IT Certifications 2026: What's Retiring and What's New
IT certification updates for 2026: which Microsoft, AWS, Cisco and CompTIA exams are retiring, which are changing, and which new ones are launching this year.
2026: The Year IT Certifications Reinvent Themselves with AI
If you're preparing an IT certification or planning to do so this year, it pays to stay current: 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most change-heavy years for major vendor certification programs. Microsoft, AWS, Cisco, and CompTIA are all retiring exams, launching new ones, and — above all — redirecting nearly their entire catalogs toward artificial intelligence, cloud security, and automation.
Here's a summary of the most relevant changes and, most importantly, what they mean for your study plan. Always confirm exact dates on each vendor's official website, as they're updated frequently.
Microsoft: The Biggest Overhaul Since 2019
According to multiple industry reports, Microsoft is carrying out the largest revision of its role-based certification program since 2019, with several credentials retiring between June and September 2026 and new exams centered on AI and agent architectures.
Among the exams being retired or renewed are widely popular ones such as AI-102 (Azure AI Engineer), DP-100 (Azure Data Scientist), AI-900 (Azure AI Fundamentals), AZ-204 (Azure Developer), and AZ-500 (Azure Security) — with next-generation replacements (AI-103, AI-300, AI-200, AI-901, SC-500, AZ-802, among others).
What should you do? If you're already preparing one of these exams, practice and sit for it while it's still available: a certification you earn remains valid for its normal validity period. You can train right now with our real questions for AZ-500, AZ-204, DP-100, and AI-900.
AWS: Certifications Get an AI Upgrade
AWS is weaving AI throughout its certifications. Solutions Architect credentials are expanding coverage with AI-guided cost optimization and auto-scaling, and DevOps Engineer – Professional is adding AI-assisted deployment strategies and automated remediation.
If you're on the AWS path, check out our guide on AWS AI certifications and practice with AWS Solutions Architect Associate questions.
Cisco: New Objectives and an AI Specialty
Cisco is also making moves in 2026:
If you're starting from networking fundamentals, practice with CCNA questions.
CompTIA: SecAI+ Launches and CySA+ Renews
CompTIA is making a big push in security and AI:
Browse all available CompTIA certifications to prepare your foundation.
The Common Thread: AI Everywhere
If there's one clear conclusion across all these changes, it's that AI is no longer optional. Every major vendor is integrating artificial intelligence, cloud-native security, and automation into their exams. To go deeper, check out our ranking of most in-demand AI certifications in 2026 and our Microsoft Copilot certifications guide.
What Does This Mean for You?
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my certification if the exam retires?
No. An exam retiring doesn't invalidate certifications already earned — they remain valid for their normal validity period. What changes is that you won't be able to sit for that version after the retirement date.
Should I wait for the new version or sit for the current one?
If you're already prepared, sitting for the current version is usually the better move. If you're just starting and the new version is near, it may be worth aiming for it instead.
Where do I confirm official dates?
Always on the official certification website of each vendor (Microsoft Learn, AWS Certification, Cisco, and CompTIA), as dates can be updated.
Conclusion
2026 is a year of transition for IT certifications: many exams are being renewed, others are retiring, and AI is making its way into every syllabus. The good news is that the method for passing hasn't changed: choose your goal wisely, confirm official dates, and practice with real questions until you master the format.
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