What Replaced Microsoft Gold Partner Status?
Gold Partner tier retired September 30 2022. Replaced by Solutions Partner Designations under the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program.
Last updated July 7, 2026 by Errin O'Connor, Founder & Chief AI Architect, EPC Group
Microsoft retired Gold and Silver Partner status September 30 2022, replaced by Solutions Partner Designations under the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program (renamed from Microsoft Cloud Partner Program in early 2024 to reflect AI-first strategy). Six core Solutions Partner Designations: Data & AI, Modern Work, Business Applications, Infrastructure, Security, Digital & App Innovation. Earned via 3-pillar continuous validation model. Fewer than 50 firms globally hold all six. Any firm still advertising Gold Partner status in 2026 has not re-qualified under the current framework.
Key Facts
- Microsoft Gold + Silver Partner tiers retired September 30 2022
- Replaced by Solutions Partner Designations (Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program)
- Six core Designations: Data & AI, Modern Work, Business Applications, Infrastructure, Security, Digital & App Innovation
- Continuous 3-pillar validation: Performance + Skilling + Customer Success
- Fewer than 50 firms globally hold all six designations simultaneously
- EPC Group held Gold Partner status 2000-2022 (22 continuous years, oldest continuous in North America); now holds all six core Solutions Partner Designations
Gold Partner Retirement FAQ
When did Microsoft retire Gold Partner status?
Microsoft officially retired the Gold and Silver Partner tiers September 30 2022 as part of a broader partner program modernization. The Gold Partner competency framework — which had defined partner tiering since roughly 2005 — was replaced by Solutions Partner Designations under the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program. Partners who held Gold status could continue advertising it through Dec 31 2022 as a grandfather period. Any firm still advertising Gold Partner status in 2026 has not re-qualified under the new framework and is misrepresenting their current partner tier.
What is the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program?
The Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program (formerly the Microsoft Cloud Partner Program, launched October 2022) is the current partner program framework, updated in early 2024 to include AI-specific incentives. It organizes partners into three tiers: (1) Partner (baseline, any active partner). (2) Solutions Partner (earned via designation in one or more of six solution areas). (3) Specialized (Advanced Specializations layered on Solutions Partner status for validated deeper expertise). All partner-facing programs, benefits, and marketing rights flow through this framework.
What are Solutions Partner Designations?
Six core Solutions Partner Designations: (1) Data & AI (Azure) — analytics, Fabric, Copilot, machine learning. (2) Modern Work — Microsoft 365, Teams, Copilot for M365, SharePoint. (3) Business Applications — Dynamics 365, Power Platform. (4) Infrastructure (Azure) — Azure IaaS, hybrid, migration. (5) Security — Defender, Purview, Entra ID, Sentinel. (6) Digital & App Innovation (Azure) — DevOps, containers, custom application development. Each Designation is earned via a 3-pillar scoring model (Performance + Skilling + Customer Success), re-qualified annually. See /answers/microsoft-solutions-partner-designations-explained-2026 for the full breakdown.
Why did Microsoft retire Gold Partner?
Four drivers: (1) Cloud-first world — the old Gold competency framework was designed for on-premises Windows Server + SQL Server + Exchange + SharePoint on-prem. Cloud subscriptions needed a different measurement model based on actual usage, not just certifications. (2) Continuous validation — Solutions Partner Designations use ongoing telemetry (billing, usage, certifications, customer surveys) instead of once-per-cycle competency exams. (3) Customer outcome focus — the new framework weights customer success and usage growth more heavily than technical certifications alone. (4) AI + Copilot rollout — the 2024 update to the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program name reflects Microsoft's AI-first strategy shift.
What was Gold Partner status?
Microsoft Gold Partner (2000-2022) was the top tier of the old Microsoft Partner Network competency framework. To earn Gold status in a competency (like SharePoint, Power BI, or Windows Server), partners had to: (1) Achieve minimum revenue thresholds selling Microsoft licenses. (2) Employ 4+ certified Microsoft professionals in that competency. (3) Submit customer case studies with references. (4) Pay an annual Microsoft partner subscription fee. Firms could hold Gold status in multiple competencies (SharePoint Gold + Power BI Gold + Azure Gold). The Gold designation was retired September 30 2022 in favor of Solutions Partner Designations.
What did EPC Group's Gold Partner heritage entail?
EPC Group held Microsoft Gold Partner status from 2000 through the program's retirement in 2022 — the oldest continuous Gold Partner in North America (22 years). Gold Partner competencies held during that period spanned SharePoint, Power BI, Microsoft 365, Azure, and Business Applications. Following the September 2022 retirement, EPC Group re-qualified under the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program and now holds all six core Solutions Partner Designations. See /answers/microsoft-solutions-partner-designations-explained-2026 for the current status.
How can I verify a firm's current Microsoft partner status?
Three verification methods: (1) Microsoft Partner Center directory at partner.microsoft.com/en-us/solution-providers — search by firm name; visible Solutions Partner Designations and Advanced Specializations are shown. (2) Microsoft Partner Locator at partnerlocator.microsoft.com — search by service area + location. (3) Direct request — ask the firm for their Microsoft Partner Center listing URL and screenshots of active designations. Any firm that resists or cannot produce this information is a red flag.
Verify EPC Group Solutions Partner Status
EPC Group holds all six core Solutions Partner Designations. Verify at partner.microsoft.com. Call (888) 381-9725.
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