Azure Solutions Architect Certification (AZ-305) Guide 2026: Cost, Domains + Prep Path

Last updated: May 2026. Written by Josh Hutcheson. See our review methodology.

By Josh Hutcheson · E-Learning Specialist

Reviewing online learning platforms since 2019. Connect on LinkedIn · Review methodology

What is Azure Solutions Architect (AZ-305)?

AZ-305 (Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions) is the Expert-level credential for Azure architects. It validates your ability to design — not just deploy — cloud solutions that meet business requirements across identity, governance, data, and infrastructure.

The exam replaced the legacy AZ-303 + AZ-304 path in 2022. It’s now the single Solutions Architect Expert exam — pass it, plus the prerequisite AZ-104 (Azure Administrator), and you earn the “Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert” credential.

Should you pursue AZ-305?

Take it if you’re:

• An IT pro with 2-5+ years of Azure experience targeting Solutions Architect or Cloud Architect roles.
• Already AZ-104 certified (it’s a hard prerequisite).
• Working in or targeting Microsoft-shop employers — banks, government, healthcare, large enterprise.
• Looking for a credential that signals senior cloud design competency (not just operations).

Skip it if you’re:

• Going to work primarily on AWS — get AWS Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) instead.
• Just starting Azure — do AZ-104 first, get hands-on, then come back for AZ-305 in 12+ months.
• A pure developer (not architect) — AZ-204 is the more relevant cert: AZ-204 guide.

Exam format, cost, and logistics

The 4 exam domains (in detail)

Domain 1: Design identity, governance, and monitoring solutions (25-30%)

• Identity: Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), conditional access, privileged identity management (PIM), B2B/B2C, hybrid identity (Entra Connect).
• Governance: Management groups, subscriptions, resource groups, Azure Policy, Blueprints, role-based access control (RBAC).
• Monitoring: Azure Monitor architecture, Log Analytics workspace design, Application Insights, distributed tracing.

Domain 2: Design data storage solutions (25-30%)

• Relational data: Azure SQL Database vs SQL Managed Instance vs SQL on VMs — when to use each.
• Non-relational: Cosmos DB (multi-model: SQL, MongoDB, Cassandra, Gremlin, Table), Table Storage, Blob.
• Data integration: Azure Data Factory, Data Lake Storage Gen2, Synapse Analytics.
• Caching: Azure Cache for Redis, CDN strategies.

Domain 3: Design business continuity solutions (10-15%)

• High availability: Availability Zones, Availability Sets, paired regions.
• Disaster recovery: Azure Site Recovery, Azure Backup, RPO/RTO design.
• Database HA: Geo-replication, Always On, Active Geo-Replication.

Domain 4: Design infrastructure solutions (25-30%)

• Compute: VM sizing, App Service vs Functions vs Container Apps vs AKS, batch processing.
• Networking: VNet topology, hub-spoke, ExpressRoute, VPN, Application Gateway, Front Door, Private Endpoints.
• Migration: Azure Migrate, lift-and-shift vs re-platform vs re-architect.
• Application architecture: microservices, event-driven, API management.

Salary impact

AZ-305 is one of Microsoft’s most career-impactful certifications. Holders typically earn:

• Senior Cloud Architect (Azure): $155K-$215K base in US tech hubs (Glassdoor April 2026).
• Microsoft-shop premium: Banking and government Azure architects often earn 5-10% above AWS-shop equivalents due to compliance specialization.
• FAANG/Big Tech with Azure focus: Microsoft Azure architects at Microsoft, Accenture, Deloitte, large consultancies command $200K-$280K+ base + bonus + equity.

Best ways to prepare for AZ-305

Honest ranking by community consensus, not corporate preference:

#1 (free, official, genuinely best): Microsoft Learn AZ-305 path

Microsoft’s own learning platform has the complete AZ-305 path, completely free. ~30-40 hours of content covering all 4 domains, including hands-on labs in real Azure trial environments. For Azure certs specifically, Microsoft’s free official path is consistently the best primary resource — this is unique to Microsoft (AWS’s free Skill Builder isn’t as deep).

#2 (comprehensive paid alternative): A Cloud Guru / Pluralsight AZ-305

$35-50/month for ~25-30 hours of focused exam prep. Tim Warner’s and John Savill’s courses are the most-recommended on r/AzureCertification. Useful if you prefer structured paid courses over Microsoft Learn’s modular format.

#3 (essential): MeasureUp practice tests

$99 for the official Microsoft-endorsed practice test. Closest to actual exam difficulty. Whizlabs ($19-24) is a budget alternative with comprehensive coverage.

#4 (for portfolio + cert combo): Udacity Cloud Architect using Azure Nanodegree

If you want hands-on architecture experience to back up the cert: Udacity Cloud Architect using Microsoft Azure Nanodegree (nd090) — advanced level, 53 hours covering cost optimization, infrastructure monitoring, Zero Trust security, advanced IAM.

$399/month + ~$80-150/month Azure costs. Builds the architecture portfolio that complements the cert. Read our full Udacity Cloud Architect review.

Honest framing: Microsoft Learn is sufficient for AZ-305 exam prep. Udacity is for the portfolio that supplements the cert — not a replacement for the free official path.

10-12 week study plan (AZ-104-certified candidates)

Weeks 1-4: Domain 1 + 2 (deep)

• Microsoft Learn AZ-305 path (Domains 1+2 modules).
• Udacity Cloud Architect Azure modules 1-2 if pursuing Nanodegree.
• Hands-on: design and deploy hub-spoke VNet topology, configure Conditional Access policies, set up Azure Policy.

Weeks 5-7: Domain 4 (infrastructure)

• Microsoft Learn modules + Udacity Module 3-4.
• Hands-on: deploy AKS cluster, design multi-region active-active, build ExpressRoute scenario.

Weeks 8-9: Domain 3 (business continuity)

• Backup, Site Recovery, RPO/RTO design exercises.
• Database HA: Always On Availability Groups, Geo-replication.

Weeks 10-12: Practice + exam

• MeasureUp practice tests — aim for 80%+.
• Microsoft Official Practice Assessment.
• Schedule exam for end of week 12.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need AZ-104 to take AZ-305?

Technically no — you can take AZ-305 alone. But you can’t earn the “Solutions Architect Expert” credential without ALSO holding AZ-104. Most candidates do AZ-104 first.

How hard is AZ-305?

Hard. Expert-level case studies test architectural judgment more than memorization. Pass rates are ~50-60% for first-time candidates without focused prep.

How long is AZ-305 valid?

1 year, with FREE annual renewal via a 30-minute Microsoft Learn assessment. Practically lower-friction than AWS’s 3-year recertification (which requires re-exam).

What’s the difference between AZ-303/304 and AZ-305?

AZ-303 + AZ-304 was the previous two-exam path (retired March 2022). AZ-305 is the single replacement.

What jobs can I get after AZ-305?

Senior Cloud Architect, Cloud Solutions Architect, Principal Architect, Lead Cloud Engineer roles. Median TC: $185K-$280K in US tech hubs depending on company tier.

How does AZ-305 compare to AWS Solutions Architect Professional?

Roughly equivalent in scope and difficulty. AZ-305 emphasizes Microsoft ecosystem (Entra ID, Microsoft 365 integration); SAP-C02 emphasizes AWS scale architecture. Pick based on your target employer’s cloud.

Related guides

Cert path: AZ-204 (Azure Developer) · AWS Solutions Architect (SAA) · AWS vs Azure

Best courses: Udacity Cloud Architect Nanodegree (AWS + Azure variants) · Udacity Data Engineering