Microsoft announced a new expert certification on October 15, 2026: Microsoft Certified: Agentic DevOps Engineer Expert, earned through Exam AZ-401: Designing and Implementing Microsoft Agentic DevOps Solutions, which is now in beta. The exam is US$165, English only, with a passing score of 700. Microsoft also says the current AZ-400 exam and the DevOps Engineer Expert certification it leads to will retire on February 1, 2027.
Who this affects
- DevOps engineers and platform teams who build pipelines in Azure DevOps and GitHub and want a credential that covers AI-assisted delivery with GitHub Copilot.
- Anyone studying for AZ-400: Microsoft says AZ-400 and Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert retire on February 1, 2027, so AZ-401 is the replacement path.
- GH-300 holders: Microsoft’s announcement says the expert certification also needs one of two exams, GH-300 (GitHub Copilot) or AZ-104 (Azure Administrator).
What to do now
- Want the beta discount? Microsoft says the first 300 people who take AZ-401 (beta) on or before November 9, 2026 get 80% off with the public code AZ401Glendon.
- Check the prerequisite before you book. The announcement names GH-300 or AZ-104 as a second required exam, but the Learn certification page lists only AZ-401 under required exams. Recheck the Learn page on your exam day.
- Expect a wait for results. Beta exams are not scored right away; Microsoft says rescoring starts when the exam goes live, with results about 10 days later.
- Study from the official guide. The AZ-401 study guide lists five skill areas, the largest being build and release pipelines (35 to 40%).
If you need the GitHub Copilot prerequisite, start with our GH-300 study guide and GH-300 cost guide. For the full Microsoft path, see Microsoft AI certifications in 2026, and compare it with other agent credentials in our agentic AI certification guide.
Key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| October 15, 2026 | Microsoft announces AZ-401 (beta) and the Agentic DevOps Engineer Expert certification |
| November 9, 2026 | Last day to take AZ-401 (beta) for the 80% discount (first 300 candidates) |
| December 2026 | General availability expected (“Stay tuned for general availability in December”) |
| February 1, 2027 | AZ-400 and Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert retire |
Source
- Microsoft Skills Hub blog: New Microsoft Certified: Agentic DevOps Engineer Expert (Oct 15, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Agentic DevOps Engineer Expert (beta) certification page (price, language, passing score)
- Microsoft Learn: Exam AZ-401 (beta) page
- Microsoft Learn: AZ-401 study guide (skill areas, renewal)
Checked against the Microsoft Skills Hub blog and the Microsoft Learn AZ-401 exam, certification and study guide pages on October 18, 2026.
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Related guides
- GitHub Copilot Certification (GH-300): Study Guide and 3-Week Plan
- Microsoft AI Certifications in 2026: The New Path, Explained
- Agentic AI Certification in 2026: 16 AI Agent Certifications, Grouped by Role
- New GitHub Agentic AI Cert for Business Pros Opens in Beta
- AI Certification Requirements Index: Every AI Exam Compared
Frequently asked questions
What is AZ-401?
AZ-401, Designing and Implementing Microsoft Agentic DevOps Solutions, is the exam for the new Microsoft Certified: Agentic DevOps Engineer Expert certification. Microsoft opened it in beta on October 15, 2026.
How much does AZ-401 cost?
Microsoft Learn lists AZ-401 at US$165, with prices that vary by country. The first 300 people who take the beta on or before November 9, 2026 can get 80% off with the code in Microsoft's announcement.
Is AZ-400 retiring?
Yes. Microsoft says Exam AZ-400 and Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert retire on February 1, 2027.
Do I need another exam for the Agentic DevOps Engineer Expert?
Microsoft's announcement says you must also pass GH-300 (GitHub Copilot) or AZ-104 (Azure Administrator). The Learn certification page lists only AZ-401 under required exams, so recheck it before you book.
