The short version
The Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals credential does not expire, so there is nothing to renew. If you fail the exam, you can try again after 24 hours, then after 14 days between later attempts, up to five attempts in 12 months. Both rules come from Microsoft Learn pages checked on October 22, 2026.
Does SC-900 expire?
No. Microsoft’s expiration policy says fundamentals certifications do not expire, and its renewal FAQ repeats that renewal does not apply to them. You pass once, and the credential stays on your Microsoft Learn profile.
This is different from the role-based path. Microsoft says its associate, expert, and specialty certifications are valid for one year and must be renewed. If you later earn one of those, such as an identity or security operations certification, a different clock starts for that credential. The fundamentals credential keeps its own status and is not affected.
Two practical results follow:
- You never need to schedule a second SC-900 sitting to keep the credential.
- You cannot retake SC-900 after passing it. Microsoft’s retake policy says you cannot retake a passed exam unless the certification has expired, and this one does not expire.
How renewal works for other credentials
You will see the word “renewal” a lot on Microsoft pages, so here is what it means elsewhere. For associate, expert, and specialty certifications, Microsoft offers a renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn instead of a full exam. The window opens six months before expiry. The assessment is online and unproctored, and a pass extends the credential by one year from its expiration date. None of this applies to SC-900. It only matters if SC-900 is your first step toward a role-based exam.
Retake rules for SC-900
SC-900 follows the retake policy Microsoft uses for role-based, specialty, and fundamentals exams:
| Situation | Rule |
|---|---|
| First attempt fails | Wait 24 hours before trying again |
| Every later attempt | Wait 14 days between attempts, up to five attempts in total |
| Five failed attempts | You become eligible again 12 months after the date of your first attempt |
| Passed exam | You cannot take it again unless the certification has expired |
| Fees | You pay for each retake where a fee applies |
Two details are easy to miss. First, the limit of five is counted within 12 months from the first attempt, not per calendar year. Second, the 14-day wait starts with the second failure, because the first gap is only 24 hours.
Waiting-period waivers
Microsoft allows a request to skip the waiting period only in one case: an internet problem or equipment failure during the exam that led to a Pearson VUE case. You must include the case number. Microsoft says waivers are not given for any other reason, so do not count on one if you simply want to try again sooner.
What the score report gives you
After a fail you do not see which questions you missed. You see a bar for each skill area. Use those bars to decide how to spend your waiting time. The domains explained page shows what each area covers.
Timeline example
This is an illustration of the rules above, not a prediction. Suppose you sit the exam on Monday, November 2, 2026, and do not pass.
- November 3: the earliest date for attempt two (24 hours later). Most people use more time than that.
- If attempt two fails on November 3: the next earliest date is November 17, which is 14 days later.
- Attempts three, four, and five: each needs another 14-day gap.
- After a fifth failure: you could try again 12 months after the first attempt, which is November 2, 2027.
Most candidates never come near that limit. The point of the example is that the first retake is quick and the later ones are slow, so use the first gap for a focused review, not a rush.
What if the exam changes or is retired?
Microsoft updates exams from time to time. The English version changed on October 21, 2026, and the study guide’s change log marks two areas as minor: identity types in Microsoft Entra ID and Microsoft Defender XDR. The other areas are marked unchanged. Microsoft says other languages are updated about eight weeks after English, so if you sit the exam in another language, check which version of the skills measured applies on your date. Microsoft’s pages do not say whether a retake waiting period changes when a new version arrives.
Microsoft also reserves the right to retire exams and certifications at any time. Its policy says a retired credential stays in the Active section of your transcript for two years after retirement if it has no expiration date. The pages we checked show no retirement date for SC-900.
More guides for SC-900
- SC-900 Study Plan: 4-Week and 8-Week
- SC-900 Sample Questions With Answers
- Is the SC-900 Exam Hard?
- SC-900 Prerequisites and Skills Check
- Is SC-900 Worth It? An Honest Look
- SC-900 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
- AZ-900 vs SC-900: Which Exam First?
Next step
Before you book, read the exam format page for scoring and delivery details, and the overview for the domains. When you want a timed check before a retake, our SC-900 practice tests report results by domain. Microsoft’s own retake policy is the final word.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to renew SC-900?
No. Fundamentals certifications do not expire.
How many times can I take SC-900?
Up to five times within 12 months of your first attempt. After five failures you wait until 12 months from the first one.
Can I retake it the next day?
Yes, after a first failure you can retake after 24 hours. Later attempts need a 14-day gap.