XcellAcademy|Microsoft CSP Partner Credentials

Reach a partner capability score of at least 70 out of 100 in the solution area, with more than zero points in every metric, on any day of the qualification window. The score adds performance (net customer adds), skilling (certified people) and customer success (usage growth and deployments). Then pay the annual fee for the benefits you choose.

Until your partner anniversary date. On that date Microsoft re-checks the requirements; if you still meet them and pay the annual fee, you keep the designation and badge. Extra designations earned later share the same anniversary and carry no extra fee. Microsoft does not publish the fee amount on the pages we read, so confirm it in Partner Center.

Intermediate: Teams Administrator (MS-700), Identity and Access Administrator (SC-300), Collaboration Communications Systems Engineer (MS-721), Endpoint Administrator (MD-102) and Copilot and Agent Administration Fundamentals (AB-900); Microsoft 365 Fundamentals counts until 31 March 2027. Advanced: Microsoft 365 and AI Services Administrator (AB-650) and Microsoft 365 Administrator Expert (MS-102), which counts until 30 November 2027 if earned before its exam retires.

Three steps of intermediate certifications. Step 1: Cloud and AI Security Engineer (SC-500) or Azure Security Engineer. Step 2: Security Operations Analyst (SC-200). Step 3 scores per person: Cybersecurity Architect Expert (SC-100), Identity and Access Administrator (SC-300) or Information Security Administrator (SC-401). SC-400 no longer counts.

For FY26: at least USD 1 million of eligible CSP revenue as an indirect reseller in the previous 12 months (Partner Global Account level), at least 12 months as an indirect reseller, at least one Solutions Partner designation, an Advanced or Premier Support for Partners plan, all mandatory Partner Center security items and a passing capabilities assessment. Direct bill partners are reassessed every year.

Associate, Expert and Specialty certifications expire every year. Renewal is free: pass a short, unproctored, open-book online assessment on Microsoft Learn during the six months before expiry, and the certification is extended by one year. Fundamentals certifications do not expire.

If you earned it before the retirement date, it keeps counting toward the designation for one year after retirement — for example, MS-102 until 30 November 2027 and Azure Security Engineer until 31 August 2027. Microsoft notes that an announced successor is not automatically eligible, so check the designation page.

Tracker data stays in this browser only; export JSON or CSV to share it. The badges are illustrative XcellHost designs for internal recognition. Official Microsoft badges come from Microsoft Learn and Partner Center — use those for LinkedIn and anything a customer sees.