AI Course Check

Microsoft

Microsoft Certified: Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate (SC-500): what it costs and who can take it

Microsoft Certified: Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate (SC-500) costs $165, takes 120 minutes and is valid for 1 year. Who can take it: no requirement listed.

Price as shown
$165
Valid for
1 year
Format
Exam, proctored
Go to Microsoft's exam page
Curated by Jake BolandChecked against Microsoft on Oct 26, 2026How I verify

Before you book SC-500

Status
Active as of Oct 26, 2026.
Microsoft's prep
None listed here
Renewal
Not stated by Microsoft

Should you take it?

  • Suits Azure administrators moving into cloud security who want an associate exam on identity, storage, networking, compute and security posture.
  • Not for newcomers to Azure: Microsoft expects practical experience administering Azure and hybrid environments, plus strong familiarity with Microsoft Entra ID.
  • The catch: despite AI in the name, none of the four exam areas Microsoft lists for SC-500 names AI, so expect a cloud security exam.
  • Take AI-103 instead if you want to build AI apps and agents in Python on Azure rather than secure the environments they run in.

Who can take SC-500?

Microsoft lists what to know before it.

In Microsoft's words

For this exam, you should have practical experience in administration of Azure and hybrid environments, including compute, network, and storage. You need strong familiarity with Microsoft Entra ID and familiarity with Microsoft 365 administration.

Microsoft Certified: Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate (SC-500): the facts

Issuer
Microsoft
Program
Microsoft Certifications
Exam code
SC-500
Type
Exam
Proctoring
Proctored
Level
Associate
Status
Active
Who can take it
No requirement listed
Prerequisites
In Microsoft's words

For this exam, you should have practical experience in administration of Azure and hybrid environments, including compute, network, and storage. You need strong familiarity with Microsoft Entra ID and familiarity with Microsoft 365 administration.

Price as shown
$165
Delivery
This exam will be proctored.
Length
120 minutes
Passing score
700 or greater
Languages
English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Korean, German, French, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish
Valid for
1 year
Go to Microsoft's exam page

Checked against Microsoft on Oct 26, 2026. Microsoft doesn't publish the questions or renewal.

What does the SC-500 exam cover?

The domains and weights in Microsoft's exam guide, in its own words. Checked against the guide on October 26, 2026. Exam guide
DomainShare of the exam
Manage identity, access, and governance20 to 25%
Secure storage, databases, and networking25 to 30%
Secure compute20 to 25%
Manage and monitor security posture20 to 25%

Should you take SC-500 or something else?

It depends on your platform, your level and what Microsoft lets you book. Each line compares stated levels or prices only.

How does SC-500 compare with other associate certifications?

Computed by us from the stated values of the live certifications we track at the same level. The issuers don't publish these comparisons.
Price among associate exams (computed)4 of 15 cost less, from stated US prices
Exam length against the median (computed)120 minutes against a median of 120 minutes across 14 associate exams

What are the alternatives?

How we chose these

Questions people ask

How much does SC-500 cost?

Microsoft shows $165. Prices are as the issuer shows them, never converted.

How long is SC-500 valid?

1 year, according to Microsoft.

Is SC-500 free?

No. Microsoft shows $165.

What is the SC-500 exam format?

120 minutes, proctored, as Microsoft states it. The passing score is 700 or greater.

How we chose

  • Alternatives: certifications in the same family or on the same topic, at the same level, leaving out partner-only and invite-only ones; a replacement the issuer names comes first.

Sources

  1. Microsoft: Microsoft Certified: Cloud and AI Security Engineer Associate (SC-500), learn.microsoft.com, accessed Oct 26, 2026
  2. Microsoft: learn.microsoft.com, SC-500 study guide, accessed Oct 26, 2026
  3. Microsoft: learn.microsoft.com, AB-730 study guide, accessed Oct 26, 2026
Go to Microsoft's exam page