The Power Platform encompasses a suite of user-friendly tools that empower individuals to create custom business applications without necessitating extensive coding expertise. Yes, you read that correctly – it emphasizes low or no code! This versatility makes it an optimal choice for users of all proficiency levels, facilitating their active involvement in crafting tailored business solutions. Whether you’re a seasoned developer seeking to expedite app creation or a business user aiming to streamline your workflow, the Power Platform is the ideal solution for your needs. Let’s look at the updated Microsoft Power Platform certification path.
Comprising Power Apps, Power BI, Power Automate, Power Virtual Agents, and Power Pages, these tools collectively enable the development of dependable, dynamic, and versatile solutions to address diverse business requirements. Leveraging these technologies, users can design everything from simple task management applications for teams to intricate analytical dashboards for informed strategic decision-making.
What is the significance of the Power Platform?
The Power Platform, developed by Microsoft, comprises a suite of software tools dedicated to corporate data management, app creation, and app integration. Notably, Microsoft has introduced the Power Fx low-code programming language to facilitate the transmission of logic within the Power Platform. Additionally, it seamlessly integrates with a range of applications, including GitHub and Teams.
The acquisition of Microsoft Power Platform Certification Path skills equips employees with the capabilities required to bolster their organizations’ growth and success. In today’s business landscape, the strategic utilization of data is increasingly recognized as a driver for innovative solutions. Cloud services play a pivotal role in the storage and analysis of vast data from various sources, ultimately aiding corporate entities in their expansion endeavors.
Power Platform Latest Updates
| S NO | MS – Power Platform Courses List | 2022 Updates | 2023 Updates | |
| 1 | Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals (PL-900) | March 24, 2023 | June 22, 2023 | |
| 2 | Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant (PL-200) | March 28, 2023. | ||
| 3 | Microsoft Power Platform Developer (PL-400) | September 19, 2022 | July 11, 2023 | September 19, 2023 |
| 4 | Microsoft Power Platform App Maker (PL-100) | March 15, 2023 | ||
| 5 | Microsoft Power Platform Solution Architect (PL-600) | March 24, 2023. | September 26, 2023 | |
| 6 | Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300) | January 31, 2023 | August 22, 2023 | |
| October 27, 2023 | ||||
| 7 | Microsoft Power Automate RPA Developer (PL-500) | New | June 27, 2023 | ||
Let’s delve deeper into the Microsoft Power Platform certifications.
Microsoft Power Platform (PL-900)
This certification is tailored for individuals aspiring to initiate their journey in designing solutions using the Microsoft Power Platform. While this exam can be beneficial for preparing for role-based or specialized certifications, it is not mandatory. A noteworthy perk of passing this certification exam is the potential eligibility for ACE college credit.
Who should consider pursuing the fundamental certification in the Power Platform?
This certification is apt for users seeking to enhance productivity by automating company operations, leveraging data analysis for valuable business insights, and crafting user-friendly app experiences.
Benefits of Attaining the Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals Certification
This certification is an excellent choice if you wish to:
- Showcase your proficiency in creating solutions using the Microsoft Power Platform.
- Demonstrate your ability to automate essential business operations with Power Automate and develop straightforward Power Apps experiences.
Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals (PL-900)
The PL-900 certification exam equips you with the skills required to harness the potential of the Microsoft Power Platform for both business and product development. It is an introductory-level course and does not serve as a prerequisite for any other certifications.
Within this certification, you will gain expertise in the following areas:
- Describe the business value of Microsoft Power Platform (20–25%)
- Identify foundational components of Microsoft Power Platform (10–15%)
- Demonstrate the capabilities of Power BI (5–10%)
- Demonstrate the capabilities of Power Apps (20–25%)
- Demonstrate the capabilities of Power Automate (10–15%)
- Demonstrate the capabilities of Power Pages (1–5%)
- Describe the AI authoring experience in Microsoft Power Platform (10–15%)
The cost of this certification is $99 USD.
Power Platform App Maker Associate (PL-100)
The PL-100 certification is designed to educate users on the creation of applications with the objective of streamlining, automating, and simplifying operational processes. This certification empowers app developers to establish and enhance business processes, while also enabling them to provide diverse solutions, such as data collection, repetitive task automation, and business process optimization.
Individuals interested in incorporating these efficiencies into their business operations can enroll in this certification course to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills.
In this certification, participants will gain expertise in:
- Design and manage business solutions (35–40%)
- Analyze and visualize data (10–15%)
- Create business solutions (50–55%)
It’s important to note that there are prerequisites for this certification. Candidates are expected to have a foundational understanding of:
- Fundamentals of data modeling,
- Designing the user experience,
- Features of the Power Platform.
Candidates need not possess formal IT training but should be comfortable using technology to address business challenges and be motivated to grasp the capabilities and limitations of available tools, as well as how to apply them effectively. Additionally, they should be capable of connecting to and utilizing features of applications, including Microsoft Power Platform, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365 apps and services, and third-party solutions.
Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant (PL-200) Certification
The PL-200 certification, titled Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant, is an intermediate-level examination aimed at imparting the skills needed to deliver significant business value. It focuses on automating workflows with Power Automate, tailoring applications using Power Apps, and effectively organizing and sifting through data using Power BI.
In the course of this certification, you will acquire proficiency in the following areas:
- Configure Microsoft Dataverse (25–30%)
- Create apps by using Microsoft Power Apps (25–30%)
- Create and manage logic and process automation (25–30%)
- Manage environments (15–20%)
Upon completion of this certification, you will be equipped to:
- Collaborate with solution architects to implement designs and standards.
- Work in tandem with UX designers to ensure the incorporation of branding and artifacts.
- Develop integrations that ensure seamless deployment of third-party applications and services on Microsoft Power Apps.
- Co-operate with the quality assurance team to ensure that solutions meet both functional and non-functional requirements.
- Support DevOps in packaging and deploying artifacts by identifying, creating, and delivering them.
- Assist Microsoft Power Platform administrators in becoming proficient in Power Platform operations and maintenance.
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)
The PL-300 Certification is a professional validation of your expertise and proficiency in Microsoft Power BI service, an advanced business intelligence tool designed for data analysis and visualization. The PL-300 certification examination covers essential topics related to data manipulation, data visualization, and report creation.
Notably, Microsoft’s Power BI tool serves as a powerful resource for instructing and assisting individuals in extracting pertinent managerial insights from vast datasets, thereby harnessing the potential of business intelligence. The Power BI service offers a comprehensive range of features, including visual analytics, data visualization, and interactive dashboards.
Within the framework of this certification, you will gain expertise in the following domains:
- Data preparation (25-30%)
- Data modeling (25-30%)
- Data visualization and analysis (25-30%)
- Deployment and maintenance of assets (15-20%)
Microsoft Power Platform Developer (PL-400)
The PL-400 certification, known as the Microsoft Power Platform Developer certification, equips you with the knowledge and skills to plan, construct, test, and resolve issues in Microsoft Power Platform solutions. This certification falls under the level 2 category.
As a certified Microsoft Power Platform Developer, your role entails the implementation of solution components, including customized user interfaces, tailored process automation, data conversions, application enhancements, and system integrations. In this capacity, you will also become proficient in executing technical tasks such as:
- Create a technical design (10–15%)
- Build Power Platform solutions (10–15%)
- Implement Power Apps improvements (5–10%)
- Extend the user experience (10–15%)
- Extend the platform (40–45%)
- Develop integrations (5–10%)
Microsoft Power Automate RPA Developer (PL-500)
The PL-500 certification, also known as the Microsoft Power Automate RPA Developer, is tailored for candidates who specialize in the automation of time-consuming or repetitive tasks within Windows-based, browser-based, and terminal-based applications. These developers employ diverse methods, encompassing UI, API, and database automation.
PL-500 exam candidates are proficient in the analysis, creation, and execution of automation, harnessing the capabilities of both Power Automate for desktop and Power Automate cloud flows. RPA developers adeptly utilize actions to implement logical processes and engage with data, applications, and services.
The skills evaluated in this certification include:
- Designing automations (30–35%)
- Developing automations (40–45%)
- Deploying and managing automations (20–25%)
Candidates are equipped to collaborate with organizational stakeholders to optimize workflows, and they work closely with administrators to implement and maintain solutions across various environments.
Furthermore, candidates are expected to possess knowledge in the following areas: the Windows desktop environment, scripting languages, Power Automate cloud and desktop flows, AI Builder, Process Advisor, and Microsoft Dataverse.
Power Platform Solution Architect (PL-600)
The Microsoft Power Platform Solution Architect certification is a widely recognized credential that validates your expertise in designing and developing applications for the Microsoft Power Platform. This certification empowers you to showcase your proficiency in creating and implementing scalable, reliable, and secure solutions.
The certification assesses the following skills:
- Performing solution envisioning and requirement analysis (35–40%)
- Architecting a solution (40–45%)
- Implementing the solution (15–20%)
In the role of a Power Platform solution architect, you play a pivotal role in helping businesses reduce deployment costs, streamline processes, and enable their teams to focus on enhancing productivity.
Becoming a Microsoft Certified Power Platform Solution Architect (PL-600) is the most comprehensive way to validate your Power Platform skills. This certification not only enhances your understanding of the Microsoft Power Platform but also extends to Dynamics 365, broadening your proficiency in these integrated solutions.
Is the Power Platform Certification Path a Valuable Investment?
Let’s discuss the value of investing in the Power Platform certification path, specifically focusing on the PL-900 study route, and assess whether it’s a worthwhile endeavor.
Enhanced Career Prospects: Acquiring a Power Platform certification can significantly advance your career by validating your competencies and mastery of the platform. Microsoft emphasizes the demand for individuals who can leverage power apps certification to create custom applications and automate workflows. By obtaining this certification, you can differentiate yourself from other job seekers and increase your prospects of securing a job or advancing in your current role.
Salary Advancement: Earning a Power Platform certification has the potential to lead to an increase in your salary. According to Payscale, Power Platform developers earn an average of $88,738 per year, while Power BI developers earn an average of $85,279 annually. With a certification in the Power Platform, you can demonstrate your expertise and negotiate for a higher income.
Enhanced Skills and Knowledge: The MS Power Platform certification path imparts the essential skills and knowledge required for constructing customized applications and automating workflows on the platform. Completing the PL-900 study route equips you with a solid understanding of the platform, which you can apply to your current job or future projects.
Investment Considerations: When contemplating the pursuit of the Power Platform certification path, the cost of the investment is a vital factor to weigh. While the PL certification path is relatively economical, with a $99 exam fee, higher-level exams may incur more substantial costs. Additionally, achieving certification necessitates a commitment of time, as each exam demands preparation and study effort.
Expert Corner
If you’re contemplating the pursuit of Power Platform certifications, commencing with PL-900 is an excellent starting point. The PL-900 learning track offers a foundational grasp of the Power Platform, which can prove valuable for higher-level exams and practical applications. While there is a cost associated with this certification path, the potential advantages can ultimately outweigh the initial investment.
The decision to pursue a Power Platform certification fundamentally hinges on your career objectives and ambitions. Nevertheless, if your aim is to enrich your expertise and familiarity with the Power Platform and demonstrate your proficiency to prospective employers, clients, and peers, attaining a Power Platform certification can be a worthwhile endeavor.
