AI-102 Azure AI Engineer is retired: prepare for AI-103 instead

By Alexander Shick · Updated November 5, 2026

From Azure AI Engineer to AI Apps and Agents Developer

AI-102 covered planning Azure AI solutions, generative AI, a small agentic section, computer vision, language and knowledge mining, for developers using Python or C#. Microsoft says AI-103 "validates your expertise in designing, developing, and deploying advanced Azure AI solutions using Python and Microsoft Foundry." The candidate builds, manages and deploys agents and AI solutions, and works with architects, data scientists, DevOps and security engineers. The main shifts: Python only, Microsoft Foundry at the centre, and agents folded into the largest skill area.

AI-103: who can sit it, the format and the weights

Eligibility. Microsoft lists no prerequisite certification for AI-103. You book it through Pearson VUE.

Recommended experience. Microsoft says you should have experience developing apps by using Python and be familiar with the capabilities of general AI, generative AI and Azure services; no length of experience is specified.

The exam. 120 minutes, proctored, with possible interactive components, and 700 to pass. Microsoft's replacement plan put the AI-103 beta in April 2026 and the live exam in June 2026; the certification page now offers scheduling. Skills measured are as of April 16, 2026:

For comparison, AI-102's last skills outline gave agents 5–10% on their own and generative AI 15–20%.

Preparing for AI-103

Free official training. Microsoft Learn publishes AI-103T00 as four learning paths: generative AI apps, AI agents, natural language solutions and visual data, about 30 hours of listed content. Microsoft adds an exam sandbox, AI-103 prep videos and a Practice Assessment on AI Skills Navigator that needs a sign-in. AI-102 training is gone; its course page now redirects to the training catalog. This route suits Python developers with an Azure subscription for Foundry practice.

Practice exams. Tutorials Dojo sells a 60+ question AI-103 set, useful as a timed check once the Foundry labs are done.

The official instructor-led course. AI-103T00, Develop AI apps and agents on Azure, which Microsoft lists at four days. ONLC and Global Knowledge teach it in four-day public classes. It fits developers who want guided labs on agents and retrieval, or a team getting trained together.

What AI-103 costs on a first attempt

Spending beyond the exam fee. A retake is another $165, after 24 hours the first time and 14 days between later attempts, with at most five attempts in 12 months. Model calls and deployed resources in your Azure subscription bill while you practise, so set a budget alert and delete deployments after each session. AI-102 books and courses cover part of the vision and language material but little of the agent work.

Checking an AI-103 course before you pay

• Right exam code. If a provider's page or voucher still says AI-102, confirm the course is AI-103T00 and any voucher is for AI-103, since AI-102 can no longer be booked.
• Foundry labs. Ask whether labs run in a provided Azure environment with model quota, or in your own subscription at your cost.
• Run status. The November 16–19, 2026 Global Knowledge class is flagged guaranteed to run; ONLC lists November 30 without that flag, so ask before you plan around it.
• Vouchers. Neither class page in the table lists the exam as included; budget $165 on top.

What happens to AI-102, and AI-103 renewal

Microsoft says retirement does not revoke certifications already earned: an Azure AI Engineer Associate stays on your transcript and valid until its expiry date, but the renewal assessment is retired, so it cannot be extended. AI-103 follows Microsoft's usual rule: associate certifications expire each year, and you renew free with an open-book online assessment on Microsoft Learn during the six months before expiry.

For AI development teams

Move any AI-102 training plan to AI-103, and check that unused vouchers bought for AI-102 can be applied to another exam. Team members who already hold AI-102 do not need to retest now; plan AI-103 for them before their certification expires.

Questions about the AI-102 retirement

Can I still take AI-102?

No. Microsoft retired the exam on June 30, 2026.

What replaced AI-102?

Exam AI-103 for the Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Apps and Agents Developer Associate, $165 in the US.

Is my AI-102 certification still valid?

Yes, until it expires. It can no longer be renewed.

Does AI-103 need Python?

Yes. Microsoft expects experience developing apps by using Python.

Next step

Send your programming background and target date, and we will suggest an AI-103 study route and classes.

Ask for help choosing AI-103 (replacing AI-102) training