diff --git a/config/config.exs b/config/config.exs
index 496a1d57a..2a5770bf4 100644
--- a/config/config.exs
+++ b/config/config.exs
@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@
   password_reset_token_validity: 60 * 60 * 24,
   profile_directory: true,
   privileged_staff: false,
-  admin_privileges: [:user_deletion],
+  admin_privileges: [:user_deletion, :user_credentials],
   moderator_privileges: [],
   max_endorsed_users: 20,
   birthday_required: false,
diff --git a/config/description.exs b/config/description.exs
index b45d416b1..4986ccce6 100644
--- a/config/description.exs
+++ b/config/description.exs
@@ -969,14 +969,14 @@
       %{
         key: :admin_privileges,
         type: {:list, :atom},
-        suggestions: [:user_deletion],
+        suggestions: [:user_deletion, :user_credentials],
         description:
           "What extra priviledges to allow admins (e.g. updating user credentials, get password reset token, delete users, index and read private statuses and chats)"
       },
       %{
         key: :moderator_privileges,
         type: {:list, :atom},
-        suggestions: [:user_deletion],
+        suggestions: [:user_deletion, :user_credentials],
         description:
           "What extra priviledges to allow moderators (e.g. updating user credentials, get password reset token, delete users, index and read private statuses and chats)"
       },
diff --git a/lib/pleroma/web/router.ex b/lib/pleroma/web/router.ex
index 5012fbf9a..24928ffb5 100644
--- a/lib/pleroma/web/router.ex
+++ b/lib/pleroma/web/router.ex
@@ -114,6 +114,11 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.Router do
     plug(Pleroma.Web.Plugs.EnsurePrivilegedPlug, :user_deletion)
   end
 
+  pipeline :require_privileged_role_user_credentials do
+    plug(:admin_api)
+    plug(Pleroma.Web.Plugs.EnsurePrivilegedPlug, :user_credentials)
+  end
+
   pipeline :pleroma_html do
     plug(:browser)
     plug(:authenticate)
@@ -206,7 +211,6 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.Router do
 
     patch("/users/force_password_reset", AdminAPIController, :force_password_reset)
     get("/users/:nickname/credentials", AdminAPIController, :show_user_credentials)
-    patch("/users/:nickname/credentials", AdminAPIController, :update_user_credentials)
 
     get("/instance_document/:name", InstanceDocumentController, :show)
     patch("/instance_document/:name", InstanceDocumentController, :update)
@@ -243,12 +247,17 @@ defmodule Pleroma.Web.Router do
     delete("/users", UserController, :delete)
   end
 
-  # AdminAPI: admins and mods (staff) can perform these actions (if enabled by config)
+  # AdminAPI: admins and mods (staff) can perform these actions (if privileged by role)
   scope "/api/v1/pleroma/admin", Pleroma.Web.AdminAPI do
-    pipe_through([:admin_api, :require_privileged_staff])
+    pipe_through([:admin_api, :require_privileged_role_user_credentials])
 
     get("/users/:nickname/password_reset", AdminAPIController, :get_password_reset)
     patch("/users/:nickname/credentials", AdminAPIController, :update_user_credentials)
+  end
+
+  # AdminAPI: admins and mods (staff) can perform these actions (if enabled by config)
+  scope "/api/v1/pleroma/admin", Pleroma.Web.AdminAPI do
+    pipe_through([:admin_api, :require_privileged_staff])
 
     get("/users/:nickname/statuses", AdminAPIController, :list_user_statuses)
     get("/users/:nickname/chats", AdminAPIController, :list_user_chats)
diff --git a/test/pleroma/web/admin_api/controllers/admin_api_controller_test.exs b/test/pleroma/web/admin_api/controllers/admin_api_controller_test.exs
index d83f7f011..b9b3aed3b 100644
--- a/test/pleroma/web/admin_api/controllers/admin_api_controller_test.exs
+++ b/test/pleroma/web/admin_api/controllers/admin_api_controller_test.exs
@@ -271,17 +271,32 @@ test "/:right DELETE, can remove from a permission group (multiple)", %{
     end
   end
 
-  test "/api/pleroma/admin/users/:nickname/password_reset", %{conn: conn} do
-    user = insert(:user)
+  describe "/api/pleroma/admin/users/:nickname/password_reset" do
+    test "it returns a password reset link", %{conn: conn} do
+      clear_config([:instance, :admin_privileges], [:user_credentials])
 
-    conn =
-      conn
-      |> put_req_header("accept", "application/json")
-      |> get("/api/pleroma/admin/users/#{user.nickname}/password_reset")
+      user = insert(:user)
 
-    resp = json_response(conn, 200)
+      conn =
+        conn
+        |> put_req_header("accept", "application/json")
+        |> get("/api/pleroma/admin/users/#{user.nickname}/password_reset")
 
-    assert Regex.match?(~r/(http:\/\/|https:\/\/)/, resp["link"])
+      resp = json_response(conn, 200)
+
+      assert Regex.match?(~r/(http:\/\/|https:\/\/)/, resp["link"])
+    end
+
+    test "it requires privileged role :user_credentials", %{conn: conn} do
+      clear_config([:instance, :admin_privileges], [])
+
+      response =
+        conn
+        |> put_req_header("accept", "application/json")
+        |> get("/api/pleroma/admin/users/nickname/password_reset")
+
+      assert json_response(response, :forbidden)
+    end
   end
 
   describe "PUT disable_mfa" do
@@ -714,6 +729,8 @@ test "returns 403 if requested by a non-admin" do
     end
 
     test "changes password and email", %{conn: conn, admin: admin, user: user} do
+      clear_config([:instance, :admin_privileges], [:user_credentials])
+
       assert user.password_reset_pending == false
 
       conn =
@@ -756,6 +773,19 @@ test "returns 403 if requested by a non-admin", %{user: user} do
       assert json_response(conn, :forbidden)
     end
 
+    test "returns 403 if not privileged with :user_credentials", %{conn: conn, user: user} do
+      clear_config([:instance, :admin_privileges], [])
+
+      conn =
+        patch(conn, "/api/pleroma/admin/users/#{user.nickname}/credentials", %{
+          "password" => "new_password",
+          "email" => "new_email@example.com",
+          "name" => "new_name"
+        })
+
+      assert json_response(conn, :forbidden)
+    end
+
     test "changes actor type from permitted list", %{conn: conn, user: user} do
       assert user.actor_type == "Person"