The Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) certification guide (2024)

The Microsoft Azure Administrator certification demonstrates your ability to implement, manage and monitor Microsoft Azure environments. It also proves that you know how an organization can use Azure to bolster its cloud computing:

Learn how to manage Azure governance and identities
Discover how to deploy the compute resources Azure uses
Show employers that you can serve as an Azure administrator and have the skills to support an effective Azure implementation

Get Certified

Key facts

AZ-104 salary: Average salary for AZ-104 certification holders as of 2023 is $90,897
Date the AZ-104 certification replaced the AZ-103 Certification: August 31, 2020
AZ-104 prerequisites: 6+ months of administering Azure is recommended

Begin your journey to getting certified with an Azure Administrator Training Boot Camp.

Microsoft Azure Administrator certification overview

The Microsoft Azure Administrator certification is one of the most important credentials employers look for when evaluating Azure specialists. It validates your skills and expertise to help organizations maximize their Azure implementations. After getting your AZ-104 certification, you can pursue credentials like those for Azure Solutions Architects, Security Engineers and Cloud Developers.

The AZ-104 exam demonstrates that you understand and are comfortable administering Azure to meet an organization's goals. The most recent version of the AZ-104 exam covers five domains:

Microsoft AZ-104 exam details

The AZ-104 exam covers how to deploy and manage Azure resources and how to ensure users have the access they need to get the most from their implementation.

Launch date:	August 31, 2020	Last update:	October 26, 2023
Number of questions:	Between 40 and 60	Type of questions:	Labs, case studies and multiple choice
Length of test:	120 minutes	Passing score:	700/1000
Recommended experience:	Six months or more using Azure	Languages:	English, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, Japanese, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Chinese (Traditional), Italian, Indonesian (Indonesia)
Validity duration:	One year	Renewal process:	60 (20 per year for three years) You need to pass an online assessment before your certification expires

Additional Microsoft AZ-104 exam resources

You can use several free resources to get ready for the exam. A place to start is the exam outline provided by Microsoft, which can serve as an AZ-104 syllabus and this Preparing for Azure AZ-104 article. While these provide a useful jumping-off point, you can use several tools to prepare for your Azure certification path.

Microsoft AZ-104 study guides and books

Microsoft Azure Administrator AZ-104 Study Guide & Exam Prep
Microsoft Azure Administrator Exam Ref AZ-104 1st Edition
AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator: Study Guide with Practice Questions and Labs - Volume 1: Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Resources: Third Edition - 2023

Microsoft AZ-104 practice questions and exams

Free practice assessment from Microsoft
Azure: Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) Practice Tests
AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator: Study Guide with Practice Questions & Labs - Volume 1 of 3: Compute Services: Second Edition - 2022

Most paid preparation courses also offer practice questions, including Infosec Azure boot camps.

Other free Microsoft AZ-104 training resources

There are a number of other free CISSP training materials being produced and shared by the community:

Online forums, like Reddit and the Microsoft Community Hub, give you a chance to connect with others working toward their Azure administrator certification or those who've already taken the exam.
You can also check out videos on YouTube that give you exam tips. Some are formal training videos, while others teach you about the kinds of questions on the exam.
Podcasts like Cyber Work may not directly prepare you for the exam, but they can provide additional career guidance and general exam tips.

Microsoft AZ-104 jobs and careers

For many Azure professionals, the AZ-104 certification serves as a launching point for a more lucrative career in administering Azure. It also serves as a foundation for earning other Azure certifications, all of which can help take your career to the next level.

Common Microsoft AZ-104 job titles

Many doors open when you are Microsoft Azure Administrator AZ-104 certified. Here are common job titles. Your title will vary depending on your organization and responsibilities.

Cloud administrator Azure administrator
Infrastructure architect
Operations manager
Systems administrator
Cloud support engineer
Azure systems analyst

Azure live boot camps and self-paced training

Obtaining your Azure certification takes a lot of hard work and studying, and getting professional instruction can help all that hard work pay off. Paid training is also a great option for those looking to get certified quickly or those who want extra assistance mastering the concepts covered on the exam.

Live Microsoft Azure Boot Camps

Infosec offers four-day Azure Administrator and seven-day Azure Dual Certification boot camps. Advantages of enrolling in a boot camp include:

Live instruction: Learn from an expert instructor and interact with industry peers as you build your skills.
Everything you need: Infosec Azure Boot Camps support you before, during and after your boot camp to help you prepare for the exam.
Higher pass rates: Infosec stands by its Azure training with an Exam Pass Guarantee. That means if you fail your Azure exam on your first attempt, you'll get a second attempt at no cost.

Learn more about the Microsoft Azure AZ-104 Administrator Boot Camp.

Self-paced Azure training

If you're looking to build your Azure and cloud skills at your own pace, there are a variety of self-paced training options available:

Azure Security Engineer Associate Learning Path: Build your Azure security skills in the 8.5-hour learning path.
Securing Cloud-based Applications Learning Path: Learn how to effectively secure cloud-based applications from various attack vectors in this five-hour learning path.
Browse the Infosec Skills course library: Explore dozens of cloud-security-focused courses, learning paths and hands-on exercises.

Learn more about self-paced Azure training.

Azure certification comparisons and alternatives

The Microsoft Azure Administrator certification provides valuable knowledge and skills in the Microsoft Azure environment. However, it isn't the only certification to consider. Here are some comparisons and alternatives.