Microsoft Certification Updates 2026: What’s New, What’s Retiring, and Which Exams Replace Them

Updated: June 1, 2026

Microsoft’s certification portfolio is changing fast in 2026 as cloud careers move toward AI, agents, intelligent applications and AI security. Candidates preparing for Azure, Dynamics 365 or Power Platform exams need to check their path before booking, because several familiar credentials are being retired or replaced.

Check current paths through the Microsoft Credentials portal and the wider Microsoft ecosystem.

Why Microsoft Is Making These Changes

This update is bigger than an exam rename. Microsoft is moving technical roles toward AI-enabled work. Developers are increasingly expected to build AI-connected cloud solutions. Security engineers must protect AI workloads as well as Azure resources. Power Platform and Dynamics 365 professionals are moving toward Copilot, agents, automation and intelligent business processes.

As of June 2, DP-100: Azure Data Scientist Associate has already retired on June 1, 2026. Its related new path is AI-300: Machine Learning Operations Engineer Associate, focused on moving machine learning and generative AI systems into production.

The next major retirements arrive on June 30. AI-102: Azure AI Engineer Associate is followed by AI-103: Azure AI Apps and Agents Developer Associate, shifting attention toward generative AI applications and production-ready agents. AI-900: Azure AI Fundamentals is updated through AI-901, meaning the fundamentals pathway continues with newer AI content.

Also retiring on June 30 are MB-240, MB-335, MB-700, PL-500 and PL-600. Microsoft’s current transition information states that no new direct certifications are planned for these five credentials.

Major Replacement Paths in 2026

For developers, AZ-204: Azure Developer Associate retires on July 31 and is followed by AI-200: Azure AI Cloud Developer Associate. The new path is built around AI-connected cloud applications.

For Dynamics 365 professionals, MB-280 retires on July 31 and is followed by AB-210: Dynamics 365 Sales AI Consultant Associate, focused on AI-powered sales processes and Copilot-supported productivity.

For security professionals, AZ-500: Azure Security Engineer Associate retires on August 31 and is followed by SC-500: Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate. It expands security work into AI environments.

For Power Platform candidates, PL-200 retires on August 31 and is followed by AB-410: Intelligent Applications Builder Associate, where apps, agents, automation and AI models work together.

For infrastructure specialists, the AZ-800 and AZ-801 Windows Server Hybrid Administrator pathway retires on September 30 and is followed by AZ-802, an updated hybrid administration route.

What Candidates Should Do Now

If you are almost prepared for a retiring exam, taking it before the deadline may still make sense. Microsoft states that once an exam retires, it cannot be taken or retaken, and eligible certifications cannot be renewed after retirement. If you are starting now, a replacement certification may provide stronger long-term value.

Build your study plan around Microsoft Learn, official study guides and hands-on labs. Additional revision support is available at DumpsGate, its Microsoft certification preparation section, the Microsoft certification articles hub, and its guide to Microsoft Certifications Updates 2026. Use practice questions to find gaps, not as a shortcut around real skills.

Final Word

Microsoft Certification Updates 2026 show where cloud careers are heading: AI apps, agents, AI operations, intelligent business tools and secure AI adoption. Choose the credential that matches your preparation today and the role you want next.