A Complete Guide to Azure DevOps Certification (AZ-400) for 2025

Introduction

This guide is all about the Azure DevOps Certification (AZ-400). It covers what Azure DevOps is, why getting certified is useful, how to prepare for the exam, and the benefits you can gain from it. Whether you are just starting out or have some experience, this blog will walk you through the steps, details about the exam, and career opportunities available after certification.

What Is Azure DevOps?

Microsoft’s Azure DevOps is a suite of tools and services to enable teams to work better together; it enables the planning of a project, the writing and testing of code, and the faster and more efficient release of the software to its customers. These tools integrate well with Azure, Microsoft’s cloud platform, which makes it easier for teams to store their work in the cloud, manage resources, and scale their projects as needed.
With Azure DevOps, teams can automate many tasks, reduce errors, and improve collaboration, leading to faster and more reliable software development and delivery.

Why Pursue the Azure DevOps Certification?

Earning the Azure DevOps Certification can bring some benefits that could help improve your career:
Good Job Opportunities: Getting certified would show that you have solid skills in DevOps. This might make it easier for you to get good job opportunities in the IT industry. More and more employers prefer hiring certified professionals because they confirm your knowledge and expertise.
High Demand for DevOps Experts: DevOps experts are in high demand by companies around the world. These experts assist businesses in how they develop and deliver software. With this certification, you will be part of a growing field with a high demand for your skills, thus making you a highly valued team member.
Better Salaries: Certified professionals usually earn more money than those who are not certified. Having this certification shows that you have the necessary skills and knowledge, which can help you negotiate a higher salary and better job benefits.
Learn Valuable Skills: Preparing for the certification exam will give you a deeper understanding of DevOps practices. You will learn how to plan, build, test, and manage software projects more effectively. This knowledge is helpful not only for passing the exam but also for improving your performance in your job.

Learning Path for Azure Devops Certification ( AZ-400 )

Step 1: Start with Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

Before diving into the more advanced topics, it’s important to understand the basics. The AZ-900 certification will teach you about cloud computing and the services offered by Microsoft Azure.
You’ll learn what cloud computing is, how Azure works, and the main services it provides. This is a good starting point, especially if you’re new to cloud technology.

Step 2: Get an Associate-Level Certification

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, it’s time to move on to an associate-level certification.
You need to complete one of these certifications to prepare for the AZ-400:
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
This certification is for those who want to learn how to manage and maintain Azure services. You’ll learn to handle tasks like:
Monitoring and maintaining Azure services.
Managing user access and security.
Working with storage and networking in Azure.
Troubleshooting and improving cloud performance.
This certification is great if you want to learn how to manage cloud environments.
Microsoft Azure Developer (AZ-204)
If you’re interested in coding, this certification is for you. It teaches you how to:
Build applications using Azure tools.
Improve security and performance in apps.
Use Azure storage, APIs, and messaging services.
This is perfect for those who enjoy software development and want to learn how to build and deploy apps on Azure.

Step 3: Prepare for Azure DevOps Engineer (AZ-400)

Once you have the basics and an associate certification, the final step is to focus on the AZ-400:
Microsoft Azure DevOps Solutions certification. This certification will test your knowledge of DevOps practices and tools. You’ll learn how to:
Set up development workflows using DevOps methods.
Create continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.
Automate testing and deployment processes.
Apply security and compliance strategies in workflows.
This final certification will help you become skilled in improving team collaboration and delivering software more quickly and reliably.

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Exam AZ-400: Microsoft Azure DevOps Certification Solutions

Prerequisites to Take the AZ-400 Exam

Before you take the AZ-400 exam, it’s important to have some basic knowledge of Azure and how cloud services work. You should be familiar with the core features of the Azure platform. Additionally, you’ll need to complete one of the following associate-level certifications:
AZ-104 (Azure Administrator)
AZ-204 (Azure Developer)
These certifications ensure you have a good foundation in Azure and practical experience, which will help you succeed in the AZ-400 exam.
What You Will Learn in the AZ-400 Exam
The AZ-400 exam tests your skills in five main areas. Here’s a breakdown of each one:
Processes & Communications (10–15%)
In this section, you’ll learn how to improve teamwork and communication within your organization. You’ll also understand how to track project progress using tools like Azure Boards, and manage tasks, backlogs, and sprints to keep projects on track.
Source Control (15–20%)
This part focuses on version control systems like Git. You’ll learn how to manage your code, store it properly, and use strategies like branching to make sure your team can work efficiently on the same codebase.
Build & Release Pipelines (40–45%)
A major focus of the AZ-400 exam is on building and releasing software. You’ll learn how to create automated build and release pipelines to make software deployment easier and faster. You’ll also learn how to implement continuous integration (CI) and continuous deployment (CD), which helps test and deploy applications more reliably. In case something goes wrong, you’ll also understand how to handle deployment issues and rollbacks.
Security & Compliance (10–15%)
This section teaches you how to keep your code and resources secure. You’ll learn how to implement security policies to meet industry standards and use tools to detect and fix vulnerabilities in your applications to protect them from threats.
Instrumentation Strategy (10–15%)
This part focuses on monitoring your applications and infrastructure. You’ll learn how to set up logging and alerts to track the performance of your applications and quickly identify any problems. You’ll also understand how to use monitoring data to improve the reliability and overall experience for users.

Jobs After Getting Certified

Common Roles and Responsibilities

DevOps Engineer: DevOps engineers are focused on improving the development process of the software. These professionals automate and manage tools. They ensure proper collaboration between both development and operation teams. Thus, they primarily focus on improving the delivery time of software products by reducing any delays or mistakes that may happen in the process.
CI/CD Specialist: CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) Specialists are responsible for creating and maintaining automated pipelines that help integrate, test, and deploy code quickly. Their goal is to make sure that teams can deliver high-quality software frequently and consistently, without interruptions or delays.
Cloud Engineer: Cloud Engineers manage the infrastructure and services hosted in the cloud. They work with platforms like Microsoft Azure to ensure that applications run smoothly, securely, and cost-effectively. They also help businesses scale their applications to meet growing demands, ensuring the cloud environment is reliable and well-managed.
Site Reliability Engineer (SRE): Site Reliability Engineers focus on keeping applications and systems reliable and available. They monitor the performance of systems, fix issues when they arise, and ensure that applications can handle high traffic or unexpected problems. Their goal is to maintain system stability and minimize downtime.
Collaboration Specialist:Collaboration Specialists improve teamwork within development teams. They manage communication tools and workflows to ensure everyone has access to the resources they need and that projects stay on track. Their role is to ensure that teams work together effectively and that tasks are completed without delays.
Security Expert: Security Experts are responsible for protecting applications, systems, and data from security threats. They implement security measures, monitor for vulnerabilities, and ensure that systems meet industry regulations and compliance standards. They play a critical role in keeping applications and data safe from cyberattacks and ensuring that businesses and their customers are protected.

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Salary After Azure DevOps Certification

Entry-Level Jobs
Description: These roles are for people who are just starting in DevOps or have limited experience with DevOps practices.
Salary in the USA: $70,000–$90,000 per year
Salary in INR: ₹5.8 lakhs–₹7.5 lakhs per year
Salary in the UK: £40,000–£55,000 per year
Salary in Canada: CAD 65,000–80,000 per year
Entry-level positions are great for newcomers, and salaries can vary depending on the country and industry.
Experienced Professionals
Description: The experts in this category have a year or two of experience working with DevOps tools and practices, including Azure DevOps. They work with more responsibility and on complex issues.
Salary in the USA: $120,000–150,000 per year
Salary in INR: ₹10 lakhs–₹12.5 lakhs per year
Salary in the UK: £60,000 – £90,000 per year
Salary in Canada: CAD 100,000–125,000 per year
With some years of experience, you can get a good pay. Professionals are running critical parts of the DevOps process and receive a good pay for this expertise.
Top Jobs Description: Senior professionals or experts who head large teams or lead major projects. These persons have significant experience in DevOps and may supervise the development of new tools or whole DevOps workflows.
Salary in the USA: Over $200,000 per year
Salary in INR: ₹16.5 lakhs and above per year
Salary in the UK: £100,000+ per year
Salary in Canada: CAD 150,000+ per year
Top roles come with high pay due to the responsibility involved. These professionals typically manage critical business functions or large teams and are expected to drive major projects.
Factors Affecting Salary
Experience Level: The more experience you have in DevOps, the higher your salary will likely be. Entry-level roles pay less, but salaries increase as you gain experience and take on more responsibility.
Location: Salaries vary widely depending on the location. Countries like the USA, UK, and Canada pay more than developing countries because of the demand for skilled professionals and the cost of living in those areas.
Certifications: Holding advanced certifications or specialization in, for example, automation, Kubernetes, and CI/CD pipelines can increase your salary further. Such specialized skills are quite in demand, and experts receiving salaries on such scales are usually capable of negotiating their pay.

Exam Details: Microsoft Azure DevOps Certification (AZ-400)

The Microsoft Azure DevOps (AZ-400) certification exam is designed to test your knowledge and skills in using Azure tools and services to apply DevOps practices. It is a great way to show that you are skilled in this field and ready for exciting opportunities in the tech industry. Here’s an overview of what you need to know about the exam:
Question Types
The exam has various types of questions to check your understanding and practical skills:
Multiple-Choice Questions: You’ll be given a question and need to choose the correct answer(s) from a list of options.
Drag-and-Drop Questions: These require you to match items by dragging and dropping them into the correct categories or sequence.
Scenario-Based Questions: You’ll analyze real-world situations and answer questions based on the scenario provided.
Case Studies: These involve detailed examples of projects or problems, followed by a series of related questions to test how well you can handle similar challenges.
Exam Duration
You’ll have 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) to complete the exam.
This is enough time to read and answer all the questions, but you need to manage your time well. Don’t spend too long on any single question.
Passing Score
To pass, you must score at least 700 out of 1,000.
This means you need a strong understanding of the key concepts and the ability to apply them during the exam.
Preparation Tips
Study the Exam Objectives
Focus on important topics like:
Building and managing CI/CD pipelines.
Managing source control systems like Git.
Monitoring and improving DevOps environments.
Hands-On Practice
Hands-on Experience
Implement real or simulated Azure DevOps projects. It will help you understand how the tools are to be used in real-world applications.
Practice Tests
Practice exams will help you familiarize yourself with the kinds of questions that might be asked of you and allow you to make proper time management while sitting for the test.
Microsoft Learning Resources
Official training materials, courses, and documentation are available from Microsoft. You should use them to prepare sufficiently on all topics.
Why Obtain the Certification?
Demonstrate Your Skills: Passing the AZ-400 exam demonstrates you have the skills on how to use DevOps practices and tools in Azure.
Boost Your Confidence: Successfully earning the certification will give you a strong sense of accomplishment and prepare you for future challenges.
Career Advancement: This certification qualification will qualify you for a position as a DevOps Engineer, in very high demand in the tech field.

Exam Retake Policy for Microsoft Azure DevOps Certification (AZ-400)

If you don’t pass the Microsoft Azure DevOps (AZ-400) exam on your first attempt, don’t worry! Microsoft has a clear retake policy to give you multiple chances to succeed. Here’s an explanation in simple terms:
First Retake
If you fail the exam the first time, you can take it again after just 24 hours.
This quick retake option gives you a chance to review and fix any mistakes right away.
Second Retake and Beyond
If you fail the second attempt, you’ll need to wait for 14 days before trying again.
This two-week gap gives you time to prepare better and focus on the areas where you struggled.
Maximum Attempts Per Year
You are allowed a total of five attempts per year to pass the exam.
If you don’t pass within these five attempts, you’ll need to wait until the next year to try again.
Key Points to Remember
Plan Your Study: Use the time between attempts to study and practice thoroughly.
Review Mistakes: Analyze where you went wrong in the previous attempts and focus on improving those areas.
Stay Calm: Even if you fail, you have multiple chances to succeed, so don’t lose confidence.
Why the Retake Policy is Helpful
Enough opportunities to pass the exam the policy will give not only opportunities also giving you time to fully prepare and understand the material

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Azure devops Certification

Is AZ-400 hard?

The AZ-400 exam can be tough because it needs both good preparation and real experience with DevOps tools and practices. But with a clear study plan and hands-on practice, you can pass it successfully.

Can I take AZ-400 directly?

No, you cannot take AZ-400 directly. You need to first complete either the AZ-104 (Azure Administrator) or AZ-204 (Azure Developer) certification as a prerequisite.

Is AZ-204 necessary for AZ-400?

AZ-204 is not mandatory for AZ-400, but it’s highly beneficial if you are a developer. It helps you understand Azure development concepts, which are useful for DevOps practices.

Is AZ-104 necessary for AZ-400?

Yes, AZ-104 is commonly required as a prerequisite for AZ-400. It provides a strong foundation in managing Azure resources, which is important for implementing DevOps solutions.

Which is better: AZ-305 or AZ-400?

It depends on your career goals:
AZ-305: Focuses on designing infrastructure solutions in Azure. Suitable for solution architects.
AZ-400: Focuses on implementing DevOps practices. Ideal for DevOps engineers.
Choose the certification that aligns with the type of role you want to pursue.

What jobs and salaries can I get with AZ-400?

After earning the AZ-400 certification, you can qualify for DevOps roles such as DevOps Engineer or Cloud Engineer. Salaries range from $70,000 to over $200,000 per year (₹5.8 lakhs to ₹16.5 lakhs+ in India), depending on your experience and location.

What are the benefits of the azure devops certification?

The certification offers several advantages:
Boosts your career growth in cloud and DevOps roles.
Helps you earn a higher salary.
Builds in-demand skills like CI/CD pipelines, automation, and monitoring.