☁️ Microsoft SC-300:
Identity and Access Administrator Associate

🧠 1. Certification Name and Issuing Body


🧩 2. Certification Level and Type

  • Level: Intermediate

  • Type: Technical (Cloud IAM / Microsoft Security Stack)


📜 3. Purpose and Goals

  • What skills does it certify?
    Managing identities and access in Azure Active Directory (Entra ID), implementing hybrid identity, configuring authentication, conditional access, access reviews, identity governance, and privileged access

  • Target roles or profiles:
    Identity Administrator, Cloud Security Engineer, IAM Specialist, Azure AD Administrator

  • Practical applications:
    Implementing zero-trust access controls, securing identity lifecycle, managing B2B/B2C identities, enforcing least privilege in Microsoft cloud


🎓 4. Prerequisites

  • Recommended prior certifications:
    SC-900 or Azure Fundamentals; experience with Azure/M365 administration

  • Suggested experience:
    1–2 years managing user identities, authentication, and access policies

  • Required technical knowledge:
    Azure AD (Entra), Microsoft 365, conditional access, RBAC, MFA, SAML/OAuth/OpenID Connect basics


📚 5. Content and Curriculum

  • Key domains/modules:

    1. Implement and manage external identities

    2. Implement and manage identity governance

    3. Manage authentication and access

    4. Plan, implement, and administer identity infrastructure

  • Technologies/tools:
    Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), Azure AD B2B/B2C, PIM, Conditional Access, Identity Protection, Microsoft Graph API

  • Framework mapping:
    NIST SP 800-63 (Digital Identity), Zero Trust (Microsoft Model), NICE Framework (PR-AC)


🧪 6. Learning Approach

  • Style: Mixed (theory + live cloud-based practice)

  • Labs/environments: Microsoft Learn sandbox, M365 Developer Tenant, Azure Free Tier

  • Materials:

    • Microsoft Learn Learning Path (free)

    • Udemy/Whizlabs practice tests

    • Microsoft Docs, John Savill (YouTube)

  • Recommended platforms: Microsoft Learn, GitHub (IAM labs), Cloud Academy, SkillCertPro


📝 7. Exam Format and Details

  • Exam name/code: SC-300

  • Mode: Online proctored or in-person (Pearson VUE)

  • Duration: ~120 minutes

  • Questions: 40–60 (multiple choice, drag-and-drop, case studies)

  • Languages: English + other major languages

  • Passing score: 700 / 1000

  • Retake policy: 24-hour wait (first failure), 14-day wait (multiple failures)

  • Certification validity: 1 year (renewable for free with assessment)


💰 8. Estimated Cost

  • Exam fee: ~$165 USD

  • Training cost: Free (via Microsoft Learn) or ~$30–$60 (Udemy/Whizlabs)

  • Renewal cost: Free (via online Microsoft renewal assessment)


🌍 9. Industry Recognition

  • Demand/popularity: High in Microsoft-based enterprises and identity-driven zero-trust implementations

  • Organizations that value it: Government, healthcare, finance, education, and any hybrid cloud org using Azure/M365

  • Comparison:

    • More specific than CySA+ or SC-200

    • Ideal companion to SC-200 and SC-100 (Microsoft Security stack trilogy)

    • Complementary to vendor-neutral IAM certs (e.g., CertNexus CIAM)


💼 10. Career Opportunities

  • Job roles:
    IAM Analyst, Azure AD Engineer, Identity Governance Administrator, Security Analyst (Microsoft environments)

  • Suggested paths:
    → SC-900 → SC-300 → SC-100 (Architect)
    → SC-300 + SC-200 = Detection + IAM hybrid skill set


💵 11. Average Salary

  • USA: $85,000–$110,000/year

  • Europe: €55,000–€85,000/year

  • Salary impact: High in regulated sectors with strict identity governance

  • (Sources: LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Microsoft Talent Network)


📅 12. Renewal and Maintenance

  • Validity: 1 year

  • Renewal options:

    • Free online renewal assessment via Microsoft Learn

    • Or pass SC-100 or other advanced Microsoft certs


🧭 13. Final Recommendations

  • Ideal for:
    Professionals responsible for securing identities in Azure/M365 environments or building a Zero Trust strategy

  • When to pursue:
    After SC-900 or in parallel with SC-200; ideal before SC-100

  • Tips:
    Practice creating Conditional Access policies and PIM roles. Get comfortable with Microsoft Graph permissions and custom RBAC roles. Use the free Microsoft sandbox for experimentation.