AZ-900 vs AZ-104: Which Azure Cert Should You Take First in 2026?
Updated April 23, 2026 | 8 min read
This guide is for anyone unsure whether to start with Azure Fundamentals or jump straight to Azure Administrator in 2026.
The Short Answer
Skip AZ-900 if you have 6+ months of hands-on Azure experience or a strong systems administration background. Take AZ-900 first if you are new to cloud, switching careers, or want a confidence-building win before tackling the harder AZ-104. Both certifications have value — the question is sequencing, not either/or.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | AZ-900 | AZ-104 |
|---|---|---|
| Level | Fundamentals | Associate |
| Questions | 40-60 | 40-60 |
| Time | 65 min | 100 min |
| Passing Score | 700/1000 | 700/1000 |
| Exam Fee | $99 | $165 |
| Pass Rate (1st try) | 70-75% | 55-65% |
| Hands-On Required? | No | Strongly recommended |
Content Overlap
If you are mapping out your full certification journey, our Azure certification path for beginners shows the ideal sequence from AZ-900 to Expert level. Wondering how tough AZ-900 really is? See our difficulty breakdown with real pass rates.
Roughly 35% of AZ-900 material appears in AZ-104 at a deeper level:
- Services: Both cover VMs, storage, networking, Azure AD. AZ-104 adds implementation details and troubleshooting.
- Security: Both test Azure AD and RBAC. AZ-104 adds conditional access, MFA configuration, and custom roles.
- Governance: AZ-900 asks "What is Azure Policy?" AZ-104 asks "Create a policy that enforces tagging."
Who Should Skip AZ-900
- You have 6+ months of hands-on Azure experience
- You are a systems administrator, network engineer, or DevOps engineer
- You already hold an AWS or GCP associate-level certification
- You need AZ-104 for a job requirement within 2 months
Who Should Take AZ-900 First
- You are new to cloud computing entirely
- You are switching careers from a non-technical field
- You want a quick win to build confidence
- You are in sales, project management, or a non-engineering role
Recommended Timeline
| Path | AZ-900 Time | Gap | AZ-104 Time | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZ-900 to AZ-104 | 4-6 weeks | 1-2 weeks | 8-12 weeks | 13-20 weeks |
| AZ-104 Direct | — | — | 10-14 weeks | 10-14 weeks |
Start with either — both are free to practice
Try a quick drill on both exams and see which feels right.
AZ-900 MockFrequently Asked Questions
Can I skip AZ-900?
Yes. There are no prerequisites for AZ-104. However, if you have zero cloud experience, AZ-900 builds foundational vocabulary that makes AZ-104 significantly easier.
Is AZ-104 much harder than AZ-900?
Yes. AZ-104 is hands-on and requires practical knowledge of Azure portal, PowerShell, and CLI. The pass rate is lower.
How much overlap is there?
Approximately 35% of AZ-900 content overlaps with AZ-104 basics. However, AZ-104 goes much deeper into implementation and troubleshooting.
Which certification is better for getting a job?
AZ-104 is significantly better for technical roles. AZ-900 is valued for sales, project management, and non-technical cloud roles.
How long between AZ-900 and AZ-104?
Most people take 6-10 weeks after AZ-900 to prepare for AZ-104. If you skip AZ-900, plan 10-14 weeks for AZ-104 from scratch.
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