AZ-900 vs AI-900 vs DP-900 vs PL-900 vs SC-900 vs MS-900: Microsoft Fundamentals Exam Costs

Before booking a Microsoft Fundamentals exam, candidates need to budget for more than the listed exam fee: local taxes, retake charges, preparation materials, and training expenses can all affect the total cost of earning an entry-level Microsoft certification.

The most important budgeting point is that the exam price shown before checkout is rarely the whole story. Microsoft localises prices by country and currency, taxes such as VAT or sales tax may be added at checkout, and a failed attempt usually means paying for another exam appointment rather than receiving an automatic reduced retake fee.

Pricing snapshot: this article was last updated on 29 June 2026. Microsoft Learn and Microsoft Credentials pages remain the source of truth for live exam pricing, retake rules, discount eligibility, and appointment policies, so candidates should verify the final checkout amount before purchasing a voucher or scheduling an exam.

Microsoft Fundamentals exam prices compared

Microsoft Fundamentals exams are designed as entry-level credentials, but their cost still varies by region, billing address, tax treatment, exam delivery method, and any voucher applied. The six common Fundamentals exams usually sit in the same broad price category, so the right comparison is less about finding the cheapest exam and more about choosing the exam that matches the candidate’s role goal.

The table below is a practical pricing view rather than a fixed global price list. Microsoft displays the live fee during registration, and that live fee should override any static article, training provider page, or older screenshot.

A frequent mistake is to budget from the pre-tax exam price and then discover at payment that the final amount is higher. This is especially relevant for small teams buying several vouchers, because even modest local tax differences can affect the total training budget.

Choosing the right Fundamentals exam before paying

The cheapest certification is the one that supports the next realistic career move. Paying for the wrong Fundamentals exam can be more expensive than the exam fee itself, because the candidate loses preparation time and may still need to book a second exam in the correct subject area.

From a practical perspective, AZ-900 is often the broadest starting point for general cloud and IT operations, while SC-900 is more relevant for candidates moving toward security, compliance, or identity work. PL-900 suits business users and analysts who want to understand low-code automation, and MS-900 is better aligned with Microsoft 365 administration and workplace technology roles.

What retakes really cost

Microsoft generally charges the full exam fee for each retake unless a specific, active promotion or voucher offer says otherwise. Candidates should not assume that a failed Fundamentals exam comes with a built-in discounted second attempt.

The cost of a failed attempt is also more than the card payment. Microsoft’s exam retake policy includes waiting periods after failed attempts and limits on repeated attempts, so a retake can delay a certification plan even when the candidate is willing to pay immediately. Anyone booking close to an internal deadline, job application, apprenticeship milestone, or team skills target should allow time for a possible retake rather than scheduling the first attempt at the last possible date.

Rescheduling and no-show costs are another budgeting risk. The exact rules depend on the exam delivery provider and the timing of the change, so candidates should read the appointment confirmation carefully and avoid treating a booked exam slot as flexible until the policy has been checked.

Discounts, vouchers, and when not to rely on them

Legitimate discounts can reduce the cost of a Microsoft Fundamentals exam, but they are conditional. Student or educator offers usually require verification through Microsoft’s eligibility process, organisational vouchers must be issued through an approved purchasing route, and partner or event promotions are often time-bound.

The safest budgeting approach is to assume the standard local exam fee plus tax unless a voucher has already been issued and validated. Occasional promotions can be useful, but they should not be the foundation of a certification budget until the candidate can confirm that the offer applies to the exact exam, country, booking window, and Microsoft account being used.

Employers and team leads should also distinguish between exam vouchers and preparation support. A voucher may cover only the exam appointment, while practice tests, books, instructor-led training, and retake exposure remain separate cost items unless explicitly bundled.

Budgeting for self-study, paid resources, and instructor-led preparation

An exam-only budget is possible when the candidate is already comfortable with the technology area and can rely on Microsoft Learn modules, product documentation, and hands-on practice. This is the lowest-cost path, but it leaves little room for structured feedback or exam-style rehearsal.

A self-study budget often adds books, practice tests, or paid video resources. The original cost examples for this topic placed some books in the £20 to £60 range and described paid video learning as potentially reaching several hundred pounds, but those figures should be treated as preparation examples rather than current Microsoft exam prices. The practical question is whether the resource reduces retake risk enough to justify its cost.

Instructor-led preparation usually costs more than self-study, but it can be sensible when a candidate is new to the subject, has limited time, or is part of a team trying to build a shared baseline quickly. Learners comparing several Microsoft paths may also review broader Microsoft certification courses to understand how Fundamentals training connects with Associate-level skills.

For candidates planning more than one Microsoft course, subscription-style training can make budgeting easier because the training cost is predictable across multiple subjects. Readynez offers Unlimited Microsoft Training as one option for learners who expect to prepare for several Microsoft exams rather than a single Fundamentals test.

Renewal fees and longer-term certification costs

Microsoft Fundamentals certifications do not require renewal, so candidates should not add renewal fees to the cost of AZ-900, AI-900, DP-900, PL-900, SC-900, or MS-900. This matters because some Microsoft role-based certifications have a renewal process, while Fundamentals credentials remain a one-time certification once earned.

That makes Fundamentals exams useful for validating baseline knowledge without creating an ongoing certification maintenance cost. The larger long-term cost is usually the next step: moving from a Fundamentals exam into a role-based certification, deeper hands-on labs, or job-specific training.

How this pricing information should be checked

Static certification cost articles age quickly because Microsoft can update prices, discount rules, country availability, and voucher terms. The reliable workflow is to use Microsoft Learn for the exam page, check Microsoft Credentials policies for retake and appointment rules, and confirm the final tax-inclusive price in the checkout flow before paying.

This article uses Microsoft Learn exam pages, Microsoft Credentials policy information, and the supplied Readynez source page as editorial references. If a reader finds that Microsoft has changed a price, policy, or eligibility rule, they can contact the training team so the page can be reviewed against the current official source.

Building a realistic Microsoft Fundamentals budget

The key takeaway is simple: start with the live Microsoft exam fee, add local tax, decide whether preparation support is needed, and include the possibility of a full-fee retake. Candidates who make those assumptions before booking are less likely to be surprised by the final cost.

A careful budget also protects against choosing the wrong exam. The most useful Fundamentals certification is the one aligned to the candidate’s next role direction, whether that is Azure, data, AI, Power Platform, security, or Microsoft 365.

FAQ

How much does a Microsoft Fundamentals exam cost?

The cost depends on the exam, country, currency, and tax treatment shown during Microsoft’s registration process. Older examples often cite entry-level prices such as $99 or UK ranges, but candidates should use the live Microsoft Learn exam booking page for the current local fee.

Are AZ-900, AI-900, DP-900, PL-900, SC-900, and MS-900 priced the same?

They are generally treated as entry-level Fundamentals exams, but the final amount can still vary by region, tax, billing address, and voucher use. The safest approach is to compare each exam through its official Microsoft booking page before paying.

Do Microsoft Fundamentals retakes cost less?

Candidates should assume that each retake requires payment of the full exam fee unless an official Microsoft or partner promotion specifically includes a discounted or included retake. Retake timing is also governed by Microsoft’s exam retake policy.

Do Microsoft Fundamentals certifications have renewal fees?

No. Microsoft Fundamentals certifications do not require renewal, so there are no renewal fees for AZ-900, AI-900, DP-900, PL-900, SC-900, or MS-900 once the certification has been earned.

Can students or educators get a discount?

Student and educator discounts may be available when Microsoft offers them and the candidate passes the required eligibility verification. Candidates should confirm eligibility through Microsoft’s official discount or account verification process before relying on a reduced price.

What extra costs should be included in the budget?

A realistic budget should include the exam fee, local tax, study materials, practice tests, optional instructor-led training, possible rescheduling or no-show charges, and a full-fee retake if the first attempt is unsuccessful.