microsoft partner agreement changes
The most immediate and critical hardware update for all partners is the full enforcement of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). As of April 1, 2026, Microsoft has moved from a “recommendation” phase to a “blocking” phase. Any Partner Center API calls made without a valid MFA claim in the access token are now strictly blocked. This is a non-negotiable security shield designed to protect against the systemic risk of identity-based attacks, which target the partner’s elevated privileges within customer tenants.
The AI Pivot: Solutions Partner with Certified Software
A significant structural reset occurred on January 1, 2026, regarding how partners access high-value incentives. Microsoft has unified its benefit structure under a single, high-fidelity designation. To remain eligible for Azure IP Co-sell benefits, partner-led incentives, and prioritized sales engagement, partners must now hold a Solutions Partner with Certified Software designation.
Operational Overhaul: MCA Attestation and Billing API v2
The administrative friction of managing customer agreements has also been optimized. As of February 2, 2026, the legacy Microsoft Customer Agreement (MCA) attestation UI and v1 APIs have been fully retired. The system now follows an “API-only” or “Direct Acceptance” logic. New customer orders are now blocked unless the partner uses the enhanced MCA attestation API or the customer directly accepts the agreement in their admin center.