Your Azure Path

Azure Engineer Roadmap

This roadmap organizes the Microsoft Azure certifications most relevant to a practical Azure engineer path. It starts with foundational Azure knowledge, then moves into administration, networking, and architecture decisions.

Use it as a planning guide, not a requirement list. Microsoft does not make AZ-900 a required step before AZ-104 in the facts used here, but it can help new learners build vocabulary before deeper administration practice.

Open AZ-900 course Open AZ-104 course

AZ-900 AZ-104 AZ-700 AZ-305 Terraform optional

DotCreds links

AZ-900

AZ-104

AZ-700

AZ-305

Terraform

Reviewed sources

Built from 7 official source pages, reviewed on 2026-06-29, and drafted with Gemma 12B before human source review.

Quick answer

The Azure Engineer roadmap typically starts with the Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification to establish foundational cloud concepts. Following this, the Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) validates core administration skills. Specializations like Azure Network Engineer Associate (AZ-700) and Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) offer advanced pathways.

Who this roadmap helps

Use this page to pick the next certification lane without treating optional credentials as required steps.

Aspiring Cloud Professionals

This roadmap provides a clear path for individuals looking to enter the cloud computing field and specialize in Microsoft Azure.

Existing IT Professionals

This roadmap helps IT professionals expand their skillset and transition into Azure-focused roles.

Current Azure Users

This roadmap provides a structured approach to deepening your understanding of Azure and pursuing professional certifications.

Certification roadmap

The order below is a planning sequence from the reviewed source facts. Optional steps stay optional.

Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 - Foundation

Begin with Azure Fundamentals to demonstrate foundational knowledge of cloud concepts, core Azure services, and Azure management and governance features. This certification is designed for beginners.

Foundation

AZ-900 Guided Course AZ-900 Practice Test

Azure Administrator Associate AZ-104 - Associate

Next, validate your skills in configuring, managing, securing, and administering key professional functions in Microsoft Azure with the Azure Administrator Associate certification. Preparation covers Azure identity and governance, storage, compute, virtual networking, and monitoring/maintenance.

Associate

AZ-104 Guided Course AZ-104 Practice Test

Azure Network Engineer Associate (Optional) AZ-700 - Optional

For those interested in specializing in Azure networking, the Azure Network Engineer Associate certification validates skills in planning, implementing, and managing Azure networking solutions. The official overview lists core network infrastructure, hybrid connectivity, application delivery services, private access to Azure services, and network security.

Optional

AZ-700 Practice Test

Azure Solutions Architect Expert (Professional) AZ-305 - Professional

Move deeper into architecture with the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification, which is associated with Exam AZ-305. The study guide covers design of identity, governance, monitoring, data storage, business continuity, and infrastructure solutions.

Professional

AZ-305 Practice Test

Terraform Associate (Optional) Terraform Associate - Optional

Use Terraform Associate as optional infrastructure-as-code support. It is not a Microsoft certification, but DotCreds has a Terraform practice page that may fit learners adding automation practice to an Azure path.

Optional

Terraform Associate Practice Test

Skills to build

These are the work areas the official certification pages and study guides keep bringing back into the path.

Identity and governance

AZ-104 preparation includes Azure identity and governance, so this is a core area for anyone moving beyond fundamentals.

Storage and compute

The AZ-104 study guide includes storage and compute, which makes these practical administration topics central to the roadmap.

Virtual networking

AZ-104 covers virtual networking, while AZ-700 goes further into Azure networking solutions, hybrid connectivity, application delivery, private access, and network security.

Monitoring and maintenance

AZ-104 preparation includes monitoring and maintenance, and AZ-305 adds monitoring design as part of architecture planning.

Business continuity and infrastructure design

AZ-305 measures design work across data storage, business continuity, and infrastructure solutions.

Suggested study sequence

Turn the roadmap into a practical sequence: read the official guide, learn the domain, practice, then check readiness.

Phase 1

Foundational Learning

Start with the AZ-900 guided course and practice test to build a base understanding of Azure concepts.

Phase 2

Core Administration

Focus on the AZ-104 guided course and practice test to master Azure administration skills.

Phase 3

Specialization (Optional)

If desired, pursue the AZ-700 practice test to specialize in Azure networking.

Phase 4

Advanced Architecture

Prepare for the AZ-305 practice test to design and implement robust Azure solutions.

Learn by practicing

Use DotCreds for practice pages and guided courses that already exist. No nonexistent course links are added here.

Targeted Practice

DotCreds offers practice tests and guided courses to help you focus on the key areas covered in each certification exam.

Detailed Explanations

Review detailed explanations for each practice question to deepen your understanding of Azure concepts.

Available pages

AZ-900 Guided Course Beginner-friendly guided course exists for Azure fundamentals. AZ-900 Practice Test Practice page exists for the optional foundation step. AZ-104 Guided Course Guided course exists for the core Azure administrator step. AZ-104 Practice Test Practice page exists for the core Azure administrator step. AZ-700 Practice Test Practice page exists for Azure networking specialization. AZ-305 Practice Test Practice page exists for architecture progression. Terraform Associate Practice Test Useful optional infrastructure-as-code support page already exists. Azure Cloud Career Path Existing DotCreds Azure cloud career hub.

FAQ

Short answers for the decisions learners usually need to make before choosing the next page.

Is AZ-900 required before AZ-104?

While not strictly required, AZ-900 provides a foundational understanding of Azure concepts that can be beneficial for preparing for AZ-104.

Where does AZ-700 fit?

AZ-700 fits as an optional networking specialization after or alongside administrator-level Azure study, especially if your work leans toward hybrid connectivity, application delivery, private access, or network security.