CertifyDeckExam AZ-204 and the Azure Developer Associate certification retired on 31 July 2026: they can no longer be booked or renewed. If you were planning to prepare for it, the path Microsoft now proposes for cloud developers is AI-200 (Azure AI Cloud Developer Associate). This guide explains what to keep from your preparation and what to add.
Is an AZ-204 certification you already hold still valid?
Yes. A credential earned before the retirement stays on your Microsoft Learn transcript under the validity rules it had. What disappears is the ability to sit the exam again or to renew a retired credential when it expires.
Knowledge of Functions, App Service, storage, security, messaging and monitoring keeps all its value at work even though the exam code no longer exists.
The official alternative: AI-200
For a cloud development profile, Microsoft now points to Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Cloud Developer Associate, tied to exam AI-200. Its outline has four areas: developing containerized solutions on Azure (20–25%), developing AI solutions with Azure data management services (25–30%), connecting to and consuming Azure services (20–25%) and securing, monitoring and troubleshooting solutions (20–25%).
It is not a change of name: if all you wanted was general web development on Azure, compare the outline before deciding. AI-200 puts data services and AI components next to the cloud fundamentals AZ-204 covered.
How to reuse your AZ-204 preparation
Build on what you studied about managed identities, Key Vault, Azure Functions, containers, Service Bus, Event Grid, Application Insights and resilience patterns. Then add data management for AI and the lifecycle of an AI solution.
A useful project: an API in a container, protected without embedded secrets, connected to a queue and with telemetry. It carries more real value than memorizing the old AZ-204 objectives again.
What you can practise today on CertifyDeck
AZ-204 is no longer in the catalog: we do not sell preparation for an exam that cannot be booked. The closest active path for developers is AI-103, Azure AI Apps and Agents Developer, with practice by domain and a free start; if your profile leans toward administration, AZ-104 remains current.
Frequently asked questions
When did exam AZ-204 retire?
On 31 July 2026, together with the Azure Developer Associate certification. Since that date it cannot be booked or renewed.
Do I lose my AZ-204 certification if I already hold it?
No. It stays on your Microsoft Learn transcript with the validity it had; what you cannot do is renew it when it expires.
Which exam replaces AZ-204?
Microsoft points cloud developers to AI-200 (Azure AI Cloud Developer Associate). It covers part of the same ground but adds AI, data and observability; compare the outline before booking.