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Microsoft · Cloud

Azure Administrator (AZ-104)

Build and manage Azure compute, networking, storage and identity solutions.

View certification details
Manage access safely

Work with Microsoft Entra ID, users, groups and role assignments to control access to Azure resources.

Connect and protect workloads

Practise virtual networks, connectivity and access rules for a small Azure workload.

Monitor, recover and control cost

Use monitoring, storage and recovery checks to explain how a workload behaves and what it costs.

What you will learn to do

Manage access safely

Work with Microsoft Entra ID, users, groups and role assignments to control access to Azure resources.

Connect and protect workloads

Practise virtual networks, connectivity and access rules for a small Azure workload.

Monitor, recover and control cost

Use monitoring, storage and recovery checks to explain how a workload behaves and what it costs.

Certification essentials

Requirements, costs and keeping it current.

Check the vendor record and ongoing commitment alongside the career guidance.

Pricing view
Market

Vendor record

Live

Live, one exam (AZ-104). Microsoft last updated the certification page on 17 April 2026 and states a renewal frequency of 12 months.

Source: Microsoft Learn · Read 17 September 2026

Sourced fields only; this does not mean every exam detail has been verified. Pricing and renewal policies have their own sources and check dates. Confirm the currency, tax and final booking total with the vendor.

Role-fit guidance is TechWaymark editorial interpretation. It is separate from the recorded vendor facts and does not measure hiring outcomes.

Costs and renewal

Exam cost
Check current vendor pricing
Exam format
Exam format not yet verified — check the vendor's exam page
Keeping it current

Renew annually by passing a free, online Microsoft Learn assessment during the 6 months before expiry.

Renewal sources & exceptions

This applies to the earned certification, not an individual exam pass. Renewal must be completed before expiry and while its assessment remains available.

Renewal policy checked 2026-09-28. Check the linked provider policy for current fees and eligibility.

No verified quote held for this market. Check booking currency, taxes, membership, training and renewal fees with the vendor; no currency conversion is assumed. Check the vendor record before booking.

Current vendor pricing source ↗
Preparation and practical skills

Recommended prior knowledge

  • AZ-900 or equivalent vocabulary

Common misconceptions

  • Azure Administrator (AZ-104) may meet a named requirement; it does not guarantee shortlisting or replace documented work.

What this cert does NOT guarantee

  • Guaranteed interviews, a salary increase or proof of production experience.
Alternatives and related certifications

Where this fits

  • None required
This cert
Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
  • Top of this lane

Alternative routes

No single right path. These adjacent options reach similar roles.

  • AZ-305
    Common follow-on or adjacent credential, see the graph for full lineage.
  • Terraform Associate
    Common follow-on or adjacent credential, see the graph for full lineage.

Adjacent & overlapping

  • AZ-305
  • Terraform Associate
Career outcomes and limitations

Realistic first roles

Azure administration

How people actually get here

    Real-world career variations

    Timeline expectations

    1. Months 0–2Foundation reading, concepts, vocabulary.
    2. Months 2–4Hands-on labs, documented home projects.
    3. Months 4–6Practice exams, weak-area drills, exam.
    4. Post-examUse target vacancies to guide applications and projects. There is no guaranteed time to a first role.

    Study resources

    Study options

    Choose the right mix for your goals and experience. Links below go to official and third-party resources.

    Guided study

    Structured resources from established providers can help build knowledge and skills.

    Compare study options →

    Third-party providers. Commercial terms, pricing and availability apply.

    Practice environments

    Explore suitable environments for practical work. Check the tools, features and access you need.

    Compare practice resources →

    External resources. Check current costs and access requirements.

    Resources are selected for relevance. Compare access, syllabus coverage and total cost; a listing does not imply a commercial partnership.

    Compare the resources for Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
    Learning pathProvider source

    Microsoft Learn. AZ-104 free path

    Reading + interactive

    Free resource; confirm current access terms
    View resource
    PracticeProvider source

    Microsoft Official Practice Assessment

    Quiz

    Free resource; confirm current access terms
    View resource
    PracticeExternal resource

    MeasureUp AZ-104 Practice Test

    Quiz

    Check the resource provider for current local pricing
    View resource
    Instructor-ledProvider source

    Microsoft Course AZ-104T00 (via partner)

    Instructor-led

    Check the resource provider for current local pricing
    View resource

    Check the current syllabus, access terms and total cost before choosing. Resource inclusion does not guarantee exam success.

    Optional home projects

    Build something you can explain.

    Ideas to explore after choosing a certification, using your own tools and keeping evidence of your work.

    Example project evidence
    Project evidence map (example)
    Deployment diagram and definitionScope and inputs
    Failure investigationDecisions and reasoning
    Change and verification resultsChecks and limitations
    Evidence record (example)
    ObservationQuestion to investigateEvidence
    Deployment operation failedDoes the deploying identity have the required access at this scope?Operation details and the relevant role assignment

    Recover a failed Azure deployment

    A deployment of a small test workload fails after a configuration change. Another administrator needs a repeatable diagnosis and recovery procedure.

    Cloud sandbox Your own tools Evidence guidance
    View project guide
    Track this certification

    Editorial route and career guidance. No separate external evidence review is recorded for this assessment.

    Editorial evidence review: pending · UK market. Vendor facts and prices elsewhere on this page have their own sources and check dates.