Microsoft Power Automate is a powerful tool that allows users to automate workflows, integrate systems, and improve business processes. Earning a Power Automate certification can help demonstrate your expertise in automation and strengthen your professional profile. The certification exam will validate your skills, making you more competitive in the job market and positioning you as a capable user of the Microsoft Power Platform.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about getting Power Automate certified, including exam details, preparation strategies, and tips to help you succeed.
1. Understanding the Certification Exam
The Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Functional Consultant Associate certification is one of the most relevant certifications for Power Automate. This certification focuses on automating business processes using Power Automate and other components of the Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Virtual Agents, and Power BI).
The certification exam code for this certification is PL-200: Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant.
Exam Overview:
- Exam Name: PL-200: Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant
- Skills Measured:
- Configure Microsoft Dataverse
- Create apps by using Microsoft Power Apps
- Automate business processes with Power Automate
- Implement Power Virtual Agents chatbots
- Analyze data using Power BI
The exam is designed for candidates who want to demonstrate their ability to implement automation solutions, configure data services, and use Power Automate in various business scenarios.
2. Prerequisites and Target Audience
While there are no formal prerequisites for the PL-200 exam, it’s recommended that you have a basic understanding of business processes and workflow automation. Here’s the target audience for the exam:
- Functional consultants who are responsible for using Power Automate to automate business processes.
- Business analysts who need to create solutions to solve business problems using Power Automate.
- System administrators looking to automate system workflows within their organization.
Although the exam is open to anyone, a basic understanding of business solutions, processes, and workflows will help you grasp the concepts more easily.
3. Skills Measured in the PL-200 Exam
The PL-200 exam covers several skills related to the Microsoft Power Platform and Power Automate. These include:
Automating Business Processes with Power Automate (15-20%)
- Create and manage flows: This section will test your ability to create, configure, and manage different types of flows (automated, scheduled, and instant flows) using Power Automate.
- Use conditions and loops: You will need to demonstrate knowledge of implementing conditional logic and loops in your flows to handle complex business scenarios.
- Integrate with external data sources: The exam tests your ability to connect Power Automate with various data sources and apps (e.g., SharePoint, Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and third-party apps via connectors).
Configuring Microsoft Dataverse (15-20%)
- Create and manage tables: Understand how to configure the Microsoft Dataverse, which stores your data and allows you to integrate it across Microsoft apps.
- Manage and configure relationships: Learn how to configure and manage relationships between tables within Dataverse.
Implementing Power Apps (15-20%)
- Build custom forms and apps: While this is not directly related to Power Automate, understanding how to integrate Power Automate with Power Apps is essential for automating business processes and ensuring smooth operation.
Analyzing Data with Power BI (15-20%)
- Use Power BI to analyze data: Understand how to use Power BI to analyze and report on data from automated workflows.
Working with Power Virtual Agents (15-20%)
- Create bots and integrate with Power Automate: Learn how to create chatbots and integrate them into workflows, ensuring that users can interact with automated systems through conversational AI.
4. Preparation Tips for PL-200
A. Study Resources
Microsoft Learn (Free)
- Microsoft Learn offers free learning paths specifically designed for the PL-200 exam. It’s a great starting point as it provides in-depth training, hands-on modules, and step-by-step guidance for learning Power Automate and other components of the Microsoft Power Platform.
- Example modules:
- Introduction to Power Automate
- Build flows in Power Automate
- Power Apps and Dataverse integration
- Automate tasks with Power Automate
- Example modules:
Instructor-Led Training
- Microsoft offers official instructor-led training through its learning partners. These are paid training sessions and are typically more comprehensive than free resources, but they offer direct interaction with instructors.
- These sessions are great for individuals who prefer structured learning or need additional clarification on specific topics.
Books
- “Exam Ref PL-200 Microsoft Power Platform Functional Consultant” by Danny Greefhorst, Gert-Jan Schenk, and others is a recommended book for this exam. It covers the exam objectives in detail and provides practice questions and explanations.
Practice Tests
- MeasureUp offers official practice exams for PL-200. Practice tests are an essential resource to gauge your knowledge and readiness for the real exam.
- You can also find unofficial practice exams on platforms like Udemy and Whizlabs.
YouTube and Forums
- YouTube channels like Shane Young’s Power Apps channel and April Dunnam’s tutorials offer free video tutorials on Power Automate and the Power Platform.
- Join Microsoft Power Platform communities and forums to ask questions, share experiences, and learn from others preparing for the exam.
B. Create Hands-On Experience
- One of the most effective ways to prepare for the exam is through hands-on practice. Create workflows and experiment with automating tasks using Power Automate. The more experience you gain, the more confident you will be in applying your knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Lab Environment
- Create a free Microsoft Power Platform account to explore Power Automate and experiment with building flows, using connectors, and integrating with Microsoft Dataverse.
5. Registering for the Exam
Once you feel prepared, it’s time to register for the PL-200 exam.
- Exam Price: The exam costs approximately $165 USD (prices may vary by country).
- Where to Register: You can register for the exam through the Microsoft Certification Dashboard at https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications.
- Exam Type: The PL-200 exam is a proctored, online exam that you can take from the comfort of your home or at a testing center.
6. Exam Day Tips
A. Make Sure Your Setup is Ready
- Ensure you have a stable internet connection and a quiet environment. The exam will be proctored online, so you’ll need to ensure your webcam, microphone, and system meet the requirements for online proctoring.
B. Time Management
- The exam consists of 40-60 questions that need to be completed in 150 minutes. Be mindful of the time and pace yourself throughout the exam. If unsure about a question, mark it for review and come back later.
7. After the Exam
Once you pass the PL-200 exam, you’ll receive your certification, which you can add to your resume and LinkedIn profile.
What’s Next?
- Consider pursuing additional certifications like the Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Developer Associate (PL-400) or the Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Solution Architect Expert to further advance your expertise in the Power Platform.