The new Windows Server Certification exam is here. One exam, in-demand hybrid skills—and a limited-time beta discount. Secure your spot before it fills up.

Today’s IT infrastructure is more distributed than ever, spanning on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments and increasingly exposed to cyberthreats. Organizations need administrators who can secure, manage, and operate across this complexity to protect their valuable infrastructure.

To support this shift, we’re evolving the Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Certification and renaming it the Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Administrator Associate Certification. This updated Microsoft Certification validates your knowledge of deploying, implementing, managing, securing, and troubleshooting Windows Server. As part of this change, we’ve consolidated two exams to one. Effective September 2026, to earn this Certification, you’ll need to pass Exam AZ-802: Administering Windows Server, currently in beta.

Is this the right Certification for you?

The Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Administrator Associate Certification focuses on the practical skills needed to manage and secure Windows Server across Azure and on-premises environments, validating the ability to:

• Deploy and manage Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS).
• Manage Windows Server instances and workloads in a hybrid environment.
• Manage virtual machines (VMs).
• Implement and manage an on-premises and hybrid networking infrastructure.
• Manage storage and file services.
• Secure Windows Server infrastructure.
• Monitor and troubleshoot Windows Server environments.

Candidates for this Certification administer identity, security, management, compute, networking, storage, and monitoring for Windows Server, and collaborate closely with architects, administrators, and engineers. 

They should have experience administering Windows Server by using technologies such as Windows Admin Center, Hyper-V, PowerShell, Azure Arc, Azure Monitor, Azure Update Manager, and Microsoft Defender for Cloud. They should also be familiar with AD DS.

What’s new in Exam AZ-802

Exam AZ-802 replaces:

• Exam AZ-800: Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure
• Exam AZ-801: Configuring Windows Server Hybrid Advanced Services

Both exams will be retired in September 2026.

The new exam provides a focused, streamlined validation by combining essential skills into one experience while prioritizing the most relevant scenarios for modern administrators.

Key updates include:

• A unified exam covering both core infrastructure and advanced services.
• Expanded hybrid management scenarios using Azure Arc, Azure Update Manager, and Azure Monitor.
• Updated security and protocol coverage, including OSConfig baselines, SMB over QUIC, Microsoft Entra Password Protection, and GPU partitioning.

NOTE: We’re not retiring the Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Certification; we’re refreshing the requirements to earn it, with a new single exam that better reflects today's hybrid and cloud-integrated Windows Server administration skills. If you already hold this Certification, no additional action is required on your part. Your Certification will reflect the new name after Exam AZ-802 goes live in September 2026; however, you may take Exam AZ-802. Note that passing the new exam will reset your Certification’s expiration date to one year from the date that you pass that exam rather than a year from your existing Certification’s expiration date. When you renew your certification, you will be assessed on the new skills added to this certification. For more details on the retirement of Exam AZ-800 and Exam AZ-801, read our recent blog post, The AI job boom is here. Are you ready to showcase your skills?

Ready to prove your skills?

Take advantage of the discounted beta exam offer. The first 300 people who take Exam AZ-802 (beta) on or before July 22, 2026, can get 80% off.

To receive the discount, when you register for the exam and are prompted for payment, use code AZ802Chandler. This is not a private access code. The seats are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. As noted, you must take the exam on or before July 22, 2026. Please note that this discount is not available in Turkey, Pakistan, India, or China.

How to prepare

Get ready to take Exam AZ-802 (beta):

• Review the Exam AZ-802 (beta) page for training resources, exam registration, and other details.
• The Exam AZ-802 study guide explores key topics covered in the exam.
• Connect with Microsoft Training Services Partners in your area for in-person offerings.
• Need other preparation ideas? Check out Just How Does One Prepare for Beta Exams?

Ready to get started?

• You can take Certification exams online, from your home or office. Get the details in Online proctored exams: What to expect and how to prepare.
• Remember, only the first 300 candidates can get 80% off Exam AZ-802 (beta) with code AZ802Chandler on or before July 22, 2026.
• Beta exam rescoring begins when the exam goes live, with final results released approximately 10 days later. For more details, read Creating high-quality exams: The path from beta to live.
• Stay tuned for general availability of this Certification in August 2026.

Additional information

For more Certification updates, read our recent blog post, Microsoft Credentials roundup: June 2026.

Follow our credentials news on The Skills Hub Blog as we roll out additional new Certifications in July, August, and September 2026.

Join our Microsoft Worldwide Learning SME Group for Credentials on LinkedIn for beta exam alerts and opportunities to help shape future Microsoft learning and assessments.

Explore Microsoft Credentials on AI Skills Navigator.