A professional smiling at work A professional smiling at work

AI Apps on Microsoft Azure specialization

Specialization overview and requirements.

Specialization overview

Partners who demonstrate extensive knowledge of designing and developing AI solutions using AI platform, app platform, and data platforms may earn the AI Apps on Microsoft Azure specialization (formerly known as Build AI Apps with Microsoft Azure).

AI technology presents you with a unique opportunity to secure long-term cloud relationships with customers by streamlining processes with innovative app and database services that simplify the market, build opportunity, and impact recurring revenue streams. The AI Apps on Microsoft Azure specialization empowers partners with an active Solutions Partner for Data & AI (Azure) or Digital & App Innovation (Azure) designation to further differentiate their organizations, validate their technical skills, and build stronger connections with customers.

When you earn a specialization, you will have a customer-facing badge displayed on your business profile, gain access to specific go-to-market offerings, and be prioritized in customer searches in Microsoft Marketplace. To maintain high standards, this opportunity is available only to partners who meet stringent requirements.

Learn more about specializations.

How do I apply?

Only a partner administrator of an organization's Microsoft account can submit an application for the AI Apps on Microsoft Azure specialization. If you have the appropriate role and access, you can apply by signing in to Partner Center and navigating to your Partner Center dashboard > Membership > Specializations.

What are the requirements?

Eligible partners must meet the highest standards for service delivery and support. All requirements will be verified by Microsoft and/or a third-party vendor, either automatically or by manual review, and are subject to change.

Details

Your organization must have an active Solutions Partner for Data & AI (Azure) or Digital & App Innovation (Azure) designation.

Details

Your organization must complete the following performance requirements:

Your organization must show a total of $15,000 of Azure Consumed Revenue (ACR) from Microsoft Foundry and underlying AI services in the last 3 months, measured through following Strategic Pillars: Foundry Models, Foundry Services, GPU IaaS.

AND

Your organization must show a total of $15,000 of Azure Consumed Revenue (ACR) from Azure Application Platform services in the last 3 months, measured through following Super Strategic and Strategic Pillars.

Eligible Super Strategic Pillars: Developer, Apps.

AND

Your organization must show a total of $15,000 of Azure Consumed Revenue (ACR) from Azure Data Platform services (Cosmos DB, SQL DB Hyperscale, Azure SQL Core, MySQL PaaS, PostgreSQL PaaS, Fabric F SKU) in the last 3 months, measured through following Super Strategic Pillars and Strategic Pillars.

Super Strategic Pillar: Databases.
Strategic Pillar: Fabric F SKU.

AND

Your company must have at least 3 unique customers contributing to Azure Consumed Revenue (ACR) in the last 3 months from the following eligible Strategic Pillars and eligible association types. Learn more.

Eligible Super Strategic Pillars: Developer, Apps, Databases.
Eligible Strategic Pillars: Foundry Models, Foundry Services, GPU IaaS, Container Services, Fabric F SKU.

*The list of services included in the above Eligible strategic pillars are listed here.
*Eligible Association Types: Digital Partner of Record (DPOR), Partner Admin Link (PAL), Cloud Solution Provider (CSP).

Details

Your organization must have at least five (5) individuals who have passed the following certifications (one certification from each of the four certification groups listed below must be held by at least one individual):


You can have a combination of the same individuals or different individuals to meet the certification requirement.

*The Azure Developer Associate certification’s retirement date is July 31, 2026. If completed before retirement, it will remain valid for one year.

**The Azure AI Engineer Associate certification’s retirement date is June 30, 2026. If completed before retirement, it will remain valid for one year.

Details

Your organization must pass a third-party remote audit. Please see the audit checklist for more details.