- AZ-104 is the exam code for Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate, a role-based credential issued by Microsoft.
- The exam is delivered through Pearson VUE and costs $165 USD in the United States, with regional pricing elsewhere.
- Candidates need a passing scaled score of 700 or higher - not a raw 70% - across 40-60 questions in 100 minutes.
- The two heaviest domains are identities/governance and compute, each weighted at 20-25% of the exam.
What AZ-104 Actually Means
When someone references "AZ-104," they are referring to a specific Microsoft certification exam code - not a product, a software version, or an internal Microsoft project name. The full credential it unlocks is called Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate. The exam code is the shorthand the industry uses, and it appears on job postings, resumes, and LinkedIn profiles worldwide.
If you have been searching for the AZ-104 Meaning or wondering exactly What Does AZ-104 Stand For?, the answer lives in how Microsoft structures its entire certification portfolio - which is worth understanding before you decide whether to pursue this credential.
In short: pass exam AZ-104, earn the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate badge. That badge signals to employers that you can configure, manage, monitor, and secure Azure environments at an associate-level depth - the hands-on layer between entry-level Azure fundamentals and expert-tier architecture or DevOps specializations.
Microsoft's Exam Naming System Explained
Microsoft organizes its certifications by role and tier. The naming convention follows a two-letter prefix paired with a three-digit number:
- The prefix identifies the technology track. "AZ" signals an Azure-focused exam. Other prefixes include "MS" (Microsoft 365), "SC" (Security, Compliance, Identity), and "DP" (Data Platform).
- The number identifies tier and role. In the Azure track, numbers in the 900 range are fundamentals (AZ-900), numbers in the 100-400 range are role-based associate or expert level, and numbers in the 500+ range are specialty credentials.
- 104 places this exam firmly at the associate tier, alongside credentials like AZ-204 (Developer Associate) and AZ-305 (Expert). The "1" in 104 is a rough indicator of associate-level depth.
Understanding the naming system also helps you see where AZ-104 fits in a career path. Many professionals earn AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) first, then move to AZ-104 as their next step. Others come directly from on-premises IT careers and use AZ-104 as their cloud entry point. For a full exploration of what this credential is and who it's designed for, see What Is AZ-104?
What the Certification Covers
The AZ-104 exam is organized into five domains. Each domain represents a functional area of Azure administration, and Microsoft publishes the weight of each domain so candidates know where to invest their study time. The skills measured reflect the April 17, 2026 study guide, which is the current version.
Domain 1: Manage Azure Identities and Governance (20-25%)
The single heaviest domain alongside compute. Covers Microsoft Entra ID user and group management, role-based access control (RBAC), Azure Policy, management groups, subscriptions, and resource tagging strategies.
- Creating and managing users, groups, and service principals in Microsoft Entra ID
- Assigning and scoping RBAC roles at subscription, resource group, and resource levels
- Implementing and evaluating Azure Policy compliance
- Configuring management groups and subscription governance
Domain 2: Implement and Manage Storage (15-20%)
Covers Azure Storage accounts, Blob storage, Azure Files, storage security including shared access signatures and encryption, and data redundancy options.
- Configuring storage account access tiers and replication settings
- Managing Azure Files shares and Azure File Sync
- Securing storage with SAS tokens, managed identities, and private endpoints
Domain 3: Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Resources (20-25%)
Tied with identities/governance as the exam's heaviest domain. Covers virtual machines, Azure App Service, Azure Container Instances, and infrastructure automation with ARM templates and Bicep.
- Creating, configuring, and scaling virtual machines and VM scale sets
- Deploying and managing Azure App Service plans and web apps
- Automating deployments using ARM templates and Bicep files
- Working with Azure Container Instances and Azure Kubernetes Service basics
Domain 4: Implement and Manage Virtual Networking (15-20%)
Covers VNet design, subnetting, Network Security Groups, Azure DNS, VPN Gateways, peering, load balancers, and Azure Firewall fundamentals.
- Creating and configuring virtual networks and subnets
- Implementing NSGs and Application Security Groups
- Configuring site-to-site and point-to-site VPN connections
- Setting up Azure Load Balancer and Application Gateway
Domain 5: Monitor and Maintain Azure Resources (10-15%)
The lightest domain but not skippable. Covers Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, alerts, Azure Backup, Azure Site Recovery, and cost management tools.
- Configuring diagnostic settings and Log Analytics workspaces
- Creating metric and log-based alerts
- Implementing Azure Backup and recovery vaults
- Using Azure Cost Management and budgets
For a deep exploration of each domain with study priorities, see the AZ-104 Exam Domains 2026: Complete Guide to All 5 Content Areas.
Exam Mechanics: Format, Scoring, and Registration
The Exam Experience
AZ-104 is a proctored exam delivered exclusively through Pearson VUE. You can take it at a physical test center or via online proctoring from your own machine. Microsoft allocates 100 minutes for the scored content itself, though your total appointment time will be longer once you factor in check-in, the tutorial, and the post-exam survey.
Candidates commonly encounter 40-60 questions. The item types go well beyond simple multiple choice:
- Multiple choice and multiple select - select one or several correct answers
- Drag-and-drop - sequence steps or match items to categories
- Build-list - arrange items in the correct order
- Hot-area - click on the correct region of an image or diagram
- Case studies - scenario-based sections with multiple associated questions
- Lab or performance-based tasks - when scheduled for a delivery that includes them, you may complete real tasks inside a simulated Azure environment
Registration and Cost
The U.S. exam fee is $165 USD. Microsoft prices exams regionally, so candidates outside the United States may pay a different amount based on where their exam is proctored. Registration is handled through Pearson VUE, either via Microsoft's certification portal or the Pearson VUE website directly. For a complete breakdown of all costs associated with earning and maintaining this credential, see AZ-104 Certification Cost 2026: Complete Pricing Breakdown.
Prerequisites and Recommended Experience
There is no formal prerequisite certification required to register for AZ-104. Microsoft does, however, strongly recommend that candidates have hands-on experience with:
- Operating systems, networking, and server management fundamentals
- Virtualization concepts and infrastructure
- Azure CLI, Azure PowerShell, and the Azure portal
- Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates and Bicep
- Microsoft Entra ID administration
The exam is designed for working administrators, not students completing their first cloud course. If you are newer to Azure, building hands-on lab experience before exam day is not optional - it is essential.
Renewal: Free and Annual
Once you earn the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification, it is valid for 12 months. Renewal is free and does not require retaking the full AZ-104 exam. Microsoft provides an online renewal assessment through Microsoft Learn, and passing it extends your certification for another year. This annual renewal model ensures your credential reflects current Azure capabilities and keeps certification costs predictable over a career.
Microsoft Learn Access During Exams
For eligible role-based exams, Microsoft may permit limited access to Microsoft Learn documentation during the test. If available, no additional exam time is granted. This feature rewards candidates who understand how to navigate Azure documentation efficiently - not those who plan to look up every answer.
Who Earns AZ-104 and Why Employers Care
The job title most directly aligned with AZ-104 is Azure Administrator, but the credential appears across a wide range of roles. Systems engineers, cloud engineers, infrastructure engineers, and IT operations professionals all pursue this certification to validate cloud-specific skills that on-premises experience alone does not demonstrate.
Employers who post AZ-104 as a requirement or preference typically fall into a few categories:
- Managed service providers (MSPs) managing Azure environments for multiple clients simultaneously
- Enterprise IT departments migrating workloads from on-premises data centers to Azure
- Cloud-native companies where Azure is the primary infrastructure layer
- Government and regulated industries where certified personnel are required for compliance reasons
- Microsoft partners who need certified staff to maintain their Microsoft Partner status
The credential signals not just knowledge but verified, tested competency. For a detailed look at job market demand and the types of roles this credential unlocks, see AZ-104 Jobs.
Key Takeaway
AZ-104 is not an entry-level checkbox. Employers listing it are looking for candidates who can independently manage Azure subscriptions, enforce governance policies, troubleshoot networking issues, and keep production workloads running - skills the exam's domain weighting reflects directly.
Preparing for What AZ-104 Actually Tests
Domain Weighting Should Drive Your Time Allocation
Because identities/governance (Domain 1) and compute (Domain 3) each represent 20-25% of the exam, together they account for roughly 40-50% of your total score potential. Any preparation strategy that does not prioritize these two domains first is leaving points on the table.
Domain 1: Identities and Governance + Domain 3: Compute
- Build Microsoft Entra ID labs: create users, groups, assign RBAC roles
- Deploy VMs via portal, CLI, ARM templates, and Bicep - all four methods
- Configure Azure Policy assignments and evaluate compliance states
- Practice VM scale sets, App Service deployments, and container basics
Domain 2: Storage + Domain 4: Networking
- Create storage accounts with different replication and access tier settings
- Configure SAS tokens and test permissions hands-on
- Build VNets, subnets, NSGs, and VNet peering connections in Azure labs
- Set up a basic load balancer and DNS zone
Domain 5: Monitor and Maintain + Full Review
- Configure Log Analytics workspaces and create metric alerts
- Set up Azure Backup for a VM and walk through a restore
- Run timed practice tests covering all five domains
- Revisit weak areas identified by practice test performance
Practice Tests Are Domain-Specific Diagnostic Tools
Generic practice questions teach you to recognize answer patterns. Domain-specific practice questions at AZ-104 Exam Prep teach you to understand why a particular RBAC assignment is correct in a given scenario, or why one storage redundancy option fits a compliance requirement that another does not. The distinction matters at exam time, especially in case study sections where scenario context is everything.
For a structured approach to building a complete study plan, the AZ-104 Study Guide 2026: How to Pass on Your First Attempt walks through every domain with recommended resources and lab exercises. If you want an honest assessment of the exam's difficulty before committing, read How Hard Is the AZ-104 Exam? Complete Difficulty Guide 2026 first.
The Question Formats Require Hands-On Fluency
Hot-area and drag-and-drop questions are designed specifically to catch candidates who have only read about Azure rather than used it. Knowing that a Network Security Group contains inbound and outbound rules is insufficient if you have never actually built one. The exam's interactive item types reward the candidate who has navigated the Azure portal, written a CLI command, and debugged a failed ARM template deployment in a real or sandboxed environment.
| Item Type | What It Tests | Best Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple choice / select | Conceptual knowledge and scenario reasoning | Practice tests + Microsoft Learn modules |
| Drag-and-drop / build-list | Process sequencing and configuration ordering | Step-by-step lab walkthroughs |
| Hot-area | Portal and interface familiarity | Hands-on Azure free tier or sandbox labs |
| Case study | Applied judgment across multiple constraints | Full scenario practice tests with review |
| Performance-based / lab tasks | Direct task execution in a live-like environment | Regular hands-on lab practice across all domains |
For everything about the full AZ-104 Certification - from exam day logistics to post-certification career moves - the resources at AZ-104 Exam Prep are organized around exactly what this exam tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
AZ-104 is a Microsoft exam code. "AZ" identifies it as part of the Azure certification track, and "104" places it at the associate level for the Azure Administrator role. Passing the exam earns you the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate credential.
AZ-104 is the exam. Passing it awards the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification. In common usage, many people refer to both the exam and the resulting credential as "AZ-104," which is why the two terms appear interchangeably in job postings and study communities.
Microsoft allocates 100 minutes for the scored exam content. Your total appointment time will be longer because it includes check-in procedures, an optional tutorial, and a post-exam survey. Plan for a session that runs closer to two to two-and-a-half hours from arrival to departure.
You need a scaled score of 700 or higher on Microsoft's 1-1000 scoring scale. This is not a raw percentage. Microsoft's scaling model adjusts for question difficulty, so a 700 does not correspond to getting exactly 70% of questions correct.
Every 12 months. Renewal is free and completed through an online Microsoft Learn renewal assessment - you do not need to retake the full proctored exam. Microsoft notifies certified professionals when their renewal window opens, typically six months before expiration.