Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204) Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204), eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
$165
Provider
Microsoft
Validity
1 year (renewal required)
Available
Global
Education
No formal education requirement
Experience
Recommended but not required
Specific Requirements
- There were no mandatory prerequisites. Microsoft did not require another certification or exam before AZ-204.
- Microsoft's published candidate profile recommended at least two years of programming experience.
- Proficiency programming with Azure SDKs in a supported language, most commonly C# or Python.
- Proficiency using Azure CLI, Azure PowerShell and related tooling.
- Working familiarity with Azure data storage options, data connections, APIs, app authentication and authorization, compute and container deployment, and debugging.
- As of July 31, 2026 the exam is retired, so passing it is no longer possible regardless of preparation.
Number of Questions
Microsoft does not publish a question count for individual exams. Its official guidance is that most Microsoft certification exams typically contain between 40 and 60 questions, and that the number varies by exam and changes as the exam is updated.
Duration
The AZ-204 exam detail page retired with the exam and no longer shows a duration, so no per-exam figure can be quoted from Microsoft today. Microsoft's published table allocates associate and expert role-based exams without labs 100 minutes of exam time and 120 minutes of seat time, and associate and expert exams that may contain labs 120 minutes of exam time and 140 minutes of seat time. Microsoft deliberately does not list which exams contain labs, because labs can be removed at any time during Azure outages or bandwidth problems, and candidates were told their exam time at registration.
Question Format
Multiple choice, Multiple response, Hot area, Drag and drop, Build list (ordering steps), Active screen, Case studies, Problem-and-solution question sets, where the same scenario is repeated with different proposed solutions, Interactive labs in a live Azure environment on forms that include them
Passing Requirement
700 or greater on a scale of 1 to 1,000. Microsoft states this is a scaled score that may not equal 70 percent of available points.
How It Is Delivered
Proctored through Pearson VUE, either at a physical test centre or online with the OnVUE secure browser. Online candidates complete a self check-in, upload a headshot, a government-issued ID photo and room-scan photos taken with a mobile phone, then wait in a proctor queue. Check-in opens 30 minutes before the appointment and closes 15 minutes after it, and Microsoft says the launch process takes roughly 15 minutes.
Languages Offered
English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Chinese (Traditional), Italian
Create a Microsoft Learn profile
Navigate to the exam page and click 'Schedule exam'
Choose Pearson VUE test center or online proctoring
Pay the exam fee and confirm your appointment
- Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo)
- Appointment confirmation
- For online: clean workspace, webcam, microphone
What are the prerequisites for the Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)?
There were no mandatory prerequisites. Microsoft did not require another certification or exam before AZ-204.. Microsoft's published candidate profile recommended at least two years of programming experience.. Proficiency programming with Azure SDKs in a supported language, most commonly C# or Python.. Proficiency using Azure CLI, Azure PowerShell and related tooling.. Working familiarity with Azure data storage options, data connections, APIs, app authentication and authorization, compute and container deployment, and debugging.. As of July 31, 2026 the exam is retired, so passing it is no longer possible regardless of preparation..
How much does the Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204) cost?
The Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204) exam costs $165. This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)?
Create a Microsoft Learn profile → Navigate to the exam page and click 'Schedule exam' → Choose Pearson VUE test center or online proctoring → Pay the exam fee and confirm your appointment
What should I bring to the Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)?
Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo). Appointment confirmation. For online: clean workspace, webcam, microphone.
Ready to prepare for Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)?
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