Explore the Azure specialization V.Next—a streamlined path to Azure specializations
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.Introducing the updated Agentic DevOps with Microsoft Azure and GitHub specialization
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).Coming soon: the Frontier Partner specialization
One of two Frontier-focused offerings in the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, the Frontier Partner specialization validates partners who can design, build, deploy, govern, and secure AI agents across the Microsoft tech stack, including Microsoft 365 Copilot, Azure AI Foundry, GitHub Copilot, Microsoft Defender, Entra, and Purview. Partners who earn this specialization signal their deep expertise to customers—and get access to badging, priority search, and skill-aligned benefits such as: Eligibility for Frontier-aligned co-sell opportunities Microsoft Agent prepurchase plan credits and Microsoft 365 E7 licensing Packaged go-to-market resources including marketing campaigns and case study opportunities Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program Concierge support through the qualification process The specialization will be open for enrollment later in FY27, but you can start preparing now. Requirements across three components must be met simultaneously under the same Partner Global Account: Specializations: Partners must hold the following four prerequisite specializations: Microsoft 365 Copilot, AI Apps on Microsoft Azure OR AI Platform on Microsoft Azure, Data Security, and Identity and Access Management. Skilling: Five individuals from your organization must complete the Frontier Transformation Engineer badge; three individuals must earn the Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate (DP-600) certification. The people who hold the badge and the certification can be the same or different. Audit: You must get a third-party audit validating delivery capability across design, build, deploy, govern, secure, and operate. There is a two-year audit cadence. Review the walking deck for more details on this exciting opportunity.Skilling updates to the Analytics specialization, DW Migration specialization, and Azure Expert MSP
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 publishedUpdated audit checklist for the Agentic DevOps specialization coming in January 2027
Internal agentic adoption is being added to the Agentic DevOps with Microsoft Azure and GitHub specialization audit checklist to ensure that partners have internally adopted the technology. Certifications will be updated to align the specialization with GitHub platform and AI-native development capabilities—simplifying certification requirements while expanding alignment to GitHub automation, security, and AI-assisted development practices. The Agentic DevOps with Microsoft Azure and GitHub specialization showcases your organization's ability to deliver secure, automated, and AI-assisted development practices using DevOps principles and GitHub solutions. It validates that you can empower customer success across the full lifecycle of agentic DevOps—from assessment through implementation and operations. Preview the updated Agentic DevOps specialization audit checklist in December 2026 to understand what's changing and how to prepare for your next audit. View the current audit checklist, and mark your calendar for the updated preview coming in December 2026.
