Certifications
There are essentially 3 different certification routes:
- Administrator –> Advanced Administrator
- Developer –> Advanced Developer
- Administrator –> Consultant
I’ve outlined the basics below; make sure to check out the official info.
Name | Official Course | Exam Cost | Prereq | Official Guide | Passing Req | Prep Materials |
Certified Administrator | ADM201 | $200 | None | Link | Multiple Choice Exam (67%) | Study Guide Practice Exam |
Certified Advanced Administrator | ADM301 | $200 | Certified Admin | Link | Multiple Choice Exam (67%) | Keep posted! |
Certified Developer | DEV401 | $200 | None | Link | Multiple Choice Exam (68%) | Study Guide Video Podcast |
Certified Advanced Developer | DEV501 | $400 | Certified Developer | Link | Multiple Choice Exam (73%), App & Essay Submission | Video Podcast |
Certified Consultant | PRN201 & CON201 | $200 | None | Link | Multiple Choice Exam (73%) | Keep Posted! |
Salesforce.com Certified Administrator [First 500 Certified]
Covers out of the box functionality without much depth. Most basic exam.
Salesforce.com Certified Advanced Administrator [Passed It!]
Tests specific knowledge of advanced features of the platform. Does not require code knowledge but will require an understanding of when VF and Apex are used.
Salesforce.com Certified Developer [Passed It!]
Tests understanding of how to design and build an application on force.com. Emphasis on data layouts and user interfaces. Focuses on out of the box functionality, but requires an understanding of when VF and Apex are used.
Salesforce.com Certified Advanced Developer [Not Attempted]
Builds on the developer certification; requires knowledge of VF and apex code. Includes code and essay submission.
Salesforce.com Certified Consultant [Passed It!]
Focuses on implementation strategy, data migration, business strategy, and aligning business processes to Salesforce.com.