Azure Security Engineer
MicrosoftSpecialized
Exam fee
$165
≈ 130 GBP · 223 CAD · 152 EUR · rolling-avg FX; verify with your bank before any payment
Exam code
AZ-500
Renewal
1yr
The Azure Security Engineer is a cybersecurity certification from Microsoft with an exam fee of $165 and a 1-year renewal cycle. Career intelligence sourced from BLS and Microsoft official data using the DecipherU Methodology™.
Version 1.0 · Published April 2026 · Last verified April 2026
How is it pronounced?
A-Z five hundred
Spelled letter by letter for 'A-Z', then 'five hundred'.
About the Azure Security Engineer
AZ-500 is Microsoft's Azure-specific security engineering cert. It tests your ability to configure identity and access with Entra ID, secure Azure resources and networks, manage security operations with Microsoft Defender and Sentinel, and protect data and applications running on Azure. Renewal is annual and free, which Microsoft does through an online assessment rather than CPE credits. For practitioners working in Microsoft shops (which is most of the federal sector and much of healthcare), AZ-500 is the cloud security cert hiring managers look for first.
Who should earn it
Security engineers in Microsoft-heavy environments, federal contractors on GCC High, and practitioners moving from Active Directory to Entra ID and hybrid cloud.
Exam details
- Provider
- Microsoft
- Exam code
- AZ-500
- Questions
- 40-60
- Duration
- 120 minutes
- Passing score
- 700/1000
- Exam fee
- $165 (verify with Microsoft)
- Renewal
- Every 1 years via CPE
- Experience level
- Specialized
- DoD 8570/8140
- Not on the list
Prerequisites
No formal prerequisite. Microsoft recommends experience with Azure administration, Azure development, and DevOps processes.
Key domains
- Manage Identity and Access
- Secure Networking
- Secure Compute, Storage, and Databases
- Manage Security Operations
Salary impact
AZ-500 adds $10,000-$25,000 for Azure-focused security engineers and is the threshold credential for Microsoft partner organizations. Salary bands of $125,000-$180,000 for cloud security engineers in Microsoft-first shops commonly list it.
Most relevant roles
Last verified: April 2026?Report an inaccuracy
Certification details are sourced from official certifying body websites. Verify current pricing, exam format, and requirements directly with the certifying organization before making decisions. DecipherU is not affiliated with any certifying body.
The Azure Security Engineer is a cybersecurity certification from Microsoft targeting cybersecurity specialists. It validates core competencies employers look for when hiring for security-focused roles.
The Azure Security Engineer exam fee is $165 as of April 2026. Pricing is set by Microsoft and subject to change. Always verify current pricing at the official Microsoft website before registering. Some employers and training programs offer exam vouchers that can reduce out-of-pocket cost.
The Azure Security Engineer is designed for experienced professionals seeking advanced credential recognition in a specialized area.
The Azure Security Engineer certification is valid for 1 years. Renewal requires earning continuing education units (CEUs) or retaking the exam before expiration. Microsoft manages the renewal process through their member portal. Plan renewal activities well before the expiration date.
The Azure Security Engineer is commonly listed as a preferred or required qualification for SOC Analyst, Security Engineer, Penetration Tester, and related cybersecurity roles. Use the DecipherU career assessment to find which certifications match your target role and experience level.
Sources
- Microsoft official website · Certification pricing, exam format, and renewal requirements
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
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DecipherU career intelligence is developed by Julian Calvo, Ed.D., M.S., using AI-assisted research, analysis, and content generation: reviewed and validated against the DecipherU Methodology™. Career and compensation data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, O*NET OnLine, and industry compensation databases. Assessment frameworks are grounded in published psychometric research, applied learning sciences (University of Miami), organizational learning theory (Barry University), and applied AI (Northeastern University). DecipherU uses artificial intelligence as a research and authoring tool; all methodology, framework design, scoring models, and editorial standards are developed and maintained by the DecipherU team.
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