Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate (DP-300)

The DP-300 exam is designed for professionals who implement and configure Azure. It validates your ability to plan and implement data platform resources, implement a secure environment, monitor, configure, and optimize database resources, configure and manage automation of tasks, and plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery (HA/DR) environment.

Exam details

Certification
Microsoft Azure Database Administrator Associate
Application
Azure
Exam code
DP-300
Level
Associate
Duration
Approximately 100 minutes
Questions
Typically 40–60 questions
Passing score
700 out of 1000
Cost
USD $165 — typical price; the exact fee varies by country/region and currency, and local taxes may apply.
Prerequisites
None required
Languages
English (also available in Chinese (Simplified), Japanese, Korean, French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), Italian, Chinese (Traditional) and Spanish)
Delivered by
Pearson VUE
Renewal
Free online assessment, every 12 months

Skills measured for the upcoming exam version

Plan and implement data platform resources

15–20%
  • Recommend and deploy Azure SQL, hybrid, Arc-enabled, and Fabric SQL offerings.
  • Configure scale, performance, partitioning, and compression.
  • Plan and implement online or offline migrations between on-premises and Azure SQL services.
Practice Data Platform Resources Questions

Implement a secure environment

20–25%
  • Configure Entra ID authentication, principals, least privilege, and T-SQL authorisation.
  • Implement TDE, Always Encrypted, firewalls, private links, and service endpoints.
  • Implement data classification, auditing, dynamic data masking, ledger, and row-level security.
Practice Secure Environment Questions

Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources

20–25%
  • Monitor performance with baselines, database watcher, Extended Events, and Query Store.
  • Identify blocking, index changes, and execution plan issues.
  • Configure automatic tuning, Resource Governor, integrity checks, and compute scaling.
Practice Database Monitoring & Optimization Questions

Configure and manage automation of tasks

15–20%
  • Manage SQL Server Agent jobs, schedules, alerts, and troubleshooting.
  • Automate deployments with ARM, Bicep, PowerShell, and Azure CLI.
  • Create elastic jobs and Azure automation for database tasks.
Practice Task Automation Questions

Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery (HA/DR) environment

20–25%
  • Recommend HA/DR based on RPO and RTO, including Azure-specific and hybrid options.
  • Perform backups and restores, including point-in-time and long-term retention.
  • Configure geo-replication, failover groups, Always On, and log shipping.
Practice HA/DR Environment Questions

Study Resources

Frequently asked questions

Who should take DP-300?

DP-300 is for database administrators who manage Azure SQL services and SQL Server databases in Azure or on-premises. It suits professionals responsible for database security, availability, performance, and migration. Candidates should be familiar with Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, SQL Server on Azure VMs, and SQL Server on-premises.

What is the average salary for an Azure Database Administrator?

In the U.S., Azure Database Administrator roles average about $102,260 per year as of October 2026. In the UK, SQL Database Administrator vacancies had a £60,000 median advertised salary in the six months to 11 October 2026. These are different measures; pay varies by experience and location.

How should I prepare for DP-300?

Access the free DP-300T00 Course on Microsoft Learn. Then use our DP-300 Exam Practice Test to practise the exam skills.

Microsoft also offers a free Practice Assessment. The English DP-300 exam outline changes on October 27, 2026, and our practice test follows the updated version. If you take the exam before then, check Microsoft's DP-300 study guide for the objectives that apply to your exam. Avoid exam dumps: using them can invalidate your score, revoke certifications you already hold, and bar you from future exams.

You can also search the Microsoft Training Services Partners directory for instructor-led options. Current U.S. listings for the four-day DP-300T00 course range from $2,375 at TechSherpas 365 to $2,495 at New Horizons. Prices vary by provider and format.

Does the exam include official labs I can use to practice?

DP-300 may include interactive components, but these are part of the exam, not practice labs. The self-paced DP-300T00 course on Microsoft Learn may include some tasks using a lab.

If you purchase Instructor-led training, Microsoft Training Partners usually provide access to official labs for about 90 days. Always checks the labs are from Microsoft Partners like Skillable.

Depending on the exam, you could get a trial licence which could include demo data you can use to practice, but that is not always guaranteed and Microsoft often changes policies about free trials with demo data. If you prefer hand-on learning using labs, contact a Microsoft Training Services Partner for Instructor-led training.

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