The short version
The credential you earn with AZ-400, Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert, expires one year after you complete its requirements. You renew it for free by passing a short online assessment on Microsoft Learn, and the window opens six months before the expiry date. If it lapses, you have to pass the required exam again. If you fail the exam itself, you wait 24 hours before the second try and 14 days between later tries.
Does the AZ-400 credential expire?
Yes. Microsoft says role-based credentials at the associate and expert level are valid for one year from the date you complete all the requirements. The AZ-400 exam leads to an expert credential, so this applies to you. Fundamentals credentials do not expire, which is why people sometimes assume none of them do.
Two details are easy to miss.
- The clock starts when you finish all requirements. For this credential that includes holding the Azure Administrator Associate or Azure Developer Associate certification (see the prerequisites page). Microsoft’s wording is that the year runs from the date you complete everything needed to earn the certification.
- Passing AZ-400 again does not renew it. Microsoft says the only way to renew is the renewal assessment. Retaking the exam early, or taking a beta exam, does not count.
How renewal works
- Wait for the window. The renewal assessment is available only in the six months before your expiry date. You cannot do it earlier. Expiry dates and times are in UTC.
- Find the Renew button. Sign in to your Microsoft Learn profile, open Certifications, and look for the Renew button next to the credential. If your profile has an email address and you agreed to Microsoft’s communication terms, you also get an email when you become eligible.
- Refresh your skills. The renewal page for your certification lists free learning modules. They focus on what has changed.
- Pass the assessment. It is online, free, unproctored, and open book. Microsoft says it takes about 45 minutes and focuses on recent updates, so it is shorter than the exam.
- Check the new date. Once you pass, the new expiry date appears on your Learn profile immediately. Microsoft says your credential is extended by one year from the expiration date, not from the day you passed, so renewing early does not waste time.
Microsoft also says renewal assessments are available in the same languages as the matching exam, and that they are updated in step with the exam updates. The AZ-400 skills list changed on July 27, 2026, so a renewal assessment may cover those newer topics.
Renewal assessment retakes
There is no limit on renewal attempts. If you fail, you can try again right away. After the second try, you must wait at least 24 hours between later attempts. Just pass before the credential expires. Microsoft recommends not leaving it to the last day, in case of technical problems.
What happens if it lapses?
After the credential expires, you can no longer renew it. Microsoft says you must earn it again by passing the required exam or exams. For this credential, that means sitting AZ-400 again. Because you are allowed to retake an exam you passed once the certification has expired, nothing blocks you. You simply start over from the exam, with the normal exam fee and the normal retake rules.
Two related points from Microsoft’s FAQ:
- An expert credential does not automatically expire when its associate prerequisite expires. Each credential has to be renewed separately.
- If you hold the associate certification too, put both dates in your calendar. They are independent.
Retaking the exam after a failed attempt
These rules apply to exam attempts, not to renewal assessments.
| Rule | What Microsoft says |
|---|---|
| After the first failed attempt | Wait 24 hours |
| Between all later attempts (up to 5) | Wait 14 days |
| Limit | No more than 5 attempts in 12 months, counted from your first attempt |
| After five failures | You can try again 12 months after the date of your first attempt |
| After a pass | You cannot retake the exam unless the certification has expired |
| Fees | You pay for each retake, where applicable |
Microsoft allows a waiver of the waiting period only if you had internet or equipment problems during the exam and a Pearson VUE case was created. Waivers are not granted for any other reason.
If the exam is retired or changes
Microsoft can retire exams and credentials at any time. As of October 22, 2026, the AZ-400 page lists no retirement date. If a credential is retired, Microsoft says it stays on your transcript’s Active section until it expires, or for two years after retirement if it has no expiration date. Microsoft also says that if a retirement date comes before your expiry date, you will be told to renew before the retirement.
An exam update is a different thing. AZ-400 was last updated in English on July 27, 2026, and Microsoft says translated versions follow about eight weeks later. An update changes what is measured, not whether you hold the credential.
A simple timeline
Say you pass AZ-400 on March 10 and you already hold the associate credential. Your expert credential then expires the following March 10. The renewal window opens about September 10. You pass the assessment on October 20, so the new expiry date is March 10 of the year after that, one year beyond the old date. If you miss the window entirely, you take AZ-400 again.
More guides for AZ-400
- AZ-400 Domains Explained With Examples
- AZ-400 Sample Questions With Answers
- Is AZ-400 Hard? An Honest Difficulty Check
- Is AZ-400 Worth It? An Honest Look
- AZ-400 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
- AZ-104 vs AZ-400: Which First?
- AZ-305 vs AZ-400: Which Exam First?
Next step
Renewal assessments reward people who keep working with the tools. If you are still preparing for the first pass, the exam format page explains scoring and timing, and the study plan gives you a schedule. To check readiness, try our AZ-400 practice tests. Rules can change, so confirm them on the Microsoft Learn AZ-400 exam page and the renewal page. Back to the AZ-400 overview.
Frequently asked questions
Is renewing AZ-400 free?
Yes. Microsoft says renewal costs nothing. Only the exam itself has a fee.
Can I renew by retaking the exam?
No. Microsoft says the renewal assessment on Learn is the only way to renew.
How many times can I fail the renewal assessment?
As often as you need before expiry. You can retry at once, then wait 24 hours between later attempts.