Microsoft is rolling out critical updates to its partner program following a strong Q2 fiscal 2026, where cloud revenue surged 26% to $51.5 billion. For Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) partners, the early 2026 changes require immediate action to prevent operational disruptions as the company doubles down on AI and cloud services.
Three Policy Changes Partners Must Address
| Change | Effective Date | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| MCA API Retirement | January 2026 | New orders blocked unless customers accept MCA directly or partners use new enhanced API |
| QRP Consolidation | Q3 FY2026 | Referrals moved to Partner Center; CRM integrations must be updated |
| EST Grace Period Ends | April 2026 | Free grace periods for non-renewed subscriptions eliminated |
MCA API Retirement Already in Effect
Microsoft has retired the legacy Microsoft Customer Attestation (MCA) API, Partner Center UX attestation, and bulk attestation tool. All new customer orders are now blocked unless the customer accepts the MCA directly in the Microsoft 365 Admin Centre or the partner attests on their behalf using the new enhanced API. Partners who haven’t validated their integrations with the new API are facing order failures and provisioning delays.
Referral Program Consolidation Coming
The Qualified Referral Program (QRP) is being retired in Q3 fiscal year 2026 and consolidated into Partner Center Referrals. Partners must update CRM integrations and sales processes to align with the new single-intake system. Microsoft has framed the move as streamlining what was previously a fragmented referral workflow.
Billing Grace Period Eliminated
The free grace period for Extended Service Term (EST) subscriptions ends in April 2026. After this date, customers must either cancel their subscriptions or transition to a paid EST to avoid service interruptions. According to Microsoft, the policy change aims to prevent unexpected service shutdowns and reduce billing risks for partners.
AI Cloud Partner Program Gets February Refresh
The updates tie into Microsoft’s broader Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, designed to equip partners for scaling AI solutions. A February refresh will add additional licenses for AI and security products, along with what Steve Thomas from Microsoft described as a nominal 3% price adjustment
.
Thomas noted that partners who renew or purchase before the February update can lock in current pricing for the year ahead while still receiving the new benefits once they roll out.
What Partners Need to Do
The immediate priorities are clear. Confirm MCA attestation processes are compliant with the new API to prevent business disruption. Begin migrating sales and CRM workflows from QRP to Partner Center Referrals. Proactively communicate the upcoming EST changes to customers to manage renewals and avoid subscription lapses.
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