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Salesforce · Business Platforms · Associate

Salesforce Certified Platform App Builder exam guide

Exam Platform App Builder

Platform App Builder validates the ability to design, build and deploy custom applications declaratively: data modeling, business logic and Flow automation, user interface and app deployment. It bridges admin and developer roles and is a common second Salesforce credential.

Questions60
Time limit105 minutes
Passing score73%
Exam fee$200 USD
Valid forSee official page
DeliveryProctored at a testing center or online; registered through Trailhead Academy

Format: Multiple choice and multiple select (60 scored + up to 5 unscored items); no references allowed. Fee note: Retake $100.

Who it's for

Admins, business analysts and junior developers who build custom apps with clicks rather than code.

What the exam covers

Business Logic and Process Automation32%
Data Modeling and Management20%
Salesforce Fundamentals18%
User Interface17%
App Deployment13%

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None.

Recommended: Experience building custom objects, automation and Lightning pages in a Salesforce org.

Keeping it active

No fixed expiry while maintained: complete the free annual maintenance module for the credential on Trailhead by the deadline. Missing the deadline expires the credential and you must pass the exam again.

Skills & careers

Skills it validates

  • Data modeling with lookup and master-detail relationships
  • Formula and validation rules
  • Flow automation
  • Lightning App Builder and dynamic forms
  • Security model for custom apps
  • Sandboxes, change sets and packages

Job roles

Salesforce App BuilderSalesforce AdministratorSalesforce ConsultantBusiness AnalystJunior Salesforce Developer

Where it fits in your path

Planning a degree too? See how this cert earns college credit in the College Credit Navigator.

Build my study plan

  1. Week 1: Salesforce fundamentals: multi-tenant limits, declarative vs programmatic, security model basics.
  2. Week 2: Data modeling: relationship types, schema builder, roll-up summaries, external objects, data import.
  3. Weeks 3-4: Business logic and automation (32%): formulas, validation rules, Flow types, approval processes.
  4. Week 5: User interface and app deployment: Lightning pages, dynamic forms, actions; sandboxes, change sets, unmanaged and unlocked packages.
  5. Week 6: Timed practice exams; build a small app end to end as a review.

Make it yours: pick your exam date and weekly hours. We'll split your time by domain weight and give you a printable plan.

Exam-day tips

  • Business logic and automation is almost a third of the exam; know which Flow type fits each scenario.
  • Relationship questions (master-detail vs lookup, deletion and sharing effects) appear often.
  • The pass mark is 73%, higher than Admin, so aim for 80%+ on practice tests.
  • Know deployment tool trade-offs: change sets vs packages vs DevOps Center.

Key terms for this exam

All 94 terms Study with thinQcards™

Commonly confused on this exam

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Platform App Builder exam cost?

$200 plus applicable taxes; a retake costs $100.

What is the passing score for Platform App Builder?

73%. The exam has 60 scored questions plus up to 5 unscored items.

Does the certification expire?

Not if you complete the free annual Trailhead maintenance module by its deadline; if you miss it, the credential expires.

Admin or App Builder first?

Most people take Platform Administrator first, then App Builder, since the content overlaps and App Builder builds on it.

Do I need to code?

No. App Builder is declarative, though you should know when code would be needed.

Official page: help.salesforce.com. Reviewed November 2026. Vendors change fees and objectives, so confirm with the vendor before you book. Spot something out of date? Tell us.