Table of Contents
Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert Quick Facts
The Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert certification highlights your ability to bring people, processes, and technology together to deliver valuable products and services continuously. This overview provides the clarity and structure you need to move forward confidently and succeed in your exam preparation.
How does the Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert certification empower your career?
The Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert certification validates advanced expertise in designing and implementing DevOps practices, from source control strategies and CI/CD pipelines to governance, security, and monitoring. It is intended for professionals who want to transform development lifecycles by optimizing workflows and enabling continuous delivery at scale. Ideal for those working in roles like DevOps engineers, release managers, or automation specialists, this certification demonstrates your ability to orchestrate the critical pieces that bring efficiency, collaboration, and innovation to modern software delivery.
Exam Domains Covered (Click to expand breakdown)
Exam Domain Breakdown
Domain 1: Design and implement processes and communications (13% of the exam)
Design and implement processes and communications
- General
Summary: This section ensures you understand how to create streamlined collaboration processes within Azure DevOps environments. You’ll gain familiarity with communication workflows that connect developers, operations teams, and stakeholders, building transparency and alignment across the software lifecycle. This includes employing tools and methodologies that improve visibility, enhance knowledge sharing, and increase delivery speed in a coordinated way.
In practice, this domain is about fostering the right communication channels through project tracking, boards, dashboards, and reporting features. You’ll focus on structuring processes that make it easier to define work, track progress, and convey priorities, all while promoting shared understanding and trust across the organization.
Domain 2: Design and implement a source control strategy (13% of the exam)
Design and implement a source control strategy
- General
Summary: This section emphasizes creating a reliable and consistent approach to managing source code with Azure Repos or other integrated source control systems. You’ll learn how to design branching and merging strategies that support parallel development while minimizing conflicts, ensuring teams can contribute code efficiently.
The section also highlights best practices for repository organization, versioning, and governance. By mastering these strategies, you’ll be able to enable secure collaboration, maintain code quality, and support scaling needs as development teams and projects grow.
Domain 3: Design and implement build and release pipelines (53% of the exam)
Design and implement build and release pipelines
- General
Summary: This major section covers the heart of DevOps: automating build, test, and deployment workflows. You’ll explore how to establish pipelines that are resilient, repeatable, and capable of delivering software updates reliably to multiple environments. The focus is on using Azure Pipelines to speed up development, minimize manual intervention, and promote continuous integration and deployment practices.
You’ll also work with pipeline templates, approvals, and release gates to coordinate advanced delivery workflows. The ultimate goal is learning how to create end-to-end pipelines that scale with enterprise workloads and support scenarios from microservices to monolithic applications, consistently delivering value to users.
Domain 4: Develop a security and compliance plan (13% of the exam)
Develop a security and compliance plan
- General
Summary: This section ensures you know how to embed security and compliance considerations directly into DevOps practices from the start. You’ll learn how to incorporate secure coding policies, enforce compliance requirements, and automate checks throughout the release pipeline, creating a culture of “security as code.”
Key takeaways include understanding how to manage sensitive information securely, monitor compliance adherence, and integrate security testing into pipelines for proactive defense. By mastering this domain, you demonstrate that DevOps can enhance, rather than compromise, governance and organizational standards.
Domain 5: Implement an instrumentation strategy (8% of the exam)
Implement an instrumentation strategy
- General
Summary: This section focuses on building visibility into applications and infrastructure through monitoring, logging, and telemetry. You’ll understand how to design strategies that capture key health data, enabling teams to identify performance trends and react to issues quickly. The emphasis is on implementing observability that enhances confidence in continuous delivery.
Practical knowledge includes leveraging tools like Application Insights and Azure Monitor to set up dashboards, alerts, and performance tracking workflows. By mastering these practices, you’ll be able to create self-sustaining feedback loops that not only maintain system reliability but also drive data-informed improvements across teams and projects.
Who is the Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert certification designed for?
The Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert certification is perfect for professionals who want to bring development and operations together to deliver value to organizations at scale. This certification is ideal for:
- Software developers who are expanding into DevOps practices
- Infrastructure administrators who want to build proficiency in automation and CI/CD pipelines
- Site Reliability Engineers (SREs) or security engineers aiming to enhance collaboration in modern DevOps environments
- Cloud engineers who want to specialize in continuous delivery, monitoring, and application lifecycle management
If you enjoy combining strategy, collaboration, and technical depth, this credential positions you as a go-to expert in DevOps practices within Azure.
What roles can I pursue with the Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert?
This certification opens doors to roles that require expertise in bringing people, processes, and tools together seamlessly. Some job roles include:
- DevOps Engineer
- Azure Administrator with DevOps specialization
- Cloud Automation Engineer
- Build and Release Manager
- Site Reliability Engineer (SRE)
- Application Deployment Specialist
Many organizations look to DevOps Engineers to improve agility, ensure continuous delivery, and enhance collaboration between software teams and infrastructure teams. Earning this certification proves you can help lead digital transformation efforts.
Which exam do I need to pass for this certification?
To earn this certification, you must pass Exam AZ-400: Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions. This exam validates your ability to design DevOps strategies, implement CI/CD, manage infrastructure as code, and set up monitoring and feedback systems.
The exam is the centerpiece of this certification and focuses heavily on the practical application of DevOps principles within the Microsoft Azure ecosystem.
How much does the Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert exam cost?
The cost for Exam AZ-400 is $165 USD. This price may vary slightly depending on your country or region, and additional taxes may apply.
For learners on a professional development path, this investment provides incredible value as you gain an industry-recognized credential that is highly respected across both development and operations teams worldwide.
How many questions are on the AZ-400 exam?
The AZ-400 exam typically includes around 60 questions. These questions may include:
- Multiple-choice questions
- Multi-select questions
- Case study scenarios that reflect real-world projects
Case studies and scenario-based questions allow candidates to demonstrate practical understanding, not just theoretical knowledge. This ensures that certified DevOps Engineers are ready for real-world problem-solving.
How long is the Microsoft AZ-400 exam?
You are given 100 minutes to complete the AZ-400 exam. Time management is important, especially since some of the scenario-based or case study questions can be lengthier.
It is helpful to budget your time across question types, ensuring you leave enough time to carefully review scenario-based items while still completing the exam confidently.
What score do I need to pass the AZ-400 exam?
The passing score for Exam AZ-400 is a scaled 700 out of 1000. Microsoft exams use a compensatory scoring model, which means you do not need to pass each domain individually—your total score across domains determines your result.
This gives candidates more flexibility, as doing well in stronger areas can balance out other topics where your knowledge may be lighter.
In what languages is the Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert exam available?
The AZ-400 exam is available in English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Traditional Chinese, and Italian.
This global accessibility means professionals across regions can take the exam in the language they are most comfortable with, resulting in a fairer and more confident testing experience.
What are the prerequisites for earning this certification?
Before attempting the AZ-400 exam, you must first earn one of the following prerequisite certifications:
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate
This ensures you already have deep expertise in either development or administration before you specialize in DevOps practices.
Which domains are covered in Exam AZ-400 and what are their weightings?
The AZ-400 exam tests your knowledge across five broad domains. The official blueprint outlines the following weightings:
- Design and implement processes and communications (10-15%)
- Design and implement a source control strategy (10-15%)
- Design and implement build and release pipelines (50-55%)
- Develop a security and compliance plan (10-15%)
- Implement an instrumentation strategy (5-10%)
Notably, more than half of the exam emphasizes building and releasing pipelines. That makes hands-on practice with Azure Pipelines and GitHub Actions essential.
What format are the exam questions in?
The exam includes a combination of:
- Multiple-choice questions with a single correct answer
- Multi-select questions requiring more than one choice
- Case study scenarios where you analyze a business problem and identify appropriate DevOps solutions
This mix ensures you can apply problem-solving and critical thinking, not just memorization.
Are there any case studies on the AZ-400 exam?
Yes, case study questions are included. Each case study simulates a real-world DevOps scenario and is followed by questions that test your ability to analyze requirements, select tools, and implement solutions.
These case studies ensure that you demonstrate applied problem-solving—crucial for a role directly focused on making DevOps practices effective in business settings.
How difficult is the Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert exam?
While the exam requires solid preparation, it is approachable for anyone who actively studies, practices with Azure DevOps tools, and gains hands-on experience.
To be best prepared, candidates should focus on continuous integration pipelines, cloud infrastructure management, advanced Git workflows, building release strategies, and using monitoring/feedback loops with Azure Monitor or Application Insights.
How can I prepare effectively for the AZ-400 exam?
Preparation for the AZ-400 exam is most effective when combining:
- Microsoft Learn learning paths and modules that map directly to exam objectives
- Hands-on practice with Azure DevOps and GitHub Actions
- Instructor-led training such as Microsoft’s "Designing and Implementing DevOps Solutions" course
- Using trusted third-party practice exam platforms like these high-quality Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert practice exams that simulate the real exam and provide detailed answer explanations
This combination builds both the conceptual knowledge and the applied skills you need.
What hands-on skills should I emphasize while preparing?
Candidates should be confident in applying:
- Continuous integration with Azure Pipelines and GitHub Actions
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using ARM templates or Desired State Configuration (DSC)
- Secure release strategies and deployment patterns
- Dependency management and artifact handling
- Monitoring and alerting with Application Insights
These practical skills become second nature when reinforced by working on real projects and lab scenarios.
How long is the Microsoft Azure DevOps Engineer Expert certification valid?
Your Microsoft role-based certifications remain valid until they expire, typically after one year unless renewed. Microsoft provides a free renewal process through an online assessment on Microsoft Learn.
By renewing annually, you demonstrate that your skills remain sharp and aligned with cutting-edge DevOps practices in Azure.
What are the most common mistakes candidates make?
Some common oversights include:
- Not practicing enough with real Azure Pipelines before exam day
- Overlooking the importance of GitHub integration in modern DevOps strategies
- Forgetting compliance and security elements, which remain a core part of the exam
Avoiding these pitfalls is as simple as being thorough in your practice and dedicating review time to lesser-studied domains.
Can I take the Microsoft DevOps Engineer Expert exam online?
Yes, you can take the exam either online with remote proctoring or in person at a Pearson VUE testing center. Online testing offers flexibility, while in-person sessions may be preferred for those who want a traditional exam environment.
Remote exams require a stable internet connection, a quiet private room, and a functioning webcam.
How do I register for the AZ-400 exam?
To register:
- Sign in with your Microsoft account on the official Microsoft certification portal
- Select the AZ-400: Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions exam
- Choose between online proctoring or a local test center
- Confirm your schedule and make your payment
Once registered, you can add the exam date to your calendar and focus on building confidence before test day.
What are some recommended next steps after achieving this certification?
After earning the DevOps Engineer Expert certification, many professionals expand into specialized areas such as:
- Azure Solutions Architect Expert for strategic architectural leadership
- Azure Security Engineer Associate for deeper security specialization
- Building advanced skills with containers and Kubernetes through Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
This certification also complements leadership paths for professionals managing DevOps transformations in mid- to large-scale organizations.
Why should I choose the Azure DevOps Engineer Expert certification for my career?
This certification is more than a badge—it’s recognition that you can transform how organizations deliver software. It demonstrates expertise in bridging development and operations, implementing automation, improving security, and delivering value faster.
Employers worldwide look for certified DevOps Engineers to lead modernization efforts. This certification sets you apart as a cloud professional who drives innovation and collaboration.
Whether you are growing within your current role or planning your next career step, the Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert certification signals that you are a trusted technical leader in the DevOps journey.
