AI Course Check

Microsoft

Microsoft Certified: Machine Learning Operations Engineer Associate (AI-300): what it costs and who can take it

Microsoft Certified: Machine Learning Operations Engineer Associate (AI-300) 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

Before you book AI-300

Status
Active as of Oct 26, 2026.
Microsoft's prep
None listed here
Renewal
Microsoft associate, expert, and specialty certifications expire annually. You can renew by passing a free online assessment on Microsoft Learn.

Should you take it?

  • Suits data scientists moving into MLOps who already work in Python and use GitHub Actions and the command line.
  • Not for beginners: Microsoft expects a data science background and entry-level DevOps practice before you sit it.
  • Microsoft offers AI-300 in English only, so non-native speakers face 120 minutes of technical questions in a second language.
  • Take AI-103 instead if you build generative AI and agent apps rather than run model pipelines and GenAIOps infrastructure.

Who can take AI-300?

Microsoft lists what to know before it.

In Microsoft's words

You should have a data science background with experience in Python programming and an entry-level understanding of DevOps practices, including using tools like GitHub Actions and working with command-line interfaces (CLIs).

Microsoft Certified: Machine Learning Operations Engineer Associate (AI-300): the facts

Issuer
Microsoft
Program
Microsoft Certifications
Exam code
AI-300
Type
Exam
Proctoring
Proctored
Level
Associate
Status
Active
Who can take it
No requirement listed
Prerequisites
In Microsoft's words

You should have a data science background with experience in Python programming and an entry-level understanding of DevOps practices, including using tools like GitHub Actions and working with command-line interfaces (CLIs).

Price as shown
$165
Delivery
This exam will be proctored.
Length
120 minutes
Passing score
700 or greater
Languages
English
Valid for
1 year
Renewal
Microsoft associate, expert, and specialty certifications expire annually. You can renew by passing a free online assessment on Microsoft Learn.
Go to Microsoft's exam page

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

What does the AI-300 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
Design and implement an MLOps infrastructure15 to 20%
Implement machine learning model lifecycle and operations25 to 30%
Design and implement a GenAIOps infrastructure20 to 25%
Implement generative AI quality assurance and observability10 to 15%
Optimize generative AI systems and model performance10 to 15%

Should you take AI-300 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 AI-300 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 AI-300 cost?

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

How long is AI-300 valid?

1 year, according to Microsoft.

Is AI-300 free?

No. Microsoft shows $165.

What is the AI-300 exam format?

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

How do you renew AI-300?

In Microsoft's words: "Microsoft associate, expert, and specialty certifications expire annually. You can renew by passing a free online assessment on Microsoft Learn."

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: Machine Learning Operations Engineer Associate (AI-300), learn.microsoft.com, accessed Oct 26, 2026
  2. Microsoft: learn.microsoft.com, AI-300 study guide, accessed Oct 26, 2026
Go to Microsoft's exam page