Salesforce Certifications Guide - All Certification Tracks
Start Here: Your Salesforce Certification Journey
Complete free guides for all 87+ Salesforce certifications. Updated for Winter '26 release with exam objectives, practice questions, and study plans.
🎓 Which Path Is Right For You?
Choose your starting point based on your background and career goals. Each path includes recommended certifications and study guides.
Complete Beginner
No Salesforce experience? Start here! Perfect if you're new to CRM or transitioning careers.
Recommended Path:
- Salesforce Administrator (3-6 months)
- Platform App Builder (optional)
- Then specialize based on interest
Developer Background
Know programming? Fast-track to developer certifications. Build custom Salesforce solutions.
Recommended Path:
- Platform Developer I (2-4 months)
- JavaScript Developer I
- Platform Developer II
Business/Consulting
Business analyst or consultant? Focus on implementing solutions for clients and organizations.
Recommended Path:
- Sales Cloud Consultant (4-6 months)
- Service Cloud Consultant
- Experience Cloud Consultant
All Salesforce Certification Tracks
Explore all Salesforce certification tracks and discover the best path for your cloud career. From Administrator and Developer to Architect, Marketer, Designer and Sales Professional, this guide helps you choose where to start and how to grow.
Choose Your Salesforce Certification Track
Use the overview below to understand each role and then click into the detailed guide page. You can start with Administrator and later specialize as a Developer, Consultant or Architect depending on your interests. All certification names match the official Salesforce credential pages.
🛠️ Administrator Credentials
Master Salesforce configuration, user management, security and automation. This is the most common starting point for Salesforce careers and also includes a few cross-role credentials.
Administrator Certifications (Official List)- Salesforce Certified Agentforce Specialist
- Salesforce Certified Business Analyst
- Salesforce Certified CPQ Administrator
- Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Engagement Administrator
- Salesforce Certified Platform Administrator
- Salesforce Certified Platform Administrator II
- Salesforce Certified Platform App Builder
- Salesforce Certified Slack Administrator
Latest release focus (Admins): more automation and AI assistance (Agentforce), richer reporting and dashboard enhancements, and setup/permissions improvements that reduce admin clicks and maintenance effort.
View Admin Guide →💻 Developer Credentials
Extend Salesforce with Apex, Lightning Web Components, integrations, and Marketing Cloud scripting. Great if you already know programming or want to move into technical roles.
Developer Certifications (Official List)- Salesforce Certified Agentforce Specialist
- Salesforce Certified B2C Commerce Cloud Developer
- Salesforce Certified Industries CPQ Developer
- Salesforce Certified JavaScript Developer
- Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Engagement Developer
- Salesforce Certified MuleSoft Developer
- Salesforce Certified MuleSoft Developer II
- Salesforce Certified MuleSoft Hyperautomation Developer
- Salesforce Certified Omnistudio Developer
- Salesforce Certified Platform App Builder
- Salesforce Certified Platform Developer
- Salesforce Certified Platform Developer II
- Salesforce Certified Slack Developer
Latest release focus (Developers): updates to Lightning Web Components, Apex and APIs, plus new tools for working with Agentforce and Data Cloud to build AI-powered apps more easily.
View Developer Guide →💼 Consultant Credentials
Implement Salesforce solutions end-to-end for different clouds and industries. Ideal if you like process design, workshops, and client-facing work.
Consultant Certifications (Official List)- Salesforce Certified Business Analyst
- Salesforce Certified CRM Analytics and Einstein Discovery Consultant
- Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant
- Salesforce Certified Education Cloud Consultant
- Salesforce Certified Experience Cloud Consultant
- Salesforce Certified Field Service Consultant
- Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Consultant
- Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Engagement Consultant
- Salesforce Certified Nonprofit Cloud Consultant (NPC)
- Salesforce Certified Nonprofit Success Pack Consultant
- Salesforce Certified Omnistudio Consultant
- Salesforce Certified Revenue Cloud Consultant
- Salesforce Certified Sales Cloud Consultant
- Salesforce Certified Service Cloud Consultant
- Salesforce Certified Slack Consultant
Latest release focus (Consultants): deeper Data Cloud + AI capabilities for analytics and personalization, improvements to field service and digital engagement, and more industry-specific features you’ll design into your solutions.
View Consultant Guide →🏛️ Architect Credentials
Design secure, scalable architectures across data, security, and integrations. This track ultimately leads to the Salesforce Certified Technical Architect (CTA).
Architect Certifications (Official List)- Salesforce Certified Agentforce Specialist
- Salesforce Certified Application Architect
- Salesforce Certified B2B Solution Architect
- Salesforce Certified B2C Commerce Architect
- Salesforce Certified B2C Solution Architect
- Salesforce Certified Heroku Architect
- Salesforce Certified MuleSoft Catalyst Consultant
- Salesforce Certified MuleSoft Platform Architect
- Salesforce Certified MuleSoft Platform Integration Architect
- Salesforce Certified Platform Data Architect
- Salesforce Certified Platform Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect
- Salesforce Certified Platform Identity and Access Management Architect
- Salesforce Certified Platform Integration Architect
- Salesforce Certified Platform Sharing and Visibility Architect
- Salesforce Certified System Architect
- Salesforce Certified Technical Architect
Latest release focus (Architects): stronger Data Cloud and AI patterns, more options for secure integration and identity, and updated reference architectures around Agentforce and event-driven design.
View Architect Guide →📣 Marketing Credentials
Use Marketing Cloud and Account Engagement to build cross-channel journeys, nurture leads, and send highly personalized communications at scale.
Marketing Certifications (Official List)- Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Consultant
- Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Specialist
- Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Email Specialist
- Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Engagement Administrator
- Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Engagement Consultant
- Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Engagement Developer
Latest release focus (Marketers): tighter Data Cloud integration for audiences, AI-powered content and segmentation, and enhancements to Marketing Cloud Engagement setup and analytics.
View Marketer Guide →🎨 Designer Credentials
Design human-centred, accessible, and scalable Salesforce experiences. Great for UX designers, product designers, and design-minded admins or BAs.
Designer Certifications (Official List)- Salesforce Certified Platform Strategy Designer
- Salesforce Certified User Experience (UX) Designer
Latest release focus (Designers): new UX patterns and theming options, AI-assisted experiences (like Agentforce in the UI), and more flexibility in building guided, responsive flows for users.
View Designer Guide →💰 Sales Professional Credentials
Prove your ability to sell using a customer-centric methodology and make the most of Salesforce’s sales tools.
Sales Professional Certifications (Official List)- Salesforce Certified Sales Foundations
Latest release focus (Sales Professionals): AI-assisted prospecting and deal insights (Agentforce), better forecasting and pipeline views, and productivity improvements in Sales Cloud and Slack.
View Sales Professional Guide →📊 Your Salesforce Certification Journey Timeline
Foundation
Start with Administrator certification
Specialization
Choose your track (Developer/Consultant/Architect)
Advanced
Earn advanced certifications in your track
Expert
Achieve expert-level credentials (CTA, Solution Architect)
💡 Pro Study Tips for Success
📚 Consistency is Key
Study 1-2 hours daily rather than cramming. Regular practice helps retention and builds confidence for exam day.
🛠️ Hands-On Practice
Use a free Developer Edition org to practice. Reading isn't enough—you need to actually configure, build, and troubleshoot.
📝 Practice Exams
Take multiple practice exams and aim for 80%+ consistently before scheduling your real exam. Understand WHY answers are correct.
🎯 Focus on Weak Areas
Review practice exam results and focus extra study time on domains where you scored lower. Use exam weightage to prioritize.
🎓 Complete Trailhead
Complete all recommended Trailhead trails and superbadges. Hands-on projects reinforce learning and build practical skills.
👥 Join Communities
Join Trailblazer Community, study groups, and forums. Learning from others and asking questions accelerates your understanding.
💼 Career Impact & Benefits
Salary Boost
Certifications can increase salary by $10K-$30K per certification level. Multiple certs compound the impact.
Career Growth
Open doors to consulting, remote work, senior roles, and leadership positions in enterprise organizations.
Global Opportunities
Recognized worldwide, enables remote work and international opportunities with top-tier companies.
Expertise Recognition
Validate your skills, stand out in the job market, and gain credibility with clients and employers.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
For complete beginners: Start with Salesforce Administrator certification. It provides foundational knowledge of the Salesforce platform, including configuration, security, automation, and data management. This certification has no prerequisites and typically takes 3-6 months to prepare for.
For developers: If you have programming experience, you can start with Platform Developer I, though we still recommend starting with Administrator first to understand the platform.
For consultants: Start with Sales Cloud Consultant or Service Cloud Consultant after completing Administrator.
Preparation time varies based on your background and experience:
- Administrator: 3-6 months for beginners, 1-3 months if you have platform experience
- Platform Developer I: 4-6 months if you're new to programming, 2-3 months with development background
- Consultant certifications: 4-6 months with Administrator foundation
- Architect certifications: 6-12 months each, with prerequisites required
- Technical Architect (CTA): 2-4 years from starting Administrator to achieving CTA
These timelines assume consistent study of 10-15 hours per week.
Salesforce certification exam fees vary by credential type:
- Standard certifications (Administrator, Developer, Consultant): $200 USD first attempt, $100 USD for retakes
- Architect certifications: $400 USD first attempt, $200 USD for retakes
- Technical Architect (CTA): $6,000 USD (includes review board presentation)
- Accredited Professional credentials: Varies by credential
All prices are subject to change. Check the official Salesforce certification page for current pricing.
Yes, all Salesforce certifications require maintenance. Salesforce releases three updates per year (Spring, Summer, Winter), and you'll need to complete maintenance modules to keep your certifications active.
Maintenance process:
- Complete maintenance modules on Trailhead (typically 1-3 hours per cycle)
- Three maintenance cycles per year (aligned with Salesforce releases)
- Maintenance is free and can be completed online
- If you don't complete maintenance, your certification becomes inactive
Pro tip: Set calendar reminders for maintenance deadlines to avoid certification lapse!
Passing scores vary by certification:
- Most certifications: 65-68% (exact score is not disclosed, but typically in this range)
- Architect certifications: 58-68% (varies by specific exam)
- Some specialized certifications: May have different passing scores
Important: Salesforce uses a scaled scoring system, meaning not all questions have equal weight. Focus on understanding all domains rather than memorizing specific answers.
Yes! Salesforce offers both online and in-person exam options through Pearson VUE:
- Online proctored exams: Take from home with a proctor monitoring via webcam
- In-person testing centers: Traditional testing center option
- Requirements for online exams: Quiet environment, reliable internet, webcam, and valid government ID
You can schedule exams through the Salesforce Certification portal. Availability varies by location and exam type.
How to Choose Your First Salesforce Certification
- New to CRM / IT: Start with Salesforce Platform Administrator (the core admin cert).
- Already a developer: Go for Salesforce Certified Platform Developer.
- Consulting background: Consider Sales Cloud or Service Cloud Consultant.
- Long-term technical leadership goal: Plan a path toward Application/System Architect and CTA.
- Marketing automation focus: Follow the Marketing Cloud and Account Engagement certifications.
- UX or BA background: Explore the Platform Strategy / UX Designer and Business Analyst credentials.
What’s New in the Latest Salesforce Release (High-Level)
Salesforce releases (like Winter, Spring, and Summer) bring features that impact how each credential is used in real projects. Here’s how recent updates typically map to each role:
- Admins & Business Analysts: improvements to reports and dashboards, Flow and automation enhancements, easier setup, and more guardrails for security and data access.
- Developers: new Lightning Web Components and Apex capabilities, updated APIs and dev tools, and better ways to work with Data Cloud and Agentforce in code.
- Consultants: deeper analytics and AI in CRM Analytics and Data Cloud, plus cloud-specific enhancements (Sales, Service, Field Service, Nonprofit, Education, Revenue Cloud).
- Architects: new patterns and features for integration, identity, and data governance, especially around Data Cloud, MuleSoft, and secure AI usage.
- Marketers: richer Marketing Cloud Engagement and Account Engagement features, improved audience building on Data Cloud, and AI-driven personalization options.
- Designers: updated UX components, theming support, and more options to weave AI and guidance (like Agentforce) into user journeys.
- Sales Professionals: AI-assisted selling with Agentforce, better forecasting, activity capture, and Slack-based workflows that reduce manual admin work.
For exact “what’s new” per certification and release, Salesforce publishes dedicated certification maintenance modules on Trailhead. In each detailed guide on this blog, you can link directly to the official maintenance unit for that credential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Salesforce certification is best for beginners?
The Salesforce Platform Administrator certification is usually the best starting point. It gives you broad product knowledge that is required in almost every Salesforce role.
Do I need coding knowledge to start with Salesforce?
No. Administrator, Consultant, Marketer and most Designer roles do not require coding. Coding is mainly required for the Developer and some Architect certifications.
How long does it take to prepare for a Salesforce exam?
For most beginners, it takes around 6–10 weeks of consistent study (1–2 hours per day) to clear the first certification, depending on your prior experience.