Power BI provides cloud-based business intelligence services known as Power BI Services. Power BI is an analytical tool provided by Microsoft. It is geared towards interactive visualizations and business intelligence solutions so that users can generate their dashboards and reports. It also offers a desktop version called Power BI Desktop. It offers data warehouse capabilities, including data preparation, data discovery, and interactive dashboards. Microsoft also offers another service on its Azure platform called Power BI Embedded.
The key components in Power BI certification are
There are two certifications that Microsoft offers for Power BI. One is classified under the Data Analyst set of certifications and the other under Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate certifications (MCSA). The MCSA credential supplants the now-defunct Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator certification.
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Under the Data Analyst set of certifications, the Power BI certification is numbered DA-100. It is titled Analyzing Data with Microsoft Power BI (beta). Unfortunately, since this certification is still in its beta phase, the exams are not scored immediately because Microsoft is still collecting information on the quality of the questions and the exam itself. There are no related exams for this certification.
The classification of DA and MCSA are entry-level IT certifications for professionals veering into the roles of various IT sectors. Analyzing Data with Microsoft Power BI (beta) certification is part of the exam requirements for Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate. With this certification, professionals can still work as Power BI developers. The exam fee for this certification is $165.
The skills measured in this certification are
There are two ways to prepare for this certification – Online and instructor-led. Several training providers offer training for power BI like Udemy, Simpli Learn, Plural Sight, etc. Microsoft’s learning platform also provided the required study materials and practice exams for this certification. You can choose to attempt this exam from Microsoft’s portal. There are no special considerations for retaking this exam if you fail. Each retake should still adhere to Microsoft’s exam policies(1).
This certification has two parts that candidates have to specialize in – Power BI and Excel. This is part of the Solutions Associate list of certifications that Microsoft offers. This certification validates a professional’s ability to analyze data using both Power BI and Excel. Earning this certification is testimony that the candidate knows relevant to data analytics, data visualization, modeling, dashboards, and direct connectivity to data sources in Excel and Power BI. It is the first step on your path to becoming a Data Management and Analytics Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE).
There are two major steps to earn Power BI Certification
This step requires preparation and gaining experience in consuming and transforming data, modeling and visualizing data, and configuring dashboards using Excel and Power BI. You may want to consider pursuing an MTA certification to achieve these skills. Microsoft doesn’t demand any prior experience requirements or pre-requisites. However, it recommends that users gain hands-on experience working with Power BI before attempting this certification.
Candidates have to clear two exams for getting the certification
Once you complete these two steps, you’ll earn MCSA: BI Reporting certification. This certification does not expire. However, Microsoft recommends that users continue their education with other relevant exams.
Even for this certification, several providers, such as Udemy, Simpli Learn, Plural Sight, Global Knowledge, and Microsoft’s learning platform, offer the required study material, training course, and other relevant resources for the exam. The cost of this certification is the same as the cost for Exam DA-100 — $165. Microsoft has an extensive library of training materials for this exam. Just as Exam DA-100, you can take this training online or instructor-led.
The median salary for Power BI certified individuals is $120000. The job role typically involves acting as a Power BI developer – working on analytics and data extraction. The lowest salary, according to Neuvoo, is $78000, while the highest is $146000.