Discover Microsoft Certified: Power Platform App Maker Associate

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Do you love coming up with creative ways to make apps using Microsoft Power Platform and Power Apps? If you want to use these skills to help advance your career and to earn the recognition you deserve, you’re a great candidate to earn this Microsoft Certification. This validates to the world that you have the applicable skills—whether you’re just starting out creating apps for yourself, looking to use your app maker skills to advance your career, or wanting to change to a new, in-demand career.

You’re not alone if you’re considering that earning your certification with your app maker skills could help boost your income. In fact, 19 percent of respondents in the Nigel Frank Microsoft Dynamics Salary Survey note that app builder certifications are likely to increase their worth. In addition, an app maker certification can help improve your confidence by highlighting your creativity and enthusiasm for using the latest technologies. Add your certifications to your résumé and LinkedIn page to alert employers to your expertise.

The combination of your ingenuity and a globally recognized, industry-endorsed Microsoft Certification sends a career-building message to employers. In this post in our series on discovering your career path, we look at the benefits of achieving a Microsoft Certified: Power Platform App Maker Associate certification, and we also suggest other certifications that can be useful for app makers—whether you’re just starting out or brushing up on your skills as a seasoned professional.

A great way to get started is by earning the Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals certification. This proves that you can use your Microsoft Power Platform skills to improve your team’s productivity. No experience is necessary to train for it—just basic familiarity with computer technology, data analytics, cloud computing, and the internet. To learn more, read our recent blog post, Discover your career path: Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 Fundamentals.

The app maker role and certification

You fit the profile for the app maker role if you’re self-directed and solution-focused and if you work with Microsoft Power Platform tools to simplify, automate, and transform tasks and processes for yourself and your team. There are as many pathways to the app maker role as there are people comfortable using the technology to solve problems. Not every app maker works in a business organization. You might be a student or a professional in another field. For example, Lauren Taylor, an elementary school principal, uses Microsoft Power Platform to create apps to track student reading data and to help teachers coordinate lesson plans.

As an app creator, you might have some experience with creating formulas (or functions and equations) for Excel, Microsoft Teams, and other tools. Although you don’t need to have formal IT training, typically you’re comfortable working with IT administrators and Microsoft Power Platform developers using technology to solve business problems.

If you’re a business professional with deep expertise in your solution domain who wants to leverage your passion for building Microsoft Power Platform solutions, this certification is designed for you. You can use your skills in key technical business analyst tasks, such as data modeling, basic UX design, requirements analysis, and process analysis. Your responsibilities include:

  • Designing and creating apps and automating workflows.
  • Analyzing and visualizing data in context of an app or automated workflow.
  • Implementing and managing apps and automated workflows.

Benefits of certification

The digital revolution is booming, resulting in a well-documented IT skills gap. There’s a growing demand for workers to build the next generation of automation. In the Global Knowledge 2020 IT Skills and Salary Report,[1] 75 percent of IT decision-makers point out that they are dealing with skills gaps. Why not make a difference for one of those employers? Microsoft training and certifications prepare you for the app-building roles that organizations are looking to fill.

In addition to highlighting your specific technical skills, a certification also indicates that you’re willing to put forth effort to learn new technology to get ahead and stay ahead. Employers are building tech-intensive organizations where people not only have the right skills but also have a willingness to embrace a culture of learning.

In the Pearson VUE Value of IT Certification survey, those who have earned their certification report numerous personal benefits, including more professional credibility and greater self-confidence. They also reported increased job satisfaction and responsibilities. Some even reported salary increases.

Business decision-makers see benefits from having workers with certifications. In the Global Knowledge survey mentioned earlier, 93 percent of respondents said employees who have earned certifications add more value, close skills gaps, and are more productive than their peers who haven’t. Plus, they meet their clients’ needs better.

Other certifications for you

If you’re an experienced app maker, consider exploring other certifications for Microsoft Power Platform, too. Many IT professionals hold multiple certifications. The Pearson VUE survey notes that more than 90 percent of certified technical professionals say that they would recommend certification to a friend or colleague looking to advance their career in a tech-related field.

If you have a more traditional development background and some experience with Microsoft Power Platform, take a look at the new Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Developer Associate certification. To learn more, read New certification: Microsoft Power Platform Developer Associate.

How do I get started?

Inventiveness and creativity characterize people who become app makers. These days, you might not be following a traditional career path, but you might have successfully built Microsoft Power Platform apps. However, if you don’t feel ready to take the certification exam just yet, we recommend that you work closely with a Microsoft Power Platform or Power Apps expert and take on a project to deepen your skills. Get some real-life experience with designing and creating apps and automating workflows. Explore Microsoft training opportunities. No matter where you are on your journey, we have training that can help you get underway.

To get started, check out our Microsoft Power Platform App Maker Associate certification journey map. You can also find it in the resources section on the associated certification and exam pages.

App Maker journey map.png

To map out your path, follow the sequence on the journey map. As shown at the beginning of the map, start by deciding whether this certification is a good fit for you.

Next, choose the training you’ll need to be prepared. To understand what you’ll be measured on when taking Exam PL-100, review the Power Platform App Maker Associate skills outline guide on the exam page. Then sign up for the training that fits your learning style and experience:

A practice exam is available for this certification. You can take a trial run with Microsoft Official Practice Test PL-100 Microsoft Power Platform App Maker. All the exam objectives are covered in depth, so you’ll find what you need to be ready for any question.

After you pass the exam and earn your certification, you can continue to broaden your technical expertise by taking one of the other certifications described in this blog post or by exploring other certification offerings. Consider our intermediate and advanced certifications when you achieve the next milestones on your career journey. To map out the possibilities, explore Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365 certification paths.

Where’s my community?

Join a community to network with other app makers, share ideas, and ask questions. You can also find news about Microsoft events and learning opportunities.

Celebrate with the world: Post your badge on LinkedIn

When you earn a certification or learn a new skill, celebrate your accomplishment with your network. It often takes less than a minute to update your LinkedIn profile and share your achievements, highlight your skills, and help boost your career potential. Here’s how:

  • If you’ve earned a certification already, follow the instructions in the congratulations email you received. Or find your badge on your Certification Dashboard, and follow the instructions there to share it. (You’ll be transferred to the Acclaim website.)
  • For more information on badges, check out the Certification Badges FAQ.
  • To add specific skills to your LinkedIn profile, go to your profile page and update the Skills and endorsements section. Tip: We recommend that you choose skills listed in the skills outline guide for your certification.

Related blogs and other resources

It’s easy to renew your certification

When your Power Platform App Maker Associate certification expires, we’ve got good news. You’ll soon be able to renew your current certifications by passing a free renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn—anytime within six months before your certification expires. For more details, read our blog post, Stay current with in-demand skills through free certification renewals.

Plus, effective June 2021, a certification is valid for one year from the date you earned it. This shift aligns with the rapid evolution of cloud technology and skills. Get more information in our blog post Is your certification expiring soon? Renew it for free today!

Ready to discover your career path?

As a creative app maker, are you ready to get started on your certification journey? It’s time to let a Microsoft Certification shine a light on your builder skills and help you make the most out of the Microsoft Power Platform career path. By demonstrating your expertise with a Microsoft Certification, you let employers know that you have what it takes to be an agile player in today’s rapidly changing business environment.

[1] Global Knowledge, 2020 IT Skills and Salary Report, 2020.

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-learn-blog/discover-microsoft-certified-power-platform-app-maker-associate/ba-p/2080041 https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-learn-blog/discover-microsoft-certified-power-platform-app-maker-associate/ba-p/2080041 2021-06-23 14:00:00Z