The AZ-103 Microsoft Azure Administrator certification exam tests and validates your expertise as an Azure Administrator. This exam tests your expertise in managing cloud services that span compute, networking, storage, security, and other cloud capabilities within Microsoft Azure.
The AZ-103 exam was rolled out as a replacement for the AZ-100 + AZ-101 or AZ-102 exams for earning the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification. This was a move to simplify the process to earning this certifications based on feedback received from customers.
This exam has been retired on August 31, 2020.
Certification Target Audience
The AZ-103 Microsoft Azure Administrator certification exam is geared towards Azure Administrator candidates who manage cloud services that span compute, networking, storage, security, and other cloud capabilities within Microsoft Azure. These candidates should have a deep understanding of each service across the full IT lifecycle; including infrastructure services, applications, and environments. They will also be able to make recommendations on services to us for optimal performance and scale, including provision, size, monitor, and adjust Azure resources.
Skills Measured
Here’s a very high level list of the skills and objectives measured on the AZ-103 Microsoft Azure Administrator certification exam. The percentages next to each objective area represents the number of questions in that objective area on the exam.
Manage Azure subscriptions and resources (15-20%)
- Manage Azure subscriptions
- May include but not limited to: Assign administrator permissions; configure cost center quotas and tagging; configure Azure subscription policies at Azure subscription level
- Analyze resource utilization and consumption
- May include but not limited to: Configure diagnostic settings on resources; create baseline for resources; create and rest alerts; analyze alerts across subscription; analyze metrics across subscription; create action groups; monitor for unused resources; monitor spend; report on spend; utilize Log Search query functions; view alerts in Log Analytics
- Manage resource groups
- May include but not limited to: Use Azure policies for resource groups; configure resource locks; configure resource policies; implement and set tagging on resource groups; move resources across resource groups; remove resource groups
- Managed role based access control (RBAC)
- May include but not limited to: Create a custom role, configure access to Azure resources by assigning roles, configure management access to Azure, troubleshoot RBAC, implement RBAC policies, assign RBAC Roles
Implement and manage storage (5-10%)
- Create and configure storage accounts
- May include but not limited to: Configure network access to the storage account; create and configure storage account; generate shared access signature; install and use Azure Storage Explorer; manage access keys; monitor activity log by using Log Analytics; implement Azure storage replication
- Import and export data to Azure
- May include but not limited to: Create export from Azure job; create import into Azure job; Use Azure Data Box; configure and use Azure blob storage; configure Azure content delivery network (CDN) endpoints
- Configure Azure files
- May include but not limited to: Create Azure file share; create Azure File Sync service; create Azure sync group; troubleshoot Azure File Sync
- Implement Azure backup
- May include but not limited to: Configure and review backup reports; perform backup operation; create Recovery Services Vault; create and configure backup policy; perform a restore operation
Deploy and manage virtual machines (20–25%)
- Create and configure a VM for Windows and Linux
- May include but not limited to: Configure high availability; configure monitoring, networking, storage, and virtual machine size; deploy and configure scale sets
- Automate deployment of VMs
- May include but not limited to: Modify Azure Resource Manager (ARM) template; configure location of new VMs; configure VHD template; deploy from template; save a deployment as an ARM template; deploy Windows and Linux VMs
- Manage Azure VM
- May include but not limited to: Add data discs; add network interfaces; automate configuration management by using PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC) and VM Agent by using custom script extensions; manage VM sizes; move VMs from one resource group to another; redeploy VMs
- Manage VM backups
- May include but not limited to: Configure VM backup; define backup policies; implement backup policies; perform VM restore; Azure Site Recovery
Configure and manage virtual networks (20-25%)
- Create connectivity between virtual networks
- May include but not limited to: Create and configure VNET peering; create and configure VNET to VNET; verify virtual network connectivity; create virtual network gateway
- Implement and manage virtual networking
- May include but not limited to: Configure private and public IP addresses, network routes, network interface, subnets, and virtual network
- Configure name resolution
- May include but not limited to: Configure Azure DNS; configure custom DNS settings; configure private and public DNS zones
- Create and configure a Network Security Group (NSG)
- May include but not limited to: Create security rules; associate NSG to a subnet or network interface; identify required ports; evaluate effective security rules
- Implement Azure load balancer
- May include but not limited to: Configure internal load balancer, configure load balancing rules, configure public load balancer, troubleshoot load balancing
- Monitor and troubleshoot virtual networking
- May include but not limited to: Monitor on-premises connectivity, use Network resource monitoring, use Network Watcher, troubleshoot external networking, troubleshoot virtual network connectivity
- Integrate on premises network with Azure virtual network
- May include but not limited to: Create and configure Azure VPN Gateway, create and configure site to site VPN, configure Express Route, verify on premises connectivity, troubleshoot on premises connectivity with Azure
Manage identities (15-20%)
- Manage Azure Active Directory (AD)
- May include but not limited to: Add custom domains; Azure AD Join; configure self-service password reset; manage multiple directories;
- Manage Azure AD objects (users, groups, and devices)
- May include but not limited to: Create users and groups; manage user and group properties; manage device settings; perform bulk user updates; manage guest accounts
- Implement and manage hybrid identities
- May include but not limited to: Install Azure AD Connect, including password hash and pass-through synchronization; use Azure AD Connect to configure federation with on-premises Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS); manage Azure AD Connect; manage password sync and password writeback
- Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- May include but not limited to: Configure user accounts for MFA, enable MFA by using bulk update, configure fraud alerts, configure bypass options, configure Trusted IPs, configure verification methods
To view the full list of exam objectives, and to find information on scheduling to take the exam, please reference the official AZ-103 exam page.
Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
Once a candidate passes the AZ-103 Microsoft Azure Administrator certification exam they will earn the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification.
The Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate is part of a job-role based restructuring of the Microsoft certifications. This particular certification is geared towards candidates who are Azure Administrators using Microsoft Azure in their daily job.
Training Courses
There are a few on-demand training courses that will help you study and prepare for the AZ-103 Azure Administrator certification exam. Here are a few of these courses that have been published:
AZ-103 Azure Administrator Exam Certification (AZ-100) by Scott Duffy
Prove your Azure Admin Infrastructure and Deployment skills to the world. Includes complete AZ-103 / AZ-100 course…
Microsoft AZ-103: Azure Administrator Exam Certification by Nick Colyer
Pass the new Microsoft Azure AZ-103 test and become a certified Azure Administrator
Practice Tests
There are a few practice tests available. The Microsoft Official Practice Tests are available from MeasureUp.com. However, there are also some other alternatives available in the community as well. Here are some of those:
AZ-100/103 Azure Administrator Infrastructure Practice Test by Riaan Lowe and Scott Duffy
2 realistic practice tests for the AZ-100/103 Azure Administrator Implementation exam. Based on the latest requirements.
Take Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 Exam First
The AZ-103 Microsoft Azure Administrator certification exam does not have any prerequisites to take. However, if candidates are new to Microsoft Azure development, then they may want to take the AZ-900 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals certification exam first. This will validate their knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of Microsoft Azure.
If candidates are new to the cloud, or to Microsoft Azure, then the AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals could be a good place to start.
What’s Next? The Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert!
Once a candidate has already earned the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification they can take another exam to upgrade to the Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert certification. The DevOps Engineer Expert certification is earned on top of the Azure Developer Associate by taking and passing the additional AZ-400 Microsoft Azure DevOps Solutions certification exam.
What a joke, another change to the exam – Microsoft certifications are fast becoming valueless.
FYI – IT/Development is an area of continuous learning. For LIFE. This was what my professor said to me 8 years ago first day in the school.
So knowing this, its expected Microsoft do this.
They are becoming more respected and accredited FAST as a result of constantly upgrading their programs – like a school.
Your argument is baseless.
They would be more respected if their exams weren’t full of bugs (which can eat up so much testing time) typos and ambiguous questions and grading.
It’s actually pretty disgusting for Microsoft to refuse refunds where exam takers have had to spend 30 or more minutes while Pearson sort out these lab glitches.
I have the AZ-102 Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification Transition certification exam scheduled for the end of April, is it still worthwhile to go ahead with it or should i concentrate on this new exam AZ-103?
Yes
Yes Philip. I agree. I didn’t do the 70-533 to prepare for the AZ-100, now I find out its going to retire in May!!! After paying for some material for the AZ-100 I now am back to square 1!!! Hmmmm AWS I think.
Well the entire exam content isn’t irrelevant. AZ-100 and AZ-101 are combined into a single AZ-103 exam.
If you don’t like change then maybe you shouldn’t be working in technology.
It’s a little bit annoying how fast Microsoft is changing their certifications and exams. People lose focus and enthusiasm for learning as their certificates become invaluable from one day to another.
I was just about to register for AZ-100 and AZ-101 exams today when i found out that they will be retired on 1st of May and replaced with AZ-103. What a joke!
I’m sorry you feel this way. The exams are being replaced to better serve certification candidates. If you passed the AZ-100 and AZ-101 exams then you earned the same certification that the new AZ-103 exam will earn you. Both of these stay current for 2 years before renewal would be required to stay current.
I hope that you decided to stay the course and complete the exams. First, if you passed the AZ-100 then you will have automatically received the Azure Administrator Certification. If you registered or took the AZ-101 exam, Pearson will be giving your a voucher for another future exam. You will not have lost anything and possibly have gained an additional exam credit.
Exactly!!
Yes, Exactly I almost registered to give the AZ – 100 but then git to know about the new changes in examination.
I have the AZ-102 Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification Transition exam booked for the end of April, is it still feasible to go ahead with this or should I concentrate on this new AZ-103 exam?
If you can pass the transition exam then you’re good, otherwise do the new exam later. May the exam score forever be in your favor!
I had been studying for the 70-533 exam originally….would love a comparative analysis between that exam and AZ-103…
Thanks for the feedback. You could compare the exam objectives between the two exams. Although keep in kind the objectives are high level and do not fully express the differences between the exam content.
can you recommend any books and practice test materials out there?
We have a bunch of guides you can use to learn / practice using Azure services over at https://howto.buildazure.com Otherwise, there are books and training courses available from various vendors.
I just cleared the Az-102 so it is waste now as it has the expiry date of 2 years….If i knew it earlier than i would wait for AZ-103….this is really frustrating
All the new role-based certifications expire after 2 years, and you need to take new exam(s) to renew. This is a change across the board, not just for AZ-102 exam.
Chris what happens if you have taken AZ-100 and passed before 1 May 2019 but not AZ-101 do you automatically get Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate certificate ?
No you’d need to pass both. After May 1 you’ll need to pass AZ-103.
That’s NOT True. If someone passed the AZ-100 only, they will automatically be awarded the Microsoft Azure Administrator certification
Yes this was just announced recently. It’s really great news for those who’ve already passed the now retired AZ-100 exam!
If I only have AZ-100 exam passed, should I wait for the new 103 and take it again with the new info and so on, or should I hurry up and take 101 before 1st of May in order to get the certification?
I presume 100 only doesn’t gives you certification and info of 101 doesn’t just disappear.
If you’re ready go ahead and take AZ-101. Otherwise you could wait for AZ-103. Keep in mind that some of the objectives of the old exams are changed for AZ-103, so you’ll want to keep an eye on the exam objectives you’re studying for. May the exam score forever be in your favor!
Chris, multiple blogs and websites have stated that if you have already passed AZ-100, you will get the Azure Adminstrator Cert without the need to pass AZ-101.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/community-blog-post.aspx?BlogId=8&Id=375217
Here’s what you can expect:
If you have taken and passed AZ-100, you will automatically be awarded the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification on or around May 1, 2019. Congratulations!
If you have registered to take AZ-100 between now and May 1, 2019, choose to take it, and pass, you will earn the Azure Administrator certification on or around May 1, 2019. If you have registered for AZ-101, choose to take it, and pass, you will earn the AZ-101 exam badge. You will be able to share this badge with others to demonstrate additional skills in the Azure Administrator space.
https://www.reddit.com/r/AZURE/comments/b5fgve/az100_and_az101_retires_may_1_2019/
thanks for all your hard work and great blob site!
Thanks for the feedback and links!
If I have given an AZ 100 exam before 30th April, do I still have to give the AZ 103 again? Or the AZ 100 is valid since the contents of both are almost same. I read the below info on https://www.cbtnuggets.com/blog/2019/03/cert-news-microsoft-is-retiring-its-az-100-and-101-exams/
Q: What if I’ve taken and passed the AZ-100 exam?
A: You’ll automatically be awarded Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification on May 1, 2019.
Is this true, please confirm. Looking forward for your revert at the earliest.
You need to have passed both 100 and 101, or the single 102 exam. After May 1 you can pass the single 103 exam to earn the new certification.
I have just cleared AZ-100 recently is good to go for AZ-101 or shall i go with AZ-103, Kindly suggest i am confused
Take 101 while you still can otherwise go for 103 later.
Thank you for this information. I am not waiting for 1st May.
May the exam score forever be in your favor 🙂
When will the MOC Courseware be available for Learning Partners for 103?
It looks like the MOC content will be available May 1 for MCTs to use for class deliveries? See this post for more details: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/community-blog-post.aspx?BlogId=8&Id=375225
This information is not correct.
If you have taken and passed AZ-100, you will automatically be awarded the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification on or around May 1, 2019.
See https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/community-blog-post.aspx?BlogId=8&Id=375217
This means that if it is about obtainaing certification and you have done both AZ-100 and AZ-101 you wasted time and money doing AZ-101.
I heard about people preparing for 70-533 that retired just before their exam early january, they went to AZ-100 and AZ-101 but before they could finish these retired to.
Totally unclear why there is no phasing out over a few months so people have the chance to finnish their path.
Either way ridiculous poor planning and management by Microsoft at the expense of people investing in their technology.
This is not so much “not correct” as outdated. MS just announced yesterday that if you have passed just AZ-100 (and not AZ-101 yet) then you will earn the new Azure Administrator certification. This was not announced previously, and I’m sure this news is in response to the feedback received from the community over the changes to the certification. Thanks for pointing this fact out. On the issue of having taken AZ-101, if you have already taken AZ-101 then you will be receiving a voucher to that can be used to take another certification exam, so you haven’t really wasted your money. Plus, you will have access to the “elite” badge you can share for being one of only a few to have passed the AZ-101 exam before it’s retired.
I understand your info was outdated but the effect is still that it is now incorrect..
My guess is that most people would prefer the exam to just stay valid for as long as possible in stead of a voucher with which they can take another exam. The voucher only has value if you invest a lot of time again. Typically you do not take exams every other day, Microsoft should respect the effort people put in to pass them.
I completed the AZ-100 in February is it worth taking the AZ-103?
Some people that passed the AZ-100 exam before it was replaced with AZ-103 did receive email notification from Microsoft whether they’ve been granted the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate certification, or not. If you did, congratulations! If you did not, then there was supposed to be an exam code given to those candidates so they could apply the money it cost to take AZ-100 towards a new exam like the AZ-103. You should double check your official Microsoft Certification transcript to see where you’re at today before taking your next exam.
Hello people,
Please what are the prerequisite for Azure administrator Certification?
I’m a beginner and I intend to build a carrier on cloud computing, how do I go about entire process including Certification?
This article lists out the core objective domains for the Azure Administrator AZ-103 certification. If you’re new to Microsoft certification, then I recommend you check out my book The Ultimate Guide to Microsoft Certification. 🙂
Hi. Today I passed AZ-103 exam (yes, yes, yes). Before I took this exam, I was told that certificate will expire after 2 years. And yes, now I see that my today earned certificate will expire after 2 years. Okay, that’s no problem, I understand the reason of that. But I have one question – after 2 years, will I be required to pass AZ-103 exam again or will there be some “stay-up-to-date” smaller exam?
Your certification won’t expire, you’ll still have it but it will only be Active for two years. To renew / update you’ll need to retake AZ-103 again at that later time.