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Salesforce · Business Platforms · Associate

Salesforce Certified Platform Developer exam guide

Exam Platform Developer (formerly Platform Developer I)

Platform Developer (formerly Platform Developer I) validates the ability to build custom functionality on Salesforce with Apex, SOQL and Lightning Web Components, plus testing, debugging and deployment. It is the standard entry credential for Salesforce developers in 2026.

Questions60
Time limit105 minutes
Passing score68%
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

Developers with some Apex and JavaScript experience who build and extend Salesforce applications.

What the exam covers

Process Automation and Logic28%
Developer Fundamentals27%
User Interface25%
Testing, Debugging, and Deployment20%

Eligibility & prerequisites

Required: None.

Recommended: Experience writing Apex, SOQL and Lightning Web Components in a Salesforce org, plus object-oriented programming basics.

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

  • Apex classes, triggers and governor limits
  • SOQL and SOSL
  • Lightning Web Components
  • Apex testing and code coverage
  • Order of execution
  • Deployment with Salesforce CLI

Job roles

Salesforce DeveloperApex DeveloperSalesforce Technical ConsultantLightning Web Components DeveloperCRM 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. Weeks 1-2: Developer fundamentals: data model, multi-tenancy, governor limits, Apex basics, SOQL/SOSL.
  2. Weeks 3-4: Process automation and logic (28%): triggers, trigger frameworks, bulkification, order of execution, exceptions, Flow vs Apex.
  3. Week 5: User interface: Lightning Web Components, Apex controllers, Visualforce basics.
  4. Week 6: Testing, debugging and deployment: test classes, test data factories, debug logs, Salesforce CLI and sandboxes.
  5. Week 7: Timed practice exams; write code for every topic you miss.

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

  • Governor limits and bulkification appear everywhere; spot SOQL or DML inside loops instantly.
  • Memorise the order of execution; several questions depend on it.
  • Know test class rules: 75% coverage for deployment, @isTest, Test.startTest/stopTest, test data isolation.
  • Expect code-reading questions; trace them line by line rather than guessing.

Key terms for this exam

All 87 terms Study with thinQcards™

Commonly confused on this exam

Frequently asked questions

How much does the Platform Developer exam cost?

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

What is the passing score for Platform Developer?

68%. 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.

Is this the same as Platform Developer I?

Yes. Salesforce renamed Platform Developer I to Platform Developer; the content focus remains Apex, SOQL, LWC and testing.

PD1 vs JavaScript Developer: which first?

Platform Developer is the usual first developer exam; JavaScript Developer suits those focused on LWC and front-end work.

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.