IT, Cloud & Cybersecurity • Certification
Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate
Endpoint administrator associate
Researched and maintained by TestPrepPilot Editorial BoardCloud, IT & cybersecurity certifications desk · Figures last verified August 2026
The short version
What is the Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate and is it worth it?
MD-102 is the endpoint admin associate exam covering Windows and device management via Intune.
- Endpoint focus
- Hands-on
- Renews yearly
What is it?
What exactly is the Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate?
Endpoint administrator associate
Microsoft Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate (MD-102) validates skills to deploy and manage devices, apps and data with Microsoft Intune.
Before you book
Who is eligible to sit the Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate?
Who it is for: Endpoint administrators
The test itself
What is the format of the Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate?
The Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate is administered by Pearson VUE and runs 120 minutes, contains 40–60 questions and requires 700 of 1000 to pass.
| Administered by | Pearson VUE |
|---|---|
| Questions | 40–60 |
| Time limit | 120 minutes |
| Pass mark | 700 of 1000 |
| Exam fee | $165 |
| Format | Multiple-choice + labs |
Content outline
What topics are on the Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate?
The Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate is weighted across 4 domains; the largest are Deploy (25%), Manage profiles (25%), Protect (25%).
Weightings come from the official exam outline. Study time is best allocated in roughly these proportions rather than evenly across domains.
- Deploy 25%
- Manage profiles 25%
- Protect 25%
- Apps and data 25%
Money & time
How much does the Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate cost?
For the Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate, the exam fee is $165; the all-in cost is typically $165+; most candidates spend 2–4 months preparing.
Cost breakdown
| Exam fee | $165 |
|---|---|
| Typical total | $165+ |
Academic pricing lower.
Timeline
- Study + labs 6–10 weeks
- Sit MD-102 test day
Typical prep: 2–4 months
The path
How do you register for the Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate?
- 1
Prepare with Microsoft Learn1–10 weeks depending on exam and experience
Work through the free official self-paced learning paths and, optionally, instructor-led courses for your exam. Microsoft Learn is the primary, no-cost study source and maps directly to the exam skills outline.
- 2
Schedule through Pearson VUEabout 15 minutes
Sign in with a personal Microsoft account (MSA) and schedule the exam on the Pearson VUE portal. Choose an in-person test center or online proctoring (OnVUE). Students and educators can use Certiport for Fundamentals exams.
Microsoft recommends a personal MSA account; a work or school account can lose exam records if you leave the organization.
- 3
Take the exam45–120 minutes depending on the exam
Arrive at the test center or launch the online proctoring session. Exams are computer-based and may include multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, case studies, and performance-based lab tasks in a live environment.
- 4
Receive results and badgescore at end; badge within a few days
You see a pass/fail result on screen immediately. A detailed score report is emailed within about 24 hours and posted to your Microsoft certification profile. On passing, your digital badge is issued via Credly.
- 5
Renew annuallyabout 45 minutes, once a year
Most Microsoft role-based, specialty, and fundamentals certifications expire after 12 months. Renew for free by passing a shorter online renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn before the expiry date — no need to retake the full exam.
The fine print
What are the retake and renewal rules for the Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate?
- Proctoring & delivery
- Delivered by Pearson VUE. You can sit the exam at a Pearson VUE test center or take it online through OnVUE remote proctoring; the fee is the same for both. Online proctoring requires a quiet, private space, a working webcam, and a system check beforehand.
- Retake policy
- If you do not pass, you may retake the exam after 24 hours. A second failed attempt requires a 14-day waiting period, and any further attempts also require a 14-day wait between them, up to a maximum of five attempts in a 12-month period.
- Score reporting
- A pass/fail result is shown immediately after the exam. The official score report is emailed within about 24 hours and is also available in your Microsoft certification profile, with section-level feedback on how you performed.
- Recertification
- Microsoft role-based, specialty, and fundamentals certifications are valid for 12 months from the date earned. Renew at no cost by passing the shorter online renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn before the credential expires. Retired certifications cannot be renewed and must be re-earned through the active successor if one exists.
- Refunds & rescheduling
- Exam fees are generally non-refundable once a seat is purchased, but you can cancel or reschedule through Pearson VUE at no charge if you do so at least 24–48 hours before the appointment (exact window varies by region).
Context
Microsoft Azure / AI certifications compared
| Credential | Level | Focus | Exam fee | Validity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals | Fundamentals | Cloud concepts | $99 | 1 year | |
| AI-900 Azure AI Fundamentals | Fundamentals | AI concepts | $99 | 1 year (retired Jun 30 2026) | |
| AI-901 Azure AI Fundamentals | Fundamentals | AI + Microsoft Foundry | $99 | 1 year | |
| AZ-104 Azure Administrator | Associate | Administer Azure | $165 | 1 year | |
| AZ-204 Azure Developer | Associate | Build cloud apps | $165 | 1 year (retired 2026) | |
| AZ-500 Azure Security Engineer | Associate | Security operations | $165 | 1 year (retires Aug 31 2026) | |
| AZ-700 Azure Network Engineer | Associate | Networking | $165 | 1 year | |
| AZ-140 Azure Virtual Desktop | Specialty | Virtual desktop (AVD) | $165 | 1 year | |
| AZ-305 Azure Solutions Architect | Expert | Solution design | $165 | 1 year |
What it pays
How much does this credential pay?
$96,900 median for network and computer systems administrators (BLS, May 2024)
There is no Bureau of Labor Statistics occupation called "MD-102" — the Microsoft 365 Endpoint Administrator certification validates endpoint-management skill, and the wage question belongs to the role you perform with it. The closest official BLS occupation is Network and Computer Systems Administrators, SOC 15-1244, which had a May 2024 median wage of $96,900, with the lowest 10 percent under $56,190 and the highest 10 percent above $157,420, with Computer Support Specialists (SOC 15-1231, $61,550) as the entry benchmark. The fit is deliberate: MD-102 holders work as endpoint administrators, systems administrators and IT-support leads who manage Windows endpoints, Intune, and the Microsoft 365 device stack, and the role sits between the support and administrator series in the labour market. BLS counted 217,500 network and computer systems administrator jobs in 2024 and projects 1 percent growth from 2024 to 2034, with about 15,100 openings a year. The limitation to state plainly: the BLS median covers the whole occupation at all levels, credentialed or not, and the certification's value is as a hiring signal for endpoint-management roles in Microsoft shops. Read the number as the market for the occupation the credential serves.
| Measure | Figure | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage, network and computer systems administrators | $96,900 | BLS OOH, SOC 15-1244, May 2024 |
| Lowest 10 percent | Under $56,190 | BLS OOH, SOC 15-1244, May 2024 |
| Highest 10 percent | Above $157,420 | BLS OOH, SOC 15-1244, May 2024 |
| Median, computer support specialists (entry benchmark) | $61,550 | BLS OOH, SOC 15-1231, May 2024 |
Job growth.BLS projects 1 percent growth for network and computer systems administrators from 2024 to 2034, about 15,100 openings per year.
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook - Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Your odds
What are the pass rates?
Microsoft publishes no pass rate — the MD-102 exam has 40-60 questions in 120 minutes, passing 700 of 1000
Microsoft does not publish cohort pass rates for its certification exams, and third-party surveys are not official data, so we do not treat them as authoritative. What Microsoft does publish is the format and the passing standard: the MD-102 exam has 40-60 questions with a 120-minute time limit, and a passing score of 700 on the 100-1000 scale. The exam is delivered at Pearson VUE centres or through online proctoring, and the Microsoft 365 Endpoint Administrator Associate certification is valid for one year and renewed by passing the renewal assessment. The exam content follows the published study guide: deploying Windows endpoints; managing identities; managing compliance and security; and managing, maintaining and protecting devices with Intune. The absence of a published pass rate is not an absence of standards: the 700 line on an Associate-level exam is a real bar, and the exam rewards hands-on knowledge of Windows deployment, Intune, Entra ID device management and the endpoint-security stack. The practical reading: target 80 percent-plus on practice, use Microsoft's official learning path, and note the one-year renewal cycle.
Read this before quoting the number.Microsoft publishes the passing score and format but no pass rate; the Associate certification renews annually.
Your schedule
How long should I study for it?
80-120 hours over 6-8 weeks of focused study
The MD-102 is a 40-60 question, 120-minute exam with a 700/1000 passing score, built on the published study guide: deploying Windows endpoints, managing identities, managing compliance and security, and managing and protecting devices with Intune. A defensible plan runs 80 to 120 hours over 6 to 8 weeks. Weeks 1-2: Windows deployment — the deployment methods (Windows Autopilot, imaging), the Windows Update rings and the device lifecycle. Weeks 3-4: identity management — Entra ID join, device registration and the identity policies. Weeks 5-6: Intune — the device configuration profiles, the compliance policies, the app deployment and the endpoint protection. Weeks 7-8: scenario drilling and two full timed practice exams at the real format. The plan is hands-on-heavy because the exam rewards real Intune and deployment experience; a Microsoft 365 developer tenant supports the labs.
- Weeks 1-225
Windows deployment
- Windows Autopilot and imaging methods
- Update rings and the device lifecycle
- Hands-on deployment labs
- Weeks 3-425
Identity management
- Entra ID join and device registration
- Identity and device policies
- Conditional access basics
- Weeks 5-630
Intune management
- Device configuration profiles
- Compliance policies and app deployment
- Endpoint protection and Defender
- Weeks 7-825
Drill and mocks
- Scenario drilling in volume
- Two full timed practice exams
- Review weak domains
Adjusting the pace
Working endpoint admin.The daily work accelerates the plan; focus study on the exam domains outside your daily work and the format.
From help-desk support.Add 2 weeks of Windows administration and Intune fundamentals before the full plan.
How to study
How do I prepare most effectively?
The MD-102 rewards hands-on endpoint-management experience, so the dominant strategy is lab work in a Microsoft 365 developer tenant: enroll test devices in Intune, create configuration and compliance profiles, and deploy apps, because the exam items test the management stack in practice. Second, master the Intune material deliberately — the device configuration, the compliance policies and the endpoint protection are the core of the exam, and candidates new to Intune under-prepare it. Third, learn the deployment methods: Autopilot vs imaging and when each fits is a distinct tested domain. Fourth, use Microsoft's official learning path and the study guide as the scope map, and hold yourself to 80 percent-plus on practice because the 700 line leaves little margin. Finally, remember the one-year renewal cycle: the Associate certification renews annually, so plan the renewal assessment from the start.
Practise in a developer tenant
Intune enrollment, profiles and app deployment — the exam tests the stack.
Master the Intune material
Configuration, compliance and protection are the core of the exam.
Learn the deployment methods
Autopilot vs imaging and when each fits is a distinct domain.
Hold to 80%+ on practice
The 700/1000 line leaves little margin.
Plan the annual renewal
The Associate certification renews yearly; schedule the assessment.
What to buy
Which study resources are worth paying for?
MD-102 prep spans official Microsoft resources and third-party courses. Microsoft's own materials — the study guide (free), the learning path and the practice assessments — are the authoritative source at no cost. Third-party providers sell MD-102 courses and practice exams at $50-$300. A Microsoft 365 developer tenant (free) supports the hands-on labs the exam rewards. A realistic total budget is $150 to $600 including the $165 exam fee. Prices below are list prices as of mid-2026 and change frequently; we rank nothing by commission.
| Resource | Price | Format | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Learn study guide + learning path | Free | Official online modules | The authoritative scope; the primary resource |
| Microsoft practice assessment | Free | Official online practice | The closest official item style |
| Third-party courses | $50-$300 | Video courses and labs | Structured walkthrough of the domains |
| Microsoft 365 developer tenant | $0 | Real cloud environment | The Intune labs the exam rewards |
| MD-102 exam | ~$165 | Computer-based exam | The certification itself |
List prices as of mid-2026, subject to change; the MD-102 exam fee is about $165; no commission or affiliate ranking is implied.
Avoid these
What mistakes do candidates most often make?
The most common MD-102 mistake is studying theory without Intune practice: candidates who read about endpoint management but never enroll a device or build a profile meet the hands-on scenario items without the practical intuition they reward. The fix is developer-tenant lab work. The second mistake is under-preparing the deployment methods — Autopilot vs imaging — a distinct tested domain. Third, candidates confuse the identity and compliance pieces, which the exam tests with precise configuration choices. Fourth, many candidates never run a full timed practice exam and misjudge the 120-minute format. Finally, some candidates overlook the one-year renewal cycle and plan only for the exam itself.
✕Studying without Intune practice
✓Enroll devices and build profiles in a developer tenant.
✕Under-preparing deployment methods
✓Autopilot vs imaging is a distinct tested domain.
✕Confusing identity and compliance
✓The exam tests precise configuration choices in both.
✕Skipping timed mocks
✓120 minutes for 40-60 questions; run two full timed exams.
✕Ignoring the annual renewal
✓The Associate certification renews yearly; plan the assessment.
What you'll face
What question types will I see?
The MD-102 is a 40-60 question multiple-choice, case-study and scenario-based exam in 120 minutes. The items test the published study guide: Windows deployment, identity management, compliance and security, and Intune device management — with many scenario items asking which configuration, policy or tool fits a described endpoint-management need. Samples below are editor-written illustrations of the published study guide, not live exam items; they show the endpoint-management style of the real items.
Which Intune profile, policy or tool fits a described need.
Autopilot, imaging and update management.
Entra ID device management and endpoint protection.
Try these
Q1A company must deploy Windows to new devices with minimal manual effort and no custom imaging. The most appropriate method is:
Answer:A
Windows Autopilot provisions new devices with minimal effort and no custom imaging — the standard modern-deployment method. Custom images, hand-built devices or skipping deployment each fail the automation requirement.
Q2To enforce that only compliant devices can access corporate resources, the most appropriate control is:
Answer:A
Intune compliance policies feed Conditional Access, which blocks non-compliant devices — the standard endpoint-access control. Shared passwords, no controls or firewalls each fail the compliance-gated access requirement.
Q3A team must deploy a line-of-business app to a defined group of Windows devices automatically. The most appropriate approach is:
Answer:A
Intune app deployment assigns the app to a device group and installs it automatically — the standard enterprise method. Manual installation, emailed installers or USB drives each fail the automated deployment requirement.
Samples are editor-written illustrations of the published study guide, not live exam items.
The big day
What should I expect on exam day?
The MD-102 is a 40-60 question, 120-minute computer-based exam at a Pearson VUE centre or through online proctoring, with a mix of multiple-choice, case-study and scenario items. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID matching your registration name and your appointment confirmation; personal items go in the locker. Arrive 30 minutes early; late arrivals forfeit the appointment and the fee. Pace at roughly 2-3 minutes per item given the case studies, flag uncertain items for review, and budget time for the reading-heavy scenarios. You receive your score on screen immediately, with the official result following; Microsoft reports your scaled score against the 700 line. If you fail, you may retake after a waiting period. On a pass, the Associate certification is valid for one year and renewed by passing the free renewal assessment. The afterwards matters: schedule the renewal assessment before the expiry, and record the renewal date.
Bring
- Valid government-issued photo ID matching your registration name
- Appointment confirmation
Leave at home
- Phone, smartwatch and all electronics
- Notes and study materials
- Personal bags beyond what the centre allows
How the day runs
Rules in the room
- No personal electronics in the testing room
- 120 minutes for 40-60 questions; the clock does not pause
- The Associate certification renews annually via the renewal assessment
Afterwards.On a pass, your MD-102 is valid for one year; pass the renewal assessment before expiry. On a fail, retake after additional study.
Reference
What are the key facts about the Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate?
Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate is a certification credential; awarded by Microsoft; the exam fee is $165; typical preparation is 2–4 months; holders typically earn $75,000 – $110,000.
| Credential | Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate |
|---|---|
| Abbreviation | MD-102 |
| Type | Certification |
| Profession | IT, Cloud & Cybersecurity |
| Specialty | Microsoft |
| Awarded by | Microsoft |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Typical prep time | 2–4 months |
| All-in cost | $165+ |
| Typical salary range | $75,000 – $110,000 |
| Exam code | MD-102 |
| Renewal | Annual (free assessment) |
| Scope | National / Multi-state |
| Also known as | MD-102 |
Real questions
Frequently asked questions about the Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate
Does it expire?
Yes, after 12 months; renew with a free online assessment.
How do I register for microsoft-md-102?
You register and schedule microsoft-md-102 through Pearson VUE. Pick a test-centre appointment or online proctoring, then sit the exam on your booked date.
What is the microsoft-md-102 exam format?
The exam is delivered as Multiple-choice + labs, with about 40–60 items, in 120 minutes. The published pass mark is 700 of 1000.
How long is the microsoft-md-102 certification valid?
Most Microsoft role-based certifications expire after 12 months but are renewed with a free online assessment; retired certs must be re-earned.
How much does microsoft-md-102 cost?
The exam fee is $165. Optional study materials and retakes are priced separately.
Who should take microsoft-md-102?
Endpoint administrators
Can I take a Microsoft exam online from home?
Yes. Exams are delivered by Pearson VUE with two options: an in-person test center or OnVUE online proctoring from a private space with a webcam. The fee is identical for both.
Do Microsoft certifications expire?
Most role-based, specialty, and fundamentals certifications are valid for 12 months. You renew for free by passing a shorter online assessment on Microsoft Learn before the expiry date.
What happens if my certification is retired?
You keep the credential until its current expiry date, but you can no longer earn or renew it. Microsoft typically points candidates to the active successor exam or certification.
In short
Is the Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate worth it?
- MD-102 is the endpoint admin associate cert.
- It covers Intune device management.
- It renews yearly.
Same awarding body
What other credentials does Microsoft award?
Worth comparing
How does the Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate compare with similar credentials?
Trust
Where does this information come from?
Everything above is taken from the awarding body's own published material. Fees, question counts and domain weights are revised regularly — check the official page before you pay.
- Microsoft Awarding body
- Official Microsoft 365 Certified: Endpoint Administrator Associate exam page Exam page
- Microsoft certification programme Programme rules
Research confidence: high · Last reviewed 2026-08