Do I need to renew my AZ-305 separately as it is coming to expiry August 8 2025 but passed my AZ-104 today 15 july 2026

MATTHEW LAWRENCE 20 Reputation points
2026-07-15T15:43:57.79+00:00

Hi I have just passed my AZ-105 today (15 July 2026) , largely as I was concerned that I couldnt take the Microsoft Certified Azure Solution Architect Expert Exam and renew my AZ-305 taken August 8 2025.

Looking at the recertify option and it isnt available and telling me I need to renew my Architect Expert certification by 15 July 2027.

I am presuming and I hope correctly that the AZ-104 pass means I have now completed the cert path and that renewal for both exams is by 15 July 2027 i.e. the AZ-104 and getting the shiny Architect Expert badge today means I have to recert next year and not have to do a recert based on AZ-305 for August 8 2026

I hope that makes sense?

I am a realist not an optimist but hoping that I can put the books down on this cert for at least 6 months

Thanks

Matt

Community Center | Not monitored
0 comments

1 answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest

  1. AI answer

    2026-07-15T15:44:16.1+00:00

    Yes. The renewal is for the certification, not the individual exam.

    For Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, the prerequisite is an active Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) certification, and the expert certification is only awarded once both requirements are met. The certification page shows this as 1 prerequisite certification plus AZ-305 as the required exam.

    The renewal rules in the certification FAQ state:

    • each certification must be renewed separately
    • expert certifications do not automatically expire just because the associate prerequisite expired
    • the only way to renew is the free renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn
    • the renewal window opens 6 months before the certification expires
    • once the renewal assessment is passed, the new expiration date updates immediately on the Learn profile

    Based on the dates described:

    • AZ-305 was passed on 8 Aug 2025
    • AZ-104 was passed on 15 Jul 2026
    • the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification would only appear once the prerequisite was completed
    • if the Learn profile now says renew by 15 Jul 2027, that indicates the current renewal date for the Architect Expert certification is tied to the certification being awarded now, not back to the AZ-305 exam date

    So the practical outcome is:

    • there is not a separate AZ-305 renewal action to complete in August 2026
    • the certification to renew is Azure Solutions Architect Expert, and the Learn profile date shown is the date to follow
    • the renewal assessment should become available about 6 months before 15 Jul 2027

    If AZ-104 also appears as a separate active certification in the profile, that certification is renewed separately on its own schedule.

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

    Was this answer helpful?

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.