Azure Administrator (AZ-104) Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the Azure Administrator (AZ-104), eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
$165
Provider
Microsoft
Validity
1 year (renewal required)
Available
Global
Education
No formal education requirement
Experience
Recommended but not required
Specific Requirements
- There are no formal prerequisites. Microsoft does not require any prior certification to sit AZ-104.
- Microsoft's audience profile expects subject matter expertise in implementing, managing, and monitoring an Azure environment across virtual networks, storage, compute, identity, security, and governance.
- You should be familiar with operating systems, networking, servers, and virtualisation.
- Microsoft also expects experience with PowerShell, the Azure CLI, the Azure portal, Azure Resource Manager templates or Bicep files, and Microsoft Entra ID.
- AZ-900, the Azure Fundamentals certification, is not required. It is a reasonable starting point for candidates with no Azure exposure, and unlike associate-level certifications it never expires.
- You need a Microsoft Learn profile connected to your certification profile in order to schedule the exam and, later, to renew it.
Number of Questions
Microsoft does not publish a question count for AZ-104. Microsoft states that most Microsoft certification exams contain between 40 and 60 questions and that the number varies by exam and changes as the exam is updated.
Duration
100 minutes of exam time, with a published seat duration of 120 minutes. Five minutes of break time are built into the exam time. Candidates taking the exam in a language other than their first, where their preferred language is unavailable, may request an additional 30 minutes.
Question Format
Multiple choice, Multiple response, Drag and drop, Hot area, Active screen, Build list, Case studies, Problem and solution sets, where a solution is proposed and you judge whether it meets the goal, Labs: Microsoft publishes no list of exams containing labs, but AZ-104 publishes 100 minutes of exam time, which is the figure Microsoft gives for associate role-based exams without labs rather than the 120 minutes it gives for exams that may contain labs
Passing Requirement
700 or greater, the passing standard Microsoft applies to all technical certification exams
How It Is Delivered
Proctored, through Pearson VUE, either at a test center or online. Microsoft provides split-screen access to learn.microsoft.com during the exam, excluding Q&A, practice assessments, and your profile, with no additional time. An exam sandbox lets you rehearse the interface beforehand.
Languages Offered
English, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Korean, Japanese, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese (Brazil), Italian
Create a Microsoft Learn profile
Navigate to the exam page and click 'Schedule exam'
Choose Pearson VUE test center or online proctoring
Pay the exam fee and confirm your appointment
Score Scale
1 to 1,000 scaled score
Score You Need
700 or greater, the passing standard Microsoft applies to all technical certification exams
How It Is Calculated
Microsoft reports scaled rather than raw scores so that candidates can compare attempts across different question sets. The passing score reflects subject matter experts' judgement of question difficulty relative to an expected skill level, so easier sets require more points and harder sets require fewer. Scoring is compensatory across skill areas. There is no penalty for guessing, multi-part questions award one point per correct component, and some unidentified questions are unscored.
When You Get Results
Results appear within minutes of finishing for most exams, with a score report and a skill-area bar chart. Exams containing labs take about 30 minutes to score. The result is in your Microsoft Learn profile within 24 hours either way.
- Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo)
- Appointment confirmation
- For online: clean workspace, webcam, microphone
What are the prerequisites for the Azure Administrator (AZ-104)?
There are no formal prerequisites. Microsoft does not require any prior certification to sit AZ-104.. Microsoft's audience profile expects subject matter expertise in implementing, managing, and monitoring an Azure environment across virtual networks, storage, compute, identity, security, and governance.. You should be familiar with operating systems, networking, servers, and virtualisation.. Microsoft also expects experience with PowerShell, the Azure CLI, the Azure portal, Azure Resource Manager templates or Bicep files, and Microsoft Entra ID.. AZ-900, the Azure Fundamentals certification, is not required. It is a reasonable starting point for candidates with no Azure exposure, and unlike associate-level certifications it never expires.. You need a Microsoft Learn profile connected to your certification profile in order to schedule the exam and, later, to renew it..
How much does the Azure Administrator (AZ-104) cost?
The Azure Administrator (AZ-104) exam costs $165. This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the Azure Administrator (AZ-104)?
Create a Microsoft Learn profile → Navigate to the exam page and click 'Schedule exam' → Choose Pearson VUE test center or online proctoring → Pay the exam fee and confirm your appointment
What should I bring to the Azure Administrator (AZ-104)?
Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo). Appointment confirmation. For online: clean workspace, webcam, microphone.
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