Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500) Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500), 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 are no formal prerequisites. AZ-500 is a single exam and Microsoft does not require any other certification first.
- Microsoft states that candidates should have practical experience administering Microsoft Azure and hybrid environments.
- Microsoft also expects strong familiarity with Microsoft Entra ID, as well as compute, network and storage in Azure.
- A Microsoft Learn profile connected to your certification profile is needed to schedule the exam, take practice assessments, renew, and print certificates.
- Many candidates hold AZ-104 Azure Administrator Associate first because it covers the Azure administration experience the AZ-500 audience profile assumes, but Microsoft does not require it.
- For the successor exam SC-500, Microsoft adds familiarity with Microsoft 365 administration to the same Azure and Entra ID expectations.
Number of Questions
Not published by Microsoft for AZ-500. Microsoft states that most of its certification exams contain between 40 and 60 questions and that the number varies by exam.
Duration
Microsoft does not publish a per-exam duration for AZ-500. Its published table allots 100 minutes with a 120-minute seat time to associate and expert role-based exams without labs, and 120 minutes with a 140-minute seat time to those that may contain labs. You are given your exam time when you register.
Question Format
Multiple choice, Active screen, Build list, Drag and drop, Hot area, Case studies, Labs, which Microsoft may add or remove without notice, Problem-solution question sets, where the same scenario is repeated with different proposed solutions
Passing Requirement
700 or greater on a 1,000-point scale
How It Is Delivered
Proctored through Pearson VUE, at a test centre or online. Microsoft states the exam may have interactive components.
Languages Offered
English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, German, French, 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 Security Engineer (AZ-500)?
There are no formal prerequisites. AZ-500 is a single exam and Microsoft does not require any other certification first.. Microsoft states that candidates should have practical experience administering Microsoft Azure and hybrid environments.. Microsoft also expects strong familiarity with Microsoft Entra ID, as well as compute, network and storage in Azure.. A Microsoft Learn profile connected to your certification profile is needed to schedule the exam, take practice assessments, renew, and print certificates.. Many candidates hold AZ-104 Azure Administrator Associate first because it covers the Azure administration experience the AZ-500 audience profile assumes, but Microsoft does not require it.. For the successor exam SC-500, Microsoft adds familiarity with Microsoft 365 administration to the same Azure and Entra ID expectations..
How much does the Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500) cost?
The Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500) exam costs $165. This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500)?
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 Security Engineer (AZ-500)?
Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo). Appointment confirmation. For online: clean workspace, webcam, microphone.
Ready to prepare for Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500)?
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