---
title: "I’m Now Azure Developer Certified (AZ-204)"
description: "I earned the Microsoft Azure Developer Associate certification (AZ-204) in 2024. Here is how I prepared, and how the studies became my own Azure course."
url: https://tn-data.se/we-are-now-azure-development-certified/
type: post
lang: en
date: 2024-08-26
author: "Tore Nestenius"
site: https://tn-data.se/
image: https://tn-data.se/_astro/az-204-passed.DTdIYgPN_Z1jpxqz.webp
---

# I’m Now Azure Developer Certified (AZ-204)

**Update:** the material I wrote while preparing became my workshop [Introduction to Azure for Developers](https://tn-data.se/courses/introduction-to-azure-for-developers-workshop/), and the open-source project is the [Cloud Debugger](https://github.com/tndata/CloudDebugger), which I describe in [Introducing the Cloud Debugger for Azure](https://nestenius.se/azure/introducing-the-cloud-debugger-for-azure/).

I have recently earned the Microsoft Azure Developer Associate certification (AZ-204). It is part of how I keep my Azure development skills up to date.

## The Certification and What It Means for Me

The AZ-204 certification shows that I can design, build, test and maintain cloud applications and services on Microsoft Azure. These are key skills when I deliver solutions to my clients.

### My Path to AZ-204 Certification

Here’s how I prepared:

1. **Structured Training:** I began with [Scott Duffy’s AZ-204](https://www.udemy.com/course/70532-azure/) course, which gave me a solid foundation in Azure services and development practices.
2. **Microsoft Learn:** To build on this foundation, I worked through the Microsoft Learn modules for AZ-204. They let me explore Azure services in more depth, so that I knew Azure Functions, Logic Apps, and Cosmos DB well.
3. **Skill Validation:** To check that my knowledge was both broad and practical, I used practice tests from Microsoft and [Whizlabs](https://www.whizlabs.com). The tests showed me where I needed to improve.

### Getting Azure Certified the Hard Way

My goal was to understand the material well enough to apply it and teach it.

- **Developing Custom Training Materials:** As part of my preparation, I developed my own set of Azure training materials, including PowerPoints and hands-on exercises. This deepened my understanding, and it gave me material I can use when I train client teams.

I follow a simple rule:

> **_You don’t fully understand something until you can explain it to someone else._**

That is why I learn the material well enough to explain it to others, whether in training sessions, consultations, or collaborative projects.

- **Sharing My Insights:** I have been writing about what I learned in a series of blog posts that will soon be available at [https://nestenius.se](https://nestenius.se).
- **Contributing to the Community:** I am also working on an open-source project to help developers learn and troubleshoot Azure.

### What This Means for My Clients

With my Azure development skills now validated, I can help my clients build cloud solutions with more confidence. Whether you need help designing cloud applications, improving your Azure services, or custom training for your team, I can help.

**[Contact me](https://tn-data.se/contact/) if you want to know more about how I can support your Azure projects.**