diff --git a/pkg/registry/apis/provisioning/files.go b/pkg/registry/apis/provisioning/files.go
index af611489ad5..be36d540c68 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/apis/provisioning/files.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/apis/provisioning/files.go
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ import (
 	provisioning "github.com/grafana/grafana/apps/provisioning/pkg/apis/provisioning/v0alpha1"
 	"github.com/grafana/grafana/apps/provisioning/pkg/repository"
 	"github.com/grafana/grafana/apps/provisioning/pkg/safepath"
+	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/apimachinery/identity"
 	"github.com/grafana/grafana/pkg/registry/apis/provisioning/resources"
 )
 
@@ -235,8 +236,17 @@ func (c *filesConnector) Connect(ctx context.Context, name string, opts runtime.
 
 // listFolderFiles returns a list of files in a folder
 func (c *filesConnector) listFolderFiles(ctx context.Context, filePath string, ref string, readWriter repository.ReaderWriter) (*provisioning.FileList, error) {
-	// Authorization is handled at the route level - any authenticated user who can access
-	// the files endpoint can list files. The AccessClient controls per-file access.
+	id, err := identity.GetRequester(ctx)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, apierrors.NewUnauthorized("missing auth info in context")
+	}
+
+	// Check admin access - the frontend provisioning pages require admin access (controlled by navtree).
+	// AccessPolicy identities (ST->MT flow) are trusted internal callers.
+	if !isAdminOrAccessPolicy(id) {
+		return nil, apierrors.NewForbidden(resources.DashboardResource.GroupResource(), "",
+			fmt.Errorf("admin role is required"))
+	}
 
 	// TODO: Implement folder navigation
 	if len(filePath) > 0 {
diff --git a/pkg/registry/apis/provisioning/register.go b/pkg/registry/apis/provisioning/register.go
index 8fe384123f5..a955bd0bc85 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/apis/provisioning/register.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/apis/provisioning/register.go
@@ -422,25 +422,42 @@ func (b *APIBuilder) authorizeRepositorySubresource(a authorizer.Attributes, id
 	}
 }
 
+// isAdminOrAccessPolicy checks if the requester is either an admin user or an AccessPolicy identity.
+// AccessPolicy identities are used in trusted internal flows (e.g., ST->MT) and don't have org roles,
+// so we allow them through. Regular users must have admin role.
+func isAdminOrAccessPolicy(id identity.Requester) bool {
+	// AccessPolicy identities are trusted internal callers (ST->MT flow)
+	if authlib.IsIdentityType(id.GetIdentityType(), authlib.TypeAccessPolicy) {
+		return true
+	}
+	// Regular users need admin role
+	return id.GetOrgRole().Includes(identity.RoleAdmin)
+}
+
 // authorizeStats handles authorization for stats resource.
-func (b *APIBuilder) authorizeStats(_ identity.Requester) (authorizer.Decision, string, error) {
+func (b *APIBuilder) authorizeStats(id identity.Requester) (authorizer.Decision, string, error) {
 	// Stats is a read-only endpoint that returns resource counts.
-	// Any authenticated user can access it - authentication is verified before this point.
-	return authorizer.DecisionAllow, "", nil
+	// The frontend provisioning pages require admin access (controlled by navtree).
+	if isAdminOrAccessPolicy(id) {
+		return authorizer.DecisionAllow, "", nil
+	}
+	return authorizer.DecisionDeny, "admin role is required", nil
 }
 
 // authorizeSettings handles authorization for settings resource.
-func (b *APIBuilder) authorizeSettings(_ identity.Requester) (authorizer.Decision, string, error) {
+func (b *APIBuilder) authorizeSettings(id identity.Requester) (authorizer.Decision, string, error) {
 	// Settings is a read-only endpoint that returns available repository types and configuration.
-	// Any authenticated user can access it - authentication is verified before this point.
-	// The frontend needs this to display the provisioning wizard.
-	return authorizer.DecisionAllow, "", nil
+	// The frontend provisioning pages require admin access (controlled by navtree).
+	if isAdminOrAccessPolicy(id) {
+		return authorizer.DecisionAllow, "", nil
+	}
+	return authorizer.DecisionDeny, "admin role is required", nil
 }
 
 // authorizeJobs handles authorization for job resources.
 func (b *APIBuilder) authorizeJobs(id identity.Requester) (authorizer.Decision, string, error) {
 	// Jobs are shown on the configuration page.
-	if id.GetOrgRole().Includes(identity.RoleAdmin) {
+	if isAdminOrAccessPolicy(id) {
 		return authorizer.DecisionAllow, "", nil
 	}
 	return authorizer.DecisionDeny, "admin role is required", nil