Microsoft Cert Renewal Cycle — Free Mind Map
How Microsoft certification renewal works — when each cert type expires, the 6-month renewal window, the free online assessment.
Most Microsoft certs expire after a year. The good news: renewal is free, online, and only ~45 minutes. Here's the cycle.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which Microsoft certs expire?
Role-based certifications (AZ-104, AZ-204, AZ-305, AI-102, SC-200, SC-300, SC-400, MS-102, etc.) and Specialty certifications (AZ-140, AZ-700, etc.) expire one year after you earn them. Fundamentals certifications (AZ-900, AI-900, DP-900, SC-900, PL-900, MB-910/920) DO NOT expire — earn once, keep forever. Note: MS-900 was retired on March 31, 2026 and is no longer available to take, but anyone who earned it before retirement keeps it for life.
How does the renewal assessment differ from the original exam?
The renewal is shorter (~45 minutes vs ~120 minutes), free (vs $165 USD per exam), unproctored, and covers ONLY the changes since the last exam update — not the whole syllabus. It's online via Microsoft Learn. You take it inside your Learn profile, pass once and your certification extends for another year from the previous expiry date.
What if I miss the renewal window?
The certification expires and you'd have to retake the full paid exam to regain it. There's no grace period after expiry. The 6-month renewal window is generous — Microsoft sends email reminders and the Renew button appears on your Learn profile when you become eligible. Set a calendar reminder if you don't trust the emails.
Can I renew more than 6 months before expiry?
No — the assessment doesn't open until you're inside the 6-month window. If you pass the renewal at the 5-month-before mark, your new expiry date is 12 months from the OLD expiry, not 12 months from when you passed. So renewing early doesn't lose you any time, but you can't get ahead either.