SEO Title: Azure AZ-900 vs AZ-104 2026: Which Certification Should You Take?
Meta Description: Microsoft AZ-900 or AZ-104? Learn the differences between these Azure certifications, which one to take first, and how each affects your salary.
Azure AZ-900 vs AZ-104 2026: Which Microsoft Azure Certification Is Right for You?
Microsoft Azure’s certification path begins with two widely recognized credentials: the AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) and the AZ-104 (Azure Administrator). They are often confused by candidates because both cover Azure — but they target very different knowledge levels and career goals.
This guide clearly explains the differences between AZ-900 and AZ-104 and helps you decide which one to pursue first (or whether to skip AZ-900 entirely).
Disclaimer: Salary figures are estimates from LinkedIn Salary, Glassdoor, and Microsoft’s own certification outcome data as of 2026. Individual results vary.
AZ-900 vs AZ-104: Quick Comparison
| Factor | AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals | AZ-104: Azure Administrator |
|---|---|---|
| Level | Beginner (Fundamentals) | Intermediate (Associate) |
| Target Audience | Anyone: non-technical, students, beginners | IT administrators, sysadmins, cloud engineers |
| Exam Cost | $165 | $165 |
| Exam Format | 40–60 questions, 45 minutes | 40–60 questions + case studies, 100 min |
| Prerequisites | None | Recommended: 6 months Azure + IT experience |
| Hands-on Required | No | Yes — must know Azure Portal, CLI, PowerShell |
| Topics Covered | Cloud concepts, Azure services overview, pricing | Virtual machines, networking, storage, identity, monitoring |
| Prep Time | 2–4 weeks | 2–4 months |
| Avg. US Salary Impact | Entry-level positioning | +$10,000 – $25,000 vs non-certified peers |
| Best For | Non-tech roles, students, credential starters | IT pros moving to cloud administration |
What Is the AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals Certification?
The AZ-900 is Microsoft’s entry-level cloud certification. It validates conceptual knowledge of cloud computing and Azure services — not hands-on technical skills. The exam covers cloud computing concepts (what is the cloud, IaaS vs PaaS vs SaaS), core Azure services (compute, networking, storage, databases), Azure management tools (Azure Portal, CLI, Cloud Shell), security and governance concepts, and Azure pricing and service-level agreements.
The AZ-900 is appropriate for business analysts, project managers, sales professionals working with Microsoft products, students exploring cloud careers, and IT professionals with no prior cloud experience who need a quick foundational credential.
What Is the AZ-104 Azure Administrator Certification?
The AZ-104 is a professional-level certification that validates hands-on Azure administration skills. It covers managing Azure identities and governance (Active Directory, role-based access control), implementing and managing storage, deploying and managing virtual machines and containers, configuring and managing virtual networking (VNets, VPN Gateways, ExpressRoute), and monitoring and backing up Azure resources.
The AZ-104 requires practical experience — candidates who attempt it without hands-on Azure work typically struggle with the case study and scenario-based questions. Microsoft recommends 6 months of hands-on Azure experience before attempting the exam.
Do You Need AZ-900 Before AZ-104?
No. Microsoft does not require AZ-900 as a prerequisite for AZ-104. If you already have IT administration experience (Windows Server, Active Directory, networking), you can skip AZ-900 and go directly to AZ-104. The AZ-900 is most valuable for candidates who have no IT background and need a structured introduction to cloud concepts before tackling the more technical administrator content.
AZ-900 vs AZ-104: Which Should You Choose?
Choose AZ-900 if you are new to cloud computing with no IT background, you work in a business or non-technical role and need basic Azure literacy, or your employer requires a baseline Azure credential for compliance or awareness training. Choose AZ-104 if you are an IT professional or system administrator with hands-on experience, you want a cloud certification that leads to cloud administration roles, or you plan to continue the Azure certification path toward AZ-305 Solutions Expert.
What Comes After AZ-104?
The AZ-104 is the foundation for the Azure certification path. After AZ-104, the natural next step is the AZ-305 (Azure Solutions Architect Expert) — the advanced-level certification for professionals who design cloud solutions. The AZ-305 requires passing the AZ-104 as a prerequisite and is associated with salaries ranging from $115,000 to $165,000 in the US. Other post-AZ-104 paths include AZ-400 (DevOps Engineer), AZ-500 (Security Engineer), and AZ-700 (Network Engineer).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to prepare for AZ-900? Most candidates with basic IT awareness prepare in 2–4 weeks using Microsoft Learn (free) and practice tests. Candidates with no IT background may need 4–8 weeks.
How long does it take to prepare for AZ-104? Most candidates with IT administration experience need 2–4 months. Hands-on practice in the Azure portal is essential and cannot be replaced by book study alone.
Are both exams the same cost? Yes — both AZ-900 and AZ-104 cost $165, which is consistent with most Microsoft Associate-level certifications.
Do Microsoft Azure certifications expire? Yes. Azure certifications expire after 1 year, after which Microsoft requires a free renewal assessment (not a full re-exam) to maintain the credential. This is shorter than the 3-year cycle used by AWS and Google Cloud.
Final Verdict
If you have no cloud or IT background, start with AZ-900 — it provides the conceptual foundation you need. If you are an IT professional ready to move into cloud administration, skip AZ-900 and go directly to AZ-104. The AZ-104 is the more career-impactful certification, leads to higher salaries, and is the gateway to the advanced Azure certification path. Both exams cost $165, making AZ-104 the better investment for experienced IT professionals.
Last updated: June 2026. Azure certification requirements, formats, and renewal policies are subject to change. Always verify current details on the official Microsoft Learn website.