AZ-900 vs AZ-104: Which Azure Certification Should You Take First?
Which of AZ-900 and AZ-104 you take first shapes the rest of your Azure certification path. Both certifications are valuable, but they serve different purposes and audiences. This guide compares them side by side and recommends a starting point for each level of experience.
The Quick Answer
If you're brand new to cloud computing and Azure: Take AZ-900 first. It builds the foundation you will keep coming back to during AZ-104 preparation.
If you already work in IT administration, have cloud experience, or manage Azure infrastructure: Skip AZ-900 and go straight to AZ-104. Your time is better spent on the technical skills AZ-104 tests.
AZ-900 and AZ-104 target very different skill levels, so the wrong choice can cost weeks of preparation.
Side-by-Side Comparison: AZ-900 vs AZ-104
| Factor | AZ-900 | AZ-104 |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty Level | Beginner / Foundation | Intermediate / Administrator |
| Exam Cost | $99 USD | $165 USD |
| Recommended Prep Time | 2-4 weeks | 6-12 weeks |
| Hands-On Labs Required | None | Essential |
| Prerequisites | None | None (but Azure experience helps) |
| Salary Impact | Minimal standalone | Significant increase |
| Job Market Demand | Low (too general) | High (directly applicable) |
| Cloud Concepts Covered | Yes, surface-level | Yes, in-depth application |
| Time Between Certifications | 3-4 months typical | N/A |
Understanding AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals
AZ-900 is Microsoft's entry-level certification covering foundational cloud concepts and Azure basics. It is designed for people with no cloud background.
What AZ-900 Tests
The exam has three domains:
Cloud Concepts (25-30% of exam)
- Shared responsibility models
- Cloud service types (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
- Cloud deployment models (public, private, hybrid)
- Benefits of cloud computing (scalability, reliability, global presence)
Azure Architecture and Services (35-40% of exam)
- Core Azure services (compute, networking, storage, databases)
- Azure App Service, Azure Virtual Machines, Azure Container Instances
- Azure networking options (VNets, Load Balancer, Application Gateway)
- Storage solutions (Blob Storage, File Shares, Disk Storage)
- Identity, access and security, including Microsoft Entra ID, Conditional Access, RBAC and Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Azure Management and Governance (30-35% of exam)
- Azure Resource Manager and resource groups
- Subscriptions and management groups
- Azure Policy and cost management tools
- Microsoft Purview and resource locks
- Service Health and Azure Monitor basics
AZ-900 Preparation Details
Time Required: 2-4 weeks for complete beginners
Studying full time, you can compress this into 10 days. Part-time study over 6 weeks is reasonable if you are fitting it around work and family.
Study Approach:
- Watch Microsoft Learn modules (free, official)
- Review practice questions on azureprep.com
- Complete Azure fundamentals learning paths
- Skip hands-on labs (not required for AZ-900)
Why People Underestimate This Exam:
AZ-900 is a fundamentals exam, but many candidates are surprised by how specific it gets. You need to know when to use Blob Storage, Azure Files or Managed Disks, which takes more than knowing that Azure has storage services. The exam tests comprehension as well as vocabulary.
Pass rate: Most people who prepare properly pass on the first attempt. Failures are concentrated among people who cram for a few days before the exam.
Where AZ-900 Adds Value
AZ-900 is worth taking in these situations:
- Career changers from non-technical roles: If you're moving from sales, HR or management into a cloud role, AZ-900 gives you credibility and the foundations.
- Project managers and business analysts: These roles benefit from understanding what Azure can do, even without hands-on administration.
- Learning pathway preparation: Taking AZ-900 before AZ-104 makes the learning curve gentler.
- Employer requirements: Some organisations require AZ-900 certification for hiring or promotions.
AZ-900 carries little weight in hiring for technical roles, where hiring managers look for AZ-104 or higher certifications that prove practical skills.
Understanding AZ-104: Azure Administrator
AZ-104 certifies practical Azure administration skills, and it has a direct effect on hiring prospects, salary negotiations and job responsibilities.
What AZ-104 Tests
The exam has five domains:
Manage Azure Identities and Governance (20-25% of exam)
- Microsoft Entra ID user and group management
- Microsoft Entra licences, external users and self-service password reset
- Role-based access control implementation
- Resource tagging and subscriptions management
Implement and Manage Storage (15-20% of exam)
- Azure Storage accounts and tiers (hot, cool, archive)
- Blob Storage, Azure Files, Table Storage, Queue Storage
- Storage replication and redundancy (LRS, GRS, GZRS)
- Shared Access Signatures and access keys
- Storage networking and firewalls
Deploy and Manage Compute Resources (20-25% of exam)
- Virtual Machines creation and configuration
- VM sizing and disk management
- Virtual Machine Scale Sets
- Azure App Service and Web Apps
- Azure Container Instances and Docker
- Backup and disaster recovery
Configure and Manage Virtual Networking (15-20% of exam)
- Virtual Networks and subnets
- Public and private IP addresses
- Network Security Groups and routing
- Load Balancing (standard and basic)
- VPN and ExpressRoute connections
- DNS and application gateways
Monitor and Maintain Azure Resources (10-15% of exam)
- Azure Monitor and Log Analytics
- Alerts and action groups
- Application Insights configuration
- Backup and recovery procedures
- Azure Update Manager
AZ-104 Preparation Details
Time Required: 6-12 weeks for people with Azure exposure
That assumes you are working full time while you study. With full-time study and an infrastructure background, 4 weeks is achievable.
Study Approach:
- Complete Microsoft Learn Administrator learning path (free, official)
- Practice hands-on labs in Azure portal (Microsoft Learn labs are free)
- Use azureprep.com practice tests repeatedly (aim for 80%+ scores)
- Deploy actual resources in Azure (free tier or low-cost subscriptions)
- Study real-world scenarios and architecture decisions
Why Hands-On Labs Matter:
Unlike AZ-900, AZ-104 cannot be passed on theory alone, because the exam expects you to know how services interact. Creating VMs, configuring NSGs, setting up storage accounts and implementing backups teaches that in a way videos and flashcards cannot.
Pass rate: How practical the exam is decides who passes. People who watch videos but skip hands-on labs usually fail. Those who deploy real resources and practise troubleshooting pass consistently.
The AZ-104 Career Impact
Passing AZ-104 has measurable career benefits:
- Hiring: Azure Administrator positions require or strongly prefer this certification.
- Salary: Azure certified administrators earn noticeably more than their non-certified counterparts, depending on geography and experience.
- Promotion: Internal promotions to cloud infrastructure roles often require this certification.
- Skills: You gain practical skills you can use in the job straight away.
Who Should Start with AZ-900
Take AZ-900 first if you fit any of these profiles:
Completely New to Cloud Computing
You have never worked with AWS, Google Cloud or Azure, and concepts such as availability zones, managed services and scaling are new to you. AZ-900 gives you the vocabulary and the mental model before you tackle Azure specifics.
Non-Technical Background Entering Cloud Field
You are moving from sales, finance, operations or another non-technical role into a cloud-adjacent position. AZ-900 gives you credibility and the context for technical discussions.
Business Roles (Managers, Architects, Product Owners)
You need to understand the cloud without deep implementation knowledge. AZ-900 covers enough to follow business impact, cost analysis and technology decisions.
Company Mandates AZ-900 First
Some organisations require junior team members to pass AZ-900 before AZ-104, so the whole team shares the same foundations.
Learning Preference: Gradual Progression
You learn best in steps, and going straight to AZ-104 feels like too much. AZ-900 builds confidence first.
Who Should Skip AZ-900 and Go Straight to AZ-104
You can skip AZ-900 if one of these describes you:
Experienced Infrastructure Administrator
You manage on-premises servers, networks, storage and security every day, and the concepts carry straight over to Azure. AZ-900 will feel very basic, and your time is better spent on Azure-specific implementation.
AWS or Google Cloud Certified
You already understand cloud architecture, service models and deployment options, and only need to learn Azure's approach and naming conventions. AZ-900 covers material you already know.
Professional with Cloud Experience
You have deployed resources in Azure as part of your job and understand subscriptions, resource groups, VMs and networking. AZ-104 formalises that knowledge, and AZ-900 would start you from scratch.
Strong IT Foundation (Network+, Security+, MCSA)
CompTIA or Microsoft certifications already show the foundations, so you are ready for the technical depth of AZ-104.
Significant Self-Study in Azure
You have completed Microsoft Learn modules on Azure services, deployed labs and studied architecture. Go straight to AZ-104 and get credit for those skills.
In short: if you already understand cloud concepts, skip AZ-900 and put those weeks into AZ-104.
The Typical Azure Certification Path
The most common progression is:
Stage 1: AZ-900 (Optional - Skip if Experienced)
Foundation level. 2-4 weeks prep. Covers cloud concepts and Azure basics.
Stage 2: AZ-104 (Administrator)
Intermediate level. 6-12 weeks prep. Covers hands-on administration and practical skills.
Stage 3: AZ-305 (Solutions Architect)
Advanced level. 10-16 weeks prep. Requires AZ-104 knowledge. Covers architecture, design, and large-scale implementation decisions.
Each stage builds on the one before, but the path is optional. Some people follow a specialty path instead:
Security Path: AZ-104 > SC-500 (Cloud and AI Security Engineer, replaces the retired AZ-500)
Developer Path: AI-200 (the current developer exam; AZ-204 retired 31 July 2026) skips administrator concepts
Data Path: AZ-104 > AZ-305 > DP-700 (Fabric Data Engineer Associate, replaces the retired DP-203)
A common data-focused path: AZ-104 > AZ-305 > DP-700.
Can You Skip AZ-900?
Yes. Many experienced administrators go straight to AZ-104 without difficulty. Skipping AZ-900 means the following:
What You Miss (If You Skip):
- Structured review of cloud service model definitions
- Formal overview of Azure's global infrastructure
- Compliance and governance frameworks overview
Why Experienced Admins Can Skip It:
You learn these concepts through use. Configuring VNets and NSGs in AZ-104 labs teaches you the infrastructure, and implementing RBAC teaches you governance. You pick up what AZ-900 covers in context.
The Catch:
Some AZ-104 questions draw on concepts that AZ-900 stresses, such as shared responsibility models or cloud deployment types. These questions make up only 5-10% of the exam, and your hands-on experience makes up for the gap.
The Cost of Skipping:
Skipping AZ-900 saves 2-4 weeks, but you need either substantial Azure experience or a willingness to pick up the foundations during AZ-104 preparation. That route is harder, so the decision depends on how much you already know.
How Quickly Can You Complete Both Certifications?
Timelines for completing both AZ-900 and AZ-104:
Fastest Path (Full-Time Intensive):
- Weeks 1-2: AZ-900 intensive prep and exam
- Weeks 3-8: AZ-104 intensive prep and exam
- Total: 8 weeks
This works if you study full time and have an Azure or infrastructure background.
Typical Path (Part-Time Study):
- Weeks 1-4: AZ-900 prep (1-2 hours daily)
- Week 5: AZ-900 exam
- Weeks 6-17: AZ-104 prep (2-3 hours daily + weekend labs)
- Week 18: AZ-104 exam
- Total: 4.5 months
Realistic Path (Balancing Work and Study):
- Weeks 1-6: AZ-900 prep (1 hour daily)
- Week 7: AZ-900 exam
- Weeks 8-24: AZ-104 prep (1.5-2 hours daily + 4-6 weekend lab hours)
- Week 25: AZ-104 exam
- Total: 6 months
Most people who complete both certifications do so within 4-6 months. Available study time limits progress more than the content does.
Preparation Resources: AZ-900 vs AZ-104 on AzurePrep
azureprep.com offers AZ-900 free in full with a free account, and a free preview of AZ-104.
For AZ-900 Preparation:
- Practice exams with realistic question formats
- Explanations for correct and incorrect answers
- Coverage of all three exam domains
- Instant scoring and progress tracking
- Ability to retake exams to identify weak areas
For AZ-104 Preparation:
- Practice tests covering all five exam domains
- Scenario questions in the style of the real exam
- Detailed explanations for complex concepts
- Progress tracking across domain areas
- Performance analytics showing readiness
To get the most from practice tests:
- Start early: Take practice tests before you feel ready, to get a baseline.
- Review thoroughly: Work out why each option is correct or incorrect, as well as checking your score.
- Repeat weak areas: Retake exams focusing on domains where you scored below 75%.
- Simulate exam conditions: Take full-length practice tests in one sitting to build endurance.
- Stop using them: Once you consistently score 85%+ on AZ-104 practice tests, you're ready for the real exam.
Alongside practice tests, use:
- Microsoft Learn: Official free learning modules for both certifications
- Azure Sandbox: Free hands-on lab environment in Microsoft Learn
- Azure Free Account: Deploy actual resources to practice
- YouTube channels: Search "AZ-104 exam prep" for walkthrough videos
Making Your Decision: The Framework
To decide between AZ-900 and AZ-104:
Choose AZ-900 First If:
- You cannot name three Azure services
- You've never worked with any cloud platform
- You need 2-4 weeks to build confidence
- Your employer requires AZ-900 first
- You are coming from a completely non-technical background
Choose AZ-104 Directly If:
- You work in IT infrastructure currently
- You've already used Azure in your job
- You hold CompTIA or Microsoft certifications
- You understand virtual networking and storage
- You've completed Azure learning paths already
When In Doubt:
Ask yourself:
- Can you explain what a virtual network is?
- Do you understand the difference between PaaS and IaaS?
- Have you configured storage or virtual machines?
- Are you familiar with subscriptions and resource groups?
If you answered "yes" to all four, start with AZ-104. Otherwise, consider AZ-900 first.
The Bottom Line on AZ-900 vs AZ-104
AZ-900 builds cloud literacy for anyone who works near Azure. AZ-104 is the certification hiring managers look for in Azure administrators.