Specialization Updates articles

Microsoft 365 Fundamentals certification is now retired

JS5 — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:41:45 GMT

As part of our regular review of skilling and certification requirements, we have retired the Microsoft 365 Fundamentals certification, effective March 31, 2026. This change reflects our ongoing alignment with customer and market demand.

Partners can no longer obtain this certification. For partners who were certified before retirement, the certification will continue to count toward skilling points for the Modern Work designation until March 31, 2027.

Plan for future renewals by reviewing other eligible certifications in place of Microsoft 365 Fundamentals. We will continue to share guidance and new skilling options—including planned alternatives to Microsoft 365 Fundamentals like the Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals certification—to support your skilling journey.

Learn more about maintaining your Modern Work designation and eligible certifications to demonstrate your skills.

Explore updated performance requirements for the SMB Management specialization

JS5 — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 16:09:32 GMT

Microsoft is updating performance criteria for the Small and Midsize Business (SMB) Management specialization to better align with how partners go to market. Starting March 27, 2026, we're reducing the monthly active user (MAU) growth requirement from 35% to 15% and increasing the deployment requirement from 10 to 15 deployments.

The revised criteria, which are based on partner feedback, emphasize new customer deployments while maintaining a focus on overall performance. The updates help ensure the SMB Management specialization continues to represent partners who meet the highest standards for service delivery and support.

Review your current progress toward the SMB Management specialization in Partner Center and adjust your deployment and growth strategy to align with the updated criteria.

Prepare for the retirement of the Microsoft 365 Fundamentals certification

JS5 — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 17:22:30 GMT

To ensure our program offerings align with customer and market demand, we regularly review our applied skilling and certification requirements for Solutions Partner designations and retire certain certifications and skilling requirements.

As part of that review, we're retiring the Microsoft 365 Fundamentals certification on March 31, 2026. As of this date, partners will no longer be able to obtain this certification. For partners who were certified before the retirement, the certification will continue to count toward skilling points for the Modern Work designation until March 31, 2027.

We encourage you to plan for future renewals by reviewing other eligible certifications in place of Microsoft 365 Fundamentals. Microsoft will continue to provide resources and guidance to support a smooth transition as this change takes effect.

Learn more about maintaining your Modern Work designation and eligible certifications to demonstrate your skills.

It's now easier to attain the Microsoft Azure VMware Solution specialization

JS5 — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:02:47 GMT

To expand the specialization opportunity to more partners, Microsoft has removed the Azure VMware Solution (AVS) technical assessment requirement from the Microsoft AVS specialization. This change makes both attaining and renewing the specialization significantly easier for partners.

VMware is a leading provider of on-premises virtualization. As more organizations evaluate moving parts of their server-virtualization workloads to the cloud, this creates a meaningful opportunity for partners to guide migration plans aligned to security best practices and relevant regulatory requirements. The Microsoft AVS specialization showcases your authority in helping customers migrate on-premises VMware workloads to Azure.

If you do not yet hold the Microsoft AVS specialization, we encourage you to pursue it now. Partners approaching their renewal window can also begin the renewal process today.

Visit Partner Center to review the status of the Microsoft Azure VMware Solution specialization.

Stand out as an authority on cloud sovereignty with the Digital Sovereignty specialization

JS5 — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 20:56:59 GMT

The Digital Sovereignty specialization is designed to drive meaningful business outcomes. It differentiates your organization as a sovereign cloud leader, building trust with customers in compliance-heavy regions. It also opens access to high-value projects in regulated industries such as government, defense, banking, and healthcare. The Digital Sovereignty specialization supports business growth by highlighting value-added services capabilities with higher margins in digital sovereignty. Finally, it signals proven delivery capability on sensitive cloud deployments, fostering strong client relationships.

To enroll, meet the five specialization prerequisite requirements across Security, Azure, and Modern Work. Once eligible, respond to Microsoft outreach and schedule a third-party audit, demonstrating recent sovereign cloud projects. Then, maintain the specialization by continuing to meet prerequisites annually and passing the audit every two years.

Don't miss this opportunity to tap into incredible business value and access exciting opportunities based on the capabilities and knowledge you already have.

Updated requirements for the SAP on Microsoft Azure specialization

JS5 — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:15:27 GMT

The SAP on Microsoft Azure specialization is a credential that validates your deep expertise in planning, migrating, and operating SAP (Systems, Applications, and Products in Data Processing) workloads on Microsoft Azure. Microsoft is updating this specialization to make it more accessible for a broader range of partners. These changes are designed to expand opportunity—making it possible for more organizations to demonstrate SAP on Azure expertise, earn official Microsoft recognition, and unlock exclusive go-to-market advantages that strengthen differentiation in a competitive market.

What's changed

Lower ACR threshold: Beginning in January 2026, the Azure consumed revenue (ACR) requirement decreased from $30,000 to $7,500,* totaled over three months, significantly reducing the barrier to entry while maintaining a high standard of technical capability.

Streamlined skilling validation: Partners can validate required Microsoft learning coursework directly within Partner Center, removing the need to do so in the third-party audit for this specialization. Skilling requirements may be met through either:

The Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty certification.
Completion of the Run SAP on the Microsoft Cloud learning path.

This simplified approach accelerates the path to earning the specialization.

Next actions

Visit Partner Center to review the updated SAP on Microsoft Azure specialization requirements and apply or renew.

*Throughout this document, $ refers to US dollar (USD).

Updated requirements for Microsoft Azure VMware Solution specialization

JS5 — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 17:26:32 GMT

Updated requirements for the Microsoft Azure VMware Solution (AVS) specialization make it simpler to obtain—offering a path to showcase your unique capabilities and technical expertise.

What's changed
We removed the requirement to pass the outdated AVS technical assessment to earn the specialization. We also removed the Broadcom certification requirements, which were previously checked as a portion of the audit.

Highlights of the specialization
Show customers you're uniquely qualified to migrate VMware workloads to Azure with the AVS specialization. Highlights include:

Verified expertise badge.
Priority listing in Microsoft directories.
Access to incentives and co-sell programs.

Visit Partner Center to verify that you meet the new AVS specialization requirements, then apply or renew today.

Introducing the updated Agentic DevOps with Microsoft Azure and GitHub specialization

JS5 — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 20:19:50 GMT

As modern DevOps practices evolve to include AI-powered tooling and GitHub-based workflows, Microsoft is updating the Accelerate Developer Productivity with Microsoft Azure specialization to better reflect how partners are driving customer outcomes today.

The specialization has been renamed to the Agentic DevOps with Microsoft Azure and GitHub specialization and features updated performance and audit requirements.

What's changing

This update includes three key changes:

New specialization name. The updated name reflects partners' expertise across Microsoft Azure and GitHub.
Updated performance requirements. Revenue thresholds and eligible workloads have been refined around Azure DevOps, GitHub, and related developer services.
Clarified audit expectations. Partners will use an updated audit checklist specific to the Agentic DevOps with Azure specialization.

These changes are designed to make it easier for you to understand the qualifications and demonstrate your capabilities to customers.

Update performance requirements

To qualify for the Agentic DevOps with Microsoft Azure and GitHub specialization, your organization must now:

Show a total of $30,000* in Azure consumed revenue (ACR) in the last three months from the following eligible sub-strategic pillars: Azure DevOps, GitHub Copilot, GitHub Platform, and Microsoft DevBox.
Have at least three unique customers contributing to ACR in the last three months across the same eligible sub-strategic pillars.
Associate customer consumption using any of the following eligible association types: Digital Partner of Record (DPOR), Partner Admin Link (PAL), and Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) partner.

These updates focus the specialization on partners who are actively empowering customers to adopt Azure-based DevOps and GitHub solutions at scale.

Audit requirements and checklist

As part of earning or renewing the specialization, your organization must complete a remote audit with a third-party assessor. Before you schedule the audit, review the Agentic DevOps with Azure specialization audit checklist and confirm your organization can meet all listed criteria. The audit:

Is conducted remotely by an independent third party.
Has an associated fee.
Must be both scheduled and completed within 30 days of selecting the "schedule audit" button in Partner Center.

If the audit is not completed within the 30-day window, the result will be an automatic "no pass."

Check Partner Center to discover whether you meet the new specialization requirements.

*Throughout this page, $ refers to US dollar (USD).

Explore changes to the updated AI Apps on Microsoft Azure specialization

JS5 — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 20:17:19 GMT

Our specialists deliver high-performing solutions backed by deep technical expertise. To help ensure the ecosystem of specialists remains strong, the performance and audit criteria for the AI Apps on Microsoft Azure specialization have been updated.

To earn or renew this specialization, your organization must first have an active Solutions Partner designation for either Data & AI (Azure) or Digital & App Innovation (Azure). Then, you must meet all of the following updated requirements. Please note that while this article contains the requirements that are changing—performance criteria and audit criteria—there are also skilling requirements that your organization will need to meet. These are not being updated and therefore do not appear below.

Performance requirements

Your organization must show a total of $15,000* Azure consumed revenue (ACR) from Microsoft Foundry and underlying AI services in the last three months, measured through the following strategic pillars: Rest of Azure AI, Azure OpenAI, and/or 3P GPU.
Your organization must show a total of $15,000 ACR from Azure Application Platform services (AKS, ACA, ARO, App Service, Logic Apps, APIM, Functions, Managed Redis) and GitHub products in the last three months, measured through the following strategic pillars: App Platform Services, Container Services, Serverless and Supporting App Services, Integration Services, Developer Services and Platform, and/or GitHub Copilot.
Your organization must show a total of $15,000 ACR from Azure Data Platform services (Cosmos DB, SQL DB Hyperscale, Azure SQL Core, MySQL PaaS, PostgreSQL PaaS, Fabric F SKU) in the last three months, measured through the following strategic pillars: Modern DB, MySQL and PostgreSQL PaaS, Azure SQL Core, and/or Fabric F SKU.
Your organization must have at least three unique customers contributing to ACR in the last three months from the following eligible strategic pillars and association types.
- Strategic pillars: Rest of Azure AI, Azure OpenAI, 3P GPU, Modern DB, MySQL and PostgreSQL PaaS, Azure SQL Core, App Platform Services, Container Services, Serverless and Supporting App Servicves, Integration Services, Fabric F SKU, Developer Services and Platform, and GitHub Copilot
- Association types: Digital Partner of Record (DPOR), Partner Admin Link (PAL), and Cloud Solution Provider (CSP)

The services included in all of the above eligible strategic pillars are listed here.

Audit or customer references

Please review the AI Apps on Azure specialization audit checklist and ensure your company can complete the audit before selecting the "schedule audit" button. The audit is conducted remotely by an independent third party and has an associated fee. After selecting the "schedule audit" button, your company has 30 days in which to both schedule and complete the audit. Failure to complete the audit within the 30-day period will result in an automatic "no pass.”

Check Partner Center to see if you meet the new specialization requirements.

*Throughout this page, $ refers to US dollar (USD).

Showcase your deep sovereignty expertise with the new Digital Sovereignty specialization

JS5 — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 17:16:22 GMT

As announced on November 6 during our AI Tour, we're excited to introduce the Digital Sovereignty specialization.

We designed this specialization so partners can capitalize on rising demand for sovereign cloud solutions as governments and critical industries seek data sovereignty and security in response to global uncertainty. This is a key growth opportunity as market demand for data, application, and infrastructure sovereignty increases.

Starting in early 2026, partners who meet certain criteria can attain the Digital Sovereignty specialization. Here's what to know:

This specialization signals to customers your deep technical expertise in designing, implementing, and managing sovereign cloud environments, including data operations, technical, and AI sovereignty.
Attainment gives you access to benefits aligned to the specialization, including incentives, specialized badging, and increased discoverability.
Microsoft will prioritize your organization for sovereign cloud opportunities.

Partners who are interested in attaining this specialization must complete audit requirements and enroll via Partner Center. For more details, review the Digital Sovereignty specialization deck.

Learn more

Updated skilling requirements for SAP on Microsoft Azure  specialization

JS5 — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 19:15:37 GMT

To reflect growing momentum around RISE with SAP on Microsoft Azure, we have updated the skilling criteria for the SAP on Microsoft Azure specialization. This update gives you an additional pathway for meeting the skilling requirement.

Review the updated requirements to ensure you are eligible for renewal and can maximize the benefits of the SAP on Microsoft Azure specialization.

To keep specialization requirements current and aligned with evolving partner roles, Microsoft made the following updates:

Previous requirement:

Three (3) individuals must pass the following certification:

Microsoft Certified: Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty

Updated requirement:

Three (3) individuals must pass the following certification:

Microsoft Certified: Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty

Three (3) individuals to pass the following learning path:

Run SAP on the Microsoft Cloud

As part of the Module B audit for the SAP on Microsoft Azure specialization, you’ll be asked to provide documentation showing completion of the Run SAP on the Microsoft Cloud learning path. This evidence helps confirm your team’s achievement and ensures your organization can fully benefit from the specialization.

If you’re unsure about your organization’s qualifications for the updated requirements, please check the SAP on Microsoft Azure specialization page in Partner Center. 

Updates to Data Security specialization (formerly Information Protection and Governance)

JS2 — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 17:40:21 GMT

As of 8/26/2025, the Information Protection and Governance specialization is now updated to the Data Security specialization in response to partner feedback and evolving market conditions. In addition to a new name, the specialization also features updated skilling and performance requirements. As more organizations integrate generative AI into their processes, this evolution of the specialization is designed to give customers greater confidence in partners’ ability to manage and discover data utilized within AI applications and tools. This specialization is aligned to the Solutions Partner designation for Security, and partners still need that designation in order to earn or renew the Data Security specialization.

Updates to the performance and skilling requirements are as follows:

Performance: We are increasing the monthly active users (MAU) growth requirement from 1,000 to 2,500 MAU.
Skilling: Your organization must have at least six individuals who have passed SC-401 Microsoft Certified: Information Security Administrator Associate. NOTE: This certification replaced the SC-400 Microsoft Certified: Information Protection and Compliance Administrator Associate certification, which retired in May 2025. If individuals obtained the previous certification before its retirement date, their certification will remain valid and count toward this requirement for one year after attainment.

Four or more individuals within the partner organization must pass any of the following Applied Skills (APLs):

Your Partner Center admin can view the specializations dashboard to explore the new criteria and check which requirements you’ve met. Review the list below to help determine necessary actions to earn or maintain your Data Security specialization.

Attain or renew your Solutions Partner designation for Security.
Ensure you meet all performance requirements.
Ensure you meet all skilling requirements.
Ensure you meet all customer reference requirements.

The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program has the resources you need to meet these new benchmarks and stand out to customers. This evolution of the Data Security specialization validates the specific capabilities customers are searching for—so they know they can trust your security expertise.

To learn more about all of the requirements visit the Data Security specialization page.

Updated skilling requirements for the Custom Solutions for Microsoft Teams specialization

JS2 — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 22:22:45 GMT

To better align with customer demand and continue supporting your success, we’ve recently made a key update to the skilling requirements for the Custom Solutions for Microsoft Teams specialization.

As of July 31, 2025, we replaced the expired Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Application Developer Associate certification with the Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Administrator Associate certification as a requirement.

Previous requirement: At least four individuals from your organization must have passed the Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Application Developer Associate certification.

Updated requirement: At least four individuals from your organization must pass the Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Administrator Associate certification.

If you’re unsure about your organization's qualifications for the updated requirements, please check the Custom Solutions for Microsoft Teams specialization page in Partner Center

You can see this update as well as all of the requirements on the Custom Solutions for Microsoft Teams specialization page.

Stand out in the marketplace with a Microsoft Copilot specialization

JS3 — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 15:05:51 GMT

The Microsoft Copilot specialization demonstrates your experience and capabilities with Copilot, including Microsoft 365 Copilot, Copilot Chat, Copilot Studio, and agents. Partners with this specialization can help their customers:

Explore AI Advisory Services for Microsoft Copilot.  
Adopt Copilot. 
Deliver data security and deployment. 
Enable extensibility with agentic focus.

To earn this specialization, you must first attain one of three Solutions Partner designations: Business Applications, Modern Work, and/or Security. If your organization has already attained one or more of these designations, please review the Microsoft Copilot specialization criteria—which include performance metrics, skilling requirements, and customer references—and begin to work toward meeting them. You can check whether you currently meet the requirements by viewing your Partner Center dashboard.

The requirements include:

Performance requirements 

1,000 monthly active users (MAU) growth of M365 Copilot in the trailing 12 months (TTM) (Claiming partner of record (CPOR), Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) Tier 1, CSP Tier 2)

AND
 
5 net customer growth for Copilot in TTM (CPOR, CSP Tier 1, CSP Tier 2)

Skilling requirements 

5 people with MS-102: Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert 

AND
5 people with, cumulatively:
SC-401: Implement information protection in Microsoft 365
OR  
APL-4002: Prepare security and compliance to support Copilot

AND
5 people with APL-7008: Create custom agents with Microsoft Copilot Studio

Customer references 

Provide three customer references, which must include at least one example of transforming business processes with agent implementation.

Learn more

Explore the Azure specialization V.Next—a streamlined path to Azure specializations

JS5 — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 16:53:47 GMT

At Microsoft, our goal is to continually improve the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program experience, which includes updating specializations to help you deliver greater customer value and drive revenue.

Below, you’ll find information on an exciting update we recently made to a key Azure specialization to improve the partner experience.

The Build AI Apps on Microsoft Azure specialization—aligned to both the Data & AI (Azure) designation and the Digital & App Innovation (Azure) designation—is getting an updated path to meet the Module B audit requirement. With the Azure specialization V.Next, we are offering an alternative means to meet the audit requirement for this specialization by using completed engagement data through Azure Innovate partner-led scenarios. This new option cuts down on both time and cost for partners—making it easier for you to earn your Azure specializations. While the Build AI Apps specialization is the first to offer the V.Next option, our goal is to expand to all applicable Azure-aligned specializations in the future.

Before Azure specialization V.Next, the audit was performed by a third-party supplier and consisted of Modules A and B. While this traditional path is still an option, the information that V.Next gathers through completed Azure Innovate partner-led qualified scenarios can meet the Module B portion of the audit. Module A is still required, but each partner only needs to complete it every other year.

The Azure specialization V.Next is now live for the Build AI Apps on Microsoft Azure specialization and is applicable for qualified renewals as well as net new enrollment scenarios.

Finally, as Microsoft approaches our 50th anniversary, we want to thank our partners for transforming businesses and communities around the world. Our goal remains to empower organizations, and our success hinges on how we harness Al and other technologies to amplify human achievement and create positive change for society.

Explore specialization details in the walking deck.

Discover how to apply for a specialization and browse the specializations overview page for more information. 

Skilling updates to the Analytics specialization, DW Migration specialization, and Azure Expert MSP

JS5 — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 20:04:04 GMT

As always, Microsoft is seeking ways to evolve with the growing needs of our partners. Recent updates to some specialization requirements are just one way we’re working toward that goal. On June 18*, we are adjusting the certification requirements for the Analytics on Microsoft Azure specialization, the Data Warehouse Migration to Microsoft Azure specialization, and the Azure Expert MSP offering. These updates are designed to account for the retirement of the Azure Data Engineer Associate certification on March 31, 2025.

For both the Analytics specialization and the Data Warehouse Migration specialization, the Azure Data Engineer Associate certification will be replaced with the Fabric Data Engineer Associate certification.

For the Azure Expert MSP offering requirements, the Azure Data Engineer Associate certification is being removed without replacement. To meet the updated requirements, please ensure you have enough certified individuals in relevant certifications.

The number of required certified individuals across each of the three offerings will remain the same. If you meet the prior requirements and are negatively impacted, you will have a six-month grace period to work toward meeting the new requirements. During this time, an override status will be indicated in Partner Center.

Check out these links for more information:

Skilling resources

Specializations re-enrollments

Analytics on Microsoft Azure specialization

Data Warehouse Migration to Microsoft Azure specialization

*Language has been updated since the original post was published

Performance and skilling updates coming to Infra and Database Migration specialization

JS5 — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 20:54:32 GMT

Microsoft is always looking for ways to evolve with the growing needs of our partners. Recent updates to some specialization requirements are just one way we’re working toward that goal. On March 4, we made adjustments to the performance, skilling, and certification requirements for the Infrastructure (Azure) specialization, Infra and Database Migration to Azure.

To showcase your organization’s competency in implementing secure migrations for customers, more flexible performance requirements will now include Azure Consumed Revenue (ACR) from either Windows or Linux and either SQL or open-source database (OSDB).

Current requirement: You need to meet both Windows and Linux ACR requirements. 
Updated requirement: You need to meet either the Windows or Linux ACR requirement. 
Current requirement: You need to meet both SQL and OSDB ACR requirements. 
Updated requirement: You need to meet either the SQL or OSDB ACR requirement.

Additionally, as of March 4, the Azure Security Engineer Associate certification is now a requirement for the Infra and Database Migration specialization. Partners who wish to enroll, or remain enrolled, in the specialization will need to have a certain number of their employees pass the Azure Security Engineer Associate certification. Furthermore, the Azure Data Engineer Associate certificate will expire on March 31, 2025. If you completed it before retirement, you will be credited for holding the certification for one year after obtaining it. Moving forward, this certification is replaced by Azure Database Administrator Associate.

Your organization must have at least four individuals pass the following certifications, and each certification listed below must be held by at least one individual: 

 *This certification will expire on March 31, 2025. If completed before retirement, it will remain valid for one year.  

Customers want to know you have the skills they need for their cloud migrations—make sure you meet these new requirements before you apply for a specialization renewal. If you’re unsure about your organization's qualifications for the updated requirements, please check the Infra and Database Migration to Azure specialization page in Partner Center.

If you meet the prior requirements at the time of the change and are negatively impacted, you will have a six-month grace period to work toward meeting the new requirements. During this time, an override status will be indicated in Partner Center. 

As Microsoft marks our 50th anniversary, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our valued partners and customers. Your unwavering support and collaboration have been instrumental in shaping our journey.

Updated requirements for Finance, Sales, Service, and Supply Chain specializations

JS3 — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 20:59:12 GMT

To empower more partners to qualify for specializations, we’ve adjusted the Performance and Knowledge requirements to earn certain Business Applications specializations.

Updated Finance, Sales, Service, and Supply Chain requirements

The Performance and Knowledge threshold requirements have been changed. The requirements are the same across all four specializations:

Performance

3 large deployments (previously 5)
>0% monthly consumption value (MCV) growth rate (previously >30%)
Baseline of 25,000 MCV

Knowledge

5 unique individuals with intermediate certifications (previously 15)
No minimum number of individuals required to earn each certification (previously 3)
2 unique individuals with expert certifications (previously 5)

Additionally, specific to the Sales specialization, the intermediate certification Customer Experience Analyst Associate has been added to replace the expired certifications.

Your partner admin can check to see if you meet these new requirements and apply for the audit. If you’ve already earned one of the specializations, check to see if you meet the updated requirements before applying for renewal. Full details on the requirements can be found on the individual specialization websites:

“DevOps with GitHub on Microsoft Azure” is now “Accelerate Productivity with Microsoft Azure”

JS2 — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 20:58:38 GMT

As of September 2024, the DevOps with GitHub on Microsoft Azure specialization will now be referred to as the Accelerate Developer Productivity with Microsoft Azure specialization to more accurately convey its purpose.

Updated requirements for Low Code Application Development and Intelligent Automation specializations

JS2 — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 15:42:42 GMT

As of September 2024, Microsoft has added the Modern Work Solutions Partner designation as an optional requirement for the Low Code Application Development and Intelligent Automation specializations. Business Applications, Digital & App Innovation, and Modern Work designations all qualify for the Solutions Partner designation requirement for both specializations.

Your partner admin can check to see if you meet these new requirements and apply for the audit by visiting the specializations dashboard in Partner Center. If you have already earned one of the specializations, check to see if you meet the updated requirements before applying for renewal. Please reach out to Partner Center support with any questions on this update.