Azure, Microsoft 365 and AD DS familiarity
RecommendedMicrosoft expects you to know Azure, Microsoft 365 services and workloads, and Active Directory Domain Services.
Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate (SC-300)
Validates skills in administering Microsoft Entra identities, including hybrid identities, authentication, Conditional Access, workload identities and identity governance.
Summary
SC-300 is Microsoft's associate certification for identity and access management with Microsoft Entra, covering authentication, Conditional Access and identity governance. It also covers user and hybrid identities and workload identities, and it counts toward the Cybersecurity Architect Expert certification.
Good fit if
- You manage identity, access and authentication for an organization
- You already work with Entra ID, Active Directory or Microsoft 365
- You want an identity route toward SC-100 Cybersecurity Architect Expert
Salary & jobs
Prerequisites
Cost
What holders say
A common route from service desk into IAM
One service desk analyst describes becoming the team's Entra ID expert while studying SC-300 and moving into an IAM engineer role.
It does not replace hands-on experience
People asking whether SC-300 alone can land an IAM job mostly hear that the role builds on general IT experience, and that interviews test the tools in the job's stack.
Dedicated IAM roles are mostly at larger organizations
IAM practitioners describe a broad, durable career, but note that smaller organizations fold identity work into general sysadmin jobs.
Certification path
Identity and Access Administrator Associate is one of three certifications that qualify you for Cybersecurity Architect Expert.
Renewal
SC-300 is valid for one year.
- Validity
- 1 year
- Renewal requirement
- Free online assessment
- Renewal fee
- $0 USD
The renewal assessment opens six months before expiry. It is unproctored, open book and shorter than the exam, and you can retake it. Passing extends the certification by one year from the expiry date.
Renew your Microsoft certification ↗Alternatives
SC-200$165 required · Intermediate
The Microsoft security associate for threat detection and response instead of identity.
SC-500$165 required · Intermediate
A broader Microsoft security associate covering cloud and AI workloads.
MD-102$165 required · Intermediate
The Microsoft 365 associate for device and endpoint management.
FAQ
How much does the SC-300 exam cost?
$165 in the US. Microsoft sets the price by the country you test in, and you see it when you schedule.
What changes on SC-300 on October 28, 2026?
The English exam moves to an updated skills list. The changes are minor, in user authentication, Global Secure Access and privileged access, and the four skill areas stay the same. Other languages update about eight weeks later.
What is the SC-300 passing score?
700 on a scale of 1 to 1,000. It is a scaled score, not 70% of questions.
Do I need experience before taking SC-300?
There is no formal requirement. Microsoft expects familiarity with Azure, Microsoft 365, AD DS, PowerShell and KQL.
Can I use Microsoft Learn during the SC-300 exam?
Yes. Microsoft Learn opens in a split screen during associate exams. It does not add time.
Last updated October 2026