AZ-900 vs AZ-104: Which Azure Certification Should You Start With?
The honest answer depends on your background. Here's how to decide which certification makes sense for you.
"Should I start with AZ-900 or skip straight to AZ-104?"
I hear this question constantly. The internet gives conflicting advice. Let me give you a clear framework for deciding.
The Quick Answer
- Complete beginner to cloud: Start with AZ-900
- IT experience but new to Azure: Start with AZ-900 (but move quickly)
- Strong IT/admin background: Skip to AZ-104
- Experienced with other clouds (AWS/GCP): Skip to AZ-104
Now let me explain why.
What Each Certification Covers
AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals
This is a concepts exam. It tests:
- Cloud computing concepts (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)
- Azure service categories (compute, networking, storage)
- Azure pricing and support options
- Basic security, compliance, and governance concepts
No hands-on skills required. No deep technical knowledge. It's "understand what Azure offers at a high level."
AZ-104: Azure Administrator Associate
This is a skills exam. It tests:
- Managing Azure identities and governance
- Implementing and managing storage
- Deploying and managing compute resources
- Configuring virtual networking
- Monitoring and maintaining resources
You need actual ability to do these things, not just recognize definitions.
The Case for Starting with AZ-900
1. You're Completely New to Cloud
If terms like "virtual machine," "resource group," or "subscription" are unfamiliar, AZ-900 provides essential vocabulary. Trying AZ-104 without baseline knowledge is frustrating.
2. You Need Confidence
Some people need early wins. AZ-900 is achievable with a week or two of study. Passing it builds confidence and motivation for harder certifications.
3. Your Organization Requires It
Some learning paths or employer programs mandate AZ-900 first. If that's you, don't fight it — just move through it quickly.
4. You're Exploring, Not Committing
Not sure if Azure is right for you? AZ-900 is a low-commitment way to explore the ecosystem before investing significant time.
The Case for Skipping to AZ-104
1. You Have IT Experience
If you've worked with Windows Server, Active Directory, networking, or storage — you already have transferable knowledge. AZ-900's basics will feel tedious.
2. Your Time Is Limited
AZ-104 is what hiring managers care about. Every month spent on AZ-900 is a month you could spend on job-relevant skills.
3. You Learn by Doing
AZ-900 is passive — reading, watching, memorizing. If you learn better hands-on, jump to AZ-104 where you'll actually build things.
4. You Know Other Clouds
AWS or GCP experience means you understand cloud concepts. You need Azure specifics, not cloud fundamentals.
The Hidden Third Option
Here's what I often recommend: Study AZ-900 content without taking the exam.
Spend a few days reviewing Azure fundamentals — Microsoft Learn has free modules. Get the vocabulary. Understand the landscape.
Then immediately start AZ-104 prep. If you need the AZ-900 cert later (for a compliance box or learning path requirement), you can grab it quickly. But you haven't delayed your progress toward the certification that actually matters for jobs.
Cost Comparison
| | AZ-900 | AZ-104 | |---|--------|--------| | Exam fee | ~$99 | ~$165 | | Study time | 1-2 weeks | 6-10 weeks | | Hands-on required | No | Yes | | Job relevance | Low | High |
If money is tight and you can only take one exam, make it AZ-104.
What I Actually See in Hiring
When I talk to hiring managers, here's the reality:
- AZ-900 alone: "They're interested in Azure. But can they do anything?"
- AZ-104 alone: "They can administer Azure. Let's talk."
- AZ-900 + AZ-104: "Good progression. Same outcome as AZ-104 alone."
AZ-900 doesn't hurt, but it rarely helps beyond checking a box. AZ-104 is the threshold credential for Azure administration roles.
My Recommendation
Most people should skip AZ-900 or treat it as a quick knowledge check, not a major milestone.
The exceptions:
- True beginners who need foundational concepts
- People whose employers require it
- Students building a structured certification path
For everyone else: invest your time in AZ-104. The hands-on skills you'll develop are what get you hired and make you effective.
One more thing: neither certification matters if you don't build actual things. Certifications open doors. Hands-on projects prove you can walk through them.
Start building today, regardless of which exam you choose.
Read Next
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