Why?
You either love it or you hate it, but everyone who monitors Microsoft topics knows of the Microsoft Certifications that people can achieve. But it is not generally known that renewals of your already achieved certifications are free 🤑. You can find all certifications of the Certification Poster behind the aka-link: http://aka.ms/traincertposter with very useful clickable sections:
What?
This post is a small recap on things you can do and need to pay attention to when it comes to Microsoft Certifications renewals. Especially since a renewal has no additional costs –> if you complete the renewal in time 😉.
How?
It takes time, energy, and commitment to earn a Microsoft certification, but did know renewal of a Microsoft certification is free via an online renewal assessment without having to pass any (paid) exams.
Microsoft has built a portfolio of role-based certifications designed to help learners stay current and be future-ready through the annual certification renewal. If you have received a certification in the last 13 months, you are eligible to take a renewal un-proctored assessment 6 months prior to certification expiration. The renewal assessment takes about 45 minutes to complete and focuses on the updates relevant to the job-role, so it is shorter than the exams passed to earn the certification originally. After the renewal assessment is passed, the certification is extended by one additional year from the current expiration date.
Certification renewal is simple and takes just 3 straightforward steps:
1) Go to Microsoft Learn and connect your learn profile with your certification profile. You only need to connect your profile for the first time.
2) Prepare with the collection of learning modules on Microsoft Learn. I really like the gamification aspect where you can earn XP (experience) points by following Learning Paths and completing the related Modules. There are a lot of Learning Paths and Modules on all kind of topics so be sure to always first check out the Microsoft Learn site, should you want to know more on specific topics in a low-level manner. I personally often check out the site to find cool icons, relevant infographics and shareable presentations 🤓.
For the Microsoft Power Platform I can really recommend to start with the Solution Architect: Design Microsoft Power Platform solutions learning path which gives a very nice overview of all related components before you deep dive on the other modules.
3) Take and pass the no-cost, online assessment and pass it before your certification expires. Should you not choose to do the free online renewal and you would like to get certified again in the future –> after the expiration date of the certification you would have to take the paid proctored exam again so be aware! 💸💰💸
For more details on certification renewal please check out the certification renewal blog or join the conversation to submit your questions 💪👍.
