Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate certification and Exam MS-500 retiring

As previously announced, we’re retiring the Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate certification and its required Exam MS-500: Microsoft 365 Security Administration, on June 30, 2023.

Security-related roles have evolved to deliver solutions in specialized areas—like information protection, operations, or identity management—using multiple technologies. Because of this evolution, this certification no longer has a distinct role.

Skills for security administrators are included in certifications like Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate (Exam SC-200: Microsoft Security Operations Analyst), Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate (Exam SC-300: Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator), and Microsoft Certified: Information Protection Administrator Associate (Exam SC-400: Microsoft Information Protection Administrator), each reflecting the depth of knowledge for its particular specialization. 

Summary of updates to the Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate certification.

The following questions and answers can help you determine how this news impacts your learning journey:

I’ve been preparing for Exam MS-500. What are my options? 

If you’ve been preparing for Exam MS-500, be sure to pass the exam on or before June 30, 2023.

I’ve already earned the Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate certification. What happens now? 

If you’ve already earned the Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate certification, it will stay on your transcript. 

What about renewal for the Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate certification? 

Learners with an active Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate certification can renew it for one year (one last time) up to six months after its retirement date of June 30, 2023. 

I’m considering earning the Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate certification. What should I do? 

If you’re considering earning the Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate certification, we recommend that you instead consider one or more of these certifications: Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate, Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate, or Microsoft Certified: Information Protection Administrator Associate.