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Microsoft 365 Administrator (MS-102)

The Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert certification is listed for retirement on 30 November 2026. Microsoft has not published a direct replacement on that page.

Vendor record

Retiring

The Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert certification is listed for retirement on 30 November 2026. Microsoft has not published a direct replacement on that page.

Starting now? This exam retires within 90 days. Our default study recommendations use a 90-day preparation buffer, so review the current route before buying materials. Existing candidates should check their readiness and booking with the vendor.

Current name
Microsoft 365 Administrator (MS-102)
Exam code
MS-102
Ongoing commitment

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

Renewal sources & exceptions

A retiring certification can have an earlier renewal deadline than its expiry date. Check the personalised renew-by date in Microsoft Learn; renewal must happen before certification retirement.

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

Source: Microsoft Learn · Read 22 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.

Exam and assessment lab retirement Microsoft exam pricing

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

Existing candidates and holders

Check the vendor's booking and credential rules if you are already studying or hold this qualification. An exam retirement does not erase your previous learning. This page preserves the record and does not change any saved credential.

Practical exercise for existing holders
Certifications Project guide Home projects Back to certification

Home labs & practical projects

Prepare a Microsoft 365 administrator handover

A project to do with your own tools, with guidance on what to create and capture.

Design project Suggested time: 2–3 hoursNo hardware required for the design

For existing holders and historical learning. Check the current credential before starting exam preparation.

01

What you could create

A small organisation is changing its Microsoft 365 administrator. It needs a clear record of privileged access, service dependencies and operational responsibilities.

Example evidence format
Project evidence map (example)
Tenant operations ownership mapScope and inputs
Administrator transition checklistDecisions and reasoning
Evidence record (example)
EvidenceWhat to capture
Tenant operations ownership mapShow the inputs, scope and decisions behind this record. Ownership of each service is explicit.
Administrator transition checklistInclude the evidence supporting your conclusion. Privileged access is reviewed before the outgoing administrator’s account is removed.
02

What you'll need

Document, spreadsheet or diagram tool

Invent a tenant with users, groups, two administrators and three business services. Include a stale privileged account and an undocumented ownership gap.

Project record

Keep the working files for tenant operations ownership map and record assumptions as you go.

Current reference material

Use the linked provider resources to verify the features, access terms and version relevant to your project.

Access & cost

No paid platform is needed for the written version. Use a document, spreadsheet or diagram tool you already have.

The organisation and records are fictional. Write down assumptions; do not substitute confidential employer information.

03

Suggested milestones

  1. 1

    Plan and investigate

    Map administrator roles and service ownership.

  2. 2

    Develop your approach

    Define lifecycle, service-health and incident responsibilities.

  3. 3

    Verify and explain

    Create a handover checklist with recovery access and verification evidence.

04

Useful resources

Use these resources to deepen your understanding and check key details.

Official certification objectives

Review the current provider requirements and relevant subject areas.

Explore external learning resources

Find relevant providers and check features, access requirements and costs.

Turn the project into evidence

Keep your artefacts and reasoning together so you can explain what you did.

A useful starting point

Invent a tenant with users, groups, two administrators and three business services. Include a stale privileged account and an undocumented ownership gap.

What a good result looks like
  • Ownership of each service is explicit.
  • Privileged access is reviewed before the outgoing administrator’s account is removed.

Finish the project

Keep the decision record and note unanswered questions. A written design is not evidence that a technical control has been tested.

Independent home-project guidance, not an official vendor lab or a claim of complete exam coverage. Use your own tools and label the work accurately.

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