Top 11 Salesforce Business Analyst Certifications

Salesforce Business Analysts are in high demand in the job market. Certified Salesforce Business Analysts have a distinct advantage over non-certified analysts because they demonstrate a higher level of expertise and knowledge. Certification shows that an analyst is proficient in the Salesforce platform, has the necessary skills to successfully analyze and evaluate business processes, and can effectively design solutions with Salesforce products. It also demonstrates that an analyst has taken the time to invest in their professional development, which employers value highly. Certification provides employers with assurance that they are hiring a qualified candidate who can hit the ground running and contribute quickly to the team. In addition, certifications give analysts access to exclusive resources such as certified-only user groups and events.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top Salesforce Business Analyst certifications and their potential benefits for career advancement.

What are Salesforce Business Analyst Certifications?

Salesforce Business Analyst Certification is a professional certification that provides an understanding of the Salesforce platform, its business applications, and how to leverage the platform to solve business problems. The certification requires knowledge of Salesforce's core features and functions, including its cloud-based services, mobile solutions, analytics capabilities, and more. With this certification, professionals can demonstrate their expertise in designing, building, and managing Salesforce solutions for organizations.

This certification can help professionals stay up to date on the latest trends in Salesforce technology and gain recognition as a trusted advisor to organizations looking to implement or optimize their use of Salesforce. It also demonstrates a commitment to professional development and provides evidence that an individual has the knowledge necessary to solve complex challenges with the Salesforce platform. Additionally, employers often seek out certified candidates when filling positions related to Salesforce solutions due to their demonstrated expertise in using the platform.

Pro tip: Before enrolling in a Salesforce Business Analyst Certification program, make sure to research the course material and the instructor’s credentials to ensure you get the most out of your training. Additionally, practice problem-solving skills and review any notes or study materials from prior courses to help you better understand the content and prepare for tests.

Related: What does a Salesforce Business Analyst do?

Top 11 Salesforce Business Analyst Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Salesforce Business Analysts today.

1. Salesforce Certified Administrator

Salesforce Certified Administrator is a certification program offered by Salesforce, the world’s leading customer relationship management (CRM) platform. It is designed to help professionals demonstrate their expertise in administering and managing Salesforce applications. The certification validates an individual's ability to set up and manage users, customize fields, build reports and dashboards, automate processes using workflow rules, and configure security settings.

The certification exam typically takes about 90 minutes to complete and consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least six months of experience with Salesforce or related CRM technologies.

To prepare for the exam, it is recommended that applicants take a course from Salesforce University or use other online resources such as Trailhead to learn the necessary skills. There are also practice exams available that can help individuals assess their readiness for the real exam.

The cost of taking the Salesforce Certified Administrator exam varies depending on location but generally ranges from $200-$400 USD.

2. Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator

Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator is a certification that validates an individual’s expertise in administering and configuring Salesforce. It requires an understanding of the features, functions, and capabilities of Salesforce, as well as the ability to configure and customize it to meet business needs.

The certification exam typically takes about 90 minutes to complete. To prepare for the exam, Salesforce provides a variety of resources such as study guides, practice exams, and online courses. Candidates are also encouraged to take advantage of self-study materials such as books and webinars.

To get certified, candidates must register for the exam through the Salesforce website or through a third-party testing center. The cost of the exam varies depending on where it is taken but typically ranges from $200 - $400 USD.

3. Salesforce Certified Platform App Builder

Salesforce Certified Platform App Builder is a certification program that demonstrates your expertise in building custom applications on the Salesforce platform. It is designed to validate your knowledge of the declarative customization capabilities of the Salesforce platform, such as object relationships, page layouts, workflow rules, and validation rules.

The exam for this certification takes about 90 minutes to complete and consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 65% or higher. The exam fee is $200 USD (or local currency equivalent).

To prepare for the exam, you should have experience working with Salesforce features such as custom objects, fields, page layouts, record types, workflow rules, approval processes, reports and dashboards. You should also have an understanding of basic database concepts like data modeling and normalization. Additionally, you should be familiar with Apex code development and Visualforce pages.

4. Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I

Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I is a certification program that provides individuals with the skills and knowledge to design, develop, and deploy custom applications on the Salesforce platform. It is designed for those who have experience in developing applications on the Salesforce platform.

The certification exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as data modeling, security, process automation, and application development.

In order to become certified, individuals must first pass the Platform Developer I Certification Exam. This exam is available through Salesforce's online learning portal or at a testing center. The cost of the exam varies depending on where it is taken; however, it typically ranges from $200 to $400 USD.

Once an individual has passed the exam, they will receive their official Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I certification from Salesforce. This certification can be used as proof of expertise when applying for jobs or promotions within the industry.

5. Salesforce Certified Platform Developer II

Salesforce Certified Platform Developer II is a professional certification designed to validate the skills of experienced Salesforce developers. It is an advanced level certification that demonstrates a deep understanding of the Salesforce platform and its core capabilities.

It takes approximately 6 months to prepare for the exam, depending on your prior experience with Salesforce. To get certified, you must pass the multiple-choice Platform Developer II exam, which consists of 60 questions and has a two hour time limit. The cost of the exam is $200 USD.

To prepare for this exam, it is recommended that you have at least two years of experience developing custom applications on the Force.com platform and have completed several projects using Apex and Visualforce. Additionally, it is beneficial to have knowledge in advanced topics such as integration, security, scalability, testing, data modeling and performance optimization.

You can also take advantage of online resources such as Trailhead modules and practice exams to help you prepare for the test.

6. Salesforce Certified Sharing and Visibility Designer

Salesforce Certified Sharing and Visibility Designer is a certification that validates an individual’s ability to design, develop, and deploy secure data sharing models using Salesforce. It is designed for experienced Salesforce professionals who have a deep understanding of the platform’s security model and its features. The certification focuses on the following topics:

• Designing secure data sharing models in Salesforce
• Understanding the security model of Salesforce
• Implementing data visibility controls
• Managing user access to records
• Developing custom profiles, permission sets, and roles
• Understanding the impact of sharing rules on data access
• Using Apex Managed Sharing to control record-level access
• Leveraging Salesforce Connect for external object access control

The certification takes approximately 4 hours to complete. To get certified, you must pass a multiple-choice exam that covers all the topics listed above. The exam costs $200 USD and can be taken online or at a testing center near you.

7. Salesforce Certified Data Architecture and Management Designer

Salesforce Certified Data Architecture and Management Designer is a certification that demonstrates an individual's ability to design and implement secure, high-performing data architectures on the Salesforce platform. The certification validates an individual’s knowledge of data modeling, data management, data security, and analytics best practices on the Salesforce platform.

It typically takes approximately 8 hours to complete the exam preparation coursework and study materials. To obtain the certification, individuals must pass a multiple-choice exam that consists of 60 questions. The cost of the exam is $200 USD.

8. Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Consultant

Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Consultant is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in Salesforce’s marketing automation platform, the Salesforce Marketing Cloud. This certification is designed to validate an individual’s knowledge and skills in using the Marketing Cloud to deliver effective marketing campaigns, measure performance, and manage customer data.

The exam for this certification takes approximately two hours to complete. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as email marketing, social media management, campaign management, segmentation & targeting, analytics & reporting, and more.

To get the Salesforce Certified Marketing Cloud Consultant certification, you must have a valid Salesforce account and pass the exam with a score of at least 70%. You can register for the exam online at Salesforce's website or through their partner network. The cost of taking the exam is $400 USD.

Once you have passed the exam successfully, you will receive your official certificate from Salesforce which you can use to demonstrate your expertise in using their marketing automation platform.

9. Salesforce Certified Pardot Consultant

Salesforce Certified Pardot Consultant is a certification that demonstrates expertise in designing, building, and implementing marketing automation solutions using the Salesforce Pardot platform. It is designed for professionals who have experience with the Pardot platform and are looking to demonstrate their capabilities as a consultant.

It typically takes around 6-8 weeks to prepare for and pass the exam. To get certified, you must first register for the exam on the Salesforce website and pay a fee of $400 USD. Once registered, you will need to study for the exam by reading through the official Salesforce Pardot Consultant Study Guide and taking practice exams.

The exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions which must be completed within 90 minutes. The passing score is 65%. After completing the exam, you will receive your results immediately and if successful, you will be awarded your certification badge from Salesforce.

10. Salesforce Certified Field Service Lightning Consultant

Salesforce Certified Field Service Lightning Consultant is a certification program designed to help professionals demonstrate their expertise in the Salesforce Field Service Lightning platform. This certification validates that an individual has the skills and knowledge necessary to design, build, configure, and deploy solutions on the Salesforce platform.

The certification exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes about 90 minutes to complete. To become certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 65% or higher. The exam costs $200 USD.

To prepare for the exam, it is recommended that you have at least 6 months of hands-on experience using Salesforce Field Service Lightning as well as familiarity with related technologies such as Force.com, Apex programming language, VisualForce pages, and Lightning Components. Additionally, it is recommended that you review the official study guide provided by Salesforce and take practice exams to familiarize yourself with the type of questions asked on the actual exam.

11. Salesforce CPQ Specialist

Salesforce CPQ Specialist is a certification that validates your expertise in Salesforce Configure, Price, and Quote (CPQ). This certification demonstrates that you have the skills to configure and deploy CPQ solutions for customers.

How long does it take to get it?

The Salesforce CPQ Specialist certification requires 8-10 hours of study time and can be completed in 1-2 weeks.

How to get it?

To become certified as a Salesforce CPQ Specialist, you must first pass the Salesforce Certified CPQ Specialist exam. The exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions and must be completed within 90 minutes. You can register for the exam through the Salesforce Certification website.

How much does it cost?

The cost of the Salesforce Certified CPQ Specialist exam is $200 USD.

Do You Really Need a Salesforce Business Analyst Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your specific situation and goals. Salesforce Business Analyst Certificates are not necessary for everyone, but they can be beneficial to those who want to gain a deeper understanding of the Salesforce platform and its capabilities. For those looking to become a certified Salesforce Business Analyst, having a certificate can be essential for demonstrating expertise and credibility. Additionally, it may also help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions.

On the other hand, if you are already working in the field or have a good understanding of Salesforce, then it may not be necessary for you to obtain a certificate. Ultimately, it is important to consider your current level of knowledge and experience in the field as well as your long-term career goals before making any decisions about pursuing certification.

Related: Salesforce Business Analyst Resume Examples

FAQs About Salesforce Business Analyst Certifications

Q1. What is a Salesforce Business Analyst Certification?

A1. A Salesforce Business Analyst Certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates expertise in Salesforce technologies and tools. It shows employers that you have the skills to analyze business processes, design solutions, and implement changes using the Salesforce platform.

Q2. How do I become a certified Salesforce Business Analyst?

A2. To become certified as a Salesforce Business Analyst, you must pass two exams: ADM-201 (Administrator) and DEV-401 (Developer). Both exams are available through the Salesforce University program. Additionally, there are several online courses available to help prepare for these exams.

Q3. How long does it take to get certified as a Salesforce Business Analyst?

A3. The amount of time it takes to become certified as a Salesforce Business Analyst will vary depending on your experience and level of preparation for the exams. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from six months to one year to complete the certification process if you are committed to studying and preparing for the exams in advance.

Q4. What type of job roles can I apply for with a Salesforce Business Analyst Certification?

A4. With a certification in Salesforce Business Analysis, you will be qualified for roles such as System Analysts, Project Managers, Implementation Consultants, Solution Architects, or Software Developers. Depending on your experience level and qualifications, you may also be able to apply for higher-level positions in IT management or executive roles within organizations utilizing the Salesforce platform.

Q5 What are the benefits of getting a Salesforce Business Analyst Certification?

A5 There are many benefits associated with getting certified as a Salesforce Business Analyst including increased job opportunities and higher salaries in comparison to non-certified professionals; greater credibility when working with clients; improved ability to understand customer needs; access to exclusive resources from the official training program; and more advanced career options within organizations utilizing the platform