Salesforce Certified Administrator¶
Overview¶
The Salesforce Certified Administrator credential validates the ability to configure, manage, and customize a Salesforce org. It's the foundational Salesforce cert and a prerequisite for many advanced credentials (Advanced Administrator, Sales Cloud / Service Cloud Consultant, etc.).
This is the most-requested Salesforce cert on job postings and the typical entry point into the Salesforce ecosystem.
Quick Reference¶
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | Salesforce Certified Administrator |
| Provider | Salesforce |
| Format | 60 multi-choice + multi-select questions |
| Duration | 105 minutes |
| Passing Score | 65% |
| Cost | $200 USD (+ $100 retake) |
| Validity | Maintenance via 3 free annual release exams (Spring/Summer/Winter), no expiration if maintained |
| Delivery | Onsite or online proctored |
📖 Salesforce Administrator Credential page 📖 Exam Guide PDF
Exam Domains¶
| # | Domain | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Configuration and Setup | 20% |
| 2 | Object Manager and Lightning App Builder | 20% |
| 3 | Sales and Marketing Applications | 12% |
| 4 | Service and Support Applications | 11% |
| 5 | Productivity and Collaboration | 7% |
| 6 | Data and Analytics Management | 14% |
| 7 | Workflow / Process Automation | 16% |
(Weights as of the current exam outline; check the official guide for the latest.)
Study Materials in This Guide¶
| File | Description |
|---|---|
| fact-sheet.md | Reference with high-yield facts and Trailhead links |
| practice-plan.md | 6-week study plan |
| scenarios.md | 12 exam-style scenarios |
| notes/01-org-setup-and-security.md | Org setup, profiles, roles, sharing model, MFA |
| notes/02-objects-fields-page-layouts.md | Standard/Custom objects, fields, page layouts, record types |
| notes/03-data-management.md | Import wizards, Data Loader, mass actions, deduplication |
| notes/04-automation-flow-validation.md | Flow, Validation Rules, Approval Processes |
| notes/05-reports-dashboards-apps.md | Reports, Dashboards, Sales/Service Cloud highlights |
Recommended Study Time¶
| Background | Estimated Prep Time |
|---|---|
| Existing Salesforce admin (1+ year hands-on) | 3-4 weeks |
| Some Salesforce user experience | 6-8 weeks |
| New to Salesforce | 10-14 weeks (start with Trailhead Trailmix) |
Hands-on Setup¶
- Salesforce Developer Edition - free permanent dev org with most features
- Trailhead Playgrounds - launch scratch orgs from any module
- Recommended Trailmix: "Prepare for Your Salesforce Administrator Credential"
You cannot pass this cert without hands-on time. Most exam questions are scenario-based and test your judgment on real Salesforce setup.
Companion Materials¶
- Salesforce Platform Developer I (PD1) - the developer-side counterpart (Apex, Visualforce, LWC)
After Administrator¶
Common next steps:
- Advanced Administrator - deeper admin (formula fields, complex sharing, advanced automation)
- Salesforce Platform App Builder - declarative app development
- Sales Cloud Consultant - sales-focused implementation
- Service Cloud Consultant - service-focused implementation
- Salesforce Platform Developer I (PD1) - cross over to development with Apex, LWC
- CRM Analytics Consultant (formerly Tableau CRM)