Is Microsoft certification renewal free?

Yes. Microsoft certification renewal is completely free. You take an unproctored online assessment on Microsoft Learn at no cost. There is no limit to how many times you can attempt the renewal assessment.

When can I renew my Microsoft certification?

The renewal window opens 6 months before your certification expires. You will receive an email from Microsoft when you become eligible. You can also check your renewal status on your Microsoft Learn profile.

What happens if my Microsoft certification expires?

If your certification expires, you lose the credential and must pass the full certification exam again (at full cost) to regain it. There is no grace period — once it expires, the renewal assessment is no longer available.

How hard is the Microsoft certification renewal assessment?

The renewal assessment is shorter and easier than the original exam. It takes about 45 minutes, is open-book (you can use Microsoft Learn docs), and focuses on new features and updates added since you last certified. Most candidates pass within 1-2 attempts.

Do Microsoft fundamentals certifications expire?

No. Fundamentals certifications (AZ-900, SC-900, AI-900, DP-900, PL-900) do not expire and never need renewal. Only role-based (associate and expert) and specialty certifications expire after one year.

How to Renew Your Microsoft Certification (Free): Complete 2026 Guide

Your Microsoft certification expires in one year. The good news: renewal is completely free, online, and unproctored. The bad news: if you miss the window, you have to retake the full exam at full price. Here's everything you need to know to renew on time without stress.

Key Takeaways

Renewal is free — no exam fee, no proctoring fee, no hidden costs
Fundamentals certifications (AZ-900, SC-900) never expire
Role-based certifications expire 1 year after earning them
The renewal window opens 6 months before expiry
The assessment is open-book — you can reference Microsoft Learn during the test
Unlimited retakes, but a 24-hour wait after the second failed attempt

Which Certifications Need Renewal?

Not all Microsoft certifications expire. Here's the breakdown:

Never Expire

Fundamentals certifications are valid forever:

AZ-900 — Azure Fundamentals
SC-900 — Security Fundamentals
AI-900, DP-900, PL-900, MB-910, etc.

Expire After 1 Year

Role-based and specialty certifications:

AZ-104 — Azure Administrator
MD-102 — Endpoint Administrator
MS-102 — Microsoft 365 Administrator
AZ-204, AZ-305, AZ-400, AZ-500, etc.

Quick check:

If your certification title includes “Fundamentals,” it never expires. If it includes “Associate,” “Expert,” or “Specialty,” it expires after one year and needs renewal.

The Renewal Timeline

Here's exactly when things happen after you earn a role-based certification:

Day
0

You pass the exam

Certification is active. The 1-year countdown begins.

Month
6

Renewal window opens

Microsoft sends you an email. The “Renew” button appears on your Learn profile. You now have 6 months to complete the free assessment.

Month
11

Final reminder

Microsoft sends another reminder. If you haven't renewed yet, this is your last-chance warning.

Month
12

Certification expires

If you haven't renewed, the certification is removed from your profile. You must retake the full exam ($165+) to regain it.

Set a calendar reminder:

Don't rely on Microsoft's emails — they can land in spam. Set a personal calendar reminder for 6 months after your certification date with the subject “Renew [cert name] — free on Microsoft Learn.”

Step-by-Step Renewal Process

Sign in to Microsoft Learn

Go to learn.microsoft.com and sign in with the same Microsoft account you used for the certification exam.

Navigate to your certifications

Click your profile avatar (top right) → Profile → Certifications. You'll see all your active certifications with their expiration dates.

Click the “Renew” button

If your renewal window is open, you'll see a blue Renew button next to the certification. If you don't see it, you're either too early (less than 6 months before expiry) or the certification doesn't require renewal (fundamentals).

Complete the renewal assessment

The assessment launches directly in your browser. No scheduling, no proctoring, no webcam. Answer the questions, submit, and get your results immediately.

Certification renewed for another year

If you pass, your certification expiration date extends by one year from the current expiration date (not from the date you renewed). Your updated credential appears on your profile within 24 hours.

What the Renewal Assessment Looks Like

The renewal assessment is significantly different from the original certification exam:

	Original Exam	Renewal Assessment
Cost	$99-$165	Free
Duration	45-120 minutes	~45 minutes
Questions	40-60	25-30
Proctored	Yes (Pearson VUE)	No
Open-book	No	Yes
Retakes	24-hour wait, pay again	Unlimited, free
Content focus	All exam domains	New features and updates

What “open-book” means:

You can have Microsoft Learn documentation open in another tab during the assessment. The questions are designed with this in mind — they test whether you can find and apply information, not whether you memorised it.

Tips to Pass on Your First Attempt

1. Review the “What's New” documentation

Renewal assessments heavily focus on features added since the last exam update. Before taking the assessment, read the “What's New” page for the relevant Azure or M365 service. For example, for AZ-104, check the Azure Resource Manager updates and recent feature announcements.

2. Complete the linked learning modules first

When you click “Renew,” Microsoft shows you a list of recommended learning modules before the assessment. Complete them. They directly correspond to assessment questions. This alone gives most people enough to pass.

3. Keep Microsoft Learn open in a second tab

Since the assessment is open-book, have the relevant docs ready. If you encounter a question about a feature you don't recognise, search for it in Learn. The assessment gives you enough time to look things up.

4. Don't overthink it

The renewal assessment is substantially easier than the original exam. If you've been working with the technology at all over the past year, you'll likely pass. Most candidates finish in 20-30 minutes.

5. Practice with recent exam questions

Our practice tests are updated to match current exam objectives. Running through a quick practice session refreshes your knowledge before the renewal assessment. Try our AZ-104, MD-102, or MS-102 practice tests to refresh before your renewal.

Retake Policy

If you don't pass on your first try, here's how retakes work:

1st attempt:Take immediately, no waiting
2nd attempt:Take immediately after first failure
3rd+ attempts:Must wait 24 hours between each additional attempt

Good news:

There is no limit to the total number of retakes, and every attempt is free. The 24-hour wait only applies after your second failed attempt. Most people who fail once pass on their second or third try after reviewing the recommended learning modules.

What Happens If Your Certification Expires

This is the scenario you want to avoid:

The certification is removed from your Microsoft Learn profile
The free renewal assessment is no longer available
To regain the certification, you must pass the full exam again ($165+ for associate, $99 for fundamentals-path exams)
There is no grace period — expiration is immediate

The contrast is stark: 45 minutes of free open-book questions now, or $165 and a proctored exam later. The renewal assessment is one of the best deals in tech certifications — don't let it slip.

Renewal Details by Certification

Each certification's renewal assessment focuses on updates specific to that technology area. Here's what to expect for the certifications we cover:

AZ-104 — Azure Administrator

Renewal focuses on new Azure features: Entra ID updates (formerly Azure AD), new storage options, Azure Monitor changes, and updated governance tools. Expect questions on features released in the past 12 months.

MD-102 — Endpoint Administrator

Renewal covers new Intune features, Autopilot updates, Windows 11 deployment changes, and updated compliance and security baselines. Focus on cloud-native endpoint management updates.

MS-102 — Microsoft 365 Administrator

Renewal covers Microsoft 365 admin center changes, new security and compliance features, Copilot for Microsoft 365 administration, and updated licensing models.

Common Questions

Is the renewal assessment really free?

Yes, completely free. No exam fee, no proctoring fee, no registration cost. Microsoft made renewal free in 2021 and has maintained this policy since. You take it directly on Microsoft Learn.

Can I renew early?

You can only renew within the 6-month window before expiry. You cannot renew on the day you pass the original exam — the renewal option only appears when you're 6 months from expiration.

Does renewal extend from the renewal date or the expiration date?

From the current expiration date. If your cert expires March 15 and you renew on January 10, your new expiration is March 15 of the following year — not January 10. This means there's no penalty for renewing early.

I didn't get an email from Microsoft. How do I find my renewal?

Go to learn.microsoft.com/en-us/users/me/credentials and sign in. Your certifications and their expiration dates are listed there, along with the renewal button when available.

Does renewing give me a new certificate number?

No. Your certification ID stays the same — only the expiration date changes. Your Credly badge updates automatically as well.

Can my employer see if I renewed?

If you share your Microsoft Learn transcript or Credly badge, your employer can see the updated expiration date. The certification shows as “active” rather than “expired.”

Refresh Your Skills Before Renewal

A quick practice session before your renewal assessment helps you identify gaps in your knowledge of recent updates. Try our practice tests to prepare.

AZ-104 Practice Test MD-102 Practice Test MS-102 Practice Test

About MSCertQuiz

MSCertQuiz provides affordable, high-quality practice resources for Microsoft certification candidates. Created by certified Azure professionals with extensive experience in cloud technologies and certification preparation.