Azure AI Fundamentals Exam Cost (AI-901): Price, Passing Score, Retake
As of September 2026, the Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals exam, AI-901, costs 99 USD in the United States. Microsoft prices it by the country or region where you sit it, so check your local figure at checkout. You need 700 on the 1 to 1,000 scaled score, you get 45 minutes of exam time inside a 65-minute seat, and the certification never expires.
If you searched for the AI-900 price, that exam is gone. Microsoft retired AI-900 on June 30, 2026 and replaced it with AI-901 under the same certification title. The English AI-901 version was updated April 15, 2026 and has a new 2-domain blueprint. Everything below refers to AI-901.
List price
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| AI-901 exam, first attempt (US) | 99 USD |
| Same exam outside the US | Set by country or region of proctoring |
| Each retake | Full exam fee |
| Official study guide | Free |
| Discounts | No amount on the exam page; Exam Replay offer linked |
| Renewal | None; fundamentals certifications do not expire |
Delivery is through Pearson VUE, either online proctored or at a test center. Students and instructors can also take it through Certiport. The AI-901 exam page gives no discount amount, though it links Microsoft’s Exam Replay offer (an exam plus one retake) and notes reduced pricing for Microsoft Certified Trainers and partner program members. Outside the US, Microsoft’s price list for AI-901 shows, for example, 84 USD in Canada and Australia, £64 in the UK, €76 in Germany and ₹3,691 in India, before tax.
Questions, time and passing score
| Exam fact | AI-901 |
|---|---|
| Questions | Not published for this exam (Microsoft: most exams have 40 to 60) |
| Time limit | 45 minutes of exam time; 65-minute seat time |
| Passing score | 700 on a 1 to 1,000 scaled score |
| Question formats | Not published per exam; Microsoft’s sandbox at aka.ms/examdemo shows the formats it uses |
| Languages | 13, including English, Japanese, German, French, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE; Certiport for students and instructors |
Microsoft does not publish a question count for AI-901. Its general exam guidance says most exams contain 40 to 60 questions, and this is a fundamentals exam, so plan for that range. The 20 minutes of seat time beyond the 45-minute exam covers instructions, the agreement and the optional feedback screen.
The 2 domains in the AI-901 study guide: Identify AI concepts and capabilities (40 to 45%) and Implement AI solutions by using Microsoft Foundry (55 to 60%). The second domain is the big change from AI-900. More than half of the exam now touches Microsoft Foundry rather than pure concept questions.
One more clarification, because it comes up: AI-103 is not the new AI-900. AI-103 is a separate role-based exam for the Azure AI Apps and Agents Developer Associate certification, the successor track to AI-102. Our AI-901 vs AI-103 comparison explains which one fits you.
What a retake costs
Each retake is a paid registration at the standard exam fee. Microsoft’s retake policy is more generous than most vendors on timing:
- Wait 24 hours after the first failed attempt.
- Wait 14 days between each subsequent attempt.
- Maximum 5 attempts in the 12 months from your first attempt.
- You pay for every retake.
The 24-hour rule is the practical difference. With AWS you sit out 14 days after the first fail; with Microsoft you can be back in the seat the next day. That is a real saving in calendar time, not in money.
How long it stays valid
It does not expire. Microsoft states that fundamentals certifications have no expiry date, so there is no renewal assessment and no renewal fee. The 99 USD is a one-time cost if you pass.
What you do not pay for
The official AI-901 study guide on Microsoft Learn is free, as is the exam sandbox at aka.ms/examdemo where you can try the question formats before you book. Microsoft’s free Practice Assessment for this certification now lives on AI Skills Navigator (you need to sign in). Microsoft lists no prerequisite certification, but it says you need knowledge of Python coding syntax and programming techniques, plus conceptual knowledge of AI solutions in Azure and familiarity with Azure resources.
Our free AI-901 practice questions are weighted to the 2-domain blueprint, and our 2-week AI-901 study plan turns it into a schedule.
How this compares
| Certification | Price | Questions | Time | Passing score | Valid for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-901) | 99 USD (US) | Not published | 45 min | 700 / 1,000 | Does not expire |
| AWS AI Practitioner (AIF-C01) | 100 USD | 65 | 90 min | 700 / 1,000 | 3 years |
| Google Generative AI Leader | 99 USD + tax | 50 to 60 | 90 min | Not published | 3 years |
Prices are within 1 USD of each other. AI-901 is the shortest exam, the only one with a 24-hour first retake, and the only one of the three you never have to renew.
Pass AI-901 on the first 99 USD
Free Azure AI Fundamentals practice questions, weighted to the official blueprint, with a plain-English explanation on every one.
Keep reading: Study guide · AI-900 vs AI-901 · Is it worth it? · All AI & cloud exam prep
HOW TO // AI is not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft. Microsoft, Azure and Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation; we reference them descriptively. All content is original. Exam details come from Microsoft’s official pages as of September 2026 and can change, so check the official AI-901 exam page before you book.
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Related guides
- Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-901) Study Guide & Cheat Sheet
- Azure AI Fundamentals Practice Questions
- How to Pass AI-901: A 2-Week, Day-by-Day Study Plan
- Is Azure AI Fundamentals (AI-901) Worth It in 2026? An Honest Look
- AI-900 vs AI-901: What Changed in Azure AI Fundamentals (2026)
Frequently asked questions
How much does the AI-901 exam cost?
As of September 2026, AI-901 costs 99 USD in the United States. Microsoft sets the price by the country or region where you take the exam, and taxes are extra, so confirm your local price at checkout.
Is AI-900 still available?
No. Microsoft retired AI-900 on June 30, 2026. The Azure AI Fundamentals certification now requires AI-901, which has a 2-domain blueprint and expects some Python knowledge.
Can I retake AI-901 if I fail?
Yes. You can retake it 24 hours after a first failed attempt, then wait 14 days between later attempts, with a maximum of 5 attempts in 12 months. Each retake is paid.
Does Azure AI Fundamentals need to be renewed?
No. Microsoft says Fundamentals certifications do not expire, so there is no renewal assessment or fee. Associate, expert and specialty certifications are the ones that renew yearly.
