Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)

The Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) certification validates expertise in implementing, managing, and monitoring an organization's Azure environment. It is an associate-level certification aimed at IT professionals with hands-on experience managing Azure subscriptions, virtual networks, storage accounts, compute resources, and identity services. Candidates are expected to work with Azure CLI, Azure PowerShell, and the Azure Portal.

The exam is structured around five core domains: Manage Azure Identities and Governance (15–20%), Implement and Manage Storage (15–20%), Deploy and Manage Azure Compute Resources (20–25%), Implement and Manage Virtual Networking (20–25%), and Monitor and Maintain Azure Resources (10–15%). Key skills include configuring Azure Active Directory (now Entra ID), managing role-based access control (RBAC), deploying virtual machines, setting up Azure Virtual Networks, and implementing backup and recovery solutions.

AZ-104 is a prerequisite or co-requisite for many advanced Microsoft certifications, including AZ-305 (Azure Solutions Architect Expert) and several specialty paths. The exam contains 40–60 questions — including case studies, multi-choice, and drag-and-drop — lasting 120 minutes with a passing score of 700/1000. Recommended preparation involves 6+ months of Azure administration experience.