Which azure certification should I do in Washington?

In this modern era, cloud computing is one of the most rapidly increasing technologies. “Public spending in the cloud will expand from $229 billion in 2019 to about $500 billion in 2023,” as per the IDC Report. Therefore, in recent years no one can deny the tremendous rise of cloud computing. Many prominent names have taken part in a Cloud arena with their unique cloud service. Microsoft Azure is a rising industry leader with an overall cloud market of 29 percent application workload.

Certifications validate the skills much needed by IT decision-makers. A cloud certification can make a significant impact on the career of a cloud professional. The most rigorous cloud certification path in the market is becoming a Microsoft Azure Certified Professional.

Being a favorite location for top world-class businesses, Washington is also a prominent and early adopter of cloud technology. In Washington, there has been a growth in the rate and market trend of Azure. Cloud computing is one of Washington’s leading providers of jobs. Azure training in Washington is full of learning paths, courses, certification exams, practical laboratories challenges, and laboratory playgrounds.

List of Microsoft Azure certifications

Microsoft offers 12 Azure credentials, three fundamental certificates as of spring 2021, and a triple of IoT-, SAP and Windows Virtual Desktop-based ‘specialty’ certifications.

Fundamental level

1. Microsoft Certified: Azure – Fundamentals Exam AZ-900

This certification aims to validate Azure cloud services’ fundamental knowledge level. It also allows non-technical applicants to grasp the cloud services that offer sales, procurement, and marketing services for Azure cloud.

2. Microsoft Certified: Azure AI – Fundamentals Exam AI-900

Any candidate who wants to obtain this new certification must have basic knowledge and know-how to use Microsoft Azure in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).

3. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data – Fundamentals Exam DP-900

Candidates wishing for the new certification should have key data concepts like relational or non-relational data while implementing Microsoft Azure’s architecture.

Associate level

1. Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator – Associate Exam AZ-104

This examination will evaluate applicants’ knowledge and skills in the configuration and management of Azure computing, storage, virtual networking, and monitoring.

2. Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer – Associate Exam AZ-204

Candidates should know about the design, development, and testing of applications and services based on Azure. Candidates are also expected to have 1-2 years of development expertise in data storage and networking, Azure SDKs, monitoring, debugging, and performance tuning.

3. Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer – Associate Exam AZ-500

This certification is aimed at applicants who execute and maintain security, identity, and access rules and ensure cloud data, applications, and networks.

4. Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer – Associate Exam AI-100

This associate-level certification is designed for applicants employing cognitive services, machine learning, and knowledge mining to develop Microsoft AI solutions such as natural language processing, speech, computer vision, bots, and agents.

5. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist – Associate Exam DP-100

This certification is intended for the design and implementation of the Azure Data Science Solution.

6. Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer – Associate Exams DP-200 and DP-201

Exam DP-200 is meant to execute data solutions, including data storage, batch data processing, streaming, security needs, data storage policies, and access to external data sources.

DP-201 is the second examination for Azure Data Engineer. This examination supports engineers in designing Azure Services data storage, data processing, and data security and compliance solutions.

7. Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator – Associate Exam DP-300

It is a role-based Azure certification examination that would be excellent for applicants interested in the management of cloud-based databases.

Expert-level

1. Microsoft Certified Solutions Architect – Expert Exams AZ-303 and AZ-304

Candidates interested in AZ-303 certification should be small and medium-sized companies implementing Microsoft Azure cloud resources, such as computing, storage, networking, and resource security. AZ-304 is the upgraded version of the old Azure Solution Architect Design AZ-301 exam.

2. Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer – Expert Exam AZ-400

The certification is aimed at DevOps professionals who bring people, processes, and technology closer to provide valuable services and products satisfying business requirements and objectives.

How to select the right certification path?

Microsoft offers different certifications based on expertise. Which credential is your best path? There is no single optimal certification path for Microsoft Azure for all. And it can be fantastic to get started in the cloud. Do you know the cloud migration fundamentals? So, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, what to choose? It will probably not be your deciding factor, but Azure offers you a fantastic benefit.

It is advisable to check Microsoft’s certification path and select the right one for your role and interest. There are no prerequisites for basic certifications, whereas the Associate and Expert level certifications are subject to specific requirements you will have to achieve to take the exam. Azure should be the first step to the Azure journey to learn the fundamentals.

When you start, an entry-level certificate gives you the necessary vocabulary and understanding to properly evaluate where you might want to go next. AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals certification is the initial step on the Azure path.

Perhaps you have some IT expertise. Maybe it was AWS, GCP, or Azure that you looked about. The following certification on the ladder (Azure Administrator Associate) can be a real challenge. All the basics knowledge and much practical experience with Azure are needed before you try.

Microsoft’s Azure certifications are largely role-based. See a job title and check the job posts for the name of the certificate you are contemplating to see if it sounds like something that interests you.

Final thoughts

There was a rise in the demand for skilled personnel who understand the ins and outs of cloud computing and its application and administration, with so many more users entering onto the Microsoft Azure cloud.

If you want to be cloud-native, Microsoft Azure is an excellent solution to boost the workflow and simplify things. The Microsoft Azure certification will provide you with first-hand experience working with cloud technology, make you understand the complexities of implementing and creating companies using all of the cloud’s advantages and educate you to leverage the technology at a low cost.