Top 5 Salesforce Certifications for Beginners
Jenna Trott | January 03, 2025 | 6 Minute Read
If you’re thinking about a career in Salesforce, you’re not alone!
Salesforce continues to dominate as one of the most sought-after skill sets globally, with over 72,000 employees worldwide and millions more throughout the Salesforce ecosystem.
Serving as the engine of innovation, AI is projected to drive Salesforce to record-breaking heights in the coming years. An IDC research report reveals that job growth is at an all-time high with the projection that over 11.6 million will be created during the 2022-2028 period; a growth rate that has exceeded earlier projections. And with the recent release of Agentforce 2.0, Salesforce has revealed plans to hire over 1,000 new team members in the very near future. This strategic expansion aims to meet the surging demand for Agentforce’s deployment and seamless integration, solidifying its position as a transformative force in the market.
As the demand for Salesforce professionals increases, the time has never been better to join this thriving ecosystem. With diverse career paths available for those who love to click or code, Salesforce certifications offer a gateway to some of the most dynamic opportunities in tech. Let’s explore the top five Salesforce certifications for beginners in 2025 and beyond.
1. Salesforce Certified Associate Certification
The Salesforce Certified Associate certification is perfect for newcomers. It provides foundational knowledge of Salesforce’s Customer 360 Platform and introduces how a CRM platform connects customer data across departments.
- Prerequisite Knowledge: None
- Exam Content: 40 multiple-choice questions and up to five non-scored questions
- Time Allotment: 70 minutes
- Passing Score: 62%
- Registration Fee: $75.00 USD (plus applicable taxes as required per local law)
- Fees for Repeating Exam: Free!
The exam will focus on the following areas of knowledge:
- Salesforce Ecosystem: 32%
- Navigation: 28%
- Data Model: 25%
- Reports & Dashboards: 15%
Salesforce recommends utilizing the following self-study materials:
- Trailmix: Prepare for Your Salesforce Associate Credential
- Module: Salesforce Associate Certification Prep
For further preparation, check out the Trailblazer Community to find a study buddy and/or mentor!
2. Administrator Certification
Within the Salesforce ecosystem, Administrators – fondly dubbed “Awesome Admins” by the community–serve as the vital bridge between technology and business needs. These professionals are the architects of efficiency, working closely with stakeholders to shape and customize the platform to meet specific organizational requirements.
- Prerequisite Knowledge: None; course attendance is highly recommended
- Exam Content: 60 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions and 5 non-scored questions
- Time Allotment: 105 minutes
- Passing Score: 65%
- Registration Fee: $200.00 USD
- Fees for Repeating Exam: $100.00 USD
The exam will focus on the following areas of knowledge:
- Configuration and Setup: 20%
- Object Manager and Lightning App Builder: 20%
- Sales and Marketing Applications: 12%
- Service and Support Applications: 11%
- Productivity and Collaboration: 7%
- Data and Analytics Management: 14%
- Workflow/Process Automation: 16%
Salesforce recommends utilizing the following self-study materials:
- Trailmix: Prepare for Your Salesforce Administrator Credential
- Trail: Study for the Administrator Certification Exam
- Practice Test: Administrator Practice Test
- Superbadge: Lightning Experience Reports & Dashboards Specialist
- Superbadge: Business Administration Specialist
- Superbadge: Security Specialist
For further preparation, be sure to check out the following expert-led course:
- Preparing for Your Salesforce Administrator Certification (CRT-101)
- Essentials for New Lightning Experience Administrators (ADX201)
3. Salesforce Advanced Administrator Certification
Ready to elevate your Salesforce expertise? The Advanced Administrator certification is the ultimate proving ground for experienced Admins looking to stand out. This credential highlights your skill in managing complex configurations, leveraging advanced platform features, and delivering impactful solutions across the Salesforce ecosystem.
- Prerequisite Knowledge: Salesforce Certified Administrator credential
- Exam Content: 60 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions and 5 non-scored questions
- Time Allotment: 105 minutes
- Passing Score: 65%
- Registration Fee: $200.00 USD, plus applicable taxes as required per local law
- Fees for Repeating Exam: $100.00 USD, plus applicable taxes as required per local law
The exam will focus on the following areas of knowledge:
- Security and Access: 20%
- Objects and Applications: 19%
- Auditing and Monitoring: 10%
- Cloud Applications: 11%
- Data and Analytics Management: 13%
- Environment Management and Deployment: 7%
- Process Automation: 20%
Salesforce recommends utilizing the following self-study materials:
- Trailmix: Prepare for Your Salesforce Advanced Administrator Credential
- Superbadge: Process Automation Specialist
- Superbadge: Lightning Experience Reports & Dashboards Specialist
- Superbadge: Business Administration Specialist
For further preparation, be sure to check out the following expert-led courses:
4. Salesforce Platform App Builder Certification
Wait! Don’t let the name “Platform App Builder” intimidate you; it’s more accessible than you might think! Salesforce’s Platform App Builder Certification is valuable as this credential demonstrates your ability to create custom applications using intuitive point-and-click tools.
You’ll learn to design data models, implement security measures, and automate business processes using the Lightning Platform’s visual interface, all without writing a single line of code. It’s perfect for professionals who want to showcase their ability to build practical business solutions using declarative development.
- Prerequisite Knowledge: None; course attendance highly recommended
- Exam Content: 60 multiple-choice/multiple-select questions and up to 5 non-scored questions
- Time Allotment: 105 minutes
- Passing Score: 63%
- Registration Fee: $200.00 USD, plus applicable taxes as required per local law
- Fees for Repeating Exam: $100.00 USD, plus applicable taxes as required per local law
The exam will focus on the following areas of knowledge:
- Salesforce Fundamentals: 23%
- Data Modeling and Management: 22%
- Business Logic and Process Automation: 28%
- User Interface: 17%
- App Deployment: 10%
Salesforce recommends utilizing the following self-study materials:
- Trailmix: Prepare for Your Salesforce Platform App Builder Credential
- Superbadge: Security Specialist
- Superbadge: Process Automation Specialist
- Superbadge: Data Quality Specialist
- Superbadge: Data Model Optimization Specialist
For further preparation, be sure to check out the following expert-led courses:
5. Salesforce AI Associate Certification – RETIRED
Why Is Salesforce Retiring the AI Associate Certification?
The launch of Agentforce has reshaped the AI environment within Salesforce, providing a more advanced, hands-on approach to AI and automation. Instead of a standalone certification, Salesforce now encourages professionals to earn Agentblazer Status, a new level of recognition that demonstrates expertise in both AI and Agentforce.
What Is Agentblazer Status?
Agentblazer Status is a multi-tiered learning journey designed for Salesforce Trailblazers who want to master AI-powered agents and autonomous workflows within the Salesforce ecosystem.
You can earn three levels of Agentblazer Status by completing Trailhead modules:
- Champion (Level 1) – Available Now
- Innovator (Level 2) – Available Now
- Legend (Level 3) – Coming Soon
Why Earn Agentblazer Status?
Earning Agentblazer Status proves your ability to design, build, and deploy trusted AI agents within Salesforce Agentforce, a skillset that is quickly becoming one of the most in-demand across industries.
A Champion-level Agentblazer can:
- Understand core AI and Agentforce concepts and how they drive business value.
- Work with autonomous agents and integrate them into CRM workflows.
- Build AI-powered agents using Agent Builder and Prompt Builder.
- Apply AI ethics principles, including bias mitigation, transparency, and accountability.
- Complete hands-on challenges, like Quick Start: Build Your First Agent with Agentforce.
What’s Next?
If you’re serious about building a career in Salesforce AI, now is the time to pivot toward Agentforce and Agentblazer Ranks. As AI and automation continue to revolutionize the Salesforce ecosystem, this path ensures you’re staying ahead of industry trends and positioning yourself for the future of AI-powered CRM solutions.
Starting your Salesforce certification journey might feel daunting, but remember: every certified professional started exactly where you are now. The beauty of the Salesforce ecosystem lies in its incredible support system – the Trailblazer community is always there to help, guide, and encourage you along the way.
The best part? All you need is a computer and internet connection to begin building your Salesforce expertise. Salesforce has democratized learning, making professional development accessible to anyone with the drive to succeed.
Keep in mind that while we’ve outlined some popular certification paths, your journey should align with your unique career aspirations. Whether you’re drawn to the technical side of development or passionate about administration, these certifications provide a solid foundation that you can build upon. Think of them as building blocks – mix and match them to create your own perfect career path.
Need more guidance? Check out our additional resources and guides to help you along your path to Salesforce success.
