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9 Microsoft Certifications to Look for When Hiring

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated February 26, 2025

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Microsoft certifications can help candidates demonstrate their skills in computer programming, data management and more. Some employers have turned to skills-based hiring to expand their applicant pool and streamline their hiring process when filling key roles. This approach focuses on specific skills, such as proficiency with cloud computing platforms, instead of work experience or formal education.

In addition to having relevant soft skills for your open position, candidates may also complete certifications to support their professional growth. Consider this Microsoft certification list when writing technical job descriptions for your organization.

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Microsoft certification list by role

In 2021, Microsoft replaced its product-based certification model with a role-based model, making it easier to determine if a candidate has the skills needed for a specific position. Each role has a defined learning path, ensuring candidates master foundational competencies before moving on to more advanced concepts.

If you need to fill the following roles, requiring Microsoft professional certifications can help you streamline the screening process.

1. Data engineer

A data engineer develops and maintains a company’s databases, which involves analyzing business requirements, collaborating with IT professionals and testing new processes. If you need help storing and processing business data, you may look for a data engineer with at least one of the following credentials:

  • Azure Data Fundamentals

  • Azure Data Engineer Associate

  • Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty

  • Dynamics 365 Customer Insights (Data) Specialty

Azure Data Fundamentals and Azure Data Engineer Associate are the two main certifications for this role. The Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty credential focuses on using the Azure Cosmos database to design data models and handle data. If you need an employee who excels at tracking customer engagement, consider requiring the Dynamics 365 Customer Insights (Data) Specialty credential.

2. Administrator

“Administrator” is a broad title referring to anyone who manages the implementation and maintenance of a Microsoft product. For example, a Microsoft Dynamics Systems Administrator must configure Microsoft Dynamics and troubleshoot problems that arise with the software.

If you want to require MS certifications, consider your company’s needs. Depending on which Microsoft Products your company uses, you may require at least one of the following credentials:

  • Azure Administrator Associate

  • Teams Administrator Associate

  • Administrator Expert (Microsoft 365)

  • Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty

  • Identity and Access Administrator Associate

  • Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty

  • Information Protection and Compliance Administrator Associate

3. Data scientist

Data scientists use their skills to uncover valuable information within large, complex sets of data. With the right skills, a data scientist can help your employees solve problems or make better business decisions. Data science also makes it possible to streamline operations, helping businesses increase efficiency and lower costs.

Microsoft only has one learning pathway for data scientists: Azure Data Scientist Associate. Candidates with this credential have demonstrated their ability to use Azure for data science and machine learning (ML) tasks. The certification exam measures a candidate’s ability to design ML solutions and train data models.

4. AI engineer

If your company uses ML or cognitive services, you may need an AI engineer to collect data, program AI software, develop AI algorithms and perform other related tasks. Microsoft offers two certification paths for this role.

Candidates with the Azure AI Fundamentals credential have the skills needed to evaluate AI workloads and use natural language processing for business tasks. The Azure AI Engineer Associate credential verifies a candidate’s ability to develop, deploy and manage tools built with Azure Cognitive Search, Azure Cognitive Services and the Microsoft Bot Framework.

5. DevOps engineer

The development operations (DevOps) engineer role combines software development with IT operations, making it critical for organizations seeking to cut costs and speed up deployment. If you need assistance meeting the needs of end users, consider requiring the Power Platform App Maker Associate or DevOps Engineer Expert credentials.

Candidates with the Power Platform App Maker Associate certification have demonstrated their ability to use Microsoft tools to design apps and automate some of the steps involved in app development.

To complete the DevOps Engineer Expert certification pathway, a candidate must pass the Azure Developer Associate and Azure Administrator Associate exams. Obtaining this certification shows a candidate knows how to design processes, develop compliance plans, implement communications and perform other DevOps tasks.

6. Developer

If you need someone to build, test and maintain custom software solutions, requiring a Developer credential is a great way to increase the quality of your applicant pool. The exact credential needed depends on what the job description entails.

Consider the following certifications that offer training within various platforms:

  • Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps Developer Associate

  • Power Platform Developer Associate

  • Azure Developer Associate

  • Azure DevOps Engineer Expert

  • Azure AI Engineer Associate

7. Security engineer

Companies of all sizes need employees capable of preventing, detecting and responding to cybersecurity threats. If you’re hiring a security engineer, consider including at least one credential from this Microsoft certification list in your job description:

  • Information Protection and Compliance Administrator Associate

  • Security Operations Analyst

  • Azure Security Engineer Associate

  • Identity and Access Administrator Associate

Before choosing a credential, examine your tech stack closely. For example, if you use Azure to build and run applications, your company may benefit from hiring an individual with demonstrated experience protecting data in a cloud environment. Otherwise, you may require a certification that doesn’t focus on a specific Microsoft product.

8. Solutions architect

A solutions architect designs software, hardware and networking applications to meet a company’s unique needs. For example, if you can’t find a suitable CRM solution that integrates with Box, you may need a solutions architect to design a custom cloud-based version.

It’s important to examine your company’s current processes and tools before determining which credentials to require. The following certifications may apply to your company’s needs:

  • Azure Solutions Architect Expert

  • Power Platform Solution Architect Expert

  • Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps Solution Architect Expert

  • Cybersecurity Architect Expert

9. Functional consultant

Functional consultants help businesses implement technology based on their current and anticipated needs. If you plan to hire a functional consultant instead of relying on a third-party consulting company, requiring Microsoft professional certifications can ensure your potential hire has the skills needed for the job.

Depending on which tools your organization uses, you may want candidates to have at least one of these credentials:

  • Dynamics 365 Field Service Functional Consultant Associate

  • Dynamics 365 Customer Service Functional Consultant Associate

  • Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultant Associate

  • Dynamics 365 Finance Functional Consultant Associate

  • Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Functional Consultant Associate

  • Dynamics 365 Business Central Functional Consultant Associate

  • Power Platform Functional Consultant Associate

Benefits of requiring Microsoft professional certifications

Requiring at least one credential from the Microsoft certification list above may provide the following benefits:

  • Reduced training costs: Obtaining a Microsoft certification shows a candidate has in-demand skills. If you require certifications related to your business, you may provide less on-the-job training to new hires, reducing your annual training costs.

  • Lower turnover rate: Validating a candidate’s skills before you extend an offer may prevent employee turnover caused by improper job placement.

  • Expedited screening: If you require a Microsoft certification, you can verify candidates have the required credentials and move on to the next application, potentially saving you time during the review process.

How to verify the validity of a candidate’s Microsoft certification

If you want to verify a candidate’s Microsoft certification, ask them to share the credential. Alternatively, you can have each candidate share a link to their Microsoft Learn transcript.

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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