☁️ Microsoft SC-300:
Identity and Access Administrator Associate
🧠 1. Certification Name and Issuing Body
Full certification name: Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate (SC-300)
Issuing organization: Microsoft
Official website: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications/identity-and-access-administrator-associate/
🧩 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 accessTarget roles or profiles:
Identity Administrator, Cloud Security Engineer, IAM Specialist, Azure AD AdministratorPractical 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 administrationSuggested experience:
1–2 years managing user identities, authentication, and access policiesRequired technical knowledge:
Azure AD (Entra), Microsoft 365, conditional access, RBAC, MFA, SAML/OAuth/OpenID Connect basics
📚 5. Content and Curriculum
Key domains/modules:
Implement and manage external identities
Implement and manage identity governance
Manage authentication and access
Plan, implement, and administer identity infrastructure
Technologies/tools:
Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD), Azure AD B2B/B2C, PIM, Conditional Access, Identity Protection, Microsoft Graph APIFramework 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 strategyWhen to pursue:
After SC-900 or in parallel with SC-200; ideal before SC-100Tips:
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.