Microsoft Azure certifications evolve constantly to keep pace with changes in cloud technology. If you’ve been researching Azure administrator credentials, you’ve likely encountered both AZ-103 and AZ-104 exam codes and wondered about the differences. Are they the same thing? Can you still take the older exam? Which one should you prepare for? Understanding the relationship between these two certifications matters whether you’re planning your certification journey or updating credentials you earned years ago. The short answer is that AZ-103 has been retired and replaced by AZ-104. Still, the story behind this transition offers essential insights into how Microsoft structures its certification program and which skills matter most for Azure administrators today. This guide will clarify the AZ 103 vs AZ 104 question, explain what changed between versions, and help you focus your efforts on the current standard that employers recognize and value.
AZ 103 – The Predecessor Exam
Let’s start by understanding what the AZ 103 exam was and why it mattered during its active years. Microsoft introduced this certification in 2019 as part of a major overhaul of its certification program, moving from product-focused credentials to role-based certifications that better reflected real-world job responsibilities.
The AZ-103 exam covered essential Azure administration skills across several domains:
- Managing Azure subscriptions and resources. This included working with subscriptions, resource groups, cost management, and Azure policies. Administrators needed to understand how to effectively organize and govern Azure environments.
- Implementing and managing storage. The exam tested knowledge of storage accounts, blob storage, Azure Files, and data backup solutions.
- Deploying and managing virtual machines. This was a substantial portion covering VM creation, configuration, availability sets, scaling, and troubleshooting.
- Configuring and managing virtual networks. Network administration skills included creating virtual networks, implementing connectivity solutions, and managing load balancers.
- Managing identities. Azure Active Directory management, including users, groups, and role-based access control, was a critical security administration capability.
The exam format included multiple-choice questions, case studies, and hands-on labs where candidates performed actual tasks in the Azure portal. The AZ 103 certification was well-respected and helped many professionals advance their careers. However, as Azure services evolved and new capabilities emerged, Microsoft recognized the need to update the exam content to reflect current best practices and technologies.
AZ 104 Certification – The Current Standard
In September 2020, Microsoft officially retired AZ-103 and launched the AZ-104 certification as its replacement. This wasn’t just a minor update with a new exam code; it represented a thoughtful evolution of what Azure administrators need to know in modern cloud environments.
The AZ 104 exam maintains focus on core administration skills while incorporating newer Azure services:
- Manage Azure identities and governance (15-20%). This expanded section emphasizes governance frameworks, Azure Policy implementation, and advanced identity management. The increased focus reflects the growing importance of proper governance as organizations scale their Azure usage.
- Implement and manage storage (15-20%). Beyond basic storage configuration, the updated exam includes more emphasis on security features, lifecycle management, and integration with other Azure services.
- Deploy and manage Azure compute resources (20-25%). Virtual machines remain central, but the Azure 104 exam adds more content on containers, Azure Kubernetes Service, and automation with ARM templates and the Azure CLI.
- Configure and manage virtual networking (20-25%). Networking content expanded to include Azure Firewall, private endpoints, service endpoints, and more complex hybrid connectivity scenarios.
- Monitor and maintain Azure resources (10-15%). This is a new emphasis area covering Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, alerts, and backup strategies. Proactive monitoring separates good administrators from great ones.
The AZ-104 certification exam typically contains 40-60 questions across multiple formats. You have 150 minutes to complete it, and the passing score is 700 out of 1000 points. The certification remains valid for 1 year, after which you must complete a renewal assessment. This annual renewal requirement ensures that certified professionals stay current as Azure continues to evolve rapidly.
AZ 103 vs AZ 104 – Key Differences and Updates
Now, let’s directly compare AZ 103 vs AZ 104 to understand exactly what changed and why it matters for your certification planning.
- Content coverage and skill distribution shifted. The most noticeable change is how the exam divides topics across skill areas. The AZ-103 exam spread content relatively evenly across five domains. The Azure 104 exam has been reorganized into five areas with different weightings, giving greater emphasis to identities, governance, and monitoring while maintaining a strong focus on core infrastructure skills.
- New technologies and services were added. Several Azure services that didn’t exist or weren’t mature when AZ-103 launched now feature prominently in AZ-104. Azure Bastion for secure VM access, Azure Firewall for network security, and enhanced container services represent technological advances. The newer exam also includes more automation content, reflecting industry movement toward infrastructure-as-code approaches.
- Security and governance received greater emphasis. While AZ-103 covered security fundamentals, the AZ-104 certification significantly expands on security-related content. More questions address Azure Policy implementation, role-based access control scenarios, network security groups, and Azure Security Center.
- Monitoring and maintenance became explicit. Perhaps the biggest structural change is the addition of a dedicated domain for monitoring and maintaining Azure resources. The AZ-103 exam touched on these topics within other sections, but AZ-104 makes them a distinct focus area.
- Exam experience and format have evolved. While both exams use similar question types, the Azure 104 labs tend to be more complex and realistic, reflecting multi-step scenarios administrators face daily.
For those who already hold certification from passing AZ-103, your credential is grandfathered forward when AZ-104 launches. However, when your annual renewal came due, you would complete the AZ-104 renewal assessment rather than one based on the older exam content.
Azure Admin Certification – The Value of AZ-104
Why pursue the Azure admin certification through AZ-104 in the first place? Understanding the value proposition helps justify the time and effort investment.
- Career opportunities expand significantly. Cloud skills are in tremendous demand, and Azure administrator roles offer competitive salaries and job security. The AZ-104 certification signals to employers that you possess validated, current skills for managing Azure environments. Many job postings specifically mention this certification as required or strongly preferred.
- Practical skills development occurs through preparation. The certification journey itself builds valuable capabilities. Preparing for Azure 104 means hands-on practice with Azure services, which develops problem-solving abilities you’ll use daily on the job.
- Professional credibility increases with validated expertise. When you list the AZ-104 certification on your resume or LinkedIn profile, it demonstrates commitment to professional development and mastery of specific technical competencies.
- Azure ecosystem knowledge deepens through comprehensive coverage. The exam preparation process exposes you to the breadth of Azure services and how they interconnect. This holistic view makes you more effective at designing and maintaining complete solutions rather than just managing individual components.
Preparing for the Modern AZ-104 Exam
Ready to pursue your AZ-104 certification? Here’s how to prepare effectively for success on this current exam.
- Build your foundation with official learning paths. Microsoft Learn offers free, comprehensive training modules specifically designed for Azure 104. These self-paced learning paths cover all exam objectives with hands-on labs using free sandbox environments. Work through these systematically, completing every exercise.
- Get hands-on experience with real Azure resources. Reading about Azure isn’t enough; you must practice with actual resources. Create a free Azure subscription that includes a $200 credit for new users. Build practice environments that recreate common scenarios: deploy VMs with custom configurations, set up virtual networks with security groups, and implement monitoring and alerts.
- Use practice exams strategically to identify gaps. Several vendors offer practice tests for the Azure admin certification. Take these under exam-like conditions, timing yourself. Your score matters less than understanding which topics you’re weak on. Review every missed question thoroughly.
- Focus extra attention on labs and practical scenarios. The interactive lab portions of the exam trip up many candidates. These timed sections require you to complete tasks in a simulated Azure portal. Practice common tasks until they become automatic.
- Join communities where others share experiences. Connect with people pursuing the same goal through Reddit’s Azure certification communities or LinkedIn groups. Others share study resources, discuss tricky concepts, and offer support.
- Schedule your exam when genuinely ready. When you’re consistently scoring 85%+ on quality practice exams and feeling confident in hands-on scenarios, schedule your exam 2-3 weeks out.
The Azure 104 certification represents the current standard for Azure administrators. Understanding how it evolved from AZ 103 helps you appreciate why the exam focuses on specific skills and technologies. Whether you’re starting your cloud career or advancing existing Azure expertise, this certification validates practical abilities that employers value. Start your journey today with a clear understanding of what the exam requires and how to prepare effectively for success.
