In 2025, Microsoft Power Platform helps teams build apps, automate processes, analyze data, and create copilots—fast. The suite includes Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, Power Pages, and Copilot Studio (formerly Power Virtual Agents) for conversational AI. If you’re new, this guide shows where to start and which certification fits your goals—plus what changed since 2023 so your plan is up to date.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Learn how Power Platform can help solve your most pressing business problems.

Power Apps

Build low-/no-code apps with Dataverse and hundreds of connectors. A low-code development platform that enables users to build custom business applications easily and quickly, even without technical expertise. It offers a range of connectors and services and supports app development across all devices.

Power Automate

Orchestrate cross-app workflows and RPA. An automation tool that enables users to create workflows between different applications and services. It automates repetitive tasks such as data collection, approvals, and email communication.

Power BI

Turn data into governed dashboards for decision-makers. A business analytics service that provides insights for analyzing data and creating visualizations such as reports and dashboards. It enables fast, informed decision-making by delivering easy-to-understand insights into sales data, progress against goals, and employee performance.

Copilot Studio (formerly Power Virtual Agents)

Design custom copilots and enterprise chat experiences. A tool that allows anyone to create chatbots using a no-code graphical interface. It enables users to build and maintain conversational solutions without the need for data scientists or developers.

Power Pages

Secure, external-facing business sites integrated with Dataverse. A tool in the Power Platform suite that enables users to create and share interactive web pages with pre-built components and layouts, without extensive coding or design skills. It can be customized with branding and content and integrated with other Power Platform apps to automate workflows and analyze data.

Why is Power Platform essential for organizations?

Being one of the top IT skills in 2025, learning Power Platform will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to develop customized apps and workflows that streamline business operations, minimize errors, and enhance efficiency. Fun Fact, a study from Forrester has demonstrated the positive impact of implementing Power Platform on organizations:

• 50% – 70% reduction in costs for citizen developer projects completed using low-code/no-code tools
• 1% increase in revenues by Year 3 result from Microsoft Power Platform initiatives
• Up to 5% increase in efficiency among users of solutions built with Microsoft Power Platform
• 48% reduction in application development costs
• 502% ROI over three years

Power Platform delivered improved business outcomes across many dimensions. Some of the interviewees described benefits including increased revenues, faster time-to-market, and reduced operating costs. By Year 3 of the study, Power Platform initiatives result in a 1% increase in revenues, and operating margins increased from 12.0% to 12.5%. This delivers $15.8 million in additional risk-adjusted operating revenues over three years.

Why learning only is not enough?

Becoming certified in Microsoft Power Platform is crucial for professionals who want to advance their careers and demonstrate their proficiency in sought-after low-code/no-code tools. Obtaining certification is also a testament to your abilities and professional background, and obtaining one sends a clear message to potential employers that you are an asset to their team.

Certifications signal verified, current skills and help you stand out to employers. Microsoft’s program offers free online annual renewals (associate/expert/specialty) via short assessments—keeping your badge active as the tech evolves.

But are certifications worth pursuing in today’s job market? According to the Pearson VUYE Candidate Report 2023, obtaining a certification can provide job seekers with a competitive advantage and lead to significant salary increases.

• 91% of of certification candidates who earned a credential are more confident in their abilities.
• 77% of certified candidates are better able to innovate after earning certifications.

Still not convinced? Well…

According to the IDC InfoBrief, Sponsored by Microsoft:

Around 62% of IT leaders tell IDC that a lack of IT skills is delaying DX projects at their organizations by an average of 3–10 months.

Over 58% of CEOs worldwide are most concerned about gaps in AI-based skills to deliver on their planned AI initiatives over the next 12 months.

Predicted that 90% of organizations will feel the pain of the widening IT skills shortage by 2027, costing some $5.5 trillion globally in losses.

More than 70% of organizations believe industry-recognized credentials are essential or very important tools for skills training.

Types of Power Platform Certification

Let’s dive deep into the world of Microsoft Power Platform certifications and explore the different options available. From beginner to experts, we have certifications catered to different levels of expertise!

1. The Fundamentals Certification

Consider the fundamentals certification as your first milestone on the certification journey. Earning the Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals certification (by passing Exam PL-900) is an excellent way to showcase the breadth of your Microsoft Power Platform skills and demonstrate your ability to enhance your team’s productivity.

If you are a new entrant to the workforce, a fundamentals certification on your resume can set you apart. For those already working in their chosen field, it is crucial to keep up with the digital transformation. A fundamentals certification can help prepare you for role-based certifications, but it is not a mandatory requirement.

• Who it’s for: New to Power Platform or business users upskilling to low-code.
• You’ll validate: core platform value, basic Dataverse, connectors, AI Builder concepts, Copilot experiences.
• Good to know: Fundamentals certifications don’t expire; role-based badges renew annually online for free.

To begin your journey to Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals certification, make sure to check out the course above!

2. The App Maker Certification (Retired 30 Jun 2024)

The path to the app maker role is as diverse as the people who are passionate about using technology to solve problems.

Whether you are a student, professional, or businessperson with extensive experience in your domain, if you are self-directed, solution-focused, and use Microsoft Power Platform maker tools to simplify, automate, and transform tasks and processes for your team, you are a suitable candidate for the Microsoft Certified: Microsoft Power Platform App Maker Associate certification (pass Exam PL-100).

Want to know more about the journey? Check out our latest blog on Power Platform App Maker to begin your journey to this certification!

3. The Functional Consultant Certification

Functional consultants recognize the significance of collaboration between business and technology. There are numerous routes to this role. These professionals are involved in various tasks, such as gathering requirements for a Power Apps project and working with solution architects, designers, and business stakeholders to comprehend and detail those requirements.

To be eligible for the Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Functional Consultant Associate certification (pass Exam PL-200), you could be a functional consultant, a data analyst, a developer looking to improve your consulting and configuration skills, a solution architect aiming for the solution architect certification, or an IT professional with experience configuring Microsoft Power Platform.

• Who it’s for: Consultants who design/configure model-driven and canvas apps, integrate with Microsoft 365/Dynamics, and manage environments/governance.
• You’ll validate: requirements, solution design, security/ALM basics, Power Pages & Copilot hand-offs.
• Next: many candidates progress to PL-600 after delivery experience.

Do you think this role suits you better? Explore our blog on Power Platform Functional Consultant to explore more about this certification!

4. The Developer Certification

If you have experience as a developer and have customized Microsoft Power Platform apps, then you may be eligible for the Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Developer Associate certification (pass Exam PL-400).

No prior experience? No problem! Your passion for designing, developing, securing, and extending solutions with this technology can help you earn this certification. As a problem solver who enjoys creating automated solutions, you have likely built, customized, and extended Microsoft Power Platform apps.

• Who it’s for: Pro-devs extending the platform (JavaScript/TypeScript, C#, plugins, PCF, Azure, REST).
• Update: English version updates on Aug 29, 2025—review the Skills Measured changes before booking.
• Renewal: free annual online assessment via Microsoft Learn.

To learn more about your journey to the developer certification, explore our blog on Power Platform Developer that gives a deeper insight of the certification process!

5. The Power BI Analyst Certification

As a data analyst or developer, working with Power BI can come with challenges in effectively showcasing your skills and expertise. However, obtaining the Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate certification (pass Exam PL-300). can provide you with a valuable credential to validate your abilities in using this powerful data visualization and business intelligence tool.

This certification can boost your professional credibility, helping you stand out in a competitive job market and demonstrate your proficiency to potential employers or clients. It can also open doors to new career opportunities, as the demand for skilled Power BI professionals continues to rise.

• Who it’s for: Data analysts who model data, build semantic models, and deliver governed dashboards to business stakeholders.
• You’ll validate: data prep, DAX modeling, row-level security, performance, and lifecycle governance.
• Pair with: Microsoft Fabric Analytics Engineer certification (DP-600) if your role spans Fabric.

Discover more about the certification journey by checking out our latest blog on becoming a certified Power BI Data Analyst Associate.

6. The Solution Architect Certification

The Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Solution Architect Expert certification (complete a prerequisite and pass Exam PL-600) is an advanced certification designed for professionals with extensive experience in the field. If you’re a solution architect, developer, or senior functional consultant looking to take your career to the next level, this certification is for you.

As a qualified candidate, you have a deep understanding of Microsoft Power Platform and possess both technical and functional expertise. You work closely with project team members, including functional consultants, project managers, developers, and business analysts.

• Who it’s for: Senior consultants/architects leading end-to-end business solutions.
• You’ll validate: requirements to blueprint, security/governance, integrations, performance, reliability, and adoption.
• Recommended path: PL-200/PL-400 experience before attempting PL-600. (Check Learn for current updates.)

If you feel that this is the right certification for you, we recommend you check out our blog on the Power Platform Solution Architect Certification to explore more of this journey.

7. The RPA Developer Certification

Are you passionate about automating business processes and improving efficiency?

As an RPA Developer, you’ll be responsible for designing, developing, and troubleshooting RPA solutions using Microsoft Power Automate. If this sounds like your dream role, then the Microsoft Certified: Power Automate RPA Developer certification is the perfect place to start.

This course covers all the necessary topics you need to know to pass the certification exam, including designing, developing, deploying, and managing RPA solutions. Once you’ve earned your certification, you’ll be well-equipped to collaborate with administrators and deploy solutions to production environments.

• Who it’s for: Automation developers designing cloud flows, desktop flows (RPA), AI Builder extraction, exception handling, and secure deployments.
• You’ll validate: solution design, orchestration, error handling, and ALM for RPA.
• Career link: complements PL-400 for full pro-dev + automation stack.

To kickstart your journey towards becoming an RPA Developer, check out our latest blog on Power Automate RPA Developer Certification to explore the certification process!

Ready to explore your career path in Microsoft Power Platform?

Whether you want to review for an exam or enhance your skills, training is available for every certification.

Explore our Power Platform courses and select the learning format that best suits your needs. With a variety of options such as self-paced learning, instructor-led training, and training events, you can gain the confidence and expertise needed to succeed.

Looking for beginner-level certifications?

If you’re just starting and prefer a beginner’s guide, we’ve got you covered! Check out our blog post on the “Top IT Certifications for Beginners.” This guide will help you kickstart your journey into the world of IT certifications.

Explore this informative blog and take your career in the IT industry to new heights! Happy learning!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can a Microsoft Power Platform certification benefit my career?

A Microsoft Power Platform certification validates your skills and experience, helping you stand out to employers, increasing your chances of promotions and raises, and giving you career flexibility and promising earning options.

Are Microsoft Power Platform certifications worth my time?

A Power Platform certification can be worth your time if you are interested in leveraging the Microsoft Power Platform to analyze data, build solutions, automate processes, and more. Earning a certification can validate your skills and experience, making you more appealing to employers and potentially leading to promotions, raises, and better job prospects.

Certifications can also give you career flexibility and promising earning options. According to the Global Knowledge 2020 IT Skills and Salary Report, IT professionals with certifications, on average, earn more than their peers without them.

How do I prepare for a Power Platform certification exam?

Microsoft Learn offers various learning resources, including self-paced learning, training events, and instructor-led training to help you prepare for your chosen certification exam.

What resources are available to help me learn more about Power Platform and connect with others in the field?

• Microsoft Power Platform Blog
• Microsoft Power Platform Community
• LinkedIn: Microsoft Power Platform job board
• Microsoft Learn for Microsoft Power Platform

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