Microsoft’s New AB-Series Certs: What IT Pros Should Know

Microsoft has recently introduced a new series of major certifications: the AB-Series. With the launch of the new Microsoft certification updates, the company announced it is retiring several older certifications.

Microsoft is now focused on helping professionals design full AI systems for organizations, including the use of agentic AI. This means the software company is shifting away from the more product-focused skills tracks. If you handle training programs, these new Microsoft certifications will help your team prepare for future roles that concern AI, automation, and cross-platform design.

The New Microsoft AB-Series Certifications

Organizations are increasingly needing professionals who can plan and build complete AI business systems. The new AB certifications have a key focus on agentic and multi-agent workflows. These include services like Azure AI, Copilot Studio, Power Platform, and Dynamics 365.

Building the basics first gives you a smoother path when you start learning the AB certification lineup. You can use CBT Nuggets courses to sharpen your Microsoft automation skills before moving on to the AB-series certs.

1) Microsoft 365 Certified: Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals

The Microsoft 365 Certified: Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals is an entry-level credential. Its focus is on basic tasks for managing Copilot and agent tools. The AB-900: Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals exam covers agent setup, access control, monitoring, and governance. It is for pros who help run AI tools but do not plan full system design.

2) Microsoft Certified: AI Business Professional

The Microsoft Certified: AI Business Professional is for people who use AI in business workflows. It’s a certification focused on identifying use cases, improving workflows with AI, and working with technical teams. This cert suits business analysts, product owners, and pros whose primary work is connecting business goals to AI tools. Candidates for this certification must pass the AB-730: AI Business Professional exam.

3) Microsoft Certified: AI Transformation Leader

Microsoft Certified: AI Transformation Leader is a certification for business leaders. If you’re leading AI use across the whole company and managing the change it brings, this certification will build up your skills. It certifies the skills needed to match AI work to long-term plans. Earning this certification means passing the AB-731: AI Transformation Leader exam. This exam emphasizes governance, ethics, operating models, and measurable business impact.

4) Microsoft Certified: Agentic AI Business Solutions Architect

At the center of the new agentic AI business certifications is the Agentic AI Business Solutions Architect certification. This cert requires passing AB-100: Agentic AI Business Solutions Architect exam. Microsoft has built this exam around key skills, such as solution design, generative AI, multi-agent orchestration, secure deployment, and measurable business outcomes. The exam is still in beta, but Microsoft plans to release instructor-led training by early 2026.

Together, AB-900, AB-730, AB-731, and AB-100 form a progression that supports teams from AI fundamentals through enterprise-level AI skills.

When Will Microsoft Retire Old Certifications? 

With the introduction of the new lineup, older credentials are being retired as part of Microsoft’s certification consolidation. Those affected are the entry-level and product-based credentials. 

Here are the dates to keep in mind regarding Microsoft certification retirement:

• Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (ERP) will be retired on Dec. 31, 2025.

• Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (CRM) will be retired on Dec. 31, 2025.

• Microsoft 365 Fundamentals will be retired on March 31, 2026.

In addition, the following certifications are already retired:

• Microsoft Certified: Information Protection and Compliance Administrator Associate was retired on May 31, 2025.

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate was retired on March 31, 2025.

Even if you complete one of the newer credentials, your old credentials are still valid. However, the older credentials may no longer be relevant with Microsoft’s new focus on enterprise AI design.

How These Microsoft Exam Changes Affect Your Learning Roadmap

If you manage training, these new Microsoft exam changes will impact how you plan your team’s learning roadmap. Microsoft is looking to enable solution architects to design AI systems that scale, stay secure, support multi-agent workflows, and deliver solid ROI. Because AB-100 requires an active associate-level cert from the approved list, you need to review your team’s current status before moving forward.

For many teams, this means starting with AB-900 for foundational knowledge. Then, moving into AB-730 for business-focused AI work, and preparing leaders through AB-731 before advancing to AB-100. This suggested progression is not required, however.

You can start by reviewing which active certifications are nearing retirement and updating your plans to focus on multi-agent design, generative AI, and secure deployment practices. This is the right time to build a foundation for AB-100 and other future AI business solutions training paths.

Want to learn more about becoming a Microsoft-certified solution architect or expand your Microsoft AI credentials? Check out CBT Nuggets AB-900 training with James Conrad.