SC-300 Certification Guide 2026: Complete Microsoft Identity & Access Prep

Published: February 21, 2026 | 5 min read

If you want a future‑proof security career, few credentials open doors like the SC-300 certification. The SC‑300: Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator exam proves you can design, implement, and run identity and access at scale with Microsoft Entra (formerly Azure AD). In this ultimate guide, you’ll learn exactly what’s on the exam, how to prepare with high‑impact resources, what it costs, and how to translate your new skills into a promotion‑ready portfolio.

Whether you’re a student plotting your first security role or an early‑career professional pivoting into IAM (Identity and Access Management), this step‑by‑step playbook is here to help you pass with confidence.

What Is the SC-300 Certification?

The SC‑300 certification validates that you can plan, implement, and operate identity and access solutions using Microsoft Entra. It sits at the associate level, so there are no formal prerequisites, and it’s laser‑focused on what modern organizations actually use: Conditional Access, multifactor authentication (MFA), app access management, workload identities, and identity governance.

In plain language: if your team relies on Microsoft 365 and Azure, SC‑300 maps directly to the tools you’ll touch every day.

Key facts at a glance:

Credential: Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate (Exam SC‑300)
Technology focus: Microsoft Entra ID, Entra ID Governance, Conditional Access, Privileged Identity Management (PIM), Workload Identities, and more
Audience: Admins, analysts, and engineers who secure identities and control access across cloud and hybrid environments
Renewal: Annual, free online renewal assessment via Microsoft Learn

Actionable takeaway: Before you go further, create a simple document to track your prep: exam date, study plan, and a running list of weak areas. Treat it like your personal runbook.

Why SC-300 Matters Now: Purpose and Unique Value

Identity is the security perimeter. With hybrid work, SaaS sprawl, and AI‑powered threats, the user, device, app, and session context drive access decisions. SC‑300 gives you a practical blueprint to implement a Zero Trust model centered on identity signals and conditional policies.

What makes SC‑300 unique:

It’s hands‑on. You’ll learn to configure Conditional Access, enforce MFA, govern privileged roles with PIM, and set up access reviews and entitlement management.
It’s modern. The blueprint uses Microsoft Entra and recent features (for example, Global Secure Access and workload identities) rather than legacy, on‑prem‑only approaches.
It’s business‑relevant. The exam’s governance focus mirrors what auditors and CISOs ask for: least privilege, periodic reviews, clear approvals, and verifiable logs.

Actionable takeaway: Start a “value map” now. For each SC‑300 domain, write one way you’ll improve your organization (e.g., “PIM to remove standing global admin,” “Access reviews to clean up old guest accounts”). Use it later in interviews and performance reviews.

Who Should Take SC-300? Eligibility and Prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites. This exam is ideal if you:

Manage Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) tenants or Microsoft 365 security
Work in help desk, sysadmin, or support and want to move into security
Are a student or career‑changer seeking a focused, technical cert with strong job market alignment

Recommended background to make learning smoother:

Familiarity with Azure and Microsoft 365 admin centers
Basic knowledge of Active Directory Domain Services concepts
Comfort with PowerShell and Kusto Query Language (KQL) basics
Understanding of authentication vs. authorization, tokens, SSO, and OAuth/OIDC at a high level

Actionable takeaway: If you’re brand new, spend a weekend on authentication basics and Entra ID core concepts. A strong foundation cuts your study time in half later.

Exam Format, Structure, and What’s New in 2026

Here’s what to expect at a glance:

Exam time: Typically 100 minutes of exam time (your seat time may be longer to accommodate sign‑in and NDA). Some instances can include labs; when labs are present, you’ll see more time allocated.
Question types: Multiple choice, case studies, drag‑and‑drop, and sometimes hands‑on labs
Passing score: 700 on a 100–1000 scale
Languages: English and several major global languages (localized versions may lag slightly after updates)
Renewals: Certifications are valid for one year and can be renewed online for free

The current skills outline emphasizes:

Implement and manage user identities
Implement authentication and access management
Plan and implement workload identities
Plan and automate identity governance

Actionable takeaway: Check the SC‑300 study guide’s “what changed” section right before you book your date. Microsoft updates skills periodically, and English typically updates first.

Deep‑Dive: The Four SC‑300 Domains (With Examples)

1) Implement and manage user identities

You’ll configure the identity foundation:

Create and manage users, groups, and roles
Set up dynamic groups and administrative units for scoped control
Manage guest users and collaboration (B2B)
Understand cross‑tenant access and access management basics

Hands‑on example to try:

Create a dynamic group for “Device Compliant AND Department = Finance,” then assign licenses and baseline policies to it.

Actionable insight: Use administrative units to delegate help desk tasks (like resetting passwords) without granting wide tenant permissions.

2) Implement authentication and access management

This is the beating heart of the exam:

Configure MFA and passwordless options (Authenticator, FIDO2, Windows Hello for Business)
Build Conditional Access policies that consider device compliance, risk, and session controls
Manage session controls like sign‑in frequency and continuous access evaluation signals
Integrate apps: app registrations, enterprise apps, SSO methods, and consent policies

Hands‑on example to try:

Create a Conditional Access policy that requires MFA for all users except a break‑glass account, but only when accessing sensitive apps from unmanaged devices.

Actionable insight: Keep at least two break‑glass accounts with strong controls and exclusion from conditional policies. Store credentials out‑of‑band and test access regularly.

3) Plan and implement workload identities

Workload identities represent apps, services, and automation—not people:

Register apps and service principals; assign application permissions vs. delegated permissions
Use Managed Identities for Azure resources to avoid secrets
Apply Conditional Access for workload identities and control consent sprawl

Hands‑on example to try:

Convert a script that uses a stored client secret to use a user‑assigned Managed Identity with role‑based access in Azure.

Actionable insight: Rotate or eliminate secrets. Managed Identities often replace long‑lived app secrets and reduce risk significantly.

4) Plan and automate identity governance

Governance keeps you audit‑ready:

Privileged Identity Management (PIM): just‑in‑time (JIT) elevation, approvals, and MFA on activation
Access reviews: recurring reviews of group/app membership and privileged roles
Entitlement management: package access to apps/groups/SharePoint sites with lifecycle workflows
Governance for external users (guest lifecycles and attestation)

Hands‑on example to try:

Implement PIM for Global Reader and Privileged Role Administrator with mandatory approval and MFA and create a monthly access review for all privileged roles.

Actionable insight: Tie access reviews to business owners. When owners attest memberships, security posture improves and audit friction drops.

Preparation Strategies: What Actually Works

Start with the official learning paths
They mirror the exam and build directly in the Entra tenant. Don’t just read—click every portal path and reproduce steps.
Use product docs for depth
Docs for PIM, ID Protection, Conditional Access, and workload identities are your “why” behind the “how.” When you know the rationale, scenario questions become easier.
Build your own mini lab
Even two evenings a week in a personal tenant compounds quickly. Nothing cements understanding like actually flipping the switches.
Practice your pacing
Take free practice assessments and get used to the wording and time pressure. Practice like you play: one uninterrupted block, same time of day you’ll test if possible.
Layer in structured training (optional)
Instructor‑led courses are great if you want a cohort, Q&A with an expert, and guided labs.

Actionable takeaway: Block your calendar like a college class—two 90‑minute sessions each week. Consistency beats cramming.

Hands‑On Lab Setup (Safe, Low‑Cost, and High‑Impact)

Your goal is to simulate a realistic tenant without surprises.

Create an Azure free account
If eligible, join the Microsoft 365 Developer Program to get an E5 dev tenant for enterprise app and governance scenarios
Enable MFA for admin accounts; create at least one break‑glass account excluded from policies
Create two test users (Employee and Contractor) and one Guest user
Create three groups: “Tier‑0 Admins,” “Finance,” and “External Contractors”
Baseline your tenant: set security defaults or your first Conditional Access policies (if you’re ready to replace defaults)

Five labs to prioritize:

Conditional Access: Require compliant device and MFA for Finance users accessing sensitive apps; exclude break‑glass.
PIM: Make “Privileged Role Administrator” eligible with approval, justification, and MFA.
Access reviews: Monthly review of all users in Tier‑0 Admins; send decisions to auditors.
Entitlement management: Create an access package for “New Finance Analyst” with approval from the Finance manager.
Workload identities: Register an app, assign least‑privilege app permissions, and migrate a secret to Managed Identity where possible.

Actionable takeaway: Keep a “Lab Journal.” Document goal, steps, results, and screenshots. This becomes interview‑ready evidence of your skills.

A 6–8 Week Study Plan (With Weekly Milestones)

Use this as a template and adjust based on your background.

Week 0: Commit and calibrate

Book the exam date 6–8 weeks out
Skim the exam skills outline; list 5 topics you haven’t touched
Set calendar blocks for two 90‑minute sessions per week

Week 1: Identity foundations

Learning paths: core Entra identities and groups; dynamic groups; admin units
Lab: build your tenant; create users, groups, and AU; add a Guest
Outcome: you can explain user vs. group vs. role vs. admin unit and when to use each

Week 2: Authentication essentials

Learning paths: authentication methods, MFA, passwordless, SSPR
Lab: enable passwordless for a user; configure SSPR; confirm sign‑in logs show expected flows
Outcome: you can choose the right auth method for different personas

Week 3: Conditional Access, part 1

Deep dive: conditions, controls, session controls, templates
Lab: policy for “All cloud apps” requiring MFA outside trusted locations; test with break‑glass excluded
Outcome: you can design policies that balance usability and security

Week 4: Conditional Access, part 2 + Apps

Deep dive: sign‑in frequency, continuous access evaluation, device filters
Apps: app registrations vs. enterprise apps, SSO methods, consent
Lab: create an app registration; configure SSO for an enterprise app
Outcome: you can wire apps into your access policies and govern consent

Week 5: Governance with PIM and reviews

Deep dive: PIM roles vs. eligible vs. active; activation settings; notifications
Access reviews and entitlement management
Lab: PIM for Privileged Role Admin; monthly access review; an entitlement package
Outcome: you can implement least privilege with lifecycle checks

Week 6: Workload identities + wrap‑up

Deep dive: service principals, app consent, Managed Identities
Lab: migrate a script from client secret to Managed Identity; apply least privilege
Practice Assessment: do a timed run; analyze misses
Outcome: you can secure non‑human identities and pass a timed assessment

Week 7 (optional): Reinforce weak spots

Revisit your lowest‑scoring objectives; repeat labs
Run one more Practice Assessment; finalize your exam‑day plan

Actionable takeaway: After each week, write three bullet points: “What I learned,” “What I’ll do differently,” “One thing to demo at work.” Reflection accelerates mastery.

What Will It Cost? Budgeting for SC‑300

Expect these common cost components:

Exam fee: The price varies by country/region and is shown at checkout during scheduling. In many regions, associate‑level Microsoft exams are typically in the mid‑$100s (USD) range.
Practice resources: Microsoft’s Practice Assessments are free; some third‑party practice tests or courses may be paid.
Instructor‑led training: Four‑day SC‑300 courses from training partners are optional but helpful if you learn best live.
Bundles and discounts: Watch for official promotions (for example, Exam Replay bundles that include a retake).

Actionable takeaway: If cost is a concern, rely on the free learning paths, build a lab with a free Azure account, use the free Practice Assessment, and only add paid resources if you still feel gaps after Week 4.

Exam‑Day Game Plan (So You Don’t Leave Points on the Table)

Arrive prepared: Test your system and space if you’re taking it online. Have your ID ready and your desk cleared.
Pace yourself: Assume 40–60 items. Budget time and keep a steady cadence.
Use “mark for review” wisely: Flag long scenario questions; harvest the quick wins first.
No negative marking: Answer every question. Eliminate wrong options quickly and commit.
Know the lab rhythm (if present): Labs can consume time. Do the tasks you’re sure about first, then revisit the unclear ones.
Use Microsoft Learn (if enabled) sparingly: It can help you confirm a setting name, but it won’t give you solutions—and time is limited.
Keep calm and re‑read: One extra read often reveals a keyword (“except,” “best,” “first”).

Actionable takeaway: In your last practice run, rehearse exactly how you’ll allocate your first 10 minutes, midpoint check, and last 5 minutes. Muscle memory lowers stress.

Career Value and ROI: What You Can Expect

Identity and access sits at the center of cloud security, compliance, and user productivity. Earning SC‑300 signals that you can implement Zero Trust controls in a Microsoft‑first environment and speak both security and business language.

Roles SC‑300 supports:

Identity and Access Administrator / Engineer
Microsoft 365 Security Administrator
Cloud Security Engineer (identity track)
IAM Analyst, Governance Specialist

Impact you can deliver:

Reduce standing admin privileges with PIM and approvals
Cut risk with MFA, passwordless, and contextual access
Clean up guest access and stale entitlements with access reviews
Streamline onboarding/offboarding with entitlement management
Improve audit posture with clear approvals and activity logs

Pay context (U.S.): As a proxy for IAM‑aligned work, Information Security Analysts reported a high five‑figure to low six‑figure median salary in recent data. Your results vary by region, industry, and hands‑on scope, but identity specialists are consistently in demand.

Actionable takeaway: Maintain a “wins” document that lists before/after metrics (e.g., “Reduced standing Global Admins from 7 to 1; implemented PIM with MFA and approvals”). Pair your SC‑300 with measurable outcomes to stand out.

Real‑World Application: Your 30/60/90‑Day Impact Plan

Day 1–30: Stabilize and baseline

Inventory admin roles; implement PIM for Tier‑0 roles with MFA and approvals
Baseline Conditional Access (block legacy auth, require MFA for all users, exclude break‑glass)
Turn on sign‑in risk evaluations and alerting

Day 31–60: Govern and automate

Launch monthly access reviews for privileged groups and sensitive apps
Deploy passwordless for pilot users; expand MFA registration coverage
Package an entitlement management “New Hire” access bundle for a key department

Day 61–90: Modernize and simplify

Convert scripts and apps to Managed Identities where possible
Shrink exceptions in Conditional Access; implement device filters and session controls
Evaluate a Global Secure Access pilot to extend Conditional Access to network sessions

Actionable takeaway: Align each initiative with a business owner. When Finance owns Finance access, your program scales.

Insights from the Field: What Learners, Managers, and Trainers Say

Learners: “Scenario questions felt deeper than practice tests.” Expect case‑driven items that require you to choose the best control for a business goal. Hands‑on practice pays off.
Hiring managers: “Show me the why.” They look for candidates who can explain trade‑offs (e.g., break‑glass strategy, exceptions for legacy apps) and measure outcomes.
Trainers: “Governance wins audits.” PIM settings, access reviews, and entitlement management are the difference between “it works” and “it scales under scrutiny.”

Actionable takeaway: In interviews, avoid buzzwords. Tell a three‑part story—context, action, result—about implementing Conditional Access, PIM, or access reviews.

Official and Recent Changes to Watch

Skills outline refresh: Late 2025 update emphasizes identity governance and workload identities alongside classic Conditional Access topics.
Exam time and labs: Standard exam time is typically 100 minutes; some instances include labs with more time allocated. Plan for either scenario.
Entra terminology: Azure AD branding has transitioned to Microsoft Entra ID. Expect the updated terms throughout items and documentation.
Renewal rhythm: Certifications remain valid for one year and renew via a quick, free online assessment—don’t let yours lapse.

Actionable takeaway: Before test day, re‑skim the official study guide’s change log and scan Entra docs pages for any newly GA or renamed features.

Actionable Recommendations and Next Steps

Book your exam 6–8 weeks out to create positive pressure.
Build your lab on day one; use it every study session.
Learn the “why” behind each control; don’t just memorize steps.
Practice time management with a full‑length assessment.
Prepare two break‑glass accounts and test them—both for the exam labs and real life.
If you stumble on a topic twice, schedule an extra lab block that same week.

Optional but impactful:

Start an internal mini‑project at work (pilot a new Conditional Access policy or run your first access review). Real results beat any badge alone.

FAQs

Q1: How many questions are on the SC‑300 and how long is the exam?

You’ll typically see 40–60 questions. Microsoft lists 100 minutes of exam time for associate‑level role‑based exams; some instances may include labs with more time allocated.

Q2: What score do I need to pass?

The exam uses a scaled score from 100 to 1000. A score of 700 is the passing threshold.

Q3: Are there prerequisites for SC‑300?

No formal prerequisites. Familiarity with Microsoft Entra, Microsoft 365, Azure, Active Directory, PowerShell, and KQL will help you move faster.

Q4: Is there negative marking?

No. There’s no penalty for guessing, so answer every question.

Q5: How often do I need to renew the certification?

Role‑based certifications are valid for one year. You can renew for free via a short online assessment on Microsoft Learn during the six‑month window before expiration.

Conclusion:
You don’t need 10 years in IAM to pass SC‑300—you need a focused plan, steady hands‑on practice, and a clear understanding of why each control exists. Book your date, build your lab, and follow the 6–8 week roadmap. By the time the exam arrives, you won’t just be test‑ready—you’ll be job‑ready, with practical identity skills you can prove.