The short version
Take AZ-104 first if you are mainly an administrator, because it can serve as the starting credential for the DevOps path. AZ-104 covers running Azure resources. AZ-400 covers building the delivery process: source control, pipelines, security checks, and feedback. Microsoft says the DevOps Engineer Expert credential requires at least one of Azure Administrator Associate or Azure Developer Associate. So if you come from development, Azure Developer Associate can take the place of AZ-104. This page uses Microsoft pages checked on October 22, 2026.
Who should take which
- Take AZ-104 if you manage cloud infrastructure: identities, storage, virtual machines, networks, and monitoring.
- Take AZ-400 if you design and run the flow from code to production. Microsoft describes the candidate as a developer or infrastructure administrator who works with people, processes, and products on continuous delivery, in cross-functional teams with developers, site reliability engineers, Azure administrators, and security engineers.
- Take both if you want the DevOps Engineer Expert credential and your qualifying associate credential is Azure Administrator Associate.
Side by side
| AZ-104 | AZ-400 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Microsoft Azure Administrator | Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions |
| Credential | Azure Administrator Associate (intermediate) | DevOps Engineer Expert |
| Focus | Operating Azure resources | Delivery process and automation |
| Domains | 5: identities and governance; storage; compute; virtual networking; monitoring | 5: processes and communications; source control strategy; build and release pipelines; security and compliance plan; instrumentation strategy |
| Heaviest area | Identities and governance, compute (20-25% each) | Build and release pipelines (50-55%) |
| Time | 100 minutes (AZ-104 page) | Not stated on the AZ-400 page; Microsoft’s general table lists 100 or 120 minutes for role-based exams |
| Questions | Not published | Not published |
| Passing score | 700 of 1,000 | 700 of 1,000 |
| Languages | 10 | 10 |
| Skills list version | As of April 17, 2026 | As of July 27, 2026 |
| Experience Microsoft expects | Operating systems, networking, servers, virtualization; PowerShell, Azure CLI, portal, templates or Bicep, Microsoft Entra ID | Administering and developing in Azure, strong in at least one; GitHub and Azure DevOps solutions |
| Credential prerequisite | None stated | At least one of Azure Administrator Associate or Azure Developer Associate |
| Renewal | Every 12 months, free assessment | Every 12 months, free assessment |
What overlaps and what differs
There is some overlap. Both touch security, monitoring, and infrastructure defined as code. AZ-104 expects you to read and deploy ARM templates or Bicep files. AZ-400 builds on that idea by putting the same kind of files into pipelines that run automatically.
The big difference is the shape of the exam. AZ-104 spreads its weight over five infrastructure areas. AZ-400 puts more than half of its weight, 50-55%, on one area: build and release pipelines. That includes how pipelines are built, how code is tested and released, and how infrastructure is managed through them. Source control strategy, security and compliance, instrumentation, and team processes make up the rest, with smaller shares each.
Tools also differ. AZ-104 centers on the Azure portal, CLI, and PowerShell. AZ-400 expects you to know both Azure DevOps and GitHub as delivery platforms, which AZ-104 does not test.
Keep in mind that AZ-400 expects practical experience. If you have never written or fixed a pipeline, plan time to build a small one before you study the exam, however you order the two.
How to choose
- Look at the credential you want. DevOps Engineer Expert needs one of the two associate credentials first.
- Look at your background. Admin background: AZ-104 first. Developer background: consider Azure Developer Associate instead, which Microsoft also accepts for the DevOps path. Both backgrounds: either works.
- Look at your daily work. If you rarely touch pipelines, AZ-104 will be more useful now.
- Look at the versions. AZ-400’s skills list changed on July 27, 2026. Read its study guide change log before you start.
FAQ
Is AZ-104 required for AZ-400?
Microsoft’s exam page for AZ-400 does not state a prerequisite for sitting the exam. The DevOps Engineer Expert credential requires Azure Administrator Associate or Azure Developer Associate. Read the credential page at booking time, since Microsoft’s labels for this are not entirely consistent.
Which is harder?
Neither is simply harder. AZ-400 has deeper focus on pipelines and expects more experience across development and operations. AZ-104 has wider coverage of infrastructure.
Can developers skip AZ-104?
For the DevOps credential, Microsoft accepts Azure Developer Associate as the first credential, so AZ-104 is not the only route. For infrastructure skills, AZ-104 still teaches a lot that developers can use.
Does the order affect renewals?
Each credential renews on its own, every 12 months, with a free online assessment. See our AZ-104 renewal guide.
More guides for AZ-104
- AZ-104 Exam Format, Scoring and Retakes
- AZ-104 Study Plan: 4 and 8 Weeks
- AZ-104 Domains Explained With Weightings
- Is AZ-104 Hard? An Honest Difficulty Check
- AZ-104 Prerequisites and Self-Check
- Is AZ-104 Worth It? An Honest Look
- AZ-104 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
- AZ-104 vs AZ-305: Which First?
- AZ-104 vs AZ-802: Which First?
Next step
Read the AZ-104 overview and the AZ-400 overview side by side, then check your gaps with the AZ-104 sample questions. For timed practice, use the AZ-104 practice tests and the AZ-400 practice tests.