What is the easiest Microsoft certification to get?

The consensus is that Fundamentals exams are the easiest. In particular, Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) is often cited as the easiest Microsoft certification.

Microsoft certifications are globally recognized credentials that can significantly boost your career prospects. For tech newcomers, the easiest path is through Microsoft’s Fundamentals exams, which cover basic cloud and product knowledge with no prior experience required. These entry-level certifications (priced around $99 USD in the US) validate core skills and pave the way to higher-level Associate certs. Below, we highlight the top beginner-friendly Microsoft certifications (Fundamentals and easy Associate options), including overviews, exam codes, costs, benefits, and official resources.

Table of Contents

Beginner (Fundamentals) Certifications

Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

Overview: Azure Fundamentals is widely regarded as the easiest Azure certification. It demonstrates foundational knowledge of cloud concepts and core Azure services (compute, networking, storage). This exam is ideal for anyone new to the cloud – even non-technical professionals – and requires no prerequisites.

Why It’s Easy: Microsoft designed AZ-900 specifically for beginners. The exam is considered relatively easy to pass for both IT and non-technical professionals. It focuses on basic cloud principles, Azure products, and security fundamentals.

Key Details:

Skills Measured: Cloud concepts, Azure architecture/services, and Azure management/governance.
Exam Code: AZ-900 (Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals).
Duration: 45 minutes.
Cost: ~$99 USD (fee varies by country).
Preparation: Microsoft provides free study guides and hands-on learning modules on Microsoft Learn.

Benefits: Passing AZ-900 earns the Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals badge and can qualify for college credit. It’s a great resume booster that shows employers you understand cloud basics.

Categories	Exam Code	Pass Exam Dumps
CCNA Dump	200-301/200-901/200-201
CCNP Dump	CCNP Core CCNP Concentration
CCIE Lab Dump	CCIE EI/DC/SP/Col/Dev
PMI Dump	PMP/RMP/PgMP/ACP/CAPM
ISACA Dump	CISA/CISM/CRISC/CGEIT
Other IT Dump	AWS/Microsoft/Aruba/Comptia/F5/Juniper

Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals (MS-900)

Overview: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals covers cloud concepts and core Microsoft 365 services (Exchange Online, SharePoint, Teams, etc.). It teaches how M365 solutions improve productivity and security for organizations. This exam is aimed at beginners with no prior M365 experience.

Key Details:

Skills Measured: Cloud concepts, Microsoft 365 apps/services, security/compliance, and licensing/support.
Exam Code: MS-900 (Microsoft 365 Fundamentals).
Duration: 45 minutes.
Cost: ~$99 USD.
Preparation: Microsoft Learn offers free training modules and a study guide.

Why It’s Easy: Like AZ-900, MS-900 is a simple introduction with no prerequisites. It validates understanding of cloud services and basic M365 features, making it one of the easiest Microsoft certs for beginners.

Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)

Overview: Azure Data Fundamentals is for candidates new to working with data on Azure. It covers core data concepts (relational vs. non-relational data) and the basics of transactional and analytical workloads.

Key Details:

Skills Measured: Core data concepts on Azure, relational and non-relational data workloads, and analytics in Azure.
Exam Code: DP-900 (Azure Data Fundamentals).
Duration: 45 minutes.
Cost: ~$99 USD.
Preparation: Microsoft Learn provides a free learning path and study guide.

Why It’s Easy: DP-900 assumes only fundamental data knowledge. It’s a good choice if you’re interested in data roles or want to expand on AZ-900’s cloud concepts.

Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-900)

Overview: Azure AI Fundamentals is designed for anyone (technical or non-technical) who wants to demonstrate knowledge of AI and machine learning concepts on Azure.

Key Details:

Skills Measured: Knowledge of AI/ML workloads and fundamental ML principles on Azure.
Exam Code: AI-900 (Azure AI Fundamentals).
Duration: 45 minutes.
Cost: ~$99 USD.
Preparation: Free AI-900 learning modules and an official study guide are available on Microsoft Learn.

Why It’s Easy: AI-900 does not require data science or development experience. The exam focuses on high-level AI concepts, so it’s accessible to beginners interested in AI.

Associate-Level Certifications for Beginners

After earning Fundamentals, beginners can move on to Associate certifications. These have higher difficulty and cost (usually ~$165 USD) but are the next logical steps. For example, the Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) and Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204) build on AZ-900 knowledge, covering tasks like configuring virtual machines or writing Azure applications.

While these Associates aren’t classified as “easy” (they often assume some practical experience), they become achievable after mastering a Fundamentals exam.

Benefits, Costs, and Preparation

Benefits: Earning a Fundamentals certification provides a quick win and demonstrates commitment. It validates your understanding of Microsoft technologies, making you more marketable. Many hiring managers recognize these badges as evidence of core skills. Also, Fundamentals certifications do not expire, so once you earn them, they remain on your résumé indefinitely.

Cost: Most Fundamentals exams cost about $99 USD (in the US). Associate-level exams are typically around $165.

Preparation Tips:

Use Microsoft Learn for free modules and official exam guides.
Practice using free online resources and mock exams.
Focus on the skills areas listed on the official exam page.
Hands-on practice with Azure or M365 environments will greatly benefit your understanding.