Top 11 Salesforce Developer Certifications

Certifications are an important factor for a Salesforce developer in the job market. They are a way to prove that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform well in the role, as well as demonstrate your commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices. Certifications can also help you stand out from other applicants and make you more attractive to potential employers. They can also be used to validate your experience, helping you land better job opportunities or secure higher salaries.

The purpose of the article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Salesforce Developers, and explain how they can help further a Salesforce Developer's career.

What are Salesforce Developer Certifications?

Salesforce Developer Certification is a professional certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of experienced Salesforce developers. It is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a developer’s ability to build custom applications on the Salesforce platform. This certification provides employers with assurance that certified developers have acquired the necessary skills to develop successful, high-quality solutions on the Salesforce platform.

The certification exam covers topics such as Apex programming, Visualforce page development, data modeling, user interface design, security and system integration. It also tests a developer’s understanding of best practices for developing on the Salesforce platform. By passing this exam, developers demonstrate their commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest features and technologies available in Salesforce.

Having a Salesforce Developer Certification can help developers advance their careers by showing potential employers that they have the technical expertise needed to work with the Salesforce platform. It also helps them stand out from other applicants as it demonstrates their dedication to learning and mastering new skills. Furthermore, having this certification may be beneficial when applying for higher level positions or negotiating salary increases within an organization.

Pro Tip: Before taking the Salesforce Developer Certification Exam, make sure to practice with online resources and Salesforce Trailhead modules. This will help you gain a better understanding of the topics covered on the exam and give you a better chance of passing.

Related: What does a Salesforce Developer do?

Top 11 Salesforce Developer Certifications

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

1. Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I

Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I is a certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in developing custom applications on the Salesforce platform. It is designed for those who have experience with Apex and Visualforce, as well as other programming languages. The certification is ideal for developers who want to demonstrate their expertise in building custom applications on the Salesforce platform.

It typically takes about 4-6 months of study and practice to prepare for the exam. To get certified, you must pass a multiple-choice exam that consists of 60 questions. The exam covers topics such as Apex programming, Visualforce development, data modeling, security, and application integration.

The cost of the exam varies by region but usually ranges from $200-$400 USD. You can purchase vouchers to take the exam through Salesforce or through third-party vendors like Pearson VUE or Kryterion.

2. Salesforce Certified Platform Developer II

Salesforce Certified Platform Developer II is a certification that demonstrates an individual's expertise in developing custom applications on the Salesforce platform. It is designed for experienced developers who have already achieved the Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I certification and are looking to further their knowledge and skills.

To get this certification, you must pass two exams: the Salesforce Certified Platform Developer I and the Salesforce Certified Platform Developer II. The first exam covers topics such as Apex programming, Visualforce development, and data modeling. The second exam focuses on advanced topics such as asynchronous programming, batch Apex, test classes, and debugging. Both exams must be passed in order to receive the certification.

The time required to prepare for these exams varies depending on your experience level and familiarity with the topics covered in each exam. However, it typically takes between 30-60 hours of study to adequately prepare for both exams.

The cost of taking both exams is $400 USD ($200 per exam).

3. Salesforce Certified Application Architect

Salesforce Certified Application Architect is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in designing and implementing custom applications using the Salesforce platform. It is designed for experienced Salesforce professionals who have a deep understanding of the Salesforce architecture, data modeling, and user experience design.

It typically takes around six months to prepare for the exam. The best way to prepare is to gain hands-on experience with the Salesforce platform, attend training courses, read official documentation, and practice with sample questions.

The exam costs $400 USD and can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center or online. The exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions covering topics such as security, data modeling, application design, development lifecycle management, and more. Candidates must answer at least 65% of the questions correctly to pass the exam.

4. Salesforce Certified System Architect

Salesforce Certified System Architect is a certification program for those who want to demonstrate their expertise in designing and implementing Salesforce solutions. It is designed for professionals with experience in developing, deploying, and managing Salesforce applications.

To get this certification, you must pass the Salesforce Certified System Architect exam. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. The exam covers topics such as application design, data modeling, security, integration, and testing.

The cost of the exam varies depending on the country where you take it. In the US, it costs $200 USD.

In order to prepare for the exam, you can take courses offered by Salesforce or use online study materials such as practice tests and study guides. You should also have hands-on experience with Salesforce applications before taking the exam.

It typically takes several months of preparation to pass the Salesforce Certified System Architect exam.

5. Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator

Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator is a certification for Salesforce professionals who have advanced knowledge of the Salesforce platform. It demonstrates expertise in the configuration and management of Salesforce applications, as well as best practices for leveraging the platform to meet business needs.

It typically takes about 4-6 months to prepare for and pass the exam. The exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions and must be completed within 90 minutes. There are no prerequisites for taking this certification, however it is recommended that you have at least 3 years of experience with Salesforce before attempting it.

In order to get certified, you must first register for the exam on the Salesforce website. You can then purchase an exam voucher from their store which costs $200 USD. After purchasing your voucher, you will receive instructions on how to schedule your exam with Pearson VUE, an authorized testing center. Upon successful completion of the exam, you will receive your official Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator certificate in the mail.

6. Salesforce Certified Pardot Specialist

Salesforce Certified Pardot Specialist is a certification program designed to help professionals demonstrate their expertise in the Salesforce Pardot platform. It is designed for those who have experience with marketing automation, lead generation, and email marketing.

The certification exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost of the Salesforce Certified Pardot Specialist exam is $200 USD. You can register for the exam on the Salesforce website or through an authorized testing center.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive an official certificate from Salesforce that acknowledges your achievement as a Salesforce Certified Pardot Specialist. This certificate serves as proof that you have met the requirements and demonstrates your commitment to staying up-to-date on the latest trends in marketing automation technology.

7. Salesforce Certified Service Cloud Consultant

Salesforce Certified Service Cloud Consultant is a certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and ability to implement, configure, and manage Salesforce Service Cloud. This certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in leveraging the features and capabilities of Service Cloud to deliver effective customer service solutions.

It typically takes up to two months to prepare for this certification exam. To get certified, individuals must pass the Salesforce Certified Service Cloud Consultant exam. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and has a time limit of 105 minutes. It costs $200 USD to take the exam.

In order to prepare for the exam, individuals should review the official study guide provided by Salesforce and become familiar with the topics covered on the exam such as: understanding customer service processes, configuring case management, understanding automation tools, and understanding reporting & analytics. Additionally, it is recommended that individuals have hands-on experience with Service Cloud before attempting the exam.

8. Salesforce Certified Sharing and Visibility Designer

Salesforce Certified Sharing and Visibility Designer is a certification that demonstrates an individual's ability to design, implement, and maintain data security in Salesforce. This certification is designed for professionals who are experienced with the Salesforce platform and have a strong understanding of data security.

The exam to obtain this certification typically takes about 90 minutes to complete and consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as designing sharing models, configuring record-level access, managing user profiles, setting up sharing rules, and more.

To get the Salesforce Certified Sharing and Visibility Designer certification, you must first pass the exam. You can register for the exam through the Salesforce website or through a third-party provider such as Kryterion or Prometric. The cost of the exam varies depending on where you take it but usually ranges from $200-$300 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official Salesforce Certified Sharing and Visibility Designer certificate via email within two weeks of passing the exam.

9. Salesforce Certified Community Cloud Consultant

Salesforce Certified Community Cloud Consultant is a certification that recognizes professionals who have the skills and knowledge to design, build, and implement Salesforce communities. This certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in leveraging the power of Salesforce Communities to create digital experiences for customers, partners, and employees.

It typically takes around 3 months to prepare for the exam, depending on your experience level with Salesforce Communities. To get certified, you must pass the Salesforce Community Cloud Consultant Exam. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 90 minutes.

The cost of the exam is $200 USD. You can register for the exam through the Salesforce website or via a third-party testing center such as Pearson VUE or Prometric.

10. Salesforce Platform App Builder Certification

Salesforce Platform App Builder Certification is a certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in building custom applications on the Salesforce platform. It is designed to validate the ability to design, build, test, and deploy custom applications on the Salesforce platform.

How long does it take to get it?

It typically takes around 10-12 hours of study time to prepare for the exam. The exam itself takes about 90 minutes to complete.

How to get it?

In order to obtain this certification, you must pass the Salesforce Platform App Builder Certification Exam (CRT-450). This exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions and covers topics such as data modeling, security, process automation, development lifecycle management, and more.

How much does it cost?

The cost of the exam is $200 USD.

11. Salesforce Commerce Cloud Digital Developer Certification

Salesforce Commerce Cloud Digital Developer Certification is a certification program designed to help developers build and manage digital commerce applications on the Salesforce Commerce Cloud platform. It is designed to provide developers with the skills and knowledge they need to develop, deploy, and maintain successful ecommerce solutions on the Salesforce Commerce Cloud platform.

The course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete, depending on your level of experience. The course covers topics such as: understanding the Salesforce Commerce Cloud architecture, developing custom code for the platform, working with APIs, integrating third-party services into your store, and more.

To get certified, you must first register for the certification exam online. Once registered, you will have access to all of the materials needed for the exam including practice tests and study guides. You will also be able to take practice exams before taking the actual exam. After passing the exam, you will receive an official certificate from Salesforce that certifies your expertise in developing digital commerce applications on their platform.

The cost of the certification exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically costs around $200 USD.

Do You Really Need a Salesforce Developer Certificate?

In today’s competitive world, having a Salesforce Developer Certificate can be extremely beneficial. It is an important asset for those who wish to pursue a career in the field of Salesforce development. A Salesforce Developer Certificate provides employers and potential employers with evidence that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to work effectively with the Salesforce platform. This certification also provides an individual with credibility and demonstrates their commitment to staying current in their profession.

The Salesforce Developer Certificate is an internationally recognized credential that validates your technical expertise in developing and customizing applications on the Salesforce platform. The certification covers topics such as data modeling, security set-up, user interface design, debugging techniques, deployment processes and more. With this certification, you will gain the confidence of employers as they can be assured that you are well versed in all aspects of working on the Salesforce platform.

Having a Salesforce Developer Certificate also indicates that you have kept up with industry trends and technologies in order to stay ahead of the competition. By taking advantage of this opportunity, you will demonstrate to potential employers that you possess both technical proficiency as well as initiative when it comes to your career growth. Additionally, having a certificate may also give you access to exclusive job opportunities or training programs offered by some companies or organizations.

Overall, obtaining a Salesforce Developer Certificate is worth considering if you want to stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs or advancing your career path. It shows potential employers that you are knowledgeable about the latest technologies and standards related to developing apps on the Salesforce platform, which can help open doors for greater opportunities within your organization or industry.

Related: Salesforce Developer Resume Examples

FAQs About Salesforce Developer Certifications

Q1: What are the different Salesforce Developer Certifications available?

A1: The Salesforce Developer Certifications include Certified Platform App Builder, Certified Platform Developer I, Certified Platform Developer II, and Certified Sharing and Visibility Designer.

Q2: How do I become a Salesforce Developer?

A2: To become a Salesforce Developer, you need to have experience with programming languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript or Apex. You also need to pass the relevant certification exams.

Q3: What is the cost of a Salesforce Certification exam?

A3: The cost of a Salesforce Certification exam varies depending on location and type of certification. Generally, it costs around $200 USD.

Q4: How long does it take to get certified as a Salesforce Developer?

A4: Generally speaking, it takes around 2-3 weeks to complete the necessary training and preparation for taking the certification exam. After passing the exam, you will receive your certificate within 1-2 weeks.

Q5: Are there any prerequisites for taking a Salesforce Certification exam?

A5: Yes. In order to take the certification exams, you must have 6 months of experience with Salesforce development and be familiar with core concepts such as data models and security controls.