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.From Copilot to Catalyst: How MSPs Turn AI Readiness Into Recurring Revenue
AI interest is surging—but most customers aren’t ready to scale it securely or successfully. Gaps in device management, identity hygiene, data governance, and operational consistency often stall AI initiatives before they deliver real value. For Managed Service Providers, this challenge creates a powerful opportunity. In this webinar, you’ll learn how MSPs are using Microsoft Intune as the foundation for helping manage and secure devices, and extending it with AvePoint Confidence Platform: Elements Edition to standardize, automate, and scale AI-ready environments across customer tenants. Together, they enable MSPs to move beyond one-off AI projects and deliver AI readiness as a repeatable, revenue-generating managed service. This session focuses on turning AI demand—starting with Copilot—into a long-term services motion that improves margins, reduces operational friction, and positions your MSP as a trusted AI partner. In this webinar, you will learn how to: Turn AI readiness into recurring revenue Learn how MSPs are packaging AI readiness—starting with Copilot—into repeatable, high-margin managed services customers renew and expand. Scale securely without adding overhead See how Microsoft Intune, extended with AvePoint Confidence Platform: Elements Edition, enables standardized, automated delivery across multiple customer tenants. Move from AI pilots to real outcomes Get a practical blueprint to replace one-off AI projects with scalable services that position your MSP as a trusted AI partner. Register now: From Copilot to Catalyst: How MSPs Turn AI Readiness Into Recurring RevenuePrepare 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.
