AZ-204 Azure Developer is retired: where developers go now

By Alexander Shick · Updated November 5, 2026

What changed for Azure developers

AZ-204 measured developing Azure compute solutions, developing for Azure storage, Azure security, monitoring and connecting to Azure and third-party services. Microsoft retired it as part of a set of 2026 retirements tied to new AI-focused certifications. Microsoft says AI-200 validates your ability to design, build, and implement AI solutions on Azure, with a focus on back-end services, scalable architectures, and the full development lifecycle. It asks for proficiency in Azure SDKs, Azure data management, monitoring, messaging and eventing, vector databases, Python and containerized applications.

AI-200 in place of AZ-204: requirements and format

Eligibility. Microsoft's AI-200 page lists no prerequisite certification. Anyone can book it through Pearson VUE.

Recommended experience. Microsoft expects proficiency in Azure SDKs and third-party SDKs used in Azure, Azure data management services, monitoring and troubleshooting, messaging and eventing, vector databases, Python and containerized applications on Azure. AZ-204 asked for at least two years of programming; AI-200 lists skills rather than years.

The exam. AI-200, Developing AI Cloud Solutions on Azure, gives 120 minutes, needs 700 to pass and is proctored, with possible interactive components. Microsoft's replacement plan said AI-200 would go live in July 2026, and its page now offers scheduling. Microsoft's study guide weights four areas:

Studying for AI-200

Free official training. Microsoft Learn publishes the AI-200T00 course content as self-paced learning paths, plus AI-200 prep videos, an exam sandbox and a Practice Assessment on AI Skills Navigator that needs a sign-in. This suits working developers who can practise in an Azure subscription.

Practice exams. Tutorials Dojo sells an AI-200 set; its page says the course is still being developed to match the AI-200 objectives, so check what it covers when you buy.

The official instructor-led course. Microsoft's course is AI-200T00, Develop AI cloud solutions on Azure, listed at five days. It covers containers, Azure Functions, Service Bus and Event Grid, Cosmos DB for NoSQL, PostgreSQL with pgvector and Azure Managed Redis. A class suits developers whose employer pays, or who want structured time on the new data services.

AI-200 first-attempt costs

Costs people miss. A failed attempt costs another $165; Microsoft makes you wait 24 hours before a first retake and 14 days between later ones. You also pay for any Azure resources you create while practising, so delete them after each session. AZ-204 prep books and courses you already own cover part of AI-200 but not the vector search and AI data work.

Before buying AI-200 training

• Which exam it targets. Some providers still list AZ-204 material. Academy Florida's AI-200 page labels its optional $165 voucher as an AZ-204 voucher; ask in writing that the voucher is for AI-200, since AZ-204 can no longer be taken.
• Course length. Microsoft lists AI-200T00 at five days. Ask how a shorter class covers the same paths.
• Lab environment. Ask whether labs run in a provided Azure environment and how long access lasts after the class.
• Practice material status. Tutorials Dojo says its AI-200 set is still in development. Ask any practice-exam seller when it last matched the study guide.

Renewal: AZ-204 ends, AI-200 renews each year

The AZ-204 renewal assessment is retired, so an Azure Developer Associate earned earlier lapses on its expiry date. AI-200 follows Microsoft's usual rule: associate certifications expire each year, and you renew free by passing an open-book online assessment on Microsoft Learn in the six months before expiry.

For development teams

If AZ-400 is your next step. Microsoft's DevOps Engineer Expert page still lists its prerequisite as the Azure Administrator Associate or the Azure Developer Associate, and does not list AI-200. With the Developer Associate no longer available, a developer heading for AZ-400 now needs AZ-104 or has to wait for Microsoft to update that list.

If your team planned AZ-204 training, move the plan to AI-200 and check that any vouchers you bought can be used for it. Existing AZ-204 holders do not need to retest right away; their certification counts until it expires.

Questions about the AZ-204 retirement

Can I still take AZ-204?

No. Microsoft lists July 31, 2026 as the retirement date, and the certification page says the certification and its renewal assessment are retired.

Is my AZ-204 certification still valid?

Yes, until its expiry date. Microsoft says retirement does not revoke certifications already earned, but it can no longer be renewed.

What replaced AZ-204?

Exam AI-200 for the Azure AI Cloud Developer Associate, $165 in the US.

Do I need AZ-204 before AI-200?

No. Microsoft lists no prerequisite certification for AI-200.

Next step

Send your development background and target date and we will suggest an AI-200 study route and classes.

Ask for help choosing AI-200 (replacing AZ-204) training