Microsoft Certifications for Dynamics Applications: A Consultant's Guide

In Dynamics 365 · 16 March 2026 · Updated 16 September 2026

Before 2026, Microsoft Dynamics 365 certifications were mostly app-based. They have since moved toward a role-based model, which makes them easier to map to real jobs: functional consultant, developer, and solution architect.

That shift also means a few older exams have retired, and the available choices are narrower. If you are choosing a path today, the decision is less about the app and more about the work you want to do.

Role-based certification paths in Dynamics 365

A Microsoft Dynamics 365 certification validates the knowledge and skills expected for a specific role or technology area. Some certifications are broad foundations, while others are tied to a job role or application.

Examples include:

• AZ-900 for cloud fundamentals
• PL-900 for Power Platform fundamentals
• Role-based certifications such as MB-310, MB-330, MB-500, and AB-100

Passing an exam is not always the same as earning the full certification. For example, AB-100 is only one part of the Agentic AI Business Solutions Architect credential; candidates must also hold one of the qualifying associate certifications listed on the credential page. You can read the discussion here: AB-100 Q&A thread.

Which Microsoft Dynamics 365 certification exams can you take now?

As of mid-2026, the live certifications for application-focused roles are concentrated in a small set of core paths.

Current exams include:

Retired exams include:

PL-200 is scheduled to retire on 31 August 2026. Microsoft also named Sales and Contact Center AB exams as related paths, but those exams were still in beta on their credential pages at the time of writing.

How long do Microsoft Dynamics 365 certifications stay valid?

Role-based Microsoft certifications, including the Dynamics 365 functional consultant and developer associates, expire 12 months after you earn them. You keep the certification active by passing a free online renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn before the expiry date. If you miss that window, you need to pass the full exam again to earn the certification back.

What do you need before you can sit a Dynamics 365 exam?

Microsoft does not usually set formal prerequisites for associate-level Dynamics 365 exams. The Finance, Supply Chain Management, Customer Service, and Business Central exams are all bookable directly.

That said, hands-on experience still matters. If you are preparing for MB-310, for example, a solid understanding of finance processes and accounting concepts will help more than memorising theory alone. Architect-level certifications usually require more than one exam or qualifying associate credential.

Mapping certifications to consultant, developer, and architect roles

The live functional consultant associate certifications are for Finance, Supply Chain Management, Customer Service, and Business Central.

• The Finance associate exam is intended for people who analyse business requirements and turn them into processes in Dynamics 365 Finance.
• The Supply Chain Management associate exam focuses on design and configuration in Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management.
• The Customer Service exam covers case management, agent experience, routing, and application extension.
• The Business Central functional associate exam covers core configuration, company setup, data migration, and key financial and operational modules, including Copilot capabilities.

Developers currently have two associate-level options:

• The Finance and Operations developer exam tests implementation and extension of those apps using X++, reports, APIs, testing, and application lifecycle management.
• The Business Central developer exam is intended for people who design, develop, test, and maintain Business Central solutions.

For solution architects, the current expert path is the Agentic AI Business Solutions Architect credential, AB-100. To earn it, you must pass AB-100 and hold one of the qualifying associate certifications listed on the credential page.

The role map still references older expert paths such as Field Service, Customer Experience Analyst, Supply Chain expert, Finance and Operations architect, Power Platform Solution Architect Expert, and Power Automate RPA Developer. All of those exams are now retired. Microsoft has said there is no new certification planned to replace MB-700, and AB-100 is effectively the flagship expert-level credential, even though it is not a direct replacement for every retiring expert exam.

How much do Dynamics 365 exams cost?

Associate exam fees are typically around USD $165, though the exact price varies by country, currency, and local taxes.

For salary expectations, check the salary FAQ on the specific certification page, such as MB-800 Business Central or MB-310 Finance. Compensation varies widely by region, experience, and seniority.

MB-280 vs AB-210: what changed for Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement?

MB-280 was the retired Customer Experience Analyst exam. AB-210 is the related Dynamics 365 Sales AI Consultant Associate certification that Microsoft positioned as the replacement path.

The Customer Experience Analyst credential page states that both the certification and its renewal assessment are retired. Microsoft also clarified that candidates must pass the new exam to earn the new certification because the two exams do not measure the same skills.

The AB-100 page still lists MB-280 as one of the possible associate prerequisites for the expert credential.

The Sales AI Consultant role focuses on designing and configuring AI-enhanced sales solutions using Dynamics 365 Sales, Copilot in Dynamics 365 Sales, and agent capabilities across the lead-to-cash process. Microsoft said AB-210 was expected to go live in June 2026 in The AI job boom continues. Liberty Munson later noted in New Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Sales AI Consultant Associate Certification that the exam was in beta and expected to reach general availability in July 2026. At the time, the credential page still described beta status, and Microsoft typically does not score beta exams immediately.

Are fundamentals exams still live?

Microsoft retired both Dynamics 365 fundamentals exams on 31 December 2025:

• MB-910 (CRM)
• MB-920 (ERP)

The Power Platform Fundamentals exam, PL-900, is being updated rather than retired. Training and courseware updates were scheduled for June 2026, with minor exam changes expected around the same time.

Which AB certification should you take with Dynamics 365?

After the MB-280 retirement, the Sales path is AB-210, and the Contact Center path is AB-250. For the expert architect route across Dynamics 365 and agents, AB-100 is paired with one current associate certification from the list on that credential page.

The Contact Center AI Engineer role covers designing, implementing, and supporting AI-powered contact center solutions that use Dynamics 365 Contact Center and service-oriented autonomous agents. Announcements placed AB-250 in beta in June 2026, with expected general availability in August 2026. The page still noted that the practice assessment was not yet available, which is common for exams that have recently left beta.

AB-900 is the Microsoft 365 Certified: Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals credential. It is a beginner-level Microsoft 365 exam for people familiar with Microsoft 365, Copilot, agents, Entra, and Purview. It is not a Dynamics 365 application exam.

For a comparison of AB-900, AB-730, AB-731, and AB-100, read Microsoft’s new AB certifications.

Self-paced vs Instructor-led: how to prepare to pass the exam

You can access the entire Microsoft catalogue of courses for Dynamics 365, Azure and Power Platform for free on Microsoft Learn. You need to create an account in Microsoft Learn with your Microsoft personal account and you can access all the live courses. Microsoft Learn lets you start a course, save collections and learning paths and track your progress.

You also need a Microsoft Learn account to book the exam. Once you complete the self-study learning path, you will get an achievement code that will show in your transcript which you can use in your CV or share on social media. When you pass the exam, your transcript will be updated to show you hold the credentials.

You can also book instructor-led training through a Microsoft Training Services Partner. Below is a shortlist of providers that regularly offer Dynamics 365, Power Platform, and Azure training in both virtual and on-site formats.

Prices vary by region, exam focus, and delivery format, but instructor-led courses commonly range from around USD $1,600 to $3,000 for a multi-day Dynamics or Power Platform course.

Where to find exam practice tests

Microsoft provides short practice tests for many certifications in Microsoft Learn. These are a useful way to check your understanding before booking the exam.

You will also find unofficial practice materials and exam dumps online, but these are not a reliable way to study. Microsoft treats exam dumps as a policy violation, and sharing or using them can put your certification at risk.

MeasureUp is the only official exam practice provider for Microsoft certifications, and it offers practice tests for Dynamics exams. We partner with MeasureUp through our affiliate program.

If you want the safest route, start with Microsoft Learn, then add official MeasureUp practice tests to close any knowledge gaps before you sit the exam.