Microsoft Power Automate certification: 2026 exam guide

Which Power Automate exams are still open?

Microsoft cut its Power Platform lineup hard in 2026. Two live exams that test Power Automate are PL-900 and AB-400. PL-900, Power Platform Fundamentals, gives Power Automate 20 to 25 percent of the exam, alongside Power Apps, environment management and Copilot Studio agents. Its skills list was last updated July 24, 2026. A score of 700 or higher passes.

AB-400 is Extending Microsoft Power Platform Solutions with Code and AI. It opened October 16, 2026, and passing it earns the same Power Platform Developer Associate certification that PL-400 used to award. Its audience profile includes custom process automation, Power Automate workflow expressions and agentic AI as part of solution logic. Microsoft also launched AB-410, which earns Intelligent Applications Builder Associate, as the Power Platform replacement for PL-200.

What was retired, and what happens to holders?

Microsoft's retirement list shows four Power Platform exams closed in 2026. PL-500 (Power Automate RPA Developer Associate) and PL-600 (Power Platform Solution Architect Expert) retired June 30. Microsoft plans no direct replacement for PL-600 and points holders to AB-100, Agentic AI Business Solutions Architect. PL-200 (Power Platform Functional Consultant Associate) retired August 31 and was replaced by Exam AB-410, which earns Microsoft Certified: Intelligent Applications Builder Associate. PL-400 retired October 30, after registration moved to AB-400 on October 16.

If you already hold one of the retired certifications, it stays on your Microsoft Learn transcript until it expires. You cannot renew it after the retirement date. Microsoft Partners keep earning credit for these certifications for one year after retirement. Nobody can earn PL-500, PL-200 or PL-600 now, and a Microsoft community expert answering on Microsoft Q&A said PL-500 has no replacement.

Who should take which exam?

Take PL-900 if you are an analyst, operations lead or new automation builder who wants a structured tour of Power Platform. Microsoft pitches it at people starting to build solutions, and it is not a prerequisite for any role-based exam. It is a reasonable first credential for a workflow automation specialist, but it tests breadth, not depth.

Take AB-400 if you already write code. Microsoft expects development experience with JavaScript, TypeScript, Power Fx, C#, Python and REST APIs, plus Azure, Microsoft Foundry and Copilot Studio. It suits developers who extend Power Platform with plug-ins, custom connectors and integrations. Neither certification gets anyone hired. They give a hiring manager a quick check on vocabulary, while a portfolio of working flows shows actual skill.

What does the work pay?

BLS has no Power Automate or workflow automation series. The closest match is computer systems analysts, and that series covers the whole occupation, not automation specialists alone. Moved to 2026, the US median is about $109,200, with the middle half earning between $85,500 and $138,300. Pay in that series runs higher in California and Washington and lower in much of the South and Midwest.

Pay

United States, middle 50% (computer systems analysts, nearest series)

$85,500–138,300

United States, 25th percentile to median

$85,500–109,200

California, middle 50%

$104,300–165,500

Texas, middle 50%

$88,700–140,400

New York, middle 50%

$88,100–142,000

USD a year, before tax. US figures from BLS OEWS May 2025 for computer systems analysts, moved to 2026 with the Employment Cost Index. It is the nearest series to workflow automation work and covers the whole occupation, not automation specialists alone; location and seniority move the figure most. Refer to the Workflow & No-Code Automation salary guide for figures from live adverts.

What you need

PL-900 backgroundNo prerequisite. Microsoft aims it at people starting to build Power Platform solutions, and it covers Power Apps, Power Automate, Dataverse, connectors and Copilot Studio agents.
AB-400 backgroundMicrosoft expects hands-on development with Power Platform, JavaScript, TypeScript, Power Fx, C#, Python, REST APIs, Azure, Microsoft Foundry and Copilot Studio.
Passing scorePL-900 requires a score of 700 or greater to pass.
RenewalAssociate certifications such as Power Platform Developer Associate are renewed through Microsoft's renewal assessment; holders become eligible when the certification is within six months of expiring.
Language allowanceIf the exam is not offered in your preferred language, you can request an extra 30 minutes.

How to get there

Month 1-2Build real flowsAutomate a few tasks of your own in Power Automate, with cloud flows and connectors, before you study for any exam.
Month 2-3Pass PL-900Work through the Microsoft Learn path and the free practice assessment, then sit the exam. It covers Power Automate, Power Apps, environments and Copilot Studio.
Month 3-12Ship work for a teamAutomate a process for a real department, with error handling, sharing and governance in place. This counts for more with employers than the badge does.
Year 1-2Learn to code against the platformIf you want the developer track, add JavaScript or TypeScript, C#, REST APIs and Power Platform CLI.
Year 1-2Pass AB-400Earns Power Platform Developer Associate. Expect custom connectors, plug-ins, integrations and agent logic on the exam.
OngoingRenew on scheduleTake the renewal assessment in the six months before your associate certification expires.

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Questions people ask

Is there still a Power Automate RPA certification?

No. Exam PL-500 and the Power Automate RPA Developer Associate certification retired June 30, 2026, together with their renewal assessments. Microsoft has not announced a replacement.

Is PL-400 the same as AB-400?

AB-400 took over from PL-400. Registration for PL-400 closed October 16, 2026, and the last PL-400 sittings ran through October 30. Passing AB-400 earns the same Power Platform Developer Associate certification, and Microsoft says the renewal process is unchanged.

Can I still take PL-200 or PL-600?

No. PL-600 retired June 30, 2026, and Microsoft plans no direct replacement (it points holders to AB-100, Agentic AI Business Solutions Architect). PL-200 retired August 31, 2026, and was replaced by Exam AB-410, which earns Microsoft Certified: Intelligent Applications Builder Associate. If you earned PL-200 or PL-600 before it retired, it stays on your transcript until it expires, but you can no longer renew it.

Is PL-900 required before AB-400?

No. Microsoft says PL-900 can help you prepare for role-based certifications but is not a prerequisite for any of them. Developers who already know the platform can go straight to AB-400.

Will a Power Automate certification get me a job?

On its own, no. A certification shows a hiring manager that you know the platform's terms and features. Flows you built and still run for a real team do more to show you can do the work.

What certification covers Microsoft Power Automate?