Microsoft · Professional Certification · Associate
Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Administrator Associate (AZ-802)
Crydd Score 56
Demand Stable
Career Value Strong
Recognition Strong
AZ-802 at a glance
- Provider
- Microsoft
- Credential type
- Professional Certification
- Exam required
- Yes
- Category
- IT Support
- Level
- Associate
- Cost
- $165
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Time to earn
- 2–3 months
- Validity
- 1 year (free online renewal)
- Format
- Proctored exam, 120 minutes; English
- Prerequisites
- None required; Microsoft expects experience with Windows Admin Center, Hyper-V, PowerShell, Azure Arc and AD DS
What is AZ-802?
Microsoft's associate certification for Windows Server administrators: running Active Directory, virtual machines, networking, storage and security for Windows Server on premises, in Azure and across both. It replaces the two-exam AZ-800 and AZ-801 route, retired on 30 September 2026.
Skills it covers
- Active Directory Domain Services
- Hybrid Windows Server management
- Hyper-V and virtual machines
- Storage and file services
- Windows Server security
Is AZ-802 worth it? The Crydd Verdict
CS 56Choose it if
You run Windows Server and Active Directory, on premises or hybrid, and want the current Microsoft credential for that work.
Consider alternatives if
Your servers have mostly moved to Azure: AZ-104 covers the cloud side. For vendor-neutral server skills, CompTIA Server+.
Why we say so
Windows Server and Active Directory still run most organisations' identity and file services, and this single exam now covers the hybrid version of that job.
Market demand
Systems administrator roles that list Windows Server and Active Directory remain common, especially in organisations moving workloads to Azure gradually. The certification is new, so postings may still name AZ-800 and AZ-801.
Where AZ-802 takes you
- Systems Administrator
- Cloud 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 AZ-802, so you know why it’s here.
Careers AZ-802 leads to
The professional paths this certification genuinely serves — browse every relevant credential for each.
A sensible order
Where AZ-802 sits on the path — build up, then step on.
