Specialization updates for October: Azure Local, Teams retirement, and Azure ACR workloads
Several specializations are changing this month to help ensure your credentials stay current with the products you deliver and the FY27 rollover taxonomy. Learn what’s new for each specialization, then check Partner Center to see if you meet the requirements. Azure Stack HCI specialization becomes Azure Local for Hybrid & Sovereign Private Cloud Azure Local is replacing Azure Stack HCI, and the corresponding specialization is changing so your credential stays current with the product you deliver. The Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure with Microsoft Azure Stack HCI specialization is being renamed the Azure Local for Hybrid & Sovereign Private Cloud specialization. What is changing Name: the Azure Local for Hybrid & Sovereign Private Cloud specialization replaces the Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure with Microsoft Azure Stack HCI specialization. Performance: your Azure Consumed Revenue (ACR) is now calculated from Azure Local instead of Azure Stack HCI. Skilling: the DevOps Engineer Expert certification is no longer required. Audit: a new audit checklist releases with this update. What to do Check Partner Center to determine whether you meet the new requirements. Custom Solutions for Microsoft Teams specialization retires in November 2026 The Custom Solutions for Microsoft Teams specialization retires in November 2026. What this means After retirement, new enrollments and renewals will no longer be accepted. If you are currently enrolled, your specialization stays active until your anniversary date. The retirement may affect benefits and incentives tied to the specialization. What to do Enroll in other Modern Work specializations to continue demonstrating your expertise. ACR workloads for five Azure specializations now match the FY27 rollover taxonomy The eligible ACR workloads for five Azure specializations have been updated to match the FY27 rollover taxonomy: AI Platform, AI Apps, App Modernization, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Azure VMware Solution. The specialization pages on partner.microsoft.com have been refreshed so the requirements listed match the new taxonomy. If you hold or are working toward any of these specializations, review the updated performance requirements to confirm your ACR workloads still count. What to do Check Partner Center to find out if you maintain the requirements under the new taxonomy.Microsoft 365 Fundamentals certification is now retired
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.Adoption and Change Management specialization retired June 25, 2026
The Adoption and Change Management specialization retired on June 25, 2026. Rather than maintain a standalone specialization, adoption and change management capabilities are now measured within AI Business Solutions product-aligned specializations, such as Microsoft 365 Copilot, Secure AI Productivity, and Modernize Endpoints. Spreading these change management skill requirements across several specializations gives partners the opportunity to showcase their expertise in the context of specific, in-demand solutions. What this means for partners The Adoption and Change Management specialization is no longer available for enrollment or renewal. If you currently hold the specialization, it remains active until your anniversary date. If you currently hold or are pursuing adoption and change management capabilities as part of your Solutions Partner or incentives strategy, review your specialization status in Partner Center and identify the AI Business Solutions specialization that supports your business goals. Assess any remaining requirements, create a transition plan, and enroll in or continue progressing toward that specialization to protect benefit continuity. If you work with a Partner Development Manager or Partner Technology Strategist, engage them to support your transition. Why this matters Adoption and change management capabilities are now evaluated within AI Business Solutions product-aligned specializations, so partners can demonstrate their expertise in the context of specific, in-demand solutions. Go to Specialization Dashboard in Partner Center to check your anniversary date and specialization status, and review the other AI Business Solutions-aligned specializations.Updated skilling route for the Meetings and Meeting Rooms for Microsoft Teams specialization
Gain differentiated recognition for your deep knowledge, extensive experience, and proven success delivering Meetings and Meeting Rooms services and solutions for Microsoft Teams. As of April 15, 2026, the Meetings and Meeting Rooms for Microsoft Teams specialization now includes the Microsoft 365 Certified: Collaboration Communications Systems Engineer Associate certification as a skilling option. This certification will replace the Teams Meetings and Meeting Rooms Technical Assessment, which is being retired on June 15, 2026. Completion of the Teams Meetings and Meeting Rooms Technical Assessment on or before June 15, 2026, will count toward the specialization through June 15, 2027. No action is required if you already hold the specialization—simply prepare to meet the new skilling requirement at renewal. If you're working toward the specialization, align to the updated skilling requirement now. Review the requirements for attaining the specialization here, and visit the specializations dashboard in Partner Center to check your status.Skilling requirement update for Calling for Microsoft Teams specialization
Differentiate your capabilities and stand out in market with the Calling for Microsoft Teams specialization. To align this specialization to real-world customer needs, we updated the skilling requirements effective April 15, 2026. The Microsoft 365 Certified: Collaboration Communications Systems Engineer Associate certification will replace the Teams Calling Technical Assessment, which is being retired effective June 15, 2026. Completion of the Teams Calling Technical Assessment on or before June 15, 2026, will count toward the specialization through June 15, 2027. No action is required if you already hold the specialization—simply prepare to meet the new skilling requirement at renewal. If you're working toward the specialization, align to the updated skilling requirement now. Review all of the requirements for attaining the specialization here, and visit the specializations dashboard in Partner Center to check your status.Prepare for the retirement of the Microsoft 365 Fundamentals certification
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.
