MS-900 · ● Retired (March 31, 2026) · Entry · Microsoft
Retirement note: MS-900 retired on March 31, 2026. Existing certifications remain valid on transcripts indefinitely. The successor is AB-900 (Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals).
Exam facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost | $99 USD (regional pricing varies) |
| Duration | 60 minutes (85 minutes with check-in) |
| Questions | 38–43 questions |
| Passing | 700 on 100–1000 scaled score |
| Format | Multiple choice, drag-and-drop, scenario-based |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE (in-person or OnVUE remote) |
| Languages | English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese |
| Valid | Lifetime (no renewal required) |
| Renewal | N/A — fundamentals certifications do not expire |
| Prerequisites | None; basic understanding of cloud concepts recommended |
| Released | 2020 |
| Retiring | March 31, 2026 (exam no longer available; existing certs remain valid) |
Vendor source — Microsoft Learn: MS-900 ↗ Official study guide — Microsoft Learn Study Guide ↗ Exam objectives — Microsoft Learn Exam Details ↗
About
MS-900 was Microsoft's foundational entry-point certification for cloud and productivity professionals, validating baseline understanding of Microsoft 365 services, cloud concepts, security, and licensing. Released in 2020, it became the standard stepping-stone for IT support staff, business users, and career-changers entering the Microsoft ecosystem. The exam was retired on March 31, 2026, as Microsoft shifted focus toward AI-enabled certifications (AB-900), though credentials earned before retirement remain valid indefinitely.
Domain context — Foundation
Vendor-neutral foundational IT knowledge validated across all major cloud and productivity platforms. Entry-level certifications (fundamentals tier) establish baseline vocabulary, concept comprehension, and readiness for associate-level role-specific training.
Read full deep dive — Microsoft Azure + M365 Ecosystem →
Topics covered
-
Describe cloud concepts (10–15%)
- Types of cloud services (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS)
- Shared responsibility model
- Microsoft cloud services overview
-
Describe Microsoft 365 apps and services (30–35%)
- Core productivity apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote)
- Collaboration tools (Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive)
- Management and analytics (Planner, Project, Forms, Lists)
- Email and calendaring (Exchange, Outlook)
- Stream, Loop, and content services
-
Describe security, compliance, privacy, and trust in Microsoft 365 (30–35%)
- Identity and access (Microsoft Entra ID / Azure AD)
- Security capabilities (threat protection, data loss prevention)
- Compliance and regulatory frameworks
- Privacy and data governance
-
Describe Microsoft 365 pricing, licensing, and support (5–10%)
- Microsoft 365 subscription plans and licensing models
- Billing and subscription management
- Support options and service level agreements
Source: Microsoft Learn Study Guide ↗
Common skills at Foundation · Entry
Shared competencies for the Foundation domain at Entry level — not specific to this cert.
- Cloud service model taxonomy and economics
- Vendor product navigation and documentation reading
- Basic identity and access control concepts
- Shared responsibility model reasoning
- Licensing and cost-benefit analysis
- Compliance and regulatory vocabulary
- Support and SLA navigation
Recommended courses at Foundation · Entry
| Provider | Title | Cost | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Learn (Official) | Microsoft 365 Fundamentals Learning Path | Free | ↗ |
| Microsoft Learn (Official) | Microsoft 365 Cloud Skills Challenge | Free | ↗ |
| John Savill (YouTube) | MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals Exam Cram | Free | ↗ |
| Tim Warner (YouTube) | MS-900 Study Guide (Playlist) | Free | ↗ |
| Andy Malone (YouTube) | MS-900 Exam Prep Complete Course | Free | ↗ |
| Pluralsight | Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (MS-900) | $299/year or $29/month | ↗ |
| Udemy | MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals Complete Course | $12–$50 | ↗ |
Practice exams
| Provider | Title | Cost | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| MeasureUp (Official) | MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals Practice Test | $99 | ↗ |
| Whizlabs | MS-900 Practice Exam and Study Guide | $19–$29 | ↗ |
| ExamTopics | MS-900 Free Practice Questions (community-contributed) | Free (limited) | ↗ |
Books
| Title | Author | Publisher | Year | ISBN | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exam Ref MS-900 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals, 2nd Edition | Craig Zacker | Pearson IT Certification / Microsoft Press | 2024 | 978-0138237110 | ↗ |
Typical job titles at Foundation · Entry
IT Support Specialist · Service Desk Technician · Junior Microsoft 365 Administrator · Cloud Support Associate · Workplace Technology Specialist · End-User Computing Technician
(Job titles drawn from postings that list MS-900 or equivalent M365 fundamentals knowledge as required or preferred.)
Salary
| Region | Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| USD | $45,000–$75,000 (roles requiring M365 fundamentals) | ZipRecruiter ↗ · TestPrep Training ↗ |
| GBP | £28,000–£45,000 (IT Support + M365) | IT Jobs Watch · Hays (estimated from IT support benchmarks) |
| EUR | €32,000–€50,000 (DE/FR/NL IT support roles) | PayScale regional surveys (estimated) |
| AUD | A$55,000–$80,000 | Seek.com.au (IT Support Technician benchmarks) |
Salary note: MS-900 alone rarely determines salary; base compensation reflects IT support / service desk tier. Salary increases 5–10% when combined with role-specific certifications (MS-102, MD-102, MS-700).
Skills validated
Cert-specific technologies and competencies tested by this exam.
- Microsoft 365 subscription SKUs and licensing models (Microsoft 365 Business, Enterprise E3/E5)
- Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) concepts and capabilities
- Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Exchange, and Outlook integration
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP) and compliance features
- Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps / security baseline
- Cost management and Azure/M365 billing
- Support tiers (Premier, Unified, Community)
Related certifications
- Stacks with: MD-102 (Endpoint Administrator) ↗ · MS-102 (Microsoft 365 Administrator) ↗ · MS-700 (Teams Administrator) ↗
- Successor: AB-900 (Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals) ↗ — Microsoft's AI-focused replacement (launched 2026)
- Equivalents at this level: AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) ↗ · SC-900 (Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals) ↗ · PL-900 (Power Platform Fundamentals) ↗
- Vendor overview: Microsoft Vendor Overview ↗
Sources
- Microsoft Learn: MS-900 ↗
- Microsoft Learn Study Guide ↗
- CBT Nuggets: MS-900 Retirement Notice ↗
- Microsoft Learn: AB-900 Successor ↗
- ZipRecruiter: Microsoft 365 Jobs ↗
- TestPrep Training: MS-900 Career Prospects ↗
- Microsoft Press Store: Exam Ref MS-900 ↗
- MeasureUp Practice Test ↗
- Whizlabs Practice Exam ↗
Last verified: 2026-05-01 Parent ecosystem: Microsoft Azure + M365 Parent domain: Foundation Vendor overview: Microsoft