Salesforce AI certifications: Types, components & consideration
Salesforce will continue to make a major push to upskill professionals with free, premium instructor-led courses and AI certifications throughout 2025.
This initiative gives learners access to high-quality training without the usual cost barrier, making it easier to stay competitive in a volatile labor market.
Whether you’re an admin, developer, or consultant, these courses provide hands-on guidance to help you master AI-powered Salesforce tools. As AI becomes central to CRM and automation, these certifications will be valuable for career growth.
This article explores Salesforce’s new AI certification, including its different types, why it matters, who should consider it, and how to get started. You’ll learn how this certification can boost your skills, open career opportunities, and help businesses stay ahead in the AI-driven Salesforce ecosystem.
What is an AI Salesforce certification?
Salesforce’s AI certification helps professionals learn how to use AI within the platform.
The program includes free, instructor-led courses throughout 2025, making it easier than ever to gain hands-on experience.
Learners will explore tools like Agentforce, Einstein Copilot, and Prompt Builder, which help automate processes and improve customer interactions. The certification proves that AI can be applied in real business settings.
This can boost your career prospects and help companies make the most of Salesforce’s AI features. Beginners and experienced users alike can benefit from this certification, staying ahead as AI becomes a bigger part of CRM.
Why are Salesforce AI certifications important?
AI transforms CRM, automates tasks, improves customer interactions, and drives smarter decisions. In the UK and Ireland, 45% of sales organizations are testing AI, while 34% have fully integrated it into their operations.
Salesforce AI certifications validate your ability to work with these tools, making you more valuable in an ever-competitive job market. As AI continues to develop, businesses that embrace it will have an edge over those that don’t.
Employees who invest in AI training now will be prepared for the future, while those who ignore it risk falling behind.
Certification proves you can leverage AI effectively, helping businesses automate workflows, personalize customer experiences, and stay ahead in an industry where AI-driven insights are becoming the standard.
What are the different types of Salesforce AI certifications?
Understanding the various Salesforce AI certifications is crucial for tailoring your learning path and advancing your career in the rapidly growing field of AI-powered CRM tools.
Let’s take a closer look at the different types of Salesforce AI certifications:
Virtual, hands-on workshops
Salesforce’s virtual, hands-on workshops offer a structured way to learn AI tools with real-world applications.
These sessions will run from November 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025, and will cover key AI skills for CRM professionals.
Workshops include:
- How to Build Your First Agent: Learn the basics of creating AI agents to automate tasks and improve efficiency.
- Run Your Sales Organization Using Agentforce Sales Agents: Discover how AI can assist sales teams in managing leads, automating workflows, and closing deals faster.
- Run Your Service Organization Using Agentforce Service Agents: See how AI enhances customer service by handling routine inquiries and freeing up agents for complex cases.
- Get Started with Copilot: Get hands-on experience using AI-powered assistance to streamline daily tasks in Salesforce.
- Get Started with Prompt Builder: Learn how to create and refine AI-generated responses to improve customer interactions.
These workshops are designed to be interactive, allowing participants to apply what they learn in a guided environment. Spaces are limited, so early registration is recommended. Salesforce has also outlined eligibility requirements, which can be found on the Trailhead FAQ page.
Instructor-led courses
In November 2024, Salesforce introduced a three-day, instructor-led course focused on helping professionals master its AI tools, including Agentforce. Unlike virtual workshops, these courses provide in-person training with direct access to expert instructors. Participants will gain experience working with brand-new Salesforce AI products, making applying AI in real business scenarios easier.
These sessions will take place at Salesforce’s AI Centers in San Francisco and London, with more locations planned in the AMER and APAC regions. Each quarter, one course will be held in San Francisco and one in London, offering limited opportunities for professionals to enroll. The approach ensures attendees receive practical training while networking with other professionals in a classroom setting.
Early registration is recommended since this is a limited-time offering from November 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025. This course is a valuable opportunity for those looking to sharpen their AI skills with hands-on guidance from Salesforce experts.
Free AI certifications
Salesforce is making AI certifications more accessible by offering free AI Associate and AI Specialist exams from September 23, 2024, to December 31, 2025. These certifications help professionals validate their AI skills without financial barriers.
If you registered for the AI Associate exam on or after September 23, 2024, you’ll get a full refund if you’re not a Salesforce employee or MVP. The same applies to those who signed up for the AI Specialist exam, regardless of when they plan to take it.
Remember that free exams only apply to first attempts. If you need to retake the AI Associate exam, it will cost $50, while retaking the AI Specialist exam will cost $100.
How to sign up for free Salesforce AI certifications:
- Go to Webassessor: Visit the Webassessor website and log in. If you’re new to Salesforce certifications, create an account.
- Click Register for an exam: This option is at the top of the page.
- Select your exam: The AI Associate exam is under “Associate exams,” while the AI Specialist exam is listed under “Administrator exams.”
- Choose your testing method: Pick an online proctored exam or an in-person test center.
- Register: Click “Register” and select a date and time that works for you.
- Check out: Complete the registration process by clicking “Check out.”
- Confirm your registration: Click “Done,” and you’ll receive a confirmation email with exam details.
Once registered, prepare using Salesforce’s AI learning resources to increase your chances of passing on the first attempt.
Self-paced resources
Trailhead, Salesforce’s free learning platform, continues to offer valuable self-paced resources to help you prepare for AI certifications at your own pace.
These resources allow you to learn on your schedule, making it easier to balance work and study:
- AI Associate Trailmix is a curated learning path for beginners. It offers essential modules covering the basics of Salesforce AI, such as understanding how AI works within the ecosystem and its potential business applications. This resource is a great starting point for those looking to dive into the world of Salesforce AI.
- AI Specialist Trailmix is designed for more advanced learners who want to deepen their expertise. It includes more specialized content on advanced AI tools like automation and machine learning. This path ensures learners have the skills to handle complex AI tasks within Salesforce.
- Module Library on Trailhead is a comprehensive collection of individual lessons focusing on specific topics related to Salesforce AI, such as understanding natural language processing or building AI-powered apps. This allows users to pick and choose what they want to learn about.
- Trail Library is another resource that offers structured learning paths. These paths guide learners through different skills and concepts in AI, ranging from beginner to advanced levels. These self-paced options are essential to gain the knowledge needed to excel in Salesforce AI.
What are the key components of Salesforce AI certifications?
To fully understand Salesforce AI certifications, it’s important to explore the key components of the learning experience. This will ensure you have the knowledge and skills necessary for real-world applications.
Let’s take a closer look at the key components of Salesforce AI certifications:
Core modules
Core modules are the foundation of Salesforce AI certifications. These structured lessons cover essential AI concepts, tools, and features. They ensure learners build a solid understanding of how Salesforce AI can be used within a business. Mastering these core modules equips you with the skills needed for practical application.
Salesforce Labs
Salesforce labs offer real-world, interactive practice where you can apply what you’ve learned. These labs simulate real Salesforce environments, allowing you to work with actual tools and data. They help strengthen your problem-solving skills and ensure you’re ready to tackle real challenges in Salesforce AI as you progress in your career.
Real-world applications
Real-world applications demonstrate how Salesforce AI tools can solve actual business challenges. They show how to use AI to improve sales, service, and other operations, making the learning experience more relevant. Understanding these applications is key to connecting theory with practice, allowing learners to see the impact of AI in businesses.
Interactive eLearning
Interactive eLearning encourages active participation through quizzes, discussions, and hands-on exercises. This approach helps reinforce learning by engaging you directly with the material. It also helps to retain knowledge better than passive reading or listening. Interactive learning prepares you for certification exams and real-world use of Salesforce AI.
Who should consider Salesforce AI certifications?
Salesforce administrators
Salesforce administrators should think about AI certifications to learn how to make Salesforce work smarter. AI skills will help them automate tasks and improve how teams use the platform. These skills help admins stay up-to-date and keep their organizations running like clockwork.
Salesforce developers
Salesforce developers can improve their workflows by learning about AI tools. AI certifications teach them how to build more intelligent apps that use AI to solve business-related problems. Knowing how to use AI will help developers create solutions that are more powerful and can better support enterprises in the future.
Salesforce consultants
Salesforce consultants can use AI certifications to help clients make the most of new technology. With AI skills, they can guide businesses in using Salesforce tools to improve operations and user experiences. AI knowledge will also make consultants more competitive in helping companies to adopt AI for growth.
Enterprises focused on workforce upskilling
Enterprises focused on workforce upskilling should leverage AI certifications to enhance team capabilities. Encouraging employees to gain these certifications equips them with AI skills that can be applied to everyday tasks. Embracing AI means organizations can improve efficiency and stay competitive, with employees sharing their expertise across teams to drive growth.
What’s next for Salesforce AI certifications?
Many of Salesforce’s free AI certifications are available for a limited time, so businesses must act quickly to ensure their teams make the most of these resources.
Enterprises should plan strategically to help employees take full advantage of the free training and certifications. A proactive approach and investing in AI skills now help businesses stay competitive, adapt to change, and prepare for the future of CRM.
Salesforce’s decision to offer free courses is a smart move. It encourages individuals to learn and grow with AI, making the workforce more skilled and ready for tomorrow’s challenges.
FAQs
Salesforce AI enhances customer relationship management (CRM) by automating tasks, predicting customer behavior, and providing personalized experiences. Tools like Einstein help businesses analyze data, improve decision-making, and deliver smarter, more efficient customer interactions, ultimately increasing productivity and driving growth.
AI Salesforce training teaches users how to leverage Salesforce’s AI tools, such as Einstein and Agentforce, to enhance CRM processes. It covers areas like automating workflows, using predictive analytics, and personalizing customer interactions. This training enables businesses to work more adeptly and stay competitive.