Monthly Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program update
On this page10 sections
- Changes to specializations and Solutions Partner designations
- The Sales, Service, Finance, and Supply Chain specializations have been updated
- Improvements to specialization audit reporting
- Updated ACR workloads for five Cloud & AI Platform specializations
- Coming soon
- Change in Cloud Security skilling calculation
- Updates to the Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure with Microsoft Azure Stack HCI specialization
- Addition of AB-650 to Modernize Endpoints specialization and Modern Work designation advanced skilling metric
- Removal of SC-400 from the Solutions Partner for Security designation, one year after its retirement
- Retirement of the Custom Solutions for Microsoft Teams specialization
What's new for Solutions Partner designations, specializations, and other Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program offerings and benefits.
- Impacted audience
- Partners enrolled in the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program
This month's updates continue to enhance partner differentiation and readiness across high-demand solution areas. Key changes include specialization updates that integrate AI capabilities, revised skilling and performance requirements, and streamlined qualification frameworks to support partner growth and agility.
Changes to specializations and Solutions Partner designations
The Sales, Service, Finance, and Supply Chain specializations have been updated
On August 24, 2026, four AI Business Solutions specializations were updated. The Sales, Service, Finance, and Supply Chain specializations all received the following changes:
- The eligible deployments are now defined by MAU instead of MCV.
- The gross growth performance requirement is being removed.
- Microsoft Marketplace tags are being updated to match current products.
Improvements to specialization audit reporting
Starting in September 2026, partners can withdraw their audit directly in Partner Center. Doing so changes their status to Audit Withdrawn and notifies the audit team. Partners can reapply for the audit as soon as they're ready, with no cooldown period.
Additionally, partners can view their Security or Azure Module A status in Partner Center. For specializations that require Module A, Partner Center displays the most recent completion date for that solution area and when the partner needs to complete Module A again.
Updated ACR workloads for five Cloud & AI Platform specializations
On August 31, 2026, the eligible Azure Consumed Revenue (ACR) workloads for five Azure specializations were updated to match the FY27 rollover taxonomy, and the specialization pages on partner.microsoft.com were refreshed to match. The specializations affected are AI Platform, AI Apps, App Modernization, Azure Virtual Desktop, and Azure VMware Solution. For each one, the strategic and super strategic pillars that count toward the performance requirements have been realigned to the FY27 rollover taxonomy, keeping the eligible ACR workloads and the pages current so partners can keep earning credit toward these specializations.
Coming soon
Change in Cloud Security skilling calculation
In October 2026, the Cloud Security specialization will be updated to count certifications more accurately and align the calculation with the other three Security specializations. Partners negatively impacted by the change will have until six months after the change goes live or their anniversary date, whichever is later, to update their certifications. After the change goes live, check Partner Center to confirm whether any certifications must be renewed to continue meeting the requirements.
Updates to the Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure with Microsoft Azure Stack HCI specialization
In October 2026, the Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure with Microsoft Azure Stack HCI specialization will be renamed to the Azure Local for Hybrid & Sovereign Private Cloud specialization. Additionally, the following updates will occur:
- The eligible Service Level 2 for the performance requirement is changing from Azure Stack HCI to Azure Local.
- The DevOps Engineer Expert certification is being removed from the skilling requirement.
- A new audit checklist will go into effect. Check Hybrid Cloud Infrastructure with Microsoft Azure Stack HCI specialization for the preview of the checklist.
Addition of AB-650 to Modernize Endpoints specialization and Modern Work designation advanced skilling metric
The Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert (MS-102) certification is retiring on November 30, 2026. The Microsoft 365 Certified: AI Services Administrator Associate (AB-650) certification is being added to the Modernize Endpoints specialization and Solutions Partner for Modern Work designation advanced skilling metric to address this retirement. Certifications achieved prior to their retirement remain valid for one year.
Removal of SC-400 from the Solutions Partner for Security designation, one year after its retirement
The Microsoft Information Protection Administrator Associate (SC-400) certification retired on May 30, 2025, remained eligible for the Solutions Partner for Security designation for one year, and is now being removed from the calculation.
Retirement of the Custom Solutions for Microsoft Teams specialization
The Custom Solutions for Microsoft Teams specialization will be retired in November 2026. After retirement, new enrollments and renewals will no longer be accepted. If you're currently enrolled, your specialization will remain active until your anniversary date. We encourage you to explore other Modern Work specializations to continue demonstrating your expertise.