Apply Now Apply Now Apply Now
header_logo
Post thumbnail
SALESFORCE

Top 30 Salesforce Certifications in 2026 : A Comprehensive Guide

By Saanchi Bhardwaj

Salesforce certifications can help professionals validate their skills across roles such as administration, development, consulting, architecture, marketing, and sales. With Salesforce continuing to update its certification catalog around newer products and technologies, choosing the right credential has also become more important.

But with so many options available, which Salesforce Certification should you pursue first? The answer depends on your experience, career goals, and the Salesforce skills you want to build.

In this guide, we’ll break down the key Salesforce certifications available in 2026, who they are suitable for, what they cover, and how you can prepare for the certification exam.

Table of contents


  1. TL;DR Summary
  2. What Is a Salesforce Certification and Why Is It Important?
  3. Salesforce Certification Categories in 2026
    • Associate Certifications
    • Administrator Certifications
    • Architect Certifications
    • Developer Certifications
    • Sales Professional Certifications
    • Marketer Certifications
    • Consultant Certifications
    • Designer Certifications
  4. Top Tips for Passing Salesforce Certification Exams
  5. Wrapping Up
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
    • Which Salesforce Certification is best for beginners in 2026?
    • How much does a Salesforce certification cost in India?
    • Do Salesforce certifications expire?
    • How should I prepare for a Salesforce certification exam?
    • Can Salesforce certification exams be taken online?

TL;DR Summary

  • Salesforce offers certifications across administration, development, consulting, architecture, marketing, data, and other specialized roles.
  • Beginners can start with foundational credentials such as Salesforce Certified Platform Foundations.
  • The right Salesforce Certification depends on your experience, role, and the Salesforce products you work with.
  • Salesforce has made major certification changes in 2026, including renamed credentials and certifications scheduled for retirement.
  • Trailhead, hands-on practice, and official exam resources should form the core of your certification preparation.

What Is a Salesforce Certification and Why Is It Important?

Salesforce is a cloud-based platform that helps companies manage customer relationships across sales, service, marketing, and analytics. A Salesforce Certification is a formal credential that validates your expertise in specific Salesforce products, features, and professional roles.

Salesforce certifications can support career growth by helping you:

  • Validate your Salesforce skills and practical knowledge.
  • Build credibility for roles that require Salesforce expertise.
  • Strengthen your profile for career advancement.
  • Improve your earning potential as your expertise grows.
  • Keep your skills current with continuous learning and a clear Salesforce roadmap.

Unlock top Salesforce roles with our industry-recognized Salesforce Course. Start your journey to a high-growth tech career today.

Salesforce Certification Categories in 2026

Salesforce organizes its certifications by skills and professional roles, making it easier to choose a credential that matches your experience and career goals. Let’s look at the major Salesforce Certification categories and the credentials available under each.

Associate Certifications

Associate certifications are ideal for beginners and professionals building foundational skills in Salesforce products and technologies. They typically require little to no prior Salesforce experience and can serve as a starting point for more specialized certifications.

1. Salesforce Certified Platform Foundations

  • Who does it suit: Entry-level professionals building core Salesforce knowledge as a foundation for different Salesforce roles.
  • Core topics and exam scope: This Salesforce developer certification covers Salesforce fundamentals, navigation, data models, reports and dashboards, and common CRM use cases.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; up to 6 months of Salesforce user experience is recommended.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹7,160 + applicable taxes (US$75).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official Platform Foundations Trailhead resources and exam guide; 70-minute exam with 40 multiple-choice questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 62% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: No maintenance is currently required. Continued learning through Trailhead is encouraged.

2. Salesforce Certified AI Associate (Retired February 2026)

  • Who does it suit: Beginners and Salesforce users who wanted to build foundational knowledge of AI concepts and responsible AI within the Salesforce ecosystem.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Generative AI basics, ethical AI, CRM AI use cases, Prompt Builder concepts, and responsible data handling in Salesforce.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; the certification was designed for beginners.
  • Exam fee: Free for the first attempt before retirement; the retake fee was approximately ₹4,800 + applicable taxes (US$50). 
  • Study resources and exam format: Salesforce retired the AI Associate certification in February 2026 as part of the transition to the Agentblazer learning and credential program. Learners looking for AI-focused Salesforce skills should now explore the newer Agentforce and Agentblazer learning paths.
  • Maintenance requirements: No longer applicable because the certification has been retired.

3. Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Engagement Foundations

  • Who does it suit: Entry-level Salesforce developers and marketing professionals looking to build foundational Marketing Cloud Engagement skills.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Marketing concepts, subscriber and data management, email marketing, and core Marketing Cloud Engagement functionality.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; a foundational understanding of Salesforce and up to 6 months of Marketing Cloud Engagement experience are recommended.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹7,160 + applicable taxes (US$75).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official Trailhead preparation resources and credential Trailmix; 70-minute exam with 40 multiple-choice questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 65% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: Follow Salesforce’s applicable certification maintenance requirements to keep the credential current.

4. Salesforce Certified MuleSoft Integration Foundations

  • Who does it suit: Beginners with knowledge of core integration concepts who want to contribute effectively as members of a MuleSoft project team.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Integration fundamentals, APIs, API-led connectivity, MuleSoft terminology, and the role of integration in business processes.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; familiarity with basic integration and API concepts is useful.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹7,160 + applicable taxes (US$75).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official Salesforce exam guide and MuleSoft learning resources; 70-minute exam with 40 multiple-choice questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 70% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: No formal prerequisite applies to the exam; maintenance should follow Salesforce’s current credential requirements.

5. Salesforce Certified Tableau Desktop Foundations

  • Who does it suit: Beginners and data professionals looking to validate foundational skills in Tableau Desktop.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Connecting and preparing data, exploring and analyzing data, sharing insights, and understanding core Tableau concepts.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; at least 3 months of hands-on Tableau Desktop experience is recommended.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹7,160 + applicable taxes (US$75).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official Tableau Desktop Foundations exam guide and Tableau learning resources; 70-minute exam with 40 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 48% passing score for the English exam.
  • Maintenance requirements: Follow Salesforce’s current certification maintenance requirements for the credential.

Administrator Certifications

Salesforce Administrator certifications validate skills in configuring, managing, and improving Salesforce products and processes. This category includes credentials for platform administration, business analysis, Agentforce, Marketing Cloud, Slack, Tableau, and related administrative roles.

6. Salesforce Certified Platform Administrator

  • Who does it suit: Professionals who configure, manage, and maintain Salesforce and help organizations get more value from the platform.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Configuration and setup, Object Manager and Lightning App Builder, sales and service applications, data and analytics management, workflow and process automation, and Agentforce AI.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; Salesforce recommends 6 or more months of experience as a Salesforce Platform Administrator.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹19,100 + applicable taxes (US$200).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official exam guide, Platform Administrator Trailmix, and Trailhead certification prep; 105-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 68% passing score for the English exam.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the applicable Trailhead maintenance module by Salesforce’s specified deadline to keep the certification current.

7. Salesforce Certified Business Analyst

  • Who does it suit: Business analysts, consultants, product owners, CRM managers, and Salesforce professionals who translate business needs into Salesforce solutions.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Customer discovery, stakeholder collaboration, business process mapping, requirements gathering, user stories, user acceptance testing, and solution evaluation.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; practical Salesforce and business analysis experience is recommended.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹19,100 + applicable taxes (US$200).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official Salesforce Business Analyst exam guide and Trailhead resources; 105-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 72% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the applicable Trailhead maintenance badge to keep the certification active.

8. Salesforce Certified Agentforce Specialist

  • Who does it suit: Administrators, developers, and architects who configure and manage AI agents and prompt templates using Agentforce.
  • Core topics and exam scope: AI agents, prompt engineering, Agentforce development lifecycle, Data 360 grounding, testing and deployment, governance and observability, and multi-agent orchestration.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; Salesforce recommends around 1 year of Salesforce Platform configuration experience, including hands-on experience with Agentforce Agent Builder and Prompt Builder.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹19,100 + applicable taxes (US$200).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official Agentforce Specialist exam guide, Agentblazer learning, and Trailhead resources; 105-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 72% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the Agentforce Specialist maintenance module once a year.

9. Salesforce Certified Platform App Builder

  • Who does it suit: Professionals who design, build, and deploy custom Salesforce applications using declarative tools rather than extensive coding.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Salesforce fundamentals, data modeling and management, business logic and process automation, user interface design, and app deployment.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; hands-on experience designing and building custom applications on the Salesforce Platform is recommended.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹19,100 + applicable taxes (US$200).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official Platform App Builder exam guide, Trailhead study resources, and certification Trailmix; 105-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 73% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the applicable Platform App Builder maintenance badge by Salesforce’s specified deadline to keep the certification current.

Architect Certifications

Salesforce Architect certifications are for experienced professionals who design scalable, secure, and integrated Salesforce solutions. They cover specialized areas such as data, identity, deployment, integration, and platform security.

10. Salesforce Certified Platform Data Architect

  • Who does it suit: Experienced architects and Salesforce professionals who design scalable, high-performing enterprise data solutions.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Data modeling and database design, master data management, Salesforce data management, data governance, large data volumes, and data migration.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; Salesforce recommends 2–3 years of Salesforce experience and 5+ years working with data-centric solutions.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹38,200 + applicable taxes (US$400).
  • Study resources and exam format: Architect Journey: Data Architecture Trailmix and official exam guide; 105-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 58% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the applicable Salesforce Platform Data Architect maintenance module to keep the certification current.

11. Salesforce Certified Platform Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect

  • Who does it suit: Technical leads, release managers, DevOps professionals, and architects who manage complex Salesforce development and deployment processes.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Application lifecycle management, planning, system design, building, deployment, testing, release management, and operations.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; Salesforce recommends 2–3 years of Salesforce Platform experience, along with experience in Salesforce DevOps, governance, and application lifecycle management.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹38,200 + applicable taxes (US$400).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official exam guide and Architect Journey: Development Lifecycle and Deployment Trailmix; 105-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 65% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the applicable Salesforce Architect certification maintenance badge to keep the credential active.

12. Salesforce Certified Platform Identity and Access Management Architect

  • Who does it suit: Identity, security, solution, and technical architects who design secure and scalable identity management solutions on the Salesforce Platform.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Identity management concepts, third-party identity, Salesforce as an identity provider, access management best practices, Salesforce Identity, SSO, OAuth, SAML, and external identity.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; Salesforce recommends 1+ year designing and implementing identity and access management solutions on Salesforce and 2+ years of identity or security technology experience.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹38,200 + applicable taxes (US$400).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official exam guide and Architect Journey: Identity and Access Management Trailmix; 120-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice questions; 67% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the Salesforce Certified Platform Identity and Access Management Architect maintenance badge on Trailhead once a year to keep the credential active.

13. Salesforce Certified Platform Sharing and Visibility Architect

  • Who does it suit: Architects, analysts, and advanced administrators who design secure and scalable sharing and visibility models on the Salesforce Platform.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Object and field permissions, record access, organization-wide defaults, sharing rules, role hierarchies, permission sets, programmatic sharing, and security for external users.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; Salesforce recommends 2–3 years of Salesforce experience and 4–5 years of experience implementing complex security models in Salesforce.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹38,200 + applicable taxes (US$400).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official exam guide and Architect Journey: Sharing and Visibility Trailmix; 120-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 58% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the Salesforce Certified Platform Sharing and Visibility Architect maintenance badge on Trailhead once a year to keep the certification active.

14. Salesforce Certified System Architect

  • Who does it suit: Experienced Salesforce architects who specialize in off-platform systems, integrations, identity, access, deployment, governance, and system architecture.
  • Core topics and exam scope: The credential demonstrates combined expertise in platform development, deployment lifecycle, identity and access management, and integration architecture.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: Candidates must earn Salesforce Certified Platform Developer, Platform Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect, Platform Identity and Access Management Architect, and Platform Integration Architect. Once all four are completed, Salesforce automatically grants the System Architect certification.
  • Exam fee: No separate exam fee. The credential is awarded after completing all four prerequisite certifications.
  • Study resources and exam format: There is no separate System Architect exam. Candidates prepare for and pass the four prerequisite certification exams.
  • Maintenance requirements: Maintain the underlying prerequisite certifications. Salesforce currently associates System Architect maintenance with the Platform Developer and Architect maintenance badges.

15. Salesforce Certified System Architect

  • Who does it suit: Experienced Salesforce architects who specialize in off-platform systems, integrations, identity, access, deployment, governance, and system architecture.
  • Core topics and exam scope: The credential demonstrates combined expertise in platform development, deployment lifecycle, identity and access management, and integration architecture.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: Candidates must earn Salesforce Certified Platform Developer, Platform Development Lifecycle and Deployment Architect, Platform Identity and Access Management Architect, and Platform Integration Architect. Once all four are completed, Salesforce automatically grants the System Architect certification.
  • Exam fee: No separate exam fee. The credential is awarded after completing all four prerequisite certifications.
  • Study resources and exam format: There is no separate System Architect exam. Candidates prepare for and pass the four prerequisite certification exams.
  • Maintenance requirements: Maintain the underlying prerequisite certifications. Salesforce currently associates System Architect maintenance with the Platform Developer and Architect maintenance badges.
💡Did You Know?

Salesforce designers sometimes hide tiny “SaaSy” Easter eggs in their artwork. One example appeared in the wheels of Astro’s moped.

Developer Certifications

Salesforce Developer certifications validate skills in building, customizing, and extending Salesforce applications using technologies such as Apex, JavaScript, Lightning, APIs, and platform-specific development tools.

16. Salesforce Certified B2C Commerce Developer

  • Who does it suit: Developers building and customizing ecommerce storefronts using Salesforce B2C Commerce Digital.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Storefront Reference Architecture (SFRA), B2C Commerce setup, application development, working with a B2C site, data management, and debugging.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; Salesforce recommends at least 1 year of developer experience, including 3–6 months in a B2C Commerce Developer role.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹19,100 + applicable taxes (US$200).
  • Study resources and exam format: Commerce Cloud Academy materials, official Salesforce B2C Commerce documentation, and Trailhead resources; 105-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 65% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the applicable B2C Commerce Developer maintenance badge on Trailhead to keep the certification active.

17. Salesforce Certified JavaScript Developer

  • Who does it suit: JavaScript, front-end, full-stack, and Salesforce developers who build web applications and work with technologies such as Lightning Web Components.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Variables, types and collections, objects, functions and classes, browser and events, debugging, asynchronous programming, server-side JavaScript, and testing.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; Salesforce recommends 1–2 years of experience developing front-end and/or back-end JavaScript applications.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹19,100 + applicable taxes (US$200).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official JavaScript Developer exam guide, Trailhead study trail, and certification Trailmix; 105-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 65% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the JavaScript Developer certification maintenance badge once a year. The current Summer ’26 maintenance badge applies to eligible certification holders.

18. Salesforce Certified Omnistudio Developer

  • Who does it suit: Developers who use Omnistudio tools to design and configure Salesforce applications for complex business requirements.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Omnistudio fundamentals, Flexcards, Omniscripts, Integration Procedures, Data Mappers, deployment, troubleshooting, debugging, and testing.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; hands-on experience using Omnistudio tools to build and configure Salesforce solutions is recommended.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹19,100 + applicable taxes (US$200).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official Omnistudio Developer exam guide and Trailhead preparation path; 105-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 72% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the applicable Omnistudio Developer maintenance badge on Trailhead.

19. Salesforce Certified Platform Developer

  • Who does it suit: Developers who build and deploy custom business logic and interfaces using the programmatic capabilities of the Salesforce Lightning Platform.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Developer fundamentals, process automation and logic, user interface development, testing, debugging, deployment, and working with technologies such as Apex, Lightning components, Visualforce, and Flow. The current exam also covers relevant Agentforce for Developers concepts.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; Salesforce recommends 1–2 years of developer experience and at least 6 months of experience on the Lightning Platform.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹19,100 + applicable taxes (US$200).
  • Study resources and exam format: Platform Developer certification Trailmix, official exam guide, and Trailhead study resources; 105-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 68% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the applicable Salesforce certification maintenance requirements annually to keep the credential current.
GUVI Ad

Sales Professional Certifications

Salesforce Sales Professional certifications validate customer-focused selling skills, from planning and discovery to deal management, forecasting, and customer success.

20. Salesforce Certified Agentforce Sales Foundations

  • Who does it suit: Sales professionals who use a customer-centric approach to manage accounts, build relationships, and move opportunities through the sales process.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Planning, customer engagement, deal management, pipeline management, forecasting, and customer success.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; Salesforce recommends 6 months to 3 years of experience as a sales representative.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹7,160 + applicable taxes (US$75).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official Agentforce Sales Foundations Trailmix and certification prep module; 105-minute exam with 40 multiple-choice questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 70% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: No maintenance is currently required; continued learning through Trailhead is encouraged.

Marketer Certifications

Salesforce Marketer certifications validate skills in creating, managing, and optimizing customer journeys and digital marketing campaigns using Salesforce Marketing Cloud products.

21. Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Engagement Administrator

  • Who does it suit: Marketing Cloud administrators who configure products, manage subscriber data, maintain accounts, and troubleshoot user or configuration issues.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Digital marketing proficiency, subscriber data management, setup, channel management, and Marketing Cloud maintenance.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; hands-on experience configuring and administering Marketing Cloud Engagement is recommended.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹19,100 + applicable taxes (US$200).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official Trailhead certification prep modules and exam guide; 105-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 67% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the applicable Marketing Cloud Engagement Administrator maintenance badge on Trailhead. Salesforce currently has a Winter ’26 maintenance badge for this certification.

22. Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Engagement Specialist

  • Who does it suit: Marketing professionals who work with email campaigns and have hands-on experience using Salesforce Marketing Cloud Engagement.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Email marketing best practices, content creation, subscriber and data management, delivery, analytics, Journey Builder, Automation Studio, and Einstein features.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; practical experience with Marketing Cloud Engagement is recommended. Salesforce also highly recommends its MKT 101 course.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹19,100 + applicable taxes (US$200).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official certification Trailmix, Trailhead resources, and exam guide; 90-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 67% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the Marketing Cloud Engagement Specialist maintenance badge once a year.

23. Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Account Engagement Specialist

  • Who does it suit: Marketing professionals who design and execute B2B marketing campaigns and workflows using Salesforce Marketing Cloud Account Engagement.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Visitors and prospects, administration, forms and landing pages, lead management, email marketing, Engagement Studio, lead generation, and reporting.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; Salesforce recommends 6–12 months of experience building and executing end-to-end marketing workflows with Account Engagement.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹19,100 + applicable taxes (US$200).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official certification Trailmix, Salesforce Help documentation, and hands-on practice; 90-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 72% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the applicable Account Engagement Specialist maintenance badge once a year.

Consultant Certifications

Salesforce Consultant certifications validate the ability to understand business requirements and design, configure, and implement Salesforce solutions that support customer needs and business goals.

24. Salesforce Certified Agentforce Sales Consultant

  • Who does it suit: Salesforce consultants who design and implement scalable Agentforce Sales solutions based on customer requirements and sales processes.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Sales lifecycle, implementation strategies, application architecture and design, data management, analytics, integrations, productivity, and Agentforce Sales capabilities.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: Salesforce Certified Platform Administrator is a prerequisite. Salesforce recommends 1+ years of experience using Salesforce, working with sales processes, and developing business solutions.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹19,100 + applicable taxes (US$200).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official Agentforce Sales Consultant Trailmix, Trailhead resources, and hands-on practice; 105-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 73% passing score for the English exam.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the applicable Salesforce certification maintenance badge annually. The current maintenance schedule links this certification to the Platform Administrator maintenance badge.

25. Salesforce Certified Agentforce Service Consultant

  • Who does it suit: Salesforce consultants who design and implement scalable customer service solutions using Agentforce Service and Salesforce.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Industry knowledge, implementation strategies, Agentforce Service solution design, case management, contact center analytics, integrations, knowledge management, and interaction channels.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: Salesforce Certified Platform Administrator is a prerequisite. Salesforce says candidates typically have 2–5 years of professional experience, along with customer support knowledge and Salesforce implementation expertise.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹19,100 + applicable taxes (US$200).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official Agentforce Service Consultant Trailmix, Trailhead resources, and hands-on practice; 105-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 78% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the Platform Administrator maintenance badge annually.

26. Salesforce Certified Experience Cloud Consultant

  • Who does it suit: Consultants, administrators, developers, business analysts, and solution architects who design and implement customer-facing solutions using Salesforce Experience Cloud.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Experience Cloud basics, sharing and visibility, licensing, branding and personalization, user creation and authentication, content management, templates, and Experience Cloud implementation.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: Salesforce Certified Platform Administrator is a prerequisite. Salesforce recommends at least 6 months of hands-on Experience Cloud administration or development experience.
  • Exam fee: Approx. ₹19,100 + applicable taxes (US$200).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official Experience Cloud Consultant Trailmix, Trailhead resources, and hands-on practice; 105-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 62% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the Platform Administrator maintenance badge annually.

27. Salesforce Certified Data 360 Consultant

  • Who does it suit: Consultants and Salesforce professionals who design, configure, and implement Data 360 solutions for customer and enterprise data use cases.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Solution positioning, Data 360 setup and administration, data ingestion, harmonization and unification, data analysis and sharing, segmentation, and activation.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite. Hands-on experience with Data 360, data strategy, data modeling, and Salesforce implementations is recommended.
  • Exam fee: US$200 + applicable taxes (approximately ₹19,100, depending on the current exchange rate).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official Prepare for Your Salesforce Data 360 Consultant Exam Trail and Data 360 Learning Journey; 105-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 70% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the Data 360 Consultant certification maintenance module once a year.

28. Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Engagement Consultant

  • Who does it suit: Experienced Marketing Cloud professionals who work with stakeholders to translate business requirements into scalable multi-channel marketing solutions.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Discovery and architecture, account configuration, data design, automation, messaging, reporting, integrations, and Marketing Cloud Connect.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Engagement Administrator is a prerequisite. Hands-on experience configuring and implementing Marketing Cloud solutions is strongly recommended.
  • Exam fee: US$200 + applicable taxes (approximately ₹19,100, depending on the current exchange rate).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official certification Trailmix, exam guide, and hands-on Marketing Cloud practice; 105-minute exam with 60 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions and up to 5 unscored questions; 67% passing score.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the applicable Marketing Cloud Engagement Administrator maintenance badge. Salesforce’s current maintenance schedule states that this badge maintains both the Administrator and Consultant certifications.
GUVI Ad

Designer Certifications

Salesforce Designer certifications validate skills in creating human-centered experiences and developing strategies that balance user needs, business goals, and Salesforce platform capabilities.

29. Salesforce Certified Platform Strategy Designer

  • Who does it suit: Strategy designers, consultants, product professionals, and Salesforce practitioners who help organizations turn business and user needs into effective experience strategies.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Value design, tools and artifacts, intangible deliverables, and leveraging adjacent roles and skills.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; practical experience with strategy design and Salesforce is recommended.
  • Exam fee: US$200 + applicable taxes (approximately ₹19,100, depending on the current exchange rate).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official Platform Strategy Designer certification Trailmix, certification prep modules, and hands-on practice.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the applicable Platform Strategy Designer maintenance badge once a year.

30. Salesforce Certified Platform User Experience Designer

  • Who does it suit: Aspiring and experienced UX designers who create human-centered experiences on the Salesforce Platform.
  • Core topics and exam scope: Discovery, UX fundamentals, human-centered design, declarative design, design testing, and the Salesforce Lightning Design System.
  • Prerequisites and recommended experience: No formal prerequisite; practical experience with UX design principles and designing solutions on the Salesforce Platform is recommended.
  • Exam fee: US$200 + applicable taxes (approximately ₹19,100, depending on the current exchange rate).
  • Study resources and exam format: Official Platform User Experience Designer Trailmix, certification prep module, and hands-on Salesforce design practice.
  • Maintenance requirements: Complete the applicable Platform User Experience Designer maintenance badge.

Top Tips for Passing Salesforce Certification Exams

Preparing for a Salesforce certification exam requires a mix of structured learning, hands-on practice, and regular self-assessment:

  • Create a realistic study plan and track your progress.
  • Get hands-on practice in a Developer Org and work on Salesforce projects to apply what you learn in practical scenarios.
  • Use the official exam guide to understand the topics and exam structure.
  • Complete relevant Trailhead modules and superbadges. If you’re preparing for a developer-focused credential, explore some Salesforce developer courses for additional structured learning and practice.
  • Take practice exams to improve your speed and identify knowledge gaps.
  • Join Salesforce study groups and community discussions when you need additional help.
  • Review Salesforce release updates that could affect your exam.
  • Use flashcards for important terminology, concepts, and platform limits.
  • Practise under timed conditions before the actual exam.
  • Get adequate rest before exam day and keep the required identification ready.

If you prefer learning at your own pace, explore HCL GUVI’s self-paced Salesforce course. It offers structured learning to strengthen your Salesforce fundamentals and build practical skills that can support your certification preparation.

Wrapping Up

Choosing the right Salesforce Certification depends on your current skills, experience, and career goals. Salesforce offers credentials for several professional roles, so it helps to first identify the area you want to specialize in. You can also explore Salesforce career opportunities in India to get a clearer idea of the roles and career paths available.

Once you’ve chosen a certification, use Trailhead, official exam guides, and hands-on practice to prepare consistently. Keep track of the maintenance requirements as well, so your certification stays current with Salesforce updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which Salesforce Certification is best for beginners in 2026?

Salesforce Certified Platform Foundations is a good starting point for beginners. It has no formal prerequisite and covers fundamental Salesforce concepts, CRM functionality, reporting, security, customization, and data management.

2. How much does a Salesforce certification cost in India?

The Salesforce certification cost depends on the credential. Foundational exams can cost around ₹7,200, many professional-level certifications cost around ₹19,100, and advanced architect exams can cost around ₹38,200, plus applicable taxes. These are approximate INR conversions, so check the official Salesforce exam page for the latest fee before registering. 

3. Do Salesforce certifications expire?

Most Salesforce certifications require an annual Trailhead maintenance badge. Missing the applicable deadline can cause the certification to expire. Some foundational certifications, including Platform Foundations, do not currently require maintenance.

4. How should I prepare for a Salesforce certification exam?

Start with the official exam guide and relevant Trailhead modules. Add hands-on Salesforce practice, superbadges where applicable, and timed practice tests to identify areas that need more revision. Salesforce provides recommended preparation resources on individual certification pages.

5. Can Salesforce certification exams be taken online?

Yes. Salesforce currently offers proctored certification exams online through Pearson OnVUE and in person at Pearson VUE testing centers. Availability can depend on the certification and your account.

Success Stories

Did you enjoy this article?

Learn with HCL GUVI

Schedule 1:1 free counselling

Similar Articles

Loading...
Get in Touch
Chat on Whatsapp
Request Callback
Share logo Copy link
Table of contents Table of contents
Table of contents Articles
Close button

  1. TL;DR Summary
  2. What Is a Salesforce Certification and Why Is It Important?
  3. Salesforce Certification Categories in 2026
    • Associate Certifications
    • Administrator Certifications
    • Architect Certifications
    • Developer Certifications
    • Sales Professional Certifications
    • Marketer Certifications
    • Consultant Certifications
    • Designer Certifications
  4. Top Tips for Passing Salesforce Certification Exams
  5. Wrapping Up
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
    • Which Salesforce Certification is best for beginners in 2026?
    • How much does a Salesforce certification cost in India?
    • Do Salesforce certifications expire?
    • How should I prepare for a Salesforce certification exam?
    • Can Salesforce certification exams be taken online?