Steps to Become Salesforce Certified in 2025

Salesforce certification in 2025 is managed entirely through Trailhead Academy, with Webassessor retired in July. Now, you have to use the Trailhead Certification Hub and your Trailblazer ID to register, prepare, and maintain credentials in one place. The new system simplifies scheduling, training, and ongoing updates.

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In this guide, we’ll explain what Salesforce certification is, show you how to prepare, and outline the exact steps you need to follow to earn and maintain your certification.

What Is Salesforce Certification?

Salesforce certification is an official credential that validates your knowledge of Salesforce products, features, and platform administration. Each certification confirms your ability to use Salesforce for specific tasks such as managing users, configuring features, or developing custom applications. Employers often use these credentials to assess professional skills in CRM and cloud technology.

You can choose from several certification paths depending on your role:

Administrator: Covers user management, security, and configuration
Developer: Focuses on custom applications and coding with Apex and Lightning
Consultant: Emphasizes solution design and implementation
Architect: Validates advanced system design and integration expertise
Specialist/Associate: Includes focused certifications like AI Associate

Many professionals also rely on external partners to manage and extend their Salesforce environment. For example, managed services for Salesforce by Think Beyond support ongoing system optimization, integrations, and governance. These services complement individual certifications by giving teams access to expert guidance while maintaining high performance across the platform.

Step 1: Start Preparing Using Trailhead

Trailhead is Salesforce’s official learning platform and the primary resource for exam preparation. It provides guided learning paths, called trailmixes, that match each certification exam. To prepare for your exam, make sure to use all available resources, including practice tests, tutorials, and the new registration process on the Trailhead Certification Hub. Trailhead supports a flexible learning process, which allows you to progress at your own pace through modules and mobile-friendly features.

Trailhead homepage

Each certification exam has an official exam outline that details the topics and important concepts covered, including percentage weights and exam format. After all, knowing important concepts and gaining hands-on experience with the Salesforce user experience are key to exam success.

You can access free modules, tutorials, and sample questions that reflect the exam structure. Trailhead also offers Superbadges, which test your ability to solve real business problems using Salesforce tools.

Follow these steps to prepare:

Log in to Trailhead with your Trailblazer ID and open the Certification Hub.
Select your target certification and review the official exam guide.
Complete the recommended trailmixes and practice challenges.
Use flashcards or community-created resources for additional review.
Track your progress directly within the Trailhead dashboard.

Step 3: Register Through Trailhead Certification Hub

Salesforce shifted all exam registration to the Trailhead Certification Hub in July 2025. Now, you are required to use your Trailblazer ID to access this portal and schedule your exam. The Hub centralizes registration, payment, and voucher management in one place. It also displays your certification history and upcoming maintenance requirements.

Follow these steps to register:

Log in to the Trailhead Certification Hub with your Trailblazer ID.
Choose the certification you want to attempt, such as Administrator or Developer.
Review available delivery options: online proctored exam or Pearson VUE test center.
Select your preferred date and time from the available slots.
Pay the exam fee or apply a voucher if available.
Confirm your booking and save the confirmation details.

Step 4: Take the Exam

The Salesforce exam process follows strict procedures to maintain consistency and security. If you select online proctoring, you must perform an ID check, allow a room scan with your webcam, and complete a system readiness test before starting. If you choose a Pearson VUE center, arrive at least 30 minutes early with a valid government-issued identification.

The testing center provides the necessary materials and a secure environment for your exam. Proctors enforce rules such as no phones, extra monitors, or unauthorized materials.

Trailhead page to register for the Salesforce Certified Platform Administrator exam

Each exam uses scenario-based multiple-choice and multiple-select questions. The exam format includes a set number of questions, a fixed time limit, and specific scoring criteria. Some questions test your ability to apply knowledge to real business cases, not just recall facts. The good thing is, the system allows you to flag questions and return later, which helps manage time effectively.

Plus, you can find your results immediately on-screen after submission, with a breakdown of performance by topic area provided in your exam report. If you do not pass on your first attempt, don’t worry — retake options are available, so you can schedule another attempt according to Salesforce’s retake policy.

Take a look at the key exam details:

Certification Type	Duration	Passing Score	Fee (USD)	Delivery
Administrator	90 minutes	65%	$200	Online / Test Center
Developer I	110 minutes	65%	$200	Online / Test Center
AI Associate	45 minutes	65%	$75	Online / Test Center

Note: Some exams, especially for developers, include questions on data modeling as part of the core topics.

Tips for exam day:

Test your internet connection and camera before starting online exams.
Keep your workspace clear and follow proctoring rules.
Read each question carefully and manage your time.
Be well-rested and prepared before your exam to maximize your performance.

Passing the exam validates your expertise and immediately adds the certification to your Trailhead profile.

Step 5: Maintain Your Certification

Salesforce certifications are not permanent. To stay valid, you must complete regular maintenance modules delivered through Trailhead. For most administrative certifications, you are required to complete one maintenance module each year. These short assessments test your knowledge of new platform features released during Salesforce’s seasonal updates.

Each maintenance module covers recent platform updates and may introduce additional features that certified professionals need to understand. Completing them keeps your credential active without requiring you to retake the full exam.

The maintenance process works as follows:

Log in to the Trailhead Certification Hub with your Trailblazer ID.
Check the dashboard for upcoming maintenance deadlines tied to your certification.
Open the assigned module, which usually takes 30–60 minutes to complete.
Review the updated features, complete the quiz, and submit your answers.
Receive confirmation that your certification remains active.

Salesforce typically releases maintenance modules quarterly or after major product changes. Missing a deadline can result in your certification expiring, which may require retaking the full exam. Basically, staying current means ongoing expertise and strengthens your professional profile.

Step 6: Build Long-Term Success

Earning a certification is the starting point of your Salesforce career. To maximize its value, you should continue developing your skills and connecting with the wider Salesforce ecosystem. Trailhead offers advanced certifications, Superbadges, and hands-on projects that help you expand into specialized areas like Data Cloud, Marketing Cloud, or AI.

Certified professionals play a key role in optimizing agentforce and managing agentforce capabilities to deliver improved customer service and efficient call center operations. For those pursuing specialized Salesforce roles, skills in lead generation, campaign management, and the sales process are essential for building pipelines and driving customer engagement.

List of available Salesforce certifications on Trailhead

Moreover, advanced certifications may require expertise in process automation, data management, and Salesforce platform configuration to ensure effective business logic and workflow optimization. Salesforce also excels at connecting departments and streamlining workflows across the organization, enabling seamless collaboration and data sharing. So, earning a certified platform credential is your proof of advanced proficiency and positions you as a professional among top Salesforce pros in the ecosystem.

Professional growth also comes from engaging with the community. The Trailblazer Community gives you access to discussion forums, study groups, and mentorship opportunities. Many candidates join local Salesforce Saturday groups or attend events such as Dreamforce to exchange knowledge and stay updated on new releases.

You can also strengthen your career by combining certification with practical experience. Volunteer projects, internships, or managed services providers like Think Beyond can expose you to real implementations and best practices. Over time, this combination of certifications, practice, and community involvement creates a strong foundation for career advancement in Salesforce-related roles.

Final Thoughts

Salesforce certification in 2025 follows a standardized path through the Trailhead Certification Hub, replacing older systems and making the process easier to manage. You prepare using Trailhead modules, practice with a Developer Edition, register through the Hub, complete your exam, and maintain your credential with regular updates. These steps create a clear roadmap from preparation to long-term career growth.

Staying certified requires more than passing an exam once. You need to complete maintenance modules, adapt to Salesforce’s seasonal releases, and stay engaged with the Trailblazer Community. Expanding your skills with advanced certifications or real project work further strengthens your professional standing.

If you follow the structured process — prepare, practice, register, test, maintain, and grow — you stay aligned with Salesforce’s evolving platform and keep your credentials active. This guide gives you the framework to move forward confidently and build lasting expertise in Salesforce technology.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Salesforce certification?

Salesforce certification is an official credential issued by Salesforce that validates a professional’s knowledge of specific platform features and applications. It demonstrates the ability to manage, configure, or develop within Salesforce. Employers use these certifications as proof of technical expertise and platform competence.

3. What types of Salesforce certifications are there?

Salesforce offers certifications across several tracks, including Administrator, Developer, Consultant, Architect, and Specialist.

Administrator certifications test knowledge of configuration and user management.
Developer certifications assess coding skills with Apex and Lightning.
Consultant certifications focus on solution design and business implementation.
Architect certifications measure advanced integration and system design knowledge.
Specialist or Associate certifications, such as AI Associate, cover targeted skill sets.

3. How to prepare for a Salesforce certification exam?

Preparation involves completing guided learning modules on Trailhead, Salesforce’s official training platform. Candidates should follow exam-specific trailmixes, review exam guides, and complete Superbadges that simulate real-world problems. Practice in a free Salesforce Developer Edition environment helps apply theoretical knowledge to practical use cases.

4. How to register for a Salesforce certification exam?

As of July 2025, registration is handled exclusively through the Trailhead Certification Hub. Candidates log in with their Trailblazer ID, select the desired certification, and schedule an exam through online proctoring or a Pearson VUE test center. The Hub also centralizes exam history, vouchers, and maintenance requirements.

5. What does the Salesforce exam process involve?

Exams use scenario-based multiple-choice and multiple-select questions. Candidates must complete identity verification and technical checks before starting online exams or present valid identification at a test center. Exams typically last 45 to 110 minutes, with passing scores around 65%. Results are provided immediately after completion, along with a performance breakdown.

6. How do I maintain Salesforce certification once earned?

Salesforce certifications require ongoing maintenance through Trailhead modules linked to seasonal platform releases. Candidates complete short quizzes and updates to keep credentials valid. Missing deadlines can result in expiration, which may require retaking the full exam. Maintenance ensures that professionals remain current with platform changes.

7. What are the costs and benefits of becoming Salesforce certified?

Entry-level exams, such as Administrator or Developer I, cost about $200 USD. Associate-level certifications, such as AI Associate, cost around $75 USD. Certified professionals often gain better career opportunities, higher earning potential, and access to specialized roles. Organizations benefit from proven expertise, reduced implementation risks, and improved Salesforce adoption.