Question about retiring Microsoft certifications

Mohamed MOUSSAOUI 0 Reputation points
2026-04-06T10:55:52.5333333+00:00

Hello everyone,

I am writing to you regarding the AZ-500 certification.

I have learnt that it is to be replaced by the SC-500 certification. I am an Azure consultant who regularly manages the security of our clients’ tenants within my company.

As such, I have three questions for you:

  • Is this certification still worth taking?
  • Will this certification still be recognised by companies even after it is withdrawn?
  • Will the content of the SC-500 certification be similar to the AZ-500 certification, or will it be completely different?

Thank you in advance for your feedback

Azure | Azure ISV (Independent Software Vendor) and Startups

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  1. Meer Arshad Ahamed.i 0 Reputation points
    2026-08-27T19:01:17.9866667+00:00
    1. Yes absolutely
    2. Yes, no doubt about it cuz who will you prefer ( A guy with the well known AZ500 and SC500 or a guy who only has SC500). The answer is upto you cuz obviously as per the naming convention the course will be filled with AI and such.
    3. Don't know bout that but will bet 50-50 cuz if not then what's the point of changing the name when it's pretty much the same

    My bad, I posted it in comments

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  2. AI answer

    2026-04-06T10:56:05.18+00:00
    • AZ-500 is still worth taking if it aligns with current responsibilities. The official study guide notes that Exam AZ-500: Microsoft Azure Security Technologies will retire on August 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM Central Standard Time. Until that date, it remains an active path to the Azure Security Engineer Associate certification, and can still be used to validate Azure security skills.
    • After retirement, the associated certification and exam can no longer be earned, but any certification already earned remains on the transcript. Retired certifications stay visible in the Microsoft Learn profile: they remain in the Active Certifications section until they expire and then move to Historical Certifications. This means employers can still see that the certification was earned, even though it is no longer offered.
    • The provided context confirms AZ-500’s retirement date and general retirement behavior but does not describe SC-500 or how its content compares to AZ-500. Based on the available information, only the following can be stated: AZ-500 will retire on the specified date, and once a replacement exam is introduced, it typically reflects updated technologies and role definitions. No detailed comparison between AZ-500 and SC-500 content is available in the context.

    For planning:

    • If the goal is to validate Azure security skills before August 31, 2026, AZ-500 remains a valid option.
    • Once retired, AZ-500 cannot be taken, but the earned certification will continue to appear on the transcript according to the general retirement rules.

    References:

    AI-generated content may be incorrect. Read our transparency notes for more information.

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