Azure Solutions Architect Expert Renewal

Once again its that time to recertify, 2022 is going to be the year of renewal and recertification!

After holding the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification since 2018, I noticed that Microsoft have changed the process in which renewal takes place on this and other Azure certifications.

In place of just writing another exam based on the syllabus you have already studied and been tested on, Microsoft have implemented a renewal process focused on studying Microsoft Learn modules and then writing an online assessment annually to regain and renew your certification. This is a really a great approach as it gets you to keep learning constantly as well as forces you to recertify annually to keep current.

This effectively replaces the previous method of recertifying every two years with a recertification exam. This process has been seamlessly implemented and really gets you to focus in on key study areas that you may or may not have had recent experience in. This is a great way to get you to use Microsoft Learn modules to increase your skills, get exposure to new concepts and recertify your existing certification that you have already had to write numerous official exams in order to gain. This online assessment is completed annually in order to keep your certification and automatically extends the expiration date on the certificate based on your existing transcript.

Please take note: Microsoft will send you reminders on a monthly basis from three months before the expiration of the certificate which gives you ample time to study the Learn modules and complete the assessment before expiration. The certification will renew for a year from the expiration date. The online assessment can also be written at any time during the renewal period. You will get multiple attempts to write if you do not pass the first time, but there are some waiting periods between attempts.

I really think that this is a great innovation from Microsoft Azure and think it would be great if other public cloud platforms could also look into implementing a similar renewal process in order to assist students. There is also, of course, the fact that there is no cost involved in this renewal process which is really a game changer for people who have invested so much time and costs in achieving these certifications.

Azure Solutions Architect Expert: Microsoft Learn Modules

The below list of Microsoft Learn modules can be studied prior to the online assessment. Please note: This is not compulsory in order to complete the assessment but they are really good if you are trying to brush up on or have not been exposed to these concepts since writing your last exam. The Learn modules focus in on a few of the Well-Architected Framework pillars: performance efficiency, security, Cost and also focus in on designing monitoring on Azure. Further reading on the Well-Architected Framework: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/framework/

They then move into Azure Site Recovery (ASR) and Azure backups. There are also some practical labs on Azure SQL DB's. Overall, its around six and half hours on Learn modules before going ahead to take your assessment.

• Design a holistic monitoring strategy on Azure
• Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework - Performance efficiency
• Microsoft Azure Well-Architected Framework - Security
• Protect your Azure infrastructure with Azure Site Recovery
• Protect your virtual machines by using Azure Backup
• Back up and restore your Azure SQL database
• Use monitoring and analytics to gain cost insights
• Analyze your Azure infrastructure by using Azure Monitor logs

Please see the below link to the official Microsoft Learn modules required for study: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/azure-solutions-architect/renew

By using the above link you are also able to check whether you are eligible for renewal. 

Quick tip: Make sure you sign into the above portal using your existing MCP login details. You are also able to add additional Learn profiles within your account if these are separate.

Please find the below link for further reading on the renewal process: https://aka.ms/CertRenewalOverview

I have found the overall renewal process simple, well implemented and innovative!

Good luck on completing your Azure Solutions Architect renewal in 2022!