AZ-900 Exam Cost 2026
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals lists at $99 USD — but it is one of the few certs you can sit for $0 using a free Microsoft event voucher, and once you pass it never expires. Here is the real total cost, the free route, retake and reschedule rules, and where AZ-900 sits among Azure exam fees.
01 How much does the AZ-900 cost?
That $99 already makes Azure Fundamentals one of the most affordable globally-recognised cloud credentials. For comparison, the equivalent AWS and Google Cloud foundational exams sit at roughly $100–$125, so Microsoft's entry point is competitive even before any discount. The exam itself is delivered through Pearson VUE and can be taken either online with remote proctoring from home or at a physical test centre — the price is the same either way, and there is no separate booking or proctoring surcharge layered on top of the $99.
One thing worth flagging up front: prices and policies for Microsoft exams are set by Microsoft and administered by Pearson VUE, and they do change from time to time. The figures here reflect the standard US pricing in 2026, but you should always treat the number on your own Pearson VUE checkout — in your currency, with your local tax — as the authoritative one. The more interesting fact, though, is that for AZ-900 specifically the sticker price is often optional. Microsoft runs a genuine free route that can take your cost to zero, and we cover it next because it is the single biggest saving available on this exam.
02 The genuine $0 route: free Microsoft vouchers
Unlike most vendors, Microsoft regularly hands out 100%-off AZ-900 exam vouchers to ordinary learners — no employer, partner status, or student ID required. The most reliable source is a free online event:
How the free-voucher route works
Cloud Skills Challenges — the time-limited events Microsoft runs around Ignite and Build — are a second voucher source, though their rewards vary and sometimes go only to those who finish within the window. The discount typically appears as a credit applied automatically to your Microsoft Learn profile rather than as a code in your inbox.
03 The true total cost of getting certified
If you pay full price, the booking-page fee is only part of what people actually spend. Add a little focused practice and the realistic total for a self-study candidate who passes first time looks like this:
Typical self-study path to a first-time pass
Most of the "extras" people imagine they need for AZ-900 are, in practice, free. Microsoft's own Learn platform hosts a complete, self-paced AZ-900 learning path at no cost, and a free Azure account lets you click around the real portal so the concepts stop being abstract. The one paid line item that consistently earns its place is a focused set of practice questions, because it is the cheapest way to find out whether you are actually ready before you spend $99 finding out the hard way.
04 How the price compares across Azure exams
At $99, AZ-900 is the floor of the Microsoft fee ladder. Costs step up by level, so knowing where Fundamentals sits helps you budget a path beyond it:
05 Every fee, explained
Beyond the headline price, here is every charge you might meet across the life of the certification — and the ones that are reassuringly free.
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Exam registration | $99 | Per attempt; often $0 with a free Microsoft event voucher |
| Retake | $99 | No free resit; 24-hour wait before a 2nd try, longer after that, max 5 per year |
| Reschedule | Free / ~$25 | Free if you move it well ahead (about 6 business days); a fee applies inside ~5 business days |
| No-show / late cancel | Forfeit $99 | Miss the slot or cancel inside 24h and you lose the fee |
| Renewal | None — $0 | Fundamentals certs never expire; no recertification exam, ever |
06 How to spend less getting certified
AZ-900 is already cheap, but with a little effort you can get it for nothing — and avoid the only costly mistake, a resit.
Get a free voucher
Complete a free Microsoft Virtual Training Day: Azure Fundamentals or an eligible Cloud Skills Challenge and the $99 fee can drop to $0. This is the single biggest saving on the exam — do it first.
Pass on the first try
The biggest avoidable cost is the $99 resit. Practice that mirrors the real exam removes it from your budget, and a few focused hours pay for themselves many times over.
Use student offers
Students and recent grads can often access discounted or free Microsoft certification vouchers through Microsoft Learn Student programs and partnered education initiatives. Check your eligibility before paying full price.
Ask your employer
Many companies reimburse certification fees or buy vouchers in bulk for teams adopting Azure. A quick ask can move the whole cost off your own card.
07 FAQ
How much does the Microsoft AZ-900 exam cost?
$99 USD to register in most markets — the cheapest tier of Microsoft certification. The fee is charged in your local-currency equivalent and some countries add sales tax or VAT, so confirm the exact figure at the Pearson VUE checkout for your country before you book.
Can I take the AZ-900 exam for free?
Yes — genuinely. Microsoft regularly issues free AZ-900 vouchers to people who complete a free Microsoft Virtual Training Day: Azure Fundamentals event, and sometimes via Cloud Skills Challenges. Attend the free online sessions and a 100% discount is applied to your Microsoft Learn profile a few business days later, taking the fee to $0. Availability and terms change, so register early.
Does the AZ-900 certification expire or need renewing?
No. Azure Fundamentals certifications, including AZ-900, do not expire and never require renewal — no annual fee, no recertification exam, no renewal cost ever. This is different from Microsoft's Associate and Expert certs, which expire after a year unless you renew them for free online.
What happens if I fail — how much is a retake?
Each attempt costs the full $99 again; there is no free resit. After a first failure you wait 24 hours before a second attempt, longer after that, and Microsoft caps you at five attempts in any 12-month period. The biggest avoidable cost of certifying is failing, so practice before you book.
