What is the prerequisite for AZ-104?

There are no formal prerequisites (like other certs) for the AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator certification, but Microsoft recommends at least six months of hands-on Azure administration experience and strong familiarity with core IT concepts (networking, VMs, storage, security) and Azure tools (Portal, PowerShell, CLI, ARM templates) for success, making the Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) a good foundational step.

Does AZ-104 have prerequisites?

There are no formal prerequisites to the AZ-104 certification. However, 6+ months of Azure administration experience is recommended.

Can I get AZ-104 without AZ 900?

Yes, you can. There is no requirement to pass the AZ-900 fundamentals exam before you sit for AZ-104.

What are the requirements for the Azure AZ-104 exam?

Prerequisites and Skills Required for the AZ-104 Exam

You will also need to be acquainted with the core IT concepts like Virtualisation, Networks, Servers, and Operating Systems. Proposed basic knowledge base/ basics are: Virtual machines, virtual disks, and networking. TCP/IP, VPNs, DNS, encryptions and firewalls.

What experience do I need for AZ-104?

The AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate certification does not require formal prerequisites. However, Microsoft recommends at least six months of hands-on experience administering Azure, along with a solid understanding of Azure cloud services.

How Difficult is the AZ-104 Azure Administrator Exam?

Can I pass AZ 104 in 1 month?

Yes, passing the AZ-104 exam in one month is achievable but challenging, requiring intense focus, significant daily study (3-4+ hours), hands-on labs, and leveraging resources like Microsoft Learn, John Savill's YouTube videos, and practice exams, especially if you have some prior cloud or IT experience. It depends heavily on your dedication, background, and effective study habits, as some pass in weeks, while others with less experience take longer. 

Is AZ 104 an open book exam?

Open Book. The exam is open book in the sense that you have access to the complete Microsoft Learn website and you can actually search on it too.

What's the salary for an Azure Admin?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $137,000 and as low as $41,000, the majority of Microsoft Azure Administrator salaries currently range between $70,000 (25th percentile) to $104,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $123,500 annually across the United States.

Can a non-technical person learn Azure?

With the right approach, mindset, and resources, non-technical individuals can gain a working knowledge of Azure and even specialize in certain areas. This article explores how non-technical professionals can learn Azure, why it's a valuable skill, and the strategies to make the learning journey smooth and rewarding.

Is the AZ 104 exam hard or easy?

The AZ-104 Azure Administrator exam is considered intermediate to challenging, requiring significant hands-on experience and broad/deep knowledge of Azure services like networking, storage, compute, identity, security, and governance. Its difficulty comes from complex, scenario-based questions that test practical judgment and how services interact, often involving lengthy text and diagrams, making it mentally fatiguing and testing troubleshooting skills. Many candidates find it harder than expected and some don't pass on the first attempt, requiring thorough preparation beyond just the AZ-900 fundamentals. 

How long is AZ 104 valid for?

today I wrote the AZ-104( Azure Administrator) certification, and it has a validity period of 1 year, but usually azure will give 2 years of validity.

Is Azure free for 12 months?

Bring your vision to life with free services. These services are free up to the specified monthly amounts. Some are always free to all Azure customers, and some are free for 12 months to new customers only.

What is the salary of AZ 900?

Employees who know Az 900 earn an average of ₹26.2lakhs, mostly ranging from ₹26.1lakhs per year to ₹26.4lakhs per year based on 2 profiles. The top 10% of employees earn more than ₹26.4lakhs per year.

How long to prep for AZ 104?

Multiply the time it took you to prepare for AZ-900 by 10 for the minimum and by 20 for the maximum it should take to be ready to pass the AZ-104 exam. So, for example, if you spent 10 hours preparing for AZ-900, you can expect to take anywhere from 100 to 200 hours preparing for AZ-104.

What are common mistakes on the AZ-104 exam?

Top 7 Mistakes To Avoid While Preparing For AZ 104 Exam

• Ignoring the AZ-104 Exam Skills Outline.
• Skipping Hands-on Azure Practice Labs.
• Not Understanding Role-Based Certification Expectations.
• Relying Only on AZ-204 or Outdated Azure Materials.
• Cramming Instead of Following a Study Plan.

How many attempts does AZ 104 have?

You may not take a given exam more than five (5) times within a 12-month period from the first attempt. If you failed the exam 5 times, you'll be eligible to retake it again 12 months from the date of your first attempt. You cannot retake an exam you've passed unless your Certification has expired.

Will AI replace Azure?

Answer: No, AI will not replace Microsoft Azure developers. AI can automate different tasks: infrastructure provisioning, code suggestions, and performance optimization. AI doesn't fully replace the strategic thinking and problem-solving that a developer brings.

What is the most difficult Azure exam?

Due to its extensive coverage of cloud architecture, networking, security, storage, identity, and DevOps, the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification is thought to be the most difficult. Candidates must create complete Azure solutions according to actual business needs.

Is Azure 900 enough to get a job?

The Azure AZ-900 certification is a great starting point for cloud careers, proving foundational knowledge, but it's generally not enough on its own to land a job; it gets your resume noticed and opens doors to entry-level roles, but needs to be supplemented with practical experience and more advanced certs like AZ-104 (Admin) to truly stand out in a competitive market. It's valuable for beginners and career changers to show basic understanding, but employers often look for hands-on skills for roles beyond basic support. 

How much do Azure administrators make in Canada?

How much does an Azure Administrator make in Ontario? As of Jan 1, 2026, the average annual pay for an Azure Administrator in Ontario is $119,222 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $57.32 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,292/week or $9,935/month.

What is the highest paid Azure certification?

The Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) and Azure DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ-400) certifications are among the highest paid, with salaries often exceeding $130,000 in the U.S.

What is the highest paid admin job?

The highest-paying administrative jobs are typically senior-level roles in specialized fields like healthcare, tech, and corporate management, with titles such as Hospital CEO/Administrator, Healthcare CIO, Senior Executive Assistant to C-Suite executives, Project Manager, Operations Manager, and Regulatory Affairs Manager, often earning six figures by managing large operations, finances, or technology. Roles like Grants Manager, Budget Director, and Public Relations Manager in public administration also offer substantial salaries, while specialized roles like Legal/Executive Assistant for top executives can command high earnings. 

What to take before AZ 104?

Which certification is more foundational, AZ 900 or AZ 104? AZ-900 gives you a basic understanding of Azure cloud concepts, making it a foundation for beginners. AZ-104 focuses more on practical skills needed by Azure administrators. Start with AZ-900 to build a strong foundation before you move on to AZ-104.

What is the next certification after AZ 104?

For professionals interested in designing and implementing Azure-based solutions, the AZ-305 certification is the next logical step.

Are there labs for AZ 104?

For AZ-104 preparation, you get a complete package of 33 hands-on labs. These are finely-tuned demo Azure infrastructure that allows you to apply your theoretical knowledge and learn the inside out Azure cloud administration.