Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104): Requirements & Exam Details

Informational only — not financial or career advice. Exam fees and certification requirements change, and the figures here are accurate only as of the listed verification date. Confirm the current fee and rules directly with the certifying body before you register or budget. We report the official-body exam fee for a single attempt; it excludes prep courses, materials and retakes, and is not the total cost of certifying.

The Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) professional certification is issued by Microsoft and targeted at candidates pursuing or working in Azure administrator roles. Microsoft recommends approximately six months of hands-on experience administering Azure as prerequisite preparation, though formal education requirements vary by individual learning path. The certification exam carries a single-attempt fee of $165 as of June 2026; this fee structure applies to the Associate role-based certification tier and is subject to change at the issuer's discretion.

The Azure Administrator credential remains valid for one year from the date of award. Renewal is available at no charge, provided the credential holder meets Microsoft's renewal requirements within the validity window. Eligibility criteria, exam fees, renewal policies, and all technical requirements are established and maintained by Microsoft and subject to revision. Candidates should verify current prerequisites, pricing, and renewal terms directly on Microsoft's official certification pages before registering for the exam.

Register with the issuer. Eligibility, fees and renewal rules are set by Microsoft and can change — confirm on the official page.

Full cost breakdown → · How to prepare →