What the certification covers
Microsoft pitches this credential at experienced solution architects who design AI-driven business solutions built from several Microsoft services. The candidate profile expects broad knowledge of core Dynamics 365 apps, Power Platform, Copilot Studio and Microsoft Foundry. It also expects you to design multi-agent solutions, work with open protocols like Agent2Agent (A2A) and Model Context Protocol (MCP), secure AI models and data flows, read agent telemetry, and build a return-on-investment case for an AI solution.
The listed responsibilities read like a lead architect's week on a large program. You set the architecture strategy and roadmap for agent-first processes, turn business and technical requirements into a design, prototype AI components, and own the ALM and environment strategy. Third-party AI tools are in scope too. Microsoft lists the job role as Solution Architect.
Skills measured on the AB-100 exam
The exam page splits the exam into three areas: plan AI-powered business solutions (35 to 40 percent), design AI-powered business solutions (30 to 35 percent), and deploy AI-powered business solutions (20 to 25 percent). The passing score is 700. The exam page shows no retirement date, and the exam is offered in English plus twelve other languages, including Japanese, German, French, Spanish and Portuguese (Brazil).
Microsoft has posted an update to the English exam for November 16, 2026. It says localized versions follow about eight weeks later. If you sit the exam after that date, study from the current AB-100 study guide linked on the exam page, since that is where Microsoft records the changed skills. Microsoft also offers a free practice assessment on AI Skills Navigator and an instructor-led course, Architecting agentic AI business solutions (AB-100T00).
Which associate certifications count
The certification page, last updated October 14, 2026, lists thirteen associate certifications. You need at least one. Dynamics 365: MB-310 Finance, MB-330 Supply Chain Management, MB-500 Finance and Operations Apps Developer, MB-800 Business Central Functional Consultant, MB-820 Business Central Developer, MB-230 Customer Service, AB-210 Sales AI Consultant and AB-250 Contact Center AI Engineer. Power Platform and AI: PL-400 Power Platform Developer, AB-620 AI Agent Builder, AB-410 Intelligent Applications Builder, AI-103 Azure AI Apps and Agents Developer and AI-300 Machine Learning Operations Engineer.
The AB-100 exam page also lists two more: Customer Experience Analyst Associate (MB-280) and Power Platform Functional Consultant Associate (PL-200). Both are retired. The PL-200 page says it retired on August 31, 2026, and neither can be earned or renewed now. Microsoft's two pages disagree on whether these still count, so don't plan on them. One more naming point: the AB-100 page still labels the developer certification PL-400. The developer certification page says PL-400 is moving to AB-400. PL-400 registration closed on October 16, 2026, and new candidates now take AB-400.
Who it suits, cost and pay
The certification fits senior functional or technical leads who already hold an associate certification in their product and now design Copilot and agent work across Dynamics 365 and Power Platform. If you are early in your career, earn the associate certification for your product first and get real project experience. The exam assumes you can defend design decisions. Microsoft sets the exam price by the country where you sit it and says to confirm the price with the exam provider. Renewal is free.
Remember that any pay figure here describes the job, not the certification. US adverts on D365 Market for solution architect roles that state pay had a median of $165,500 a year (13 adverts). In the UK, IT Jobs Watch shows a median of £96,250 for permanent Dynamics 365 Architect roles in the six months to November 5, 2026. Both figures are advertised pay.
Pay
USD a year, before tax. D365 Market advertised pay, US adverts on d365market.com that state pay, snapshot 2026-11-05 (solution architect, 13 adverts from 11 employers). These figures are advertised pay, not earnings, and they lean toward US states with pay transparency laws. This is not an official Dynamics 365 pay rate. Refer to the Solution & Technical Architect salary guide for figures from live adverts.
What you need
- Pass AB-100You need a score of 700 on the AB-100 exam, which covers planning, designing and deploying AI-powered business solutions.
- Hold one associate certificationYou need at least one of the thirteen associate certifications on the certification page, for example MB-310, MB-330, MB-500, MB-800, MB-820, MB-230, PL-400, AB-210, AB-250, AB-410 or AB-620.
- Exam feeMicrosoft sets the price by the country or region where the exam is proctored. You book through Pearson VUE from the exam page.
- Free renewalWhen the certification is within six months of expiring, you can renew it by passing a free online assessment on Microsoft Learn. The assessment covers AI cost and benefit, extensibility, prebuilt agent configuration, and agent monitoring and tuning.
- Use a personal accountMicrosoft recommends booking with a personal Microsoft account. If you book with a work or school account, your exam records are lost when you leave that organization.
How to get there
- Years 1-3Earn a product associate certificationPick the associate certification that matches your project work, such as MB-310 for Finance, MB-230 for Customer Service, MB-800 for Business Central, or AB-400 (still labeled PL-400 on some pages) for Power Platform development.
- Years 3-6Lead design work on real projectsTake on solution design, ALM and environment strategy, and integration decisions. Include at least one Copilot Studio or agent delivery.
- 2-3 monthsPrepare against the current study guideUse the AB-100 study guide, the free practice assessment on AI Skills Navigator, and the AB-100T00 course if you want instructor-led training.
- Exam daySit AB-100Book through Pearson VUE. If you take the English exam on or after November 16, 2026, you get the updated version.
- Before expiryRenew each cycleOnce your expiry is within six months, pass the free online renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn.
Open now on D365 Market
Questions people ask
Can I take AB-100 before I hold an associate certification?
Yes. You can sit the exam first. To get the expert certification, though, you need AB-100 plus at least one of the associate certifications on the certification page.
Does my Power Platform Functional Consultant (PL-200) certification count?
Don't rely on it. PL-200 retired on August 31, 2026. The AB-100 exam page still lists it, but the certification page does not. Earn one of the thirteen associate certifications on the certification page to be safe.
Is the developer prerequisite PL-400 or AB-400?
The certification is Power Platform Developer Associate. The AB-100 page labels it PL-400, while the developer certification page says PL-400 is moving to AB-400. PL-400 registration closed on October 16, 2026, so new candidates take AB-400.
How much does the AB-100 exam cost?
Microsoft sets the price by the country where the exam is proctored and asks you to confirm it with the exam provider before booking. Taxes and promotional discounts are not included in the listed price. Renewal assessments are free.
Is AB-100 changing soon?
Yes. Microsoft has posted an update to the English exam for November 16, 2026, with localized versions about eight weeks later. The study guide linked on the exam page explains what changed.
Sources
- Microsoft Learn: Agentic AI Business Solutions Architect Expert certification
- Microsoft Learn: Exam AB-100
- Microsoft Learn: AB-100 certification renewal
- Microsoft Learn: Power Platform Developer Associate
- Microsoft Learn: Power Platform Functional Consultant Associate (retired)
- Microsoft Learn: Dynamics 365 Customer Experience Analyst Associate (retired)
- D365 Market: advertised salaries
- IT Jobs Watch: Dynamics 365 Architect permanent salaries
