AZ-900 and AZ-104 sit at different levels of the Azure path. AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) is a beginner, mostly conceptual exam that anyone can take with no experience. AZ-104 (Azure Administrator) is a hands-on associate exam for people who actually manage Azure. If you are new to the cloud, take AZ-900 first; if you already administer Azure, you can go straight to AZ-104.
AZ-900 vs AZ-104 at a glance
| AZ-900 | AZ-104 | |
|---|---|---|
| Level | Foundational | Associate |
| Best for | Beginners and non-technical roles new to the cloud | IT pros administering Azure day to day |
| Main focus | Cloud concepts, core Azure services, pricing, SLAs, and governance | Hands-on administration: identity, governance, storage, compute, virtual networking, monitoring |
| Prerequisites | None | AZ-900 or equivalent hands-on Azure experience (recommended, not required) |
| Difficulty | Beginner - mostly conceptual | Intermediate - hands-on and scenario-based |
| Exam length | 45 min | 100 min |
| Passing score | 70% | 70% |
Key differences
- Level and audience. AZ-900 is foundational and aimed at anyone - including sales, project, and management roles. AZ-104 is an associate exam for hands-on administrators.
- Depth. AZ-900 tests whether you understand cloud and Azure concepts. AZ-104 tests whether you can configure and manage resources, so it includes detailed, scenario-based questions.
- Effort. Most people prepare for AZ-900 in a few weeks. AZ-104 typically needs more study plus real hands-on practice in the Azure portal and CLI.
Which should you take?
Take AZ-900 first if you are new to Azure or the cloud - it builds the vocabulary AZ-104 assumes. If you already work with Azure day to day, skip straight to AZ-104; AZ-900 is not a prerequisite. Many people do both: AZ-900 to build confidence, then AZ-104 as their first "real" role-based certification.
Frequently asked questions
Is AZ-900 required before AZ-104?
No. AZ-900 is not an official prerequisite for AZ-104. It is recommended if you are new to Azure, but experienced administrators often skip straight to AZ-104.
Is AZ-104 much harder than AZ-900?
Yes. AZ-900 is a beginner, concept-focused exam, while AZ-104 is a hands-on associate exam with detailed configuration and scenario questions. Expect to study more and practice in a real Azure environment.
Should I take both AZ-900 and AZ-104?
It is a common and reasonable path: AZ-900 to build confidence and vocabulary, then AZ-104 as your first role-based certification. If you are already experienced, AZ-104 alone is enough.