Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate AZ-104
Follow a topic roadmap built from the published exam blueprint, with lessons, practice exercises in a real terminal and practice exams.
Demonstrate your subject matter expertise in implementing, managing, and monitoring an organization's Microsoft Azure environment including virtual networks, storage, compute, identity, security, and governance.
What you'll learn
Every objective AZ-104 publishes, and what it asks you to be able to do.
- Manage Azure identities and governanceManage Microsoft Entra users and groups. Manage access to Azure resources. Manage Azure subscriptions and governance.
- Implement and manage storageConfigure and manage storage accounts. Configure access to storage. Configure Azure Files and Azure Blob Storage.
- Deploy and manage Azure compute resourcesAutomate deployment of resources by using Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates or Bicep files. Create and configure virtual machines. Provision and manage containers in the Azure portal. Create and configure Azure App Service.
- Implement and manage virtual networkingConfigure and manage virtual networks in Azure. Configure secure access to virtual networks. Configure name resolution and load balancing.
- Monitor and maintain Azure resourcesMonitor resources in Azure. Implement backup and recovery.
The exam at a glance
- Length
- 100 minutes
- Cost
- 165 USD
- Validity
- 1 year
- Style
- Hands-on
multiple choice case studies drag-and-drop hotspot and occasional interactive labs. Based on 04/17/2026. Pass mark is 700.
Sitting the exam
The part nobody publishes in a syllabus. For AZ-104 the logistics are study strategy: what you are allowed to read while the clock runs changes how you should practise, and what a second attempt costs changes when you should book.
Where you sit it
- The exam will be monitored by a proctor during your sitting.
- You may encounter interactive components that you need to complete during the exam.
If you do not pass
- Following an initial failure on an exam, candidates are required to wait a duration of 24 hours prior to a retake.
- Between all subsequent attempts up to five, a waiting period of 14 days is imposed.
- A given exam cannot be taken more than five times within a 12-month period starting from the initial attempt.
- Should you fail an exam 5 times, eligibility to retake it occurs 12 months from the date of the first attempt.
- Retaking a passed exam is not permitted unless your certification has expired.
- If applicable, you must pay to retake the exam.
- Waivers for the retake waiting period require a Pearson VUE case number confirming eligibility due to internet connectivity issues or equipment failure.
Booking it
- It is strongly recommended to register for an exam utilizing a personal Microsoft Account.
- Registering with an organizational account risks your exam records being lost and unrecoverable if you leave your organization.
- The price is based on the country or region where the exam is proctored.
Read off the official exam page on 10 September 2026. Rules change without notice, so confirm anything you are about to spend money on.
What the exam covers
Microsoft publishes the objectives but not a weight for each one, so treat these as equally likely to come up.
Course content
25 topics
1. Azure Fundamentals and Core Concepts
Azure subscription structure, resource groups, regions, and basic Azure portal navigation for administrators
2. Microsoft Entra ID Basics for Azure
Microsoft Entra ID tenants, authentication vs authorization, and identity as the control plane for Azure
3. Managing Users and Groups
- Manage Microsoft Entra users and groups
4. Role-Based Access Control Fundamentals
- Manage access to Azure resources
5. Built-in and Custom Roles
Built-in Azure roles and creating custom roles for specific access requirements
6. Subscription Hierarchy and Policy
- Manage Azure subscriptions and governance
7. Resource Protection and Cost Management
Resource locks to prevent accidental changes and cost management tools for Azure spending
8. Storage Accounts and Configuration
- Configure and manage storage accounts
9. Storage Access and Security
- Configure access to storage
10. Networking Basics
Fundamental networking concepts including IP addressing, DNS, and network protocols for Azure administrators
11. Azure Files and Blob Storage
- Configure Azure Files and Azure Blob Storage
12. Infrastructure as Code with ARM and Bicep
- Automate deployment of resources by using Azure Resource Manager (ARM) templates or Bicep files
13. Virtual Machine Basics
- Create and configure virtual machines
14. Virtual Machine Availability
Availability sets and availability zones for high availability virtual machine deployments
15. Virtual Network Fundamentals
- Configure and manage virtual networks in Azure
16. Advanced Virtual Networking
Service endpoints and virtual network peering for connecting Azure resources and networks
17. Secure Network Access
- Configure secure access to virtual networks
18. Name Resolution
- Configure name resolution and load balancing
19. Load Balancing Services
Azure Load Balancer, Application Gateway, and Traffic Manager for distributing traffic
20. Container Services
- Provision and manage containers in the Azure portal
21. Azure App Service
- Create and configure Azure App Service
22. Monitoring Basics
- Monitor resources in Azure
23. Application Monitoring
Application Insights for monitoring application performance and availability
24. Backup Fundamentals
- Implement backup and recovery
25. Backup Scenarios
Virtual machine backup and file share backup implementation
What to know before you start
- Operating systems
- Networking
- Servers
- Virtualization
- PowerShell
- Azure CLI
- The Azure portal
- Azure Resource Manager templates or Bicep files
- Microsoft Entra ID
Other Microsoft certifications
All Microsoft certificationsFrequently asked questions
How much does the AZ-104 exam cost?
165 USD. Confirm it on Microsoft's page before you book: exam fees change.
How long is the AZ-104 exam?
100 minutes. multiple choice case studies drag-and-drop hotspot and occasional interactive labs.
How many questions are on the AZ-104 exam?
multiple choice case studies drag-and-drop hotspot and occasional interactive labs. The sitting is 100 minutes long. Check the current count with Microsoft before you book.
How long is AZ-104 valid?
1 year. Check Microsoft's recertification route before it lapses.
Is the AZ-104 exam hands-on?
Yes. It is performance-based: you are given a live environment and a command line, and marked on what you actually do rather than what you can recognise. Reading alone does not prepare you for it.
What is on the AZ-104 exam?
5 objectives: Manage Azure identities and governance, Implement and manage storage, Deploy and manage Azure compute resources, Implement and manage virtual networking, Monitor and maintain Azure resources. Microsoft does not publish a weight per objective.
What should I know before starting AZ-104?
Operating systems. Networking. Servers. Virtualization. PowerShell. Azure CLI. The Azure portal. Azure Resource Manager templates or Bicep files. Microsoft Entra ID.
AZ-104 vs SC-900: what is the difference?
AZ-104: 100 minutes, 165 USD, hands-on, associate level. SC-900: 45 minutes, 99 USD, multiple choice, foundational level. Both are Microsoft exams with their own guide on this site.
Exam details from Microsoft. Always confirm on their page before booking.
What learners say about Acelro
About Acelro rather than the AZ-104 exam: what learners made of the gap analysis, the roadmap and the projects.
“The roadmap makes me focus on a learning curve, no matter the length.”
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