Share this post:In September at Microsoft Ignite Orlando, Microsoft presented several new role-based certifications. As an early adopter, it was exciting to learn about these new certifications. I began researching and preparing for the AZ100 and AZ101 certification exams. I have passed the AZ100 exam and am now preparing to teach a course that will help people get the new Azure Administrator role. Surprise! Microsoft has just announced that both exams will be ending on May 1, 2019. This is just a few months after the exams were first introduced! Take a deep breath, regardless of whether you have passed or started studying for the exams. Let’s talk about what this change means to you. The Ultimate Guide to IT Certifications has more information about getting certified in IT.

Background
Microsoft announced last year these new job-role-based certifications in order to better match current IT professionals’ needs. Microsoft announced yesterday that they would be retiring two of these certifications: AZ-100, (Microsoft Azure Infrastructure and Deployment), and AZ-101, (Microsoft Azure Integration and Security), on May 1. Why? Their blog states that they received lots of feedback from the Microsoft community about the exam requirements. I can confirm that the exam was difficult even though I passed the first attempt. We don’t know what caused the change but we do know that these exams are going to be retired in May.
To earn the Microsoft Azure Administrator certification, you must pass both the 101 and 100 exams as an individual. To earn the certification, you will only need one exam after May 1, 2019. This exam is the AZ-103 (Microsoft Azure Administrator). The 103 exam combines 100 and 101 objectives.
What if I have already taken the exam?
The good news is that if you have already passed the AZ100 exam, you will automatically be awarded the Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate certificate.
AZ-101 is also available to those who have taken it. You will be issued an exam voucher, regardless of whether you passed or failed, that can be used to purchase any Microsoft exam through Pearson VUE. This is their way to say, “Thanks for being early adopters” of our new certification program and helping us to understand the certification needs Azure Administrators so we could simplify it going forward.”
What if I’m already registered to take this exam?
Register to take the exam if you have not registered by May 1. Keep an eye on your email. Microsoft claims that all exams will be cancelled, but they don’t say how they will notify the community.
You have the option to take and pass these exams if you registered for either exam prior to May 1. Let’s take a look at it. If you have registered to take the AZ100 exam before May 1, you will automatically receive the Microsoft Certified Azure Administrator Associate certificate. If you have registered to take AZ-101 and pass it, you won’t automatically earn the Azure Administrator certification. Instead, you will receive an AZ-101 exam badge.
As I mentioned above, if you pass the AZ101 exam before May 1, you will be issued an exam voucher that you can use for any Microsoft exam through Pearson VUE.
What if I have already begun to study?
The good news for those who have been studying for the AZ100 exam is that their efforts have not been in vain. This news was announced in conjunction with the announcement of several new Azure exams. With some modifications, the AZ103 closely matches the AZ100 objectives. The objective 4.6 was renamed, but the majority of the additional objectives were taken from the AZ101 exam. Check out the following changes:
1.4 Managed role-based Access Control (RBAC) may include, but not limited to: Create a new role, configure Azure resources by assigning roles, configure management accessibility to Azure, troubleshoot RBAC and implement RBAC policies, assign RBAC role.
4.5 Implement Azure load balancedr. This may include but is not limited to: Configure internal loads balancer, configure load-balancing rules, configure public loads balancer, and troubleshoot load imbalancer.
4.6 Monitor and troubleshoot the virtual networking. This may include but is not limited to: Monitor on premises connectivity, use network resource monitor, use Network Watcher, troubleshoot outside networking, and troubleshoot the virtual network connectivity.
4.7 Integrate on premises network. This may include but is not limited to: Create an Azure VPN Gateway, configure site-to-site VPN, configure Express Route and verify on-premises connectivity