The verdict in 60 seconds
Microsoft does not offer free certification exams — every Microsoft exam costs £95–£165 excl. VAT. What is free is the learning: Microsoft Learn provides complete, official study paths for every exam at no charge. The genuine free route is Microsoft’s Virtual Training Day programme, where attending a half-day event earns you a complimentary exam voucher. In 2026 these run monthly and cover Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900), Security Fundamentals (SC-900), and Power Platform Fundamentals (PL-900) among others. If you’re willing to attend an event, you can earn a recognised Microsoft certification for £0. If you skip the event, budget £95–£165 for the exam.
Microsoft certifications are among the most sought-after credentials in UK tech — Azure roles, Microsoft 365 administration, and Power Platform skills all command a premium, and an official Microsoft badge on your LinkedIn profile carries weight with recruiters. The problem is that “free Microsoft certifications” is a phrase that circulates widely but is rarely explained accurately.
Here’s the reality: Microsoft’s learning platform (Microsoft Learn) is genuinely free and covers everything you need to pass any Microsoft exam. The exams themselves are not free — they run £95–£165 depending on the certification level. However, Microsoft runs a structured programme that makes certain exams fully free: the Virtual Training Day. Attend an approved event, and Microsoft sends you a complimentary exam voucher, typically redeemable for 90 days. This is a real programme, not a loophole — Microsoft uses these events to drive adoption of Azure and its other platforms.
This guide explains which Microsoft learning resources are free, which exams can be accessed through the voucher programme, and what you should realistically expect in terms of time and effort.
How we chose what to include
We focused on certifications that meet four criteria: the learning content is fully free via Microsoft Learn; the exam is either free via the Virtual Training Day voucher or represents the strongest value-to-effort ratio at its paid price; the certification is actively recognised by UK employers in 2026; and the exam objectives were updated within the last 18 months. We excluded third-party prep providers where Microsoft’s own materials are sufficient, and we excluded MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) exams as these require in-person Certiport testing rather than the standard Pearson VUE system.
Microsoft certifications you can pursue for free (or nearly free) in 2026
1. AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals — Best Free Entry Point
AZ-900 is the entry-level Azure certification, covering cloud concepts, core Azure services, pricing, and basic security and compliance. The Microsoft Learn path consists of six modules and takes 10–15 hours to complete. It’s well-structured, genuinely sufficient as exam preparation, and covers exactly what the exam tests — because Microsoft wrote both the course and the exam.
The exam costs £95 excl. VAT at Pearson VUE. Microsoft runs Virtual Training Day events for AZ-900 frequently — typically twice a month for UK-eligible participants. These are free half-day sessions (usually a Saturday morning) covering the exam domains. Attendees receive a free exam voucher within five business days of completing the event. Search “Microsoft Virtual Training Day AZ-900” to find upcoming dates. If you attend, your total cost is £0. This is the most accessible free Microsoft certification route in 2026.
2. SC-900: Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals
SC-900 covers the basics of Microsoft’s security products — Microsoft Sentinel, Defender, Purview — alongside identity concepts and compliance frameworks. It’s positioned at the same level as AZ-900 and is increasingly requested in UK financial services and public sector IT roles. The Microsoft Learn path runs approximately 8–10 hours.
The exam costs £95 excl. VAT. Like AZ-900, SC-900 is covered by the Virtual Training Day programme. Microsoft runs these events less frequently than AZ-900 events but they appear regularly — roughly monthly in 2026. If you’re aiming for a security or compliance-adjacent role, SC-900 paired with AZ-900 is a strong free combination. Both can be earned in a single quarter if you plan your Virtual Training Day attendance in advance.
3. PL-900: Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals
PL-900 covers Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, and Power Virtual Agents. It’s targeted at business users and analysts rather than developers, making it one of the more accessible Microsoft exams. UK employers in operations, finance, and project management roles are actively looking for Power Platform skills in 2026 — it’s become a practical differentiator for non-technical staff.
The exam costs £95 excl. VAT and is included in the Virtual Training Day voucher programme. Microsoft runs PL-900 events less frequently than AZ-900, but a quarterly cadence is typical. The Microsoft Learn path runs approximately 12 hours and is well-suited to people without a technical background — the examples are business-focused and the concepts don’t require prior coding knowledge.
4. MS-900: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals
MS-900 validates understanding of Microsoft 365 cloud services — Teams, SharePoint, Exchange Online, and the overall Microsoft 365 ecosystem. It’s a natural starting point for IT professionals supporting Microsoft 365 environments, helpdesk staff, and anyone moving into a Microsoft 365 administration role. The Learning path runs about 8 hours on Microsoft Learn.
The exam costs £95 excl. VAT. Virtual Training Day events for MS-900 are available, though less frequent than AZ-900 events. If you’re in an IT support role that involves Microsoft 365 day-to-day, this certification makes practical sense — it validates knowledge you’re likely already using. Worth pairing with the AZ-900 if you want to progress towards the Microsoft 365 Administrator Expert path.
5. AI-900: Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals
AI-900 covers AI concepts, machine learning fundamentals, and Microsoft’s AI services on Azure — Computer Vision, Natural Language Processing, and Azure OpenAI Service. In 2026, AI literacy is increasingly valued across technical and semi-technical roles, and AI-900 is the most accessible formal credential in this space. The Microsoft Learn path runs approximately 8–10 hours.
The exam costs £95 excl. VAT and has been added to the Virtual Training Day voucher programme following the expansion of Microsoft’s AI services. Events run roughly monthly. AI-900 is worth pursuing if you work in or near data, analytics, or software development roles and want a recognisable credential that demonstrates AI awareness without requiring deep engineering knowledge.
6. AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator (Paid Exam, Free Learning)
AZ-104 is an associate-level certification that validates the skills to implement, manage, and monitor Azure infrastructure. It’s a significant step up from AZ-900 and is one of the most in-demand Azure certifications in UK job postings. The Microsoft Learn path runs approximately 40–50 hours. Study materials on Microsoft Learn are comprehensive and free.
The exam costs £165 excl. VAT. AZ-104 is not currently included in the Virtual Training Day free voucher programme — Microsoft tends to reserve free vouchers for fundamentals-level exams. You can reduce the cost by keeping an eye on Microsoft’s free practice assessment tools (available on Learn), which help you identify gaps before booking. Budget £165 for the exam, but £0 for learning materials. AZ-104 is the right next step after AZ-900 for anyone pursuing an Azure career.
7. DP-900: Azure Data Fundamentals
DP-900 covers relational and non-relational data concepts, data analytics, and Azure data services including Azure SQL, Cosmos DB, and Azure Synapse Analytics. It’s aimed at those moving into data engineering or data analysis roles, and sits at the same fundamentals level as AZ-900 and AI-900. Microsoft Learn path runs approximately 10–12 hours.
The exam costs £95 excl. VAT and has been available through the Virtual Training Day programme. If you’re interested in data roles within a Microsoft ecosystem, DP-900 is a logical pairing with AI-900. The two together demonstrate a broader data and AI awareness than either alone. Events are less frequent but appear quarterly — set a Google alert for “Microsoft Virtual Training Day DP-900” to catch them.
Four mistakes to avoid
- Booking the exam before attending a Virtual Training Day. The vouchers are issued only to event attendees, after the event. If you book and pay for an exam first, the voucher won’t refund your money. Always check whether a Virtual Training Day is coming up before paying for a fundamentals-level exam.
- Using only third-party prep materials. Microsoft Learn is free, comprehensive, and written specifically for each exam’s objectives. Paid prep courses from Udemy or Pluralsight can supplement your learning, but starting with Microsoft Learn and only supplementing where needed is the most cost-effective approach. Many candidates pass fundamentals exams using Microsoft Learn alone.
- Treating Microsoft fundamentals certifications as career endpoints. AZ-900, SC-900, and PL-900 are entry points, not destinations. UK employers hiring for Azure roles want associate-level certifications (AZ-104, AZ-204, AZ-500) or expert-level (AZ-305). Use fundamentals certs to confirm you’re on the right path, then invest time and money in the associate level.
- Letting exam vouchers expire. Virtual Training Day vouchers are typically valid for 90 days. Candidates who attend an event, get distracted, and let the voucher lapse have lost a genuine saving of £95. When you receive a voucher, book your exam date immediately — even if it’s six weeks out — to ensure you use it.
Frequently asked questions
Are Microsoft certifications actually free, or does the exam cost money?
The learning is free on Microsoft Learn. The exams cost £95–£165 excl. VAT. The only way to sit a Microsoft exam for free is through the Virtual Training Day voucher programme, which covers fundamentals-level exams (AZ-900, SC-900, PL-900, MS-900, AI-900, DP-900). Associate and expert-level exams are not covered by free vouchers and must be paid for.
How do I get a free Microsoft exam voucher in 2026?
Register for and attend a Microsoft Virtual Training Day event. These are free half-day online events covering specific certification topics. After attending and completing the event, Microsoft emails you a complimentary exam voucher within five business days. The voucher is typically valid for 90 days. Find events at microsoft.com/en-gb/events — search by certification name.
Which Microsoft certification should I do first?
AZ-900 is the most common starting point and has the most frequent Virtual Training Day events, making it the easiest to earn for free. If your goal is cloud infrastructure or development, follow AZ-900 with AZ-104 or AZ-204. If your goal is security, follow AZ-900 with SC-900 then SC-200. If you work with business apps, start with PL-900 or MS-900 depending on your role.
Is Microsoft Learn enough to pass the AZ-900 exam?
For most candidates, yes. Microsoft Learn covers the full exam curriculum and is aligned to the official exam objectives. The free practice assessment on Microsoft Learn is also useful for identifying weak areas before exam day. Some candidates benefit from supplementing with John Savill’s free AZ-900 study videos on YouTube or the Microsoft Azure documentation directly. Paid prep courses add value for associate-level exams but are often unnecessary for fundamentals.
Do Microsoft certifications expire?
Yes. Microsoft role-based and specialty certifications (associate and expert level) expire after one year. Renewal is free and done online through Microsoft Learn — you pass a short renewal assessment rather than retaking the full exam. Fundamentals certifications (AZ-900, SC-900, etc.) do not expire. This is one reason starting with a fundamentals cert makes sense — you earn a permanent credential while deciding whether to pursue the associate level.