Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert credential artwork

Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert (MS-102)

Validates knowledge of administering Microsoft 365 tenants, including users, identity, security and compliance.

Summary

Microsoft 365 Administrator Expert is for administrators who run a Microsoft 365 tenant across users, identity, security and compliance. It is an expert-level certification that combines the MS-102 exam with one qualifying associate certification.

Good fit if

  • You hold one of the four qualifying associate certifications
  • You manage a Microsoft 365 tenant across identity and security
  • You can pass MS-102 before November 30, 2026

Look elsewhere if

  • You hold no qualifying associate: two exams before November 30, 2026 is too little time
  • You work in one workload such as endpoints: Endpoint Administrator fits better
  • You want a certification Microsoft keeps updating: Microsoft 365 and AI Services Administrator Associate (AB-650)

Salary & jobs

Prerequisites

Required for the certification

One Microsoft 365 or Entra associate certification

Required

You must earn one of these four associate certifications as well as passing MS-102.

Endpoint Administrator AssociateMD-102
Teams Administrator AssociateMS-700
Identity and Access Administrator AssociateSC-300
Information Security Administrator AssociateSC-401

Experience across Microsoft 365 workloads

Recommended

Microsoft expects functional experience with all Microsoft 365 workloads and Entra ID, plus working knowledge of networking, AD DS, DNS and PowerShell.

You can pass MS-102 before or after the associate. Both must be complete by November 30, 2026, when Microsoft stops awarding this certification.

Cost

USD · US pricing
$165
$165
Already hold a qualifying associate? You pay only the $165 MS-102 fee. Each retake costs another $165.

What holders say

Renewal

Administrator Expert is valid for one year, but it cannot be renewed after November 30, 2026.

Validity
1 year
Renewal requirement
Free online assessment until November 30, 2026
Renewal fee
$0 USD

After November 30, 2026 Microsoft stops awarding and renewing this certification. A certification you already hold stays valid until its expiry date.

Administrator Expert certification page ↗

Alternatives

Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert credential artwork
SC-100$330 required · Advanced

Microsoft's other Expert-level credential, for security architecture rather than Microsoft 365 tenant administration.

Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert credential artwork
AZ-400$330 required · Advanced

Microsoft's DevOps-focused Expert credential, for platform engineering rather than Microsoft 365 administration.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional credential artwork
CISSP$884 required · Advanced

For security leaders who want a vendor-neutral senior credential instead of a Microsoft-specific one.

FAQ

Is Microsoft 365 Administrator Expert being retired?

Yes. The MS-102 exam and the certification retire on November 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM Central Standard Time. You can earn it until then, but it cannot be earned or renewed after that date.

What replaces MS-102?

Microsoft names Microsoft 365 and AI Services Administrator Associate (AB-650) as the follow-on. It is an associate certification, currently in beta, with a different skills list.

What is the prerequisite for Microsoft 365 Administrator Expert?

One of four associate certifications, Endpoint Administrator (MD-102), Teams Administrator (MS-700), Identity and Access Administrator (SC-300) or Information Security Administrator (SC-401), plus a pass on MS-102.

How much does the MS-102 exam cost?

$165 in the US. The full route with a qualifying associate exam costs $330.

Should I still take MS-102 before it retires?

Yes, if you already hold a qualifying associate or can pass both exams by November 30, 2026, and want the Expert credential on your record. Otherwise, AB-650 is the better target.

Last updated October 2026