Microsoft · Professional Certification · Associate
Microsoft Certified: SQL AI Developer Associate (DP-800)
Crydd Score 56
Demand Growing
Career Value Strong
Recognition Strong
DP-800 at a glance
- Provider
- Microsoft
- Credential type
- Professional Certification
- Exam required
- Yes
- Category
- Data
- Level
- Associate
- Cost
- $165
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Time to earn
- 2–3 months
- Validity
- 1 year (free online renewal)
- Format
- Proctored exam, 120 minutes; offered in 10 languages
- Prerequisites
- None required; T-SQL, database development and CI/CD experience expected
What is DP-800?
Microsoft's associate certification for developers who build databases on SQL Server, Azure SQL and SQL databases in Microsoft Fabric, including AI features such as embeddings and vector search, secured, tuned and deployed through CI/CD.
Skills it covers
- T-SQL development
- Azure SQL and SQL Server
- Vector search and embeddings
- Database security and optimisation
- CI/CD for databases
Is DP-800 worth it? The Crydd Verdict
CS 56Choose it if
You write T-SQL and design databases for applications, and want to show you can add AI capabilities to them.
Consider alternatives if
You run and maintain databases rather than build them: DP-300 is the administrator credential. For NoSQL and agent memory, DP-420.
Why we say so
Most AI features in business apps still read from relational data, so SQL developers who can add vector search and embeddings are useful on almost any team.
Market demand
SQL Server and Azure SQL developers are hired steadily; postings that combine SQL with AI or vector search are newer and growing. The certification itself is new in 2026.
Where DP-800 takes you
- Database Administrator
- Backend Developer
- Data Engineer
Career roadmaps show where this certification fits in each path. See the roadmaps.
Related certifications
Curated connections from the catalog — each labelled with how it relates to DP-800, so you know why it’s here.
CS 56
Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300)
Microsoft · Associate
Also from Microsoft
CS 83
Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)
Microsoft · Foundational
A more foundational start
CS 56
Microsoft Certified: Azure Cosmos DB AI Developer Associate (DP-420)
Microsoft · Associate
Also from Microsoft
Careers DP-800 leads to
The professional paths this certification genuinely serves — browse every relevant credential for each.
A sensible order
Where DP-800 sits on the path — build up, then step on.
