Microsoft’s Learn pages for Exam AB-650, Administering Microsoft 365 and AI Services, and for the Microsoft 365 Certified: Microsoft 365 and AI Services Administrator Associate certification no longer carry the “(beta)” label or the beta scoring notice. Both pages still showed the label in early October 2026; on November 1, 2026 it is gone from both. Microsoft’s June 2026 credentials roundup planned the exam as “Beta in July 2026. Generally available in October 2026.” Microsoft has not posted an exact go-live date, so treat the exam as live with the beta period over.
Who this affects
- Beta candidates: Microsoft says beta scores arrive about 10 days after an exam goes live. Check the Certifications section of your Learn profile. If you failed the beta, you can retake the exam now that it is live.
- Microsoft 365 administrators on the MS-102 path: the June roundup lists AB-650 as the replacement for Exam MS-102, and the MS-102 page says that exam retires on November 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM Central Standard Time.
- New candidates: the exam is offered in English, at Microsoft’s standard US$165 associate price (it varies by country). Microsoft does not publish the question count or time limit on the exam page.
What to do now
- Still need MS-102 for the Administrator Expert certification? Book it before November 30, 2026. After that date the exam is gone and AB-650 is the path Microsoft points to.
- Starting fresh? Go straight to AB-650. Microsoft’s standard retake policy now applies: wait 24 hours after a first fail, 14 days between later attempts, and no more than five attempts in 12 months. Each attempt is paid.
- Took the beta? Microsoft says a passed beta exam counts toward the certification, so watch your Learn profile rather than rebooking.
AB-650 sits above the fundamentals exam covered in our AB-900 study guide. Our Microsoft AI certifications guide maps every AI and AB exam, the AI Certification Requirements Index carries the checked facts for each one, and What AI certifications cost covers retakes and renewal. For earlier Microsoft retirements, see what replaced each retired Microsoft AI certification.
Key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | AB-650 beta planned to open (Microsoft’s June 2026 roundup) |
| October 2026 | General availability planned (same roundup) |
| November 1, 2026 | Learn exam and certification pages no longer labeled beta |
| November 30, 2026 | Exam MS-102 retires at 11:59 PM Central Standard Time |
Source
- Microsoft Learn: Exam AB-650 page
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft 365 and AI Services Administrator Associate certification page
- Microsoft Skills Hub blog: Credentials roundup, June 2026 (beta and GA plan, MS-102 replacement)
- Microsoft Learn: Exam MS-102 page (retirement date)
- Microsoft Learn: About beta certification exams (score timing)
- Microsoft Learn: exam retake policy
- Microsoft Learn exam pricing file (US price)
Checked against Microsoft Learn’s AB-650 exam and certification pages, the MS-102 exam page, Microsoft’s beta exam and retake policy pages, and the June 2026 Skills Hub credentials roundup on November 1, 2026.
Get an email when the Microsoft 365 and AI Services Administrator Associate (AB-650) exam changes
We check the official exam pages every day. If the price, version, format or retirement date changes, you’ll get a short email. At most one a week, plus the HOW TO // AI newsletter on Thursdays.
Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy policy.
Related guides
- AB-900 Study Guide: Microsoft 365 Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals
- Microsoft AI Certifications in 2026: The New Path, Explained
- Microsoft Retired AI Certifications (2026): What Replaced Each
- Microsoft’s New Agentic DevOps Expert Exam Opens in Beta
- AI Certification Requirements Index: Every AI Exam Compared
Frequently asked questions
Is the Microsoft AB-650 exam still in beta?
As of November 1, 2026, Microsoft Learn no longer labels Exam AB-650 or its certification as beta, and the beta scoring notice is gone. Microsoft planned general availability for October 2026 but has not posted an exact date.
When do AB-650 beta exam scores come out?
Microsoft says beta candidates receive their score about 10 days after the exam goes live. Check the Certifications section of your Microsoft Learn profile.
Does AB-650 replace MS-102?
Yes. Microsoft's June 2026 credentials roundup lists Microsoft 365 Certified: AI Services Administrator Associate (Exam AB-650) as the replacement for Exam MS-102, which retires on November 30, 2026.
How much does the AB-650 exam cost and what language is it in?
The exam is offered in English. In the United States it is US$165, Microsoft's standard associate exam price; the price varies by country and excludes tax.
