AZ-900 vs AZ-104: Which Microsoft Azure Certification Should You Start With?
What You'll Learn
- ✓ The real difference between AZ-900 and AZ-104 in terms of depth and job impact
- ✓ Who should start with AZ-900 and who can skip straight to AZ-104
- ✓ The complete Azure certification path from Fundamentals to Expert
- ✓ How long each certification takes and what to study
- ✓ Which certification has better ROI for your career stage
"This is probably the most common question I get from IT professionals across the GCC." The answer depends entirely on your background. Having trained over 4,500 professionals across 14+ countries, here's the definitive answer.
What Is AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals)?
AZ-900 is an entry-level cloud certification covering cloud concepts, core Azure services, security, compliance, privacy, and pricing models. It targets individuals new to cloud computing across various roles.
- Non-technical, conceptual overview
- No configuration or building required
- 45-minute exam duration
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Questions | 40–60 |
| Duration | 45 minutes |
| Passing Score | 700/1000 |
| Cost | $165 USD |
| Prerequisites | None |
| Validity | Does not expire |
What Is AZ-104 (Azure Administrator)?
AZ-104 is Microsoft's associate-level administrator certification requiring hands-on skills with Azure Portal, PowerShell, Azure CLI, ARM templates, and Bicep. It covers:
- Identity and access management (Entra ID, RBAC)
- Virtual networking (VNets, NSGs, load balancers, VPN gateways)
- Compute (VMs, App Service, Azure Kubernetes basics)
- Storage management
- Monitoring (Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, Alerts)
- Governance (policies, locks, cost management, tags)
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Questions | 40–60 |
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Passing Score | 700/1000 |
| Cost | $165 USD |
| Prerequisites | Recommended 6 months Azure experience |
| Renewal | Required annually |
The Direct Comparison: AZ-900 vs AZ-104
| Factor | AZ-900 | AZ-104 |
|---|---|---|
| Level | Beginner / Conceptual | Associate / Hands-On Technical |
| Who it's for | Non-technical & new to IT | IT professionals with infra background |
| Technical depth | Low — concepts only | High — configuration & management |
| Hands-on labs? | Not required | Essential — labs are mandatory |
| Study time | 1–2 weeks | 4–8 weeks (with bootcamp) |
| Job market impact | Minimal alone | High — qualifies for Azure Admin roles |
| Average salary (UAE) | No direct impact | AED 12,000–22,000/month |
Who Should Start With AZ-900?
Start with AZ-900 if you:
- Are completely new to IT or cloud (no networking, server or infrastructure background)
- Work in business, sales, project management, or non-technical roles
- Need to understand your organisation's Azure environment without managing it
- Want a quick win and formal certification before deeper technical training
Who Should Skip AZ-900 and Go Straight to AZ-104?
Skip AZ-900 if you:
- Have experience with Windows Server, Active Directory, or networking (TCP/IP, VLANs, firewalls)
- Have VMware, Hyper-V, or any virtualisation experience
- Currently work in IT operations, infrastructure, or systems administration
- Have other cloud certifications (AWS, GCP, CCNA)
MCT Insight
"About 70% of candidates who start with AZ-900 wish they had gone straight to AZ-104. If you already have 2+ years of IT experience — skip AZ-900 entirely and book a 4-day AZ-104 bootcamp."
— Hasit Mankad, MCT
Common Mistake to Avoid
Many candidates spend 3 months collecting AZ-900, AI-900, SC-900 and DP-900 "Fundamentals" badges thinking it strengthens their profile. It doesn't. One AZ-104 is worth more than four fundamentals certifications combined in terms of career impact.
The Full Microsoft Azure Certification Roadmap
Step 1
Fundamentals (Optional for experienced IT)
- AZ-900 — Azure Fundamentals
- AI-900 — AI Fundamentals
- SC-900 — Security Fundamentals
Step 2
Associate Level (Most important for career entry)
- AZ-104 — Azure Administrator ← Start here
- AZ-204 — Azure Developer
- AZ-500 — Security Engineer
- AZ-700 — Network Engineer
Step 3
Expert Level (2–3 years experience recommended)
- AZ-305 — Solutions Architect Expert
- SC-100 — Cybersecurity Architect Expert
Hasit Mankad
Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) · 45+ Certifications · 23+ Years Enterprise IT
Founder of TACMinds. Trained 4,500+ IT professionals across 14+ countries. 94%+ first-attempt exam pass rate.
Ready to Get AZ-104 Certified?
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