Microsoft Certified: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (MS-900) - RETIRED¶
Important Notice¶
The MS-900 exam and its certification were retired on March 31, 2026. It can no longer be taken and the certification can no longer be earned or renewed. Credentials already earned stay on the holder's Microsoft Learn transcript. This guide is kept as historical reference.
Source: Microsoft Learn - exam retirement
Overview¶
The Microsoft 365 Fundamentals certification validates foundational knowledge of Microsoft 365 services, productivity solutions, security, compliance, privacy, and trust principles. It's a non-technical entry-point for sales, support, business decision-makers, and IT professionals beginning their M365 journey.
Quick Reference¶
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Exam Code | MS-900 |
| Full Name | Microsoft Certified: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals |
| Provider | Microsoft |
| Format | Multiple choice, multiple response (no labs) |
| Duration | 65 minutes (~45 questions) |
| Cost | $99 USD |
| Validity | Does not expire (perpetual) |
| Passing Score | 700 / 1000 |
| Delivery | Online proctored or testing center |
📖 Official MS-900 page 📖 Microsoft Learn MS-900 study guide
Exam Domains¶
| # | Domain | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Describe cloud concepts | 10-15% |
| 2 | Describe Microsoft 365 apps and services | 30-35% |
| 3 | Describe security, compliance, privacy, and trust in Microsoft 365 | 25-30% |
| 4 | Describe Microsoft 365 pricing, licensing, and support | 25-30% |
Study Materials in This Guide¶
| File | Description |
|---|---|
| fact-sheet.md | Reference with high-yield facts and Microsoft Learn links |
| practice-plan.md | 3-week study plan |
| scenarios.md | 10 exam-style scenarios |
| notes/01-cloud-and-m365-overview.md | Cloud concepts, M365 vs Office 365, deployment models |
| notes/02-m365-apps-and-services.md | Office, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Exchange, Power Platform, Copilot |
| notes/03-security-compliance-trust.md | Defender, Purview, Entra ID, Zero Trust, compliance |
| notes/04-licensing-pricing-support.md | M365 SKUs, licensing models, support plans, FastTrack |
Recommended Study Time¶
| Background | Estimated Prep Time |
|---|---|
| Existing M365 admin or user | 1-2 weeks |
| IT background, no M365 experience | 3-4 weeks |
| New to IT | 5-6 weeks |
MS-900 is foundational and high-pass-rate. Most candidates pass with 20-30 hours of study.
Hands-on Setup (optional but helpful)¶
- Microsoft 365 Developer Program - free 90-day E5 sandbox tenant
- Explore Microsoft 365 admin center, Teams, SharePoint, Outlook
- Try Copilot, Defender XDR, and Purview in the sandbox
Companion Materials¶
- AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals - Azure-side counterpart
- SC-900 Security/Compliance/Identity Fundamentals - deeper on security/compliance
- AI-900 AI Fundamentals - AI counterpart
After MS-900¶
Common next steps:
- MS-102 Microsoft 365 Administrator Expert - core M365 admin (Exchange, Teams, SharePoint, identity)
- AZ-104 Azure Administrator Associate - Azure-side admin
- SC-200 Security Operations Analyst - if security-focused
- MS-700 Teams Administrator Associate - Teams specialist