Blog Post

The Skills Hub Blog
6 MIN READ

The AI job boom is here. Are you ready to showcase your skills?

Mark Winters's avatar
Mark Winters
Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
Mar 03, 2026

Future-proof your skills: Microsoft’s new cloud, AI, and security Certifications.

AI isn’t just changing jobs descriptions, it’s redefining how work gets done across every industry, role, and skill level. From marketing to manufacturing, AI is reshaping workflows, speeding up deci...
New Microsoft Certification exam beta timeline
Updated Mar 23, 2026
Version 6.0
certification
Cloud AI
retirement
SWebber's avatar
SWebber
Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
Mar 09, 2026

Hello! I have good news for you - AZ-204 and AI-102 will still meet the prerequisite requirements after they retire as long as they are active in your transcript. 

ShpendK's avatar
ShpendK
MCT
Mar 10, 2026

Certifications Earned:

  • ✅ Passed AZ-400 on March 15, 2026 (valid 1 year → expires March 15, 2027)
  • ✅ Passed AZ-204 on March 15, 2026 (valid 1 year → expires March 15, 2027)
  • 🏆 DevOps Solutions Architect certification active until March 15, 2027


Key Event:

  • ⚠️ AZ-204 retires on 31 July 2026 — but since it was passed on March 15, 2026, it remains active in your transcript.


Renewal:

  • 🔄 AZ-400 renewed in August 2026 → certification extended by 1 year
  • 🏆 DevOps Solutions Architect validity extended until March 15, 2028

 

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