Administering Relational Databases on Microsoft Azure (DP-300) Exam Blueprint

DP-300

Microsoft

700 (1-1000)Passing Score

Practice Administering Relational Databases on Microsoft Azure on QuizForge

Credential type: certification examination · verified on the issuer's site September 19, 2026 issuer page

Exam Domains

1.0 Plan and implement data platform resources 15-20%

1.1Plan and deploy Azure SQL solutions
Recommend a database offering based on specific requirements; Choose an automated deployment method; Identify use cases for Azure Arc-enabled SQL services; Identify use cases for Azure SQL Database in Microsoft Fabric; Plan for table partitioning; Recommend a database sharding solution; Deploy database offerings on selected platforms; Deploy hybrid SQL Server solutions; Apply patches and updates for hybrid and infrastructure as a service (IaaS) deployment
1.2Configure resources for scale and performance
Configure Azure SQL Database for scale and performance; Configure Azure SQL Managed Instance for scale and performance; Configure SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines for scale and performance; Configure table partitioning; Configure data compression
1.3Plan and implement a migration strategy
Evaluate requirements for a migration; Evaluate offline or online migration strategies; Implement an online migration strategy; Implement an offline migration strategy; Implement a migration to Azure; Implement a migration between Azure SQL services; Implement Azure SQL Managed Instance database copy and move; Troubleshoot a migration

2.0 Implement a secure environment 20-25%

2.1Configure database authentication and authorization
Configure Microsoft Entra ID authentication for Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and SQL Server; Configure authentication for SQL on Azure VMs and Azure SQL Managed Instance; Configure security principals; Create users from Microsoft Entra identities; Configure database and object-level permissions using graphical tools; Apply the principle of least privilege for all securables; Troubleshoot authentication and authorization issues; Manage authentication and authorization by using T-SQL
2.2Implement security for data at rest and data in transit
Implement transparent data encryption (TDE); Implement object-level encryption; Configure server- and database-level firewall rules; Implement Always Encrypted; Implement Always Encrypted with VBS enclaves; Configure private links and service endpoints
2.3Implement compliance controls for sensitive data
Apply a data classification strategy; Configure server and database audits; Implement change data tracking; Implement dynamic data masking; Implement ledger in Azure SQL; Implement row-level security

3.0 Monitor, configure, and optimize database resources 20-25%

3.1Monitor resource activity and performance
Prepare an operational performance baseline; Determine sources for performance metrics; Interpret performance metrics; Configure and monitor activity and performance; Monitor by using database watcher; Monitor by using Extended Events
3.2Monitor and optimize query performance
Configure Query Store; Monitor by using Query Store; Identify and resolve session blocking; Identify performance issues using dynamic management views (DMVs); Identify and implement index changes for queries; Recommend query construct modifications based on resource usage; Review execution plans; Monitor by using Intelligent Insights
3.3Configure database solutions for optimal performance
Implement index maintenance tasks; Implement statistics maintenance tasks; Implement database integrity checks; Configure database automatic tuning; Configure server settings for performance; Configure Resource Governor for performance; Implement database-scoped configuration; Configure compute and storage resources for scaling; Identify use cases for intelligent query processing (IQP) features

4.0 Configure and manage automation of tasks 15-20%

4.1Create and manage SQL Server Agent jobs
Manage schedules for regular maintenance jobs; Configure job alerts and notifications; Troubleshoot SQL Server Agent jobs
4.2Automate deployment of database resources
Automate deployment by using Azure Resource Manager (ARM) and Bicep templates; Automate deployment by using Azure PowerShell; Automate deployment by using Azure CLI; Monitor and troubleshoot deployments
4.3Create and manage database tasks in Azure
Create and configure elastic jobs; Create and configure database tasks by using automation; Configure alerts and notifications on database tasks; Troubleshoot automated database tasks

5.0 Plan and configure a high availability and disaster recovery (HA/DR) environment 20-25%

5.1Plan an HA/DR strategy for database solutions
Recommend HA/DR strategy based on Recovery Point Objective/Recovery Time Objective (RPO/RTO) requirements; Evaluate HA/DR for hybrid deployments; Evaluate Azure-specific HA/DR solutions; Plan a testing procedure for an HA/DR solution
5.2Plan and perform backup and restore of a database
Recommend a database backup and restore strategy; Perform a database backup by using native tools; Perform a database restore by using native tools; Perform a database restore to a point in time; Configure long-term backup retention; Backup and restore a database by using T-SQL; Backup to and restore from cloud storage
5.3Configure HA/DR for database solutions
Configure active geo-replication; Configure Always On availability groups on SQL Managed Instance and Azure virtual machines; Configure failover groups; Configure Always On Failover Cluster Instances on Azure virtual machines; Configure log shipping; Monitor an HA/DR solution; Troubleshoot an HA/DR solution

Exam Details

Online ProctoringAvailable

RenewalRequired -- Microsoft certifications (Associate/Expert/Specialty) are renewed annually for free via a short renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn. Renewal assessment available 6 months before expiry. Fundamentals certifications do not expire.

PrerequisitesExperience with building database solutions that support multiple workloads built with Azure SQL services and SQL Server. (recommended)

Retake PolicyAfter the first failure, wait 24 hours. Wait 14 days between later attempts. At most five attempts in the 12 months starting with the first attempt; after five failures, wait until that period ends. Retake fees apply. See Microsoft's policy for exceptions.

Official Study Resources

official documentationChoose from self-paced learning paths and modules or take an instructor-led course

official documentationAzure SQL documentation

official documentationAzure SQL Database documentation

official documentationAzure documentation

official documentationMicrosoft Q&A | Microsoft Docs

official documentationExam Readiness Zone

official documentationData Exposed

official documentationBrowse other Microsoft Learn shows

Source review and study planning

Source checked 2026-09-04. Objectives effective 2026-04-24.

Official-source reconciliation with automated hierarchy checks; not an endorsement by Microsoft.

Reconciled domain ranges and objective hierarchy against the dated official guide; local objective numbers are navigation aids.
Corrected first and subsequent retake waiting periods; removed the unsupported score threshold.
Removed unsupported fixed question count, duration, price, language list and testing rules. Consult the official exam page for booking details; the audience profile describes recommended experience, not mandatory prerequisites.

Official objectives | Official retake policy

Plan against this version

Check the official revision history before planning study: Compare the effective date with your exam language and appointment. Use changed objectives to revisit earlier preparation.
Use the guide's learning and documentation map: For each objective, record a task you can perform and the official reference used. Prioritize gaps; the published ranges are not predicted question counts.
Atlas study exercise: Plan a database recovery review: Choose a database workload with a recovery requirement. Explain the backup and restore evidence you would check, then distinguish recovery planning from query-performance troubleshooting. Map your review to the availability, security and optimization objectives rather than memorizing isolated commands. This is a study aid, not an official exam question or a prediction of your result.