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Microsoft · Data & Analytics · Associate

Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate exam guide

Exam DP-300

DP-300 validates that you can administer Azure SQL Database, SQL Managed Instance and SQL Server on Azure VMs: provisioning, security, performance tuning, automation and HA/DR. It is the main Microsoft credential for DBAs moving SQL Server workloads to Azure.

QuestionsSee official page
Time limit100 minutes
Passing score700 (1-1000 scale)
Exam fee$165 USD
Valid for1 years
DeliveryPearson VUE test center or online proctored

Format: Multiple choice, multiple response, drag-and-drop, case studies and other interactive item types. Fee note: US price; varies by country. Student and Microsoft Learn offer discounts are common..

Who it's for

SQL Server DBAs and data platform engineers who manage, secure and tune relational databases on Azure or in hybrid environments.

What the exam covers

Plan and implement data platform resources17%
Implement a secure environment22%
Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources22%
Configure and manage automation of tasks17%
Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery (HA/DR) environment22%

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None

Recommended: Hands-on SQL Server administration and T-SQL experience, plus working knowledge of Azure SQL deployment options.

Keeping it active

Associate and expert certifications are valid for 1 year. Renew for free by passing an unproctored online renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn, available in the 180 days before expiry; unlimited attempts with a 24-hour wait after a failed try.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Choosing and deploying Azure SQL Database, Managed Instance or SQL on VM
  • Configuring Entra authentication, TDE, Always Encrypted and auditing
  • Tuning with Query Store, DMVs and automatic tuning
  • Automating with Elastic Jobs, SQL Agent and Azure Automation
  • Designing HA/DR with failover groups, geo-replication and Always On AGs
  • Migrating SQL Server workloads to Azure

Job roles

Database AdministratorAzure SQL DBAData Platform EngineerCloud Database EngineerSQL Server Consultant

Where it fits in your path

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Week 1: Deployment options and migration: compare SQL Database tiers (DTU, vCore, Hyperscale, serverless), Managed Instance and SQL on VM.
  2. Week 2: Security: Entra auth, firewall rules, private endpoints, TDE, Always Encrypted, dynamic data masking, Defender for SQL.
  3. Week 3: Performance: Query Store, DMVs, Intelligent Insights, index and statistics maintenance in a lab database.
  4. Week 4: Automation and HA/DR: Elastic Jobs, Automation runbooks, failover groups, geo-replication, backup retention and point-in-time restore.
  5. Week 5: Practice assessment plus targeted labs on weak areas, then sit the exam.

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • Security and HA/DR together can be nearly half the exam; know failover groups vs active geo-replication cold.
  • Know which features exist only in Managed Instance or SQL on VM (SQL Agent, cross-database queries, CLR).
  • Be ready to interpret T-SQL and DMV output to identify blocking or missing indexes.
  • Memorize backup retention defaults and long-term retention options for Azure SQL.
  • The October 2026 outline revised data-at-rest and in-transit encryption; review current TLS and TDE key options.

Key terms for this exam

All 95 terms Study with thinQcards™

Commonly confused on this exam

Frequently asked questions

How much does DP-300 cost?

$165 in the US; regional pricing varies.

Is DP-300 hard?

Experienced SQL Server DBAs usually find it moderate; the Azure-specific HA/DR and security options are where most people lose points.

Does DP-300 expire?

Yes, annually, with a free online renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn.

Do I need DP-900 first?

No. DP-900 is optional background; experienced DBAs typically go straight to DP-300.

Is DP-300 worth it in 2026?

Yes for DBAs supporting Azure SQL; it is the role-based credential employers map to cloud DBA positions.

Official page: learn.microsoft.com. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.