The short version
AB-900 leads to a fundamentals certification, and Microsoft says fundamentals certifications do not expire. So there is no renewal to schedule and no annual assessment to pass. If you fail the exam, you can retry after 24 hours, then wait 14 days between later attempts, up to five attempts in 12 months. This page walks through both topics and what Microsoft does not say.
Which credential you earn
Passing AB-900 is the exam requirement for the credential that Microsoft lists as Microsoft 365 Certified: Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals. Microsoft marks it as Beginner level, aimed at the Administrator role, and shows 10/14/2026 as the last update of the certification page. It names no other exam you must pass for it.
Does it expire?
No. Microsoft’s renewal page says plainly that fundamentals certifications do not expire. That is different from associate, expert, and specialty certifications, which expire annually and are renewed by passing a free, unproctored, open-book online assessment on Microsoft Learn during a six-month window before the expiration date.
Two practical points follow:
- You do not need to track an expiration date or watch for renewal emails for this credential.
- Microsoft does not publish a “refresh” rule that forces you to retake AB-900 later. If you want to prove current knowledge, nothing stops you from studying the newest skills measured, but no rule asks for it.
One related rule matters: Microsoft says you cannot retake an exam you have already passed unless the certification has expired. Because this one does not expire, a passed AB-900 stays passed. Plan to pass it once.
What if the exam changes?
Microsoft updates exams from time to time. The AB-900 study guide says the skills measured are “as of October 14, 2026”, and its change log compares that version with the previous one. In that table the audience profile and the first skill area show no change, and the core security features area shows a minor change. We read only the part of the change log the page showed, so check the full table on the study guide before you rely on it.
Two things are worth knowing about updates:
- Microsoft updates the English exam first. Localized versions follow about eight weeks later.
- If the exam is not available in your language, you can request an additional 30 minutes.
If you passed before an update, you keep the credential. If you are still preparing, study from the skills measured that apply on your exam date, because an older outline can lead you to the wrong topics. For more on the topics themselves, see the domains explained page.
Microsoft’s AB-900 pages show no retirement date. We saw none on the pages we checked, and that is all we can say; the vendor page is the authority.
Retake rules after a failed attempt
Microsoft’s retake policy for role-based, specialty, and fundamentals exams says:
- If you do not pass the first time, you must wait 24 hours before the second attempt.
- A 14-day wait applies between all later attempts, up to five in total.
- You cannot take the same exam more than five times in 12 months, counted from the first attempt. After five failures you can try again 12 months after the date of your first attempt.
- You pay for each retake, if a fee applies where you test.
Waiver of the waiting period
Microsoft may waive the waiting period only if you had an internet connection problem or equipment failure during the exam and a Pearson VUE case was created. Your request must include the Pearson VUE case number. Microsoft says no other reason qualifies.
What the policy does not say
The retake page does not give a cheaper retake price, and the AB-900 page says the exam price depends on the country where you test. We do not print prices here. Check the scheduling page for your country. The page also does not describe a free retake offer; Microsoft’s certification resources list an “Exam Replay” offer, but its terms are on that page and may change.
A timeline example
Say you take AB-900 on a Monday and miss the pass mark of 700. Here is what the rules allow:
| Step | Earliest date |
|---|---|
| First attempt | Monday, day 0 |
| Second attempt | Tuesday, day 1 (after 24 hours) |
| Third attempt | 14 days after the second |
| Fourth attempt | 14 days after the third |
| Fifth attempt | 14 days after the fourth |
| Sixth attempt | 12 months after the first attempt |
In practice, a long gap often works better than the earliest possible date. The score report shows how you did in each skill area, so use it to choose what to study before you book again.
Using a failed attempt well
- Read the score report and list the skill areas where you scored lowest.
- Re-read those parts of the study guide and practice them in a test tenant.
- Take a fresh practice set before you book, not the one you already memorized.
- Check whether the skills measured changed since your last attempt.
The study plan shows how to build a short second round, and the exam format page explains scoring in detail.
More guides for AB-900
- AB-900 Sample Questions With Answers
- Is the AB-900 Exam Hard? An Honest Look
- AB-900 Prerequisites: What to Know First
- Is AB-900 Worth It? An Honest Look
- AB-900 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
- AB-900 vs AI-901: Which Exam First?
Next step
Go back to the AB-900 overview for the full picture, or use the AB-900 practice tests to measure your readiness before booking.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to renew AB-900?
No. Microsoft says fundamentals certifications do not expire.
How long must I wait after failing?
24 hours before the second attempt, then 14 days between later attempts.
How many times can I take it?
Up to five times in 12 months, counted from your first attempt.