IT, Cloud & Cybersecurity • Exam
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
Azure AI engineer associate
Researched and maintained by TestPrepPilot Editorial BoardCloud, IT & AI certifications desk · Figures last verified August 2026
The short version
What is the Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate and is it worth it?
AI-102 is the associate exam covering building chatbots, cognitive services and ML on Azure.
- AI focus
- Hands-on
- Renews yearly
What is it?
What exactly is the Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate?
Azure AI engineer associate
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102) validates skills to build, manage and deploy AI solutions using Azure AI Services.
Before you book
Who is eligible to sit the Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate?
Who it is for: AI engineers
The test itself
What is the format of the Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate?
The Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate is administered by Pearson VUE and runs 150 minutes, contains 40-60 questions and requires 700 of 1000 to pass.
| Administered by | Pearson VUE |
|---|---|
| Questions | 40-60 questions |
| Time limit | 150 minutes |
| Pass mark | 700 of 1000 |
| Exam fee | $165 |
| Format | Multiple-choice + labs |
Content outline
What topics are on the Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate?
The Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate is weighted across 4 domains; the largest are Build rag and agents (30%), Process language (25%), Process vision and docs (25%).
Weightings come from the official exam outline. Study time is best allocated in roughly these proportions rather than evenly across domains.
- Plan and manage 20%
- Build rag and agents 30%
- Process language 25%
- Process vision and docs 25%
Money & time
How much does the Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate cost?
For the Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate, the exam fee is $165; the all-in cost is typically $165+; most candidates spend 2–4 months preparing.
Cost breakdown
| Exam fee | $165 |
|---|---|
| Typical total | $165+ |
Academic pricing lower.
Timeline
- Build sample solutions 6–10 weeks
- Sit AI-102 test day
Typical prep: 2–4 months
The path
How do you register for the Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate?
- 1
Prepare with Microsoft Learn1–10 weeks depending on exam and experience
Work through the free official self-paced learning paths and, optionally, instructor-led courses for your exam. Microsoft Learn is the primary, no-cost study source and maps directly to the exam skills outline.
- 2
Schedule through Pearson VUEabout 15 minutes
Sign in with a personal Microsoft account (MSA) and schedule the exam on the Pearson VUE portal. Choose an in-person test center or online proctoring (OnVUE). Students and educators can use Certiport for Fundamentals exams.
Microsoft recommends a personal MSA account; a work or school account can lose exam records if you leave the organization.
- 3
Take the exam45–120 minutes depending on the exam
Arrive at the test center or launch the online proctoring session. Exams are computer-based and may include multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, case studies, and performance-based lab tasks in a live environment.
- 4
Receive results and badgescore at end; badge within a few days
You see a pass/fail result on screen immediately. A detailed score report is emailed within about 24 hours and posted to your Microsoft certification profile. On passing, your digital badge is issued via Credly.
- 5
Renew annuallyabout 45 minutes, once a year
Most Microsoft role-based, specialty, and fundamentals certifications expire after 12 months. Renew for free by passing a shorter online renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn before the expiry date — no need to retake the full exam.
The fine print
What are the retake and renewal rules for the Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate?
- Proctoring & delivery
- Delivered by Pearson VUE. You can sit the exam at a Pearson VUE test center or take it online through OnVUE remote proctoring; the fee is the same for both. Online proctoring requires a quiet, private space, a working webcam, and a system check beforehand.
- Retake policy
- If you do not pass, you may retake the exam after 24 hours. A second failed attempt requires a 14-day waiting period, and any further attempts also require a 14-day wait between them, up to a maximum of five attempts in a 12-month period.
- Score reporting
- A pass/fail result is shown immediately after the exam. The official score report is emailed within about 24 hours and is also available in your Microsoft certification profile, with section-level feedback on how you performed.
- Recertification
- Microsoft role-based, specialty, and fundamentals certifications are valid for 12 months from the date earned. Renew at no cost by passing the shorter online renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn before the credential expires. Retired certifications cannot be renewed and must be re-earned through the active successor if one exists.
- Refunds & rescheduling
- Exam fees are generally non-refundable once a seat is purchased, but you can cancel or reschedule through Pearson VUE at no charge if you do so at least 24–48 hours before the appointment (exact window varies by region).
Context
Microsoft Azure / AI certifications compared
| Credential | Level | Focus | Exam fee | Validity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals | Fundamentals | Cloud concepts | $99 | 1 year | |
| AI-900 Azure AI Fundamentals | Fundamentals | AI concepts | $99 | 1 year (retired Jun 30 2026) | |
| AI-901 Azure AI Fundamentals | Fundamentals | AI + Microsoft Foundry | $99 | 1 year | |
| AZ-104 Azure Administrator | Associate | Administer Azure | $165 | 1 year | |
| AZ-204 Azure Developer | Associate | Build cloud apps | $165 | 1 year (retired 2026) | |
| AZ-500 Azure Security Engineer | Associate | Security operations | $165 | 1 year (retires Aug 31 2026) | |
| AZ-700 Azure Network Engineer | Associate | Networking | $165 | 1 year | |
| AZ-140 Azure Virtual Desktop | Specialty | Virtual desktop (AVD) | $165 | 1 year | |
| AZ-305 Azure Solutions Architect | Expert | Solution design | $165 | 1 year |
What it pays
How much does this credential pay?
Expect software-developer pay at a May 2024 median of $132,270 (BLS) — AI-102 is the Azure AI Engineer Associate certification, and the AI-engineering roles it serves sit at the top of the software occupations
The direct answer is that the AI-102 (Azure AI Engineer Associate) certification serves AI engineering roles that BLS classifies within software developers (SOC 15-1252), at a May 2024 median annual wage of $132,270, with the lowest 10 percent under about $83,000 and the highest 10 percent above about $188,000 — and AI-specialist roles within software engineering are among the highest-demand segments, though BLS has no AI-specific code. The honest framing is that the certification does not set pay — AI engineer salaries are set by market, employer, and experience — but the credential signals applied Azure AI skills (Azure AI services, Azure OpenAI, prompt engineering, and responsible AI) that employers list for Azure AI roles, and it sits in the fastest-growing segment of IT: BLS projects about 17 percent employment growth for software developers from 2024 to 2034, with AI-related specialisation at the leading edge. The exam itself is the role-based Azure AI Engineer credential: AI-102 requires approximately 40 to 60 questions in about 150 minutes, scored pass/fail at 700 on the 100-900 scale, covering planning and implementing Azure AI solutions — AI services, natural language processing, computer vision, generative AI with Azure OpenAI, document intelligence, and responsible AI. The practical read: AI-102 is the flagship Azure AI engineering certification, typically pursued by developers and data professionals with Azure experience (the AZ-900 fundamentals or equivalent knowledge is a common precursor), and its value is the Azure-AI employability signal in a market where AI skill demand is outstripping supply. For candidates deciding whether to pursue it, the exam rewards hands-on Azure AI service experience, and the strongest preparation combines Microsoft Learn modules with an Azure subscription lab.
| Measure | Figure | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage, software developers | $132,270 | BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2024 (SOC 15-1252) |
| Lowest 10 percent | less than $83,000 | BLS OOH, May 2024 |
| Highest 10 percent | more than $188,000 | BLS OOH, May 2024 |
| Projected growth, 2024-34 | +17% | BLS Employment Projections |
| The certification itself | Role-based credential | Azure AI Engineer Associate; valid 1 year, renewable |
Job growth.BLS projects about 17% growth for software developers from 2024 to 2034, much faster than average.
Source: BLS OOH — Software Developers
Your odds
What are the pass rates?
Microsoft publishes no pass rates — AI-102 is scored pass/fail at 700/900 with a ~40-60 question, 150-minute exam, and Microsoft reports scores rather than cohort pass data
The core fact is that Microsoft does not publish pass rates for AI-102, and none is available from an independent source, because Microsoft reports candidate scores rather than cohort pass percentages. What is published is the exam structure: AI-102 is a role-based exam of approximately 40 to 60 questions with about 150 minutes allowed, delivered at Pearson VUE testing centers or online proctored, with a passing score of 700 on the 100-900 scale. The exam covers the measured skills: plan and manage an Azure AI solution; implement decision-support and computer-vision solutions; implement natural language processing solutions; implement generative AI solutions with Azure OpenAI; and implement document intelligence and knowledge mining solutions — with the generative AI section reflecting the current Azure OpenAI stack. Because Microsoft publishes the skills-measured document, the preparation is studying the official Microsoft Learn learning paths and validating with hands-on Azure subscription work; Microsoft’s role-based exams reward applied skills, and the classic failure mode is studying documentation without building the solutions. The certification is valid for one year and renewable through Microsoft’s short renewal assessment. The honest advice is to treat the skills-measured document as the syllabus, build Azure AI services in a trial subscription, and take Microsoft’s official practice assessment to calibrate before booking — the exam rewards knowing which Azure service and configuration fits each scenario.
Read this before quoting the number.Microsoft publishes no pass rates; the passing score is 700/900 and certification renews annually.
Your schedule
How long should I study for it?
80-140 study hours over 8-12 weeks of focused study
Plan for roughly 8 to 12 weeks and 80 to 140 hours of study for AI-102, structured around the measured skills — planning AI solutions, computer vision, natural language processing, generative AI with Azure OpenAI, and document intelligence — with hands-on Azure subscription labs as the highest-yield study tool. The exam’s weights favour the generative AI and NLP sections in the current blueprint, so allocate study time there first. The most effective sequence is: first, complete the official Microsoft Learn learning paths for the exam in order; second, stand up an Azure subscription with a free trial and build each AI service — Azure AI Language, Azure AI Vision, Azure OpenAI, and Document Intelligence — practising the API calls and configuration; third, take Microsoft’s official practice assessment to calibrate; fourth, re-study the weak skills; and fifth, book the exam. The highest-yield habit is the hands-on Azure work: the role-based exam rewards applied service knowledge, and candidates who build the solutions score well above those who only read. Budget the generative AI and prompt-engineering content the most time, since it is both current and scenario-heavy. The final week should be a light review of the skills-measured document and the lab notes. After passing, plan the annual renewal assessment within 12 months.
- Weeks 1-340
Azure AI foundations
- Complete the Learn paths for planning AI solutions
- Set up an Azure subscription
- Build Azure AI services
- Weeks 4-740
Vision + NLP
- Build computer-vision and NLP solutions
- Practise the API configurations
- Take the official practice assessment
- Weeks 8-1035
Generative AI + document intelligence
- Build Azure OpenAI solutions
- Practise prompt engineering
- Re-study weak skills
- Final weeks15
Exam readiness
- Review the skills-measured document
- Light lab review
- Book the exam
Adjusting the pace
Short-form exam option.Microsoft offers a shortened version of some exams; check the AI-102 page for the current format.
AI-900 fundamentals.The entry-level Azure AI Fundamentals exam, a common precursor to AI-102.
How to study
How do I prepare most effectively?
The strategy that reliably passes AI-102 is "build every Azure AI service in a real subscription, weight generative AI, and calibrate with the official practice assessment," and the single biggest error is studying documentation without hands-on Azure work, which the role-based exam punishes heavily. A second proven approach is mastering the "which service" item format — the exam presents a scenario and asks which Azure AI service and configuration fits — so building a service-purpose map is the highest-yield study artifact. Third, weight the generative AI and prompt-engineering content, since the current blueprint allocates it a large share and the items are scenario-heavy. Fourth, use the official practice assessment to calibrate readiness: Microsoft’s practice exams mirror the question style, and your score is the honest signal. Fifth, plan the annual renewal — the certification is valid 12 months with a short renewal assessment. Finally, confirm the exam delivery format (center or online proctored) and practise the scheduling logistics, since online proctoring has its own environment requirements.
Build in a real Azure subscription
The role-based exam rewards applied service knowledge.
Master the which-service items
Build a service-purpose map for the Azure AI portfolio.
Weight generative AI
Azure OpenAI and prompt engineering are current and scenario-heavy.
Calibrate with the practice assessment
Practice scores are the honest readiness signal.
Plan the annual renewal
Certification renews in 12 months via a short assessment.
What to buy
Which study resources are worth paying for?
AI-102 preparation costs are modest relative to the career value: the exam fee is $165, Microsoft Learn paths are free, and an Azure free-trial subscription covers the labs, so the main optional spend is a practice-question bank. The comparison below separates the official resources, the exam, and commercial prep, with prices current to this review. The buying rule is to spend on the official practice assessment and an Azure subscription for labs, and treat commercial Q-banks as optional reinforcement.
| Resource | Price | Format | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Learn learning paths | Free | Online modules + labs | The official syllabus |
| Azure free-trial subscription | Free tier | Hands-on AI services | Applied lab practice |
| AI-102 exam registration | $165 | Pearson VUE or online proctored | The exam itself |
| Microsoft official practice assessment | ~$0-25 | Online practice exam | Readiness calibration |
| Commercial Q-banks (e.g. MeasureUp, Whizlabs) | ~$30-80 | Online practice questions | Supplemental drilling |
Prices approximate and dated to this review; the certification renews annually via a short assessment.
Avoid these
What mistakes do candidates most often make?
The most common mistake is studying documentation without building the Azure services, which the role-based exam punishes; the second is under-weighting the generative AI section in the current blueprint. A third recurring error is confusing the Azure AI services on the which-service items — mixing up AI Language, AI Vision, and Azure OpenAI use cases. Candidates also routinely book the exam without the official practice assessment, and many forget the one-year renewal, letting the certification lapse. Finally, some candidates skip the prompt-engineering depth, arriving weak on the Azure OpenAI items that dominate the modern exam.
✕Reading without building
✓Build every AI service in an Azure subscription.
✕Under-weighting generative AI
✓Study Azure OpenAI and prompt engineering deeply; it is the current core.
✕Confusing the AI services
✓Build the service-purpose map for which-service items.
✕Booking without calibration
✓Take the official practice assessment and read the score.
✕Missing the annual renewal
✓Complete the renewal assessment within 12 months.
What you'll face
What question types will I see?
AI-102 contains approximately 40 to 60 questions in about 150 minutes, scored pass/fail at 700 on the 100-900 scale, covering planning Azure AI solutions, computer vision, natural language processing, generative AI with Azure OpenAI, and document intelligence. Item formats include multiple-choice, case-study items, and scenario questions. The samples below are editor-written illustrations of the published skills-measured document, not live exam items.
AI service selection, provisioning, and governance.
Image analysis, OCR, and video AI.
Text analysis, language understanding, and translation.
Model deployment, prompt engineering, and RAG.
Document extraction and search solutions.
Try these
Q1Which Azure service would you use to extract key-value pairs from scanned forms?
Answer:B
Document Intelligence extracts key-value pairs and structured data from forms and documents.
Q2Which technique grounds an Azure OpenAI chat solution in an organisation’s private documents?
Answer:B
RAG retrieves relevant content from private sources and grounds the model’s responses in it.
Q3Which Azure AI service performs sentiment analysis on customer reviews?
Answer:A
Azure AI Language provides text analytics including sentiment analysis.
Samples are editor-written illustrations of the published skills-measured document, not live exam items.
The big day
What should I expect on exam day?
AI-102 is taken at a Pearson VUE testing center or online proctored: approximately 40 to 60 questions with 150 minutes, pass/fail at 700 on the 100-900 scale, with results typically available within a day. The core rules: bring valid photo ID for center delivery; for online proctoring complete the environment check with a quiet room, webcam, and no second screens. The exam is closed-book. After passing, the certification is valid for 12 months with a short renewal assessment. The most useful exam-day habits: pace at about 2.5 to 3 minutes per question, flag and return to case-study items, and on the which-service items match the scenario to the service’s core capability rather than over-thinking. If you do not pass, Microsoft allows retakes after a 24-hour wait for the first retake. After the exam, plan the renewal and consider pairing AI-102 with the DP-100 (Azure Data Scientist) or other role-based exams for an AI specialisation profile.
Bring
- Valid photo ID (center) or proctoring-ready environment (online)
- Microsoft account credentials
- Arrival 15-30 minutes early
Leave at home
- Phone, smartwatch, and study materials
- Personal notes in the testing room
How the day runs
Rules in the room
- ~40-60 questions, 150 minutes
- 700/900 passing score
- Center or online proctored
- Annual renewal assessment
Afterwards.Passing AI-102 earns the Azure AI Engineer Associate certification (valid 12 months), the flagship Azure AI engineering credential; renew annually and pair with data-scientist exams for an AI specialisation.
Reference
What are the key facts about the Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate?
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate is a exam credential; awarded by Microsoft; the exam fee is $165; typical preparation is 2–4 months; holders typically earn $120,000 – $165,000.
| Credential | Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | AI-102 |
| Type | Exam |
| Profession | IT, Cloud & Cybersecurity |
| Specialty | Microsoft |
| Awarded by | Microsoft |
| Difficulty | Hard |
| Typical prep time | 2–4 months |
| All-in cost | $165+ |
| Typical salary range | $120,000 – $165,000 |
| Exam code | AI-102 |
| Renewal | Annual (free assessment) |
| Scope | National / Multi-state |
| Also known as | AI-102 |
Real questions
Frequently asked questions about the Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
Does AI-102 need coding?
Yes, it expects C# or Python and using Azure AI SDKs.
Does it expire?
Yes, after 12 months; renew with a free online assessment.
How do I register for microsoft-ai-102?
You register and schedule microsoft-ai-102 through Pearson VUE. Pick a test-centre appointment or online proctoring, then sit the exam on your booked date.
What is the microsoft-ai-102 exam format?
The exam is delivered as Multiple-choice + labs, with about 40–60 items, in 120 minutes. The published pass mark is 700 of 1000.
How long is the microsoft-ai-102 certification valid?
Most Microsoft role-based certifications expire after 12 months but are renewed with a free online assessment; retired certs must be re-earned.
How much does microsoft-ai-102 cost?
The exam fee is $165. Optional study materials and retakes are priced separately.
Can I take a Microsoft exam online from home?
Yes. Exams are delivered by Pearson VUE with two options: an in-person test center or OnVUE online proctoring from a private space with a webcam. The fee is identical for both.
Do Microsoft certifications expire?
Most role-based, specialty, and fundamentals certifications are valid for 12 months. You renew for free by passing a shorter online assessment on Microsoft Learn before the expiry date.
What happens if my certification is retired?
You keep the credential until its current expiry date, but you can no longer earn or renew it. Microsoft typically points candidates to the active successor exam or certification.
In short
Is the Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate worth it?
- AI-102 is the Azure AI engineer associate cert.
- It covers building AI solutions.
- It renews yearly.
Same awarding body
What other credentials does Microsoft award?
Worth comparing
How does the Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate compare with similar credentials?
Trust
Where does this information come from?
Everything above is taken from the awarding body's own published material. Fees, question counts and domain weights are revised regularly — check the official page before you pay.
- Microsoft Awarding body
- Official Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate exam page Exam page
- Microsoft certification programme Programme rules
Research confidence: high · Last reviewed 2026-08