Partner program dates, in one calendar.
Checklist releases, transition windows, claim deadlines, and renewal windows for AWS and Microsoft partner programs, with the public source for each. Subscribe and we email you when one changes.
The next twelve months
November 18, 2026
Consulting competency checklist: the February 2026 release stops being accepted (Telecom example)
Applications on the Telecom competency checklist must use the August 2026 release after this date. Other competencies publish their own dates on their own checklists.
“AWS Partners may submit applications using the previous release (February 2026) until November 18th, 2026.”
Public source, read November 2, 2026 · AWS Competency November 30, 2026
Microsoft exam MS-102 retires; AB-650 replaces it
Skilling for Modern Work designations moves to AB-650. Points for MS-102 completed before retirement keep counting for a year.
“MS-102 retires November 30, 2026, and AB-650 launches October 30, 2026.”
Public source, read November 2, 2026 · Microsoft designations December 15, 2026
AWS fund request claims for 2026 requests are due
A claim is due 30 days after the activity completion date, or by December 15 of the calendar year of the request, whichever the page's funding expiration date shows.
“Claims must be submitted within 30 days after the activity completion date or by December 15th of the calendar year of the request.”
Public source, read November 2, 2026 · AWS funding December 16, 2026
AWS fund request extensions cannot end between December 16 and January 1
An extended end date for a fund request cannot fall in this window, so plan the new date before it opens.
“Cannot be between 12/16 and 1/1”
Public source, read November 2, 2026 · AWS funding December 31, 2026
AWS MSP checklist 7.1: last day valid for audits and renewals
Audits and renewals after this date use checklist 8.0.
“VCL 7.1 remains valid for audits and renewals through 31 December 2026.”
Public source, read November 2, 2026 · AWS Managed Service Provider (MSP) Early 2027 (day not published)
Microsoft designation renewal window starts 30 days before the anniversary
Today the window opens the day after the anniversary date and closes 30 days after it. Microsoft has not published the exact day of the change.
“Starting in early 2027, your renewal window starts 30 days before the anniversary date (AD) of your benefits offering.”
Public source, read November 2, 2026 · Microsoft designations January 1, 2027
AWS MSP checklist 8.0 supersedes 7.1
From this date the MSP validation checklist 8.0 is the version in force.
“VCL 8.0 has an effective pilot date of 21 August 2026 and supersedes VCL 7.1 starting 1 January 2027.”
Public source, read November 2, 2026 · AWS Managed Service Provider (MSP) February 2027 (day not published)
Next competency checklist release expected (Telecom example)
The page expects a new version in February 2027. Checklists refresh in February and August; the day is not published.
“The next version of this checklist is expected to be released in February 2027.”
Public source, read November 2, 2026 · AWS Competency, Foundational Technical Review (FTR) May 2027 (day not published)
Competency checklist from August 2026 can be used until May 2027 (Telecom example)
After this month applications use the newer release. The day is not published.
“AWS Partners may continue to use this version of the checklist until May 2027.”
Public source, read November 2, 2026 · AWS Competency June 1, 2027
AWS Service Delivery and Service Ready specializations are deprecated
A calendar fact only: the page states that new applications are already closed.
“AWS Service Delivery and AWS Service Ready Specializations will be deprecated on June 1, 2027.”
Public source, read November 2, 2026 · AWS Competency
Rules that move with your own dates
These have no single day: they depend on your anniversary or on the release.
Microsoft specialization renewal window
“The renewal window opens 60 days before the anniversary date and closes 30 days after your anniversary date”
Public source, read November 2, 2026 Microsoft specialization audits and customer references
“The audits and customer references requirements are revalidated every other year.”
Public source, read November 2, 2026 Microsoft designation renewal window today
“Your renewal window opens the day after your anniversary date and closes 30 days after your anniversary date.”
Public source, read November 2, 2026 AWS MSP checklist: a major release becomes the recognized version within 90 days
“will become the officially recognized version within 90 days of release”
Public source, read November 2, 2026
Get an email when a page changes
Khavion reads the public checklist and program pages every week. When one you follow changes, you get one plain email with what changed and a link to unsubscribe.
Every date is checked against its public page, and the sentence beside it is quoted from that page. A day a page does not state is shown as a month or a period, never guessed. Khavion is an independent consulting firm and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Amazon Web Services or Microsoft. Approval decisions rest with each provider.