AZ‑104 Exam Cost & Preparation Guide – How Much Does the Azure Administrator Certification Cost?

Microsoft Azure remains the leading cloud platform worldwide, continuously evolving and demanding skilled professionals to manage its complex services. As the platform grows, so does the demand for certified Azure experts.

Microsoft recently retired the AZ‑103 exam, replacing it with the updated AZ‑104. A common question among aspiring professionals is: What is the cost of the AZ‑104 certification? Understanding the exam objectives, study resources, and total investment is essential before committing.

Effective Strategies for AZ‑104 Success

Preparing for the AZ‑104 exam early and following a structured plan significantly improves your chances of success. Below are proven approaches:

Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ‑104)

Our virtual classroom course covers:

• Managing Azure subscriptions and resources
• Creating and scaling virtual machines
• Implementing storage solutions
• Configuring virtual networking and connectivity
• Backing up, sharing data, and monitoring solutions
• Integrating Azure with on‑premises environments
• Securing identities with Azure Active Directory

Enroll today and start your Azure career with confidence.

Begin with the Official Exam Page

The Microsoft certification portal provides the most accurate, up‑to‑date information on the AZ‑104 exam, including release dates, prerequisites, and a detailed syllabus.

Download the Exam Blueprint

Access the official exam blueprint to see the exact topics covered and the weight each domain carries. This document helps you gauge your readiness and plan focused study sessions.

Leverage Online Courses and Practice Tests

Enroll in reputable online training from Microsoft or certified partners. Hands‑on labs and simulation tests give you real‑world experience and reveal gaps before the exam.

Certification Cost Breakdown

The overall cost depends on the level of certification and the number of exams you need to pass.

• Fundamentals (AZ‑900): $99 (single exam)
• Associate – Azure Administrator (AZ‑104): $165 (single exam) or $330 if you opt for the additional Azure Administrator track
• Expert – Azure DevOps Engineer (AZ‑400): $330–$495 (requires the associate exam and additional advanced tests)

Starting with the fundamentals is a smart path, as it builds a solid base and can reduce the total number of exams required for advanced certifications.

Domains Covered in AZ‑104

The AZ‑104 exam evaluates the following key skills:

• Manage Azure identities and governance
• Implement and manage storage solutions
• Deploy and manage Azure compute resources
• Configure and manage virtual networks
• Monitor and backup Azure resources

Who Should Take AZ‑104?

Designed for the modern Azure Administrator, the exam is ideal for candidates with at least six months of hands‑on experience managing Azure workloads. You should be comfortable with core Azure services, performance tuning, and security best practices.

Azure administrators play a crucial role in advising on best practices, managing subscriptions, and ensuring optimal performance and security across the organization.

Cloud Academy Courses

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  Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ‑104)

  Intermediate – Virtual Classroom

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  Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ‑104)

  Beginner – Self‑Paced Learning

Explore more Azure courses to expand your expertise.