key Vault, managed identities

Hands-on practice:

• Build serverless applications with Azure Functions
• Deploy containerized applications to Azure Container Instances
• Implement event-driven architecture with Event Grid and Service Bus
• Integrate applications with Cosmos DB
• Implement authentication with Azure AD B2C

Study timeline: 10-15 hours weekly for 8-12 weeks Total investment: 120-180 hours including coding labs Expected outcome: Pass AZ-204 and build production cloud applications on Azure

Solutions Architect Path (3-6 months)

For: Enterprise architects, senior cloud engineers Prerequisites: AZ-104 or equivalent Azure experience Certification: AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions (Expert)

Learning sequence:

1. Complete AZ-104 path first (if not already Azure certified)
2. AZ-305: Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions (John Savill, 28 hours) - Complete certification prep
3. Azure Architecture - Design a Governance Strategy (John Savill, 4 hours) - Resource organization, policies, management groups
4. Azure Architecture - Design a Compute Strategy (John Savill, 5 hours) - VMs, containers, serverless, HPC
5. Azure Architecture - Design a Data Platform Strategy (John Savill, 6 hours) - SQL, Cosmos DB, data lakes, caching

Hands-on practice:

• Design multi-region architectures with global load balancing
• Implement hub-and-spoke network topologies
• Design disaster recovery solutions with Azure Site Recovery
• Create cost-optimized solutions with Reserved Instances and scaling
• Design zero-trust security architectures

Study timeline: 12-15 hours weekly for 10-16 weeks Total investment: 150-200 hours including architecture design labs Expected outcome: Pass AZ-305 Expert certification and architect enterprise Azure solutions

Security Engineer Path (2-3 months)

For: Security analysts, security engineers, cloud security specialists Prerequisites: Intermediate Azure knowledge (AZ-104 level recommended) Certification: AZ-500: Azure Security Technologies Associate

Learning sequence:

1. AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies (Reza Salehi, 18 hours) - Complete certification prep
2. Implementing Azure Network Security (Chad Smith, 5 hours) - Firewalls, NSGs, WAF, DDoS protection
3. Azure AD Identity Protection (Chad Smith, 4 hours) - Conditional Access, PIM, MFA
4. Azure Sentinel - Quick Start (Chad Smith, 3 hours) - Cloud-native SIEM setup and threat detection

Hands-on practice:

• Configure Azure AD Conditional Access policies
• Implement Privileged Identity Management (PIM)
• Deploy Azure Sentinel for security monitoring
• Configure Key Vault for secrets management
• Implement Azure Security Center recommendations

Study timeline: 12-15 hours weekly for 8-10 weeks Total investment: 100-120 hours including security labs Expected outcome: Pass AZ-500 and implement enterprise security on Azure

DevOps Engineer Path (3-5 months)

For: DevOps engineers, release managers, CI/CD specialists Prerequisites: AZ-104 or AZ-204 Certification: AZ-400: Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions (Expert)

Learning sequence:

1. Complete AZ-104 or AZ-204 path first
2. AZ-400: Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions (James Millar, 24 hours) - Complete certification prep
3. Azure DevOps Fundamentals for Beginners (Marcel Lupo, 6 hours) - Repos, Pipelines, Boards, Artifacts
4. Infrastructure as Code with ARM Templates (James Millar, 5 hours) - Infrastructure automation
5. Implementing Container Builds in Azure DevOps (James Millar, 4 hours) - Docker and Kubernetes integration

Hands-on practice:

• Build CI/CD pipelines in Azure DevOps
• Deploy infrastructure with ARM templates and Bicep
• Implement blue-green and canary deployments
• Configure release gates and approvals
• Monitor deployments with Application Insights

Study timeline: 12-15 hours weekly for 12-16 weeks Total investment: 150-200 hours including pipeline labs Expected outcome: Pass AZ-400 Expert certification and implement DevOps practices on Azure

Data Engineer Path (3-4 months)

For: Data engineers, ETL developers, data platform engineers Prerequisites: Experience with SQL, Python, or Scala Certification: DP-203: Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure Associate

Learning sequence:

1. DP-203: Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure (Janani Ravi, 19 hours) - Complete certification prep
2. Azure Data Factory - The Big Picture (Janani Ravi, 2 hours) - Data integration fundamentals
3. Azure Databricks Fundamentals (Janani Ravi, 5 hours) - Big data processing with Spark
4. Azure Synapse Analytics - The Big Picture (Janani Ravi, 3 hours) - Enterprise data warehousing

Hands-on practice:

• Build ETL pipelines with Azure Data Factory
• Process big data with Azure Databricks
• Create data warehouses in Azure Synapse Analytics
• Implement real-time streaming with Stream Analytics
• Secure data with encryption and access controls

Study timeline: 12-15 hours weekly for 10-14 weeks Total investment: 130-170 hours including data labs Expected outcome: Pass DP-203 and build production data platforms on Azure

AI Engineer Path (2-3 months)

For: AI engineers, machine learning engineers, data scientists Prerequisites: Programming experience in Python or C# Certification: AI-102: Designing and Implementing a Microsoft Azure AI Solution Associate

Learning sequence:

1. AI-102: Designing and Implementing a Microsoft Azure AI Solution (Sahil Malik, 16 hours) - Complete certification prep
2. Microsoft Azure Cognitive Services - The Big Picture (Sahil Malik, 2 hours) - Overview of AI services
3. Implementing Natural Language Processing on Azure (Sahil Malik, 4 hours) - Text Analytics, Language Understanding
4. Building Bots with Microsoft Bot Framework (Sahil Malik, 5 hours) - Conversational AI development

Hands-on practice:

• Build computer vision solutions with Custom Vision
• Implement text analytics with Cognitive Services
• Create chatbots with Bot Framework and QnA Maker
• Deploy machine learning models to Azure Machine Learning
• Implement responsible AI practices

Study timeline: 10-12 hours weekly for 8-12 weeks Total investment: 100-130 hours including AI labs Expected outcome: Pass AI-102 and implement AI solutions on Azure

Hands-On Cloud Labs: The Critical Component

Video courses teach concepts, but hands-on labs build muscle memory. Pluralsight’s Azure Cloud Labs are pre-configured Azure environments where you practice skills without using your own Azure subscription or credit card.

What Makes Pluralsight Azure Labs Effective

Real Azure Portal access: Labs open actual Azure Portal interfaces, not simulations. You configure resources exactly as you would in production.

Guided challenges: Each lab presents specific objectives (deploy a VM with specific networking configuration, implement backup for an Azure SQL database, configure Conditional Access policies). You figure out the implementation steps, building problem-solving skills.

Validation and feedback: Labs verify you completed tasks correctly. If you misconfigure a resource, the lab provides feedback to guide you to the correct solution.

No Azure costs: Pluralsight manages the Azure subscriptions. You will never receive an Azure bill for lab usage. This eliminates the fear of accidentally leaving expensive resources running.

Scenario-based learning: Labs mirror real-world situations (implement disaster recovery, secure a multi-tier application, optimize database performance). This beats memorizing PowerShell commands you will never use.

Essential Azure Lab Categories

Identity and Access Management Labs:

• Configure Azure AD users, groups, and administrative units
• Implement Conditional Access policies for zero-trust security
• Set up Privileged Identity Management (PIM) for just-in-time access
• Configure self-service password reset and MFA

Virtual Networking Labs:

• Create virtual networks with multiple subnets
• Configure network security groups and application security groups
• Implement VNet peering and VPN Gateway connections
• Set up Azure Firewall and Network Watcher

Compute Labs:

• Deploy and configure Windows and Linux VMs
• Create VM scale sets with auto-scaling rules
• Implement Azure App Service with custom domains and SSL
• Deploy containerized applications to Azure Container Instances and AKS

Storage Labs:

• Configure Azure Blob Storage with access tiers and lifecycle policies
• Implement Azure Files and File Sync for hybrid scenarios
• Set up Azure Backup for VMs and SQL databases
• Configure geo-redundant storage and failover

Database Labs:

• Deploy Azure SQL Database with elastic pools
• Configure Cosmos DB with global distribution
• Implement database backup and point-in-time restore
• Set up database security with encryption and auditing

Serverless Labs:

• Create Azure Functions with various triggers (HTTP, Timer, Blob)
• Build Logic Apps for workflow automation
• Implement Event Grid for event-driven architectures
• Deploy solutions using Azure Functions and Cosmos DB

Security Labs:

• Configure Azure Security Center and implement recommendations
• Set up Azure Sentinel for threat detection and response
• Implement Key Vault for secrets, keys, and certificates management
• Configure Azure DDoS Protection and Web Application Firewall

DevOps Labs:

• Build CI/CD pipelines in Azure DevOps
• Deploy infrastructure with ARM templates and Bicep
• Implement container builds and deployments
• Configure release approvals and deployment gates

Azure Sandboxes for Exploration

Beyond guided labs, Pluralsight Premium includes Azure sandboxes---pre-configured Azure subscriptions where you freely explore services without specific objectives. Sandboxes are perfect for:

• Testing new Azure services before implementing them in production
• Practicing for AZ-104 lab component (Microsoft occasionally includes hands-on lab tasks in exams)
• Experimenting with infrastructure as code (ARM templates, Bicep, Terraform)
• Building portfolio projects to demonstrate skills to employers
• Debugging configurations before applying them to production environments

Skill IQ and Role IQ for Azure Learning

Pluralsight’s assessment tools help you identify exactly where you stand with Azure knowledge and which courses to prioritize.

Azure Skill IQ Assessments

Skill IQ uses adaptive testing to measure your proficiency with specific Azure technologies:

How Skill IQ works:

1. Search for an Azure skill (Azure, Azure Functions, Azure Networking, Azure Security)
2. Take a 15-20 question adaptive test that adjusts difficulty based on your answers
3. Receive a score from 0-300 placing you in one of five levels (Novice, Proficient, Expert)
4. Get personalized course recommendations targeting your knowledge gaps

Available Azure Skill IQ assessments:

• Azure (general cloud platform knowledge)
• Azure Functions (serverless computing)
• Azure Networking (VNets, NSGs, Load Balancers)
• Azure Active Directory (identity and access management)
• Azure DevOps (CI/CD and automation)
• Azure Security (security controls and compliance)
• Azure Storage (Blob, File, Disk, backup)

Using Skill IQ strategically:

Before starting certification prep, take the relevant Skill IQ assessment to establish your baseline. This identifies which course modules you can skip and which require deep study. After completing courses, retake the assessment to measure improvement and identify remaining gaps.

For example, if you score 180/300 (Proficient) on the Azure Networking Skill IQ, you already understand VNets and NSGs but may need to strengthen knowledge of hybrid connectivity and advanced routing. Pluralsight will recommend specific modules on VPN Gateway and ExpressRoute to close those gaps.

Azure Role IQ Assessments

Role IQ evaluates your readiness for complete job roles by testing multiple related skills:

Available Azure Role IQ assessments:

• Azure Administrator (tests Azure, networking, security, storage, compute)
• Azure Developer (tests Azure, Azure Functions, DevOps, security)
• Azure Solutions Architect (tests architecture, networking, security, governance, data)
• Azure DevOps Engineer (tests DevOps, Azure, infrastructure as code, CI/CD)

Role IQ shows you percentage readiness for each role and identifies which skill areas need improvement. This helps you prioritize learning when preparing for multiple certifications or career transitions.

For example, if Role IQ shows you are 70% ready for Azure Administrator but only 40% ready for Azure Solutions Architect, you know to focus on architecture and governance concepts before attempting the AZ-305 exam.

Practice Exams and Certification Prep

Pluralsight Premium includes practice exams aligned with current Microsoft exam objectives:

Practice exam features:

• Realistic question formats: Multiple choice, case studies, drag-and-drop matching Microsoft exam styles
• Timed mode: Simulate actual exam time pressure (AZ-104 gives you 100 minutes for 40-60 questions)
• Detailed explanations: Every answer includes rationale explaining why options are correct or incorrect
• Progress tracking: Identify weak areas requiring additional study

Recommended practice strategy:

Take a diagnostic practice exam before starting your course to identify baseline knowledge. After completing 70% of your course, take another practice exam to measure progress. In the final two weeks before your actual exam, take multiple practice exams until you consistently score 85%+ (Microsoft exams require 700/1000 or roughly 70% to pass, but aim higher for confidence).

Supplement Pluralsight practice exams with Microsoft Learn modules and community practice test platforms (MeasureUp, Whizlabs) for additional question exposure.

Study Timeline Recommendations by Certification

How long does Azure certification prep take? It depends on your background and study intensity:

AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals

Recommended study time: 40-60 hours Timeline for beginners: 4-6 weeks at 10 hours/week Timeline for IT professionals: 2-3 weeks at 15 hours/week

Weekly schedule:

• Weeks 1-2: Complete Lars Klint’s fundamentals course (7.5 hours), take notes on cloud concepts, core services, security
• Weeks 3-4: Complete 10-15 hands-on labs covering VMs, App Service, VNets, storage, Azure SQL
• Weeks 5-6: Take practice exams, review weak areas, memorize pricing models and SLAs
• Final week: Daily practice questions, review Microsoft Learn modules, schedule exam

Success indicators: Consistently scoring 85%+ on practice exams, comfortable explaining cloud concepts to non-technical audience, able to navigate Azure Portal and deploy basic resources

AZ-104: Azure Administrator Associate

Recommended study time: 120-150 hours Timeline for IT professionals: 8-12 weeks at 12-15 hours/week Timeline for beginners: 12-16 weeks at 10-12 hours/week

Weekly schedule:

• Weeks 1-4: Complete Tim Warner’s AZ-104 course (22 hours), focusing on identity, governance, storage, compute modules
• Weeks 5-8: Complete networking deep-dive course (6 hours), complete 20-30 hands-on labs covering VNets, NSGs, Load Balancers, VPN Gateway
• Weeks 9-10: Complete monitoring course (5 hours), practice implementing Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, and alerts
• Weeks 11-12: Take multiple practice exams, review Microsoft documentation for weak areas, memorize PowerShell and CLI commands
• Final week: Daily practice questions, hands-on review of complex topics (networking, hybrid identity), schedule exam

Success indicators: Comfortable deploying and managing Azure resources via Portal, PowerShell, and CLI; understand VNet architecture and routing; can troubleshoot common issues with monitoring tools

AZ-204: Azure Developer Associate

Recommended study time: 130-180 hours Timeline for experienced developers: 8-12 weeks at 12-15 hours/week Timeline for developers new to cloud: 12-16 weeks at 12-15 hours/week

Weekly schedule:

• Weeks 1-5: Complete Reza Salehi’s AZ-204 course (20 hours), focusing on compute, storage, security, monitoring modules
• Weeks 6-9: Complete serverless and microservices courses (15 hours), build 3-5 sample applications using Azure Functions, Cosmos DB, Event Grid
• Weeks 10-11: Complete security course (5 hours), implement authentication in sample applications, practice with Key Vault and managed identities
• Weeks 12-14: Take practice exams, code daily with Azure SDKs, review Azure documentation for services covered on exam
• Final week: Build a complete application using multiple Azure services, daily practice questions, schedule exam

Success indicators: Built and deployed multiple applications to Azure; comfortable with Azure SDKs in your language of choice; understand event-driven architectures and serverless patterns

AZ-305: Azure Solutions Architect Expert

Recommended study time: 160-200 hours Prerequisites: AZ-104 or equivalent (1+ year Azure administration experience) Timeline: 12-16 weeks at 12-15 hours/week

Weekly schedule:

• Weeks 1-6: Complete John Savill’s AZ-305 course (28 hours), focusing on architecture patterns, design methodologies
• Weeks 7-10: Complete specialized architecture courses (governance, compute, data - 15 hours), design reference architectures for common scenarios (e-commerce, SaaS, hybrid)
• Weeks 11-13: Study Azure Well-Architected Framework, practice designing solutions for case studies, review Microsoft Architecture Center
• Weeks 14-15: Take multiple practice exams, identify weak design areas, review networking and hybrid connectivity in depth
• Final week: Daily case study practice, review cost optimization strategies, schedule exam

Success indicators: Can articulate design decisions and trade-offs; comfortable designing multi-region, highly available architectures; understand cost optimization strategies; can design for security, compliance, and governance requirements

AZ-500: Azure Security Technologies Associate

Recommended study time: 100-120 hours Prerequisites: Intermediate Azure knowledge (AZ-104 level recommended) Timeline: 8-10 weeks at 12-15 hours/week

Weekly schedule:

• Weeks 1-4: Complete Reza Salehi’s AZ-500 course (18 hours), focusing on identity, platform protection, security operations, data security
• Weeks 5-6: Complete Azure AD and network security deep-dive courses (9 hours), practice Conditional Access policies and Azure Firewall configurations
• Weeks 7-8: Complete Azure Sentinel course (3 hours), practice threat detection and response scenarios
• Weeks 9-10: Take practice exams, review Microsoft security best practices, memorize compliance requirements and security controls
• Final week: Daily security scenario practice, review Key Vault and encryption options, schedule exam

Success indicators: Understand zero-trust architecture principles; can implement Conditional Access and PIM; comfortable with Azure Sentinel and Security Center; know when to use different encryption options

AZ-400: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert

Recommended study time: 150-200 hours Prerequisites: AZ-104 or AZ-204 Timeline: 12-16 weeks at 12-15 hours/week

Weekly schedule:

• Weeks 1-5: Complete James Millar’s AZ-400 course (24 hours), focusing on DevOps strategies, source control, CI/CD, infrastructure as code
• Weeks 6-9: Complete Azure DevOps and infrastructure as code courses (15 hours), build complete CI/CD pipelines for multiple application types
• Weeks 10-12: Complete container builds course (4 hours), practice deploying to AKS with Azure DevOps and GitHub Actions
• Weeks 13-15: Take practice exams, review Microsoft DevOps best practices, practice designing release strategies
• Final week: Build end-to-end DevOps solutions, daily practice questions, schedule exam

Success indicators: Built complete CI/CD pipelines from source control to production; comfortable with ARM templates and Bicep; understand release strategies (blue-green, canary, progressive exposure); can implement monitoring and feedback loops

Certification Career Paths and Salary Impact

Azure certifications significantly impact earning potential and career advancement:

Entry-Level Certifications (0-2 years Azure experience)

AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals

• Job roles: Cloud support specialist, technical account manager, cloud sales
• Salary range: $50K-$75K
• Career value: Demonstrates cloud literacy for non-technical roles; stepping stone to Associate certifications

Associate-Level Certifications (1-3 years Azure experience)

AZ-104: Azure Administrator Associate

• Job roles: Azure administrator, cloud engineer, systems administrator
• Salary range: $85K-$130K
• Career value: Most in-demand Azure certification; opens cloud infrastructure roles at most organizations

AZ-204: Azure Developer Associate

• Job roles: Cloud developer, application developer, software engineer
• Salary range: $95K-$140K
• Career value: Essential for developers building on Azure; combines with programming skills for high-demand roles

AZ-500: Azure Security Technologies Associate

• Job roles: Cloud security engineer, security analyst, compliance specialist
• Salary range: $100K-$145K
• Career value: Security professionals are in critically high demand; combines with security background for senior roles

DP-203: Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure Associate

• Job roles: Data engineer, ETL developer, data platform engineer
• Salary range: $105K-$155K
• Career value: Data engineering demand exceeds supply; essential for data platform roles

AI-102: Azure AI Engineer Associate

• Job roles: AI engineer, machine learning engineer, conversational AI developer
• Salary range: $110K-$165K
• Career value: AI and ML roles command premium salaries; certification demonstrates practical implementation skills

Expert-Level Certifications (2-5 years Azure experience)

AZ-305: Azure Solutions Architect Expert

• Job roles: Solutions architect, cloud architect, enterprise architect
• Salary range: $130K-$185K
• Career value: Senior technical role designing enterprise solutions; leads to architect and principal engineer positions

AZ-400: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert

• Job roles: DevOps engineer, release manager, SRE (site reliability engineer)
• Salary range: $120K-$175K
• Career value: DevOps culture is enterprise standard; Expert certification demonstrates advanced automation and CI/CD skills

Specialty Certifications

DP-300: Azure Database Administrator Associate

• Job roles: Database administrator, data platform engineer
• Salary range: $95K-$140K
• Career value: Database skills remain critical; Azure expertise adds cloud dimension to DBA roles

Certification stacking strategies:

Many Azure professionals pursue multiple certifications to demonstrate breadth and depth:

• Administrator + Architect: AZ-104 → AZ-305 (common path to architect roles)
• Developer + DevOps: AZ-204 → AZ-400 (positions you for senior development roles)
• Administrator + Security: AZ-104 → AZ-500 (cloud security specialist path)
• Developer + AI: AZ-204 → AI-102 (intelligent application developer path)
• Administrator + Data: AZ-104 → DP-203 (data platform engineer path)

Employers often value multiple Azure certifications, as they demonstrate both specialization and broad platform knowledge. A professional with AZ-104, AZ-500, and AZ-305 signals expertise in infrastructure, security, and architecture---highly valuable for enterprise environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pluralsight good for Azure certification prep?

Yes, Pluralsight is one of the best platforms for Azure certification preparation. Courses are taught by Microsoft MVPs and Azure experts, content aligns closely with current exam objectives, and the Cloud Labs provide hands-on practice in real Azure environments. However, you should supplement Pluralsight with Microsoft Learn modules (free), Azure documentation, and additional practice exams from platforms like MeasureUp for comprehensive preparation. Most learners who complete Pluralsight courses plus hands-on labs report passing their certifications.

Do I need Pluralsight Premium for Azure certification prep?

Yes. Pluralsight Standard ($299/year) includes Azure video courses but not hands-on Cloud Labs. Premium ($449/year) adds Cloud Labs and sandboxes essential for certification preparation. Microsoft Azure exams test practical skills---you need to configure resources in actual Azure Portal, not just watch videos. The Cloud Labs significantly improve retention and exam performance. The $150 difference is worth the investment if you are serious about passing Azure certifications.

How long does it take to get Azure certified with Pluralsight?

For complete beginners: 4-6 weeks for AZ-900 Fundamentals, then 8-12 weeks for an Associate certification (AZ-104, AZ-204, or AZ-500). If you have IT or development experience: 8-12 weeks for Associate certifications. Expert certifications (AZ-305, AZ-400) require 12-16 weeks plus prerequisite Associate certification. Timeline assumes 10-15 hours of weekly study including video courses, hands-on labs, and practice exams. Consistency matters more than speed---daily study produces better results than weekend cramming.

Which Azure certification should I get first?

Start with AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals if you are completely new to cloud computing or Azure. This entry-level certification takes 4-6 weeks and builds foundational knowledge. Then pursue AZ-104: Azure Administrator Associate, which is the most in-demand Azure certification and opens cloud infrastructure roles. If you are a software developer, consider AZ-204: Azure Developer Associate instead. Skip AZ-900 if you already have cloud experience from AWS or Google Cloud.

Can I pass Azure exams using only Pluralsight?

Pluralsight provides strong preparation, but successful candidates typically combine multiple resources: Pluralsight courses and labs (primary resource), Microsoft Learn modules (free, official content), Microsoft documentation (deep reference for specific services), practice exam platforms like MeasureUp or Whizlabs (additional question banks), and hands-on projects in personal Azure subscriptions. Using Pluralsight alone can work for some learners, but combining resources increases pass rates significantly.

How current are Pluralsight Azure certification courses?

Pluralsight updates Azure certification courses within 2-4 months of Microsoft exam objective changes. The major certifications (AZ-900, AZ-104, AZ-204, AZ-305, AZ-500, AZ-400) are aligned with current exam versions as of 2026. Always check course descriptions for exam version alignment (for example, AZ-104 should explicitly mention current exam version). Microsoft updates Azure exams periodically as services evolve---verify course update dates before starting certification prep.

Do Pluralsight Cloud Labs cost extra Azure credits?

No. Pluralsight Cloud Labs use pre-configured Azure subscriptions managed by Pluralsight. You will never receive an Azure bill for lab usage. This is a major advantage over using personal Azure subscriptions, where leaving resources running can result in unexpected charges. Labs automatically clean up resources after your session ends. You can experiment freely without financial risk. This makes Pluralsight Labs safer than Azure’s own free tier for learning.

What is the pass rate for Azure certifications?

Microsoft does not publish official pass rates, but community estimates suggest: AZ-900 Fundamentals: 75-80% pass rate, AZ-104 Administrator: 60-65% pass rate, AZ-204 Developer: 60-65% pass rate, AZ-305 Solutions Architect Expert: 45-50% pass rate, AZ-500 Security: 55-60% pass rate, AZ-400 DevOps Expert: 50-55% pass rate. Adequate preparation (100+ hours for Associate level, 150+ hours for Expert level) significantly improves pass probability. First-time pass rates increase dramatically with hands-on lab practice.

Can I use Pluralsight for Azure recertification?

Yes. Microsoft Azure certifications expire after one year, requiring recertification to maintain active status. For recertification, you can take a free online renewal assessment through Microsoft Learn (no exam fee). However, Pluralsight courses help you stay current with Azure service updates between renewals. Many professionals use Pluralsight for continuous learning to prepare for renewal assessments and to learn new Azure services that were not covered in their original certification.

Final Verdict: Best Azure Certification Training Platform

Pluralsight is the strongest comprehensive platform for Azure certification preparation. The combination of expert-led courses taught by Microsoft MVPs, hands-on Cloud Labs in real Azure environments, Skill IQ assessments that identify knowledge gaps, and structured role-based learning paths creates an effective certification preparation experience.

The Premium plan ($449/year) is essential for serious certification candidates. The Cloud Labs alone justify the cost---practicing in real Azure Portal without credit card risk or surprise bills accelerates learning significantly. Building virtual networks, deploying applications, and configuring security policies in actual Azure consoles makes concepts stick far better than video-only learning.

Our recommendation: Start with the 10-day free trial to evaluate course quality and lab experience. Take the Azure Skill IQ assessment to identify your current level. Choose your certification path based on career goals (Administrator for infrastructure roles, Developer for software engineering, Solutions Architect for senior technical roles). Commit to 10-15 hours weekly for 8-16 weeks depending on certification level.

The Azure job market is exceptionally strong. Organizations are migrating to Azure at an accelerating pace, creating demand for certified Azure professionals that far exceeds supply. Azure-certified administrators, developers, and architects command salaries from $85K to $185K depending on certification level, experience, and location.

Pluralsight’s structured learning paths guide you from Fundamentals through Associate to Expert certifications, providing a clear roadmap for career advancement. For individuals pursuing Azure careers or organizations training cloud teams, Pluralsight represents one of the best investments you can make in technical skills development.

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