AI Course Check

Microsoft

Microsoft Certified: SQL AI Developer Associate (DP-800): what it costs and who can take it

Microsoft Certified: SQL AI Developer Associate (DP-800) 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 DP-800

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 database developers who write T-SQL on Microsoft SQL platforms and want to add AI capabilities, such as embeddings and vectors, to their work.
  • Not for newcomers to SQL: Microsoft expects T-SQL and database development experience, plus familiarity with CI/CD in GitHub and AI-assisted development tools.
  • The catch: AI is the smallest of the three exam areas, at 25 to 30%, so most of your study time goes on database design, security and deployment.
  • Take AI-103 instead if you build AI apps and agents in Python on Azure rather than AI features inside SQL databases.

Who can take DP-800?

Microsoft lists what to know before it.

In Microsoft's words

You should also have experience writing T-SQL code and developing databases in Microsoft SQL platforms. Plus, you need to be familiar with continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices in GitHub, AI-assisted development tools, and AI concepts, such as embeddings, vectors, and models.

Microsoft Certified: SQL AI Developer Associate (DP-800): the facts

Issuer
Microsoft
Program
Microsoft Certifications
Exam code
DP-800
Type
Exam
Proctoring
Proctored
Level
Associate
Status
Active
Who can take it
No requirement listed
Prerequisites
In Microsoft's words

You should also have experience writing T-SQL code and developing databases in Microsoft SQL platforms. Plus, you need to be familiar with continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices in GitHub, AI-assisted development tools, and AI concepts, such as embeddings, vectors, and models.

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
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 DP-800 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 develop database solutions35 to 40%
Secure, optimize, and deploy database solutions35 to 40%
Implement AI capabilities in database solutions25 to 30%

Should you take DP-800 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 DP-800 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 DP-800 cost?

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

How long is DP-800 valid?

1 year, according to Microsoft.

Is DP-800 free?

No. Microsoft shows $165.

What is the DP-800 exam format?

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

How do you renew DP-800?

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: SQL AI Developer Associate (DP-800), learn.microsoft.com, accessed Oct 26, 2026
  2. Microsoft: learn.microsoft.com, DP-800 study guide, accessed Oct 26, 2026
Go to Microsoft's exam page