Microsoft retired the AZ-500 exam on August 31, 2026. Per the official certification page , you can no longer earn or renew the Azure Security Engineer Associate certification after that date.

That changes how you should use this guide. Read it to understand the skills, the exam format and a study plan. Do not buy a voucher before you confirm it can still be used.

What AZ-500 proved and who it was for

The credential was Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate . Microsoft lists it as Intermediate level, for the Security Engineer role, on the Azure product.

The holder implements, manages and monitors security for resources in Azure, multi-cloud and hybrid environments. That work uses Microsoft Defender for Cloud and other tools.…