Announcing a new name for the Data Analyst Associate certification

[NancyTandy]

Power BI and business users, we’ve got great news to share about our certification portfolio. On February 28, 2022, the Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate certification will be renamed to Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate. We regularly review our portfolio to ensure that it’s up to date with the latest technology. This new name reflects our current vision on the data analyst job role and the skills that are required for that role today. Plus, it indicates the direction we’ll take as we prepare to include additional skills in the future.

On the same day, we’ll release the new Exam PL-300: Power BI Data Analyst, which will be required to earn the Power BI Data Analyst Associate certification. This exam is focused on skills in preparing, modeling, visualizing, and analyzing data to maximize value for an organization.

This new exam will replace Exam DA-100: Analyzing Data with Microsoft Power BI, which retires on March 31, 2022. These exams cover the same knowledge domain.

What this means to you

• If you’ve already earned the Data Analyst Associate certification, you will see the new name in your Certification Dashboard on February 28, 2022.
• If you’ve been studying for Exam DA-100, no worries. You have until March 31, 2022, to take it. 
• If you’ve just started preparing for Exam DA-100, consider reviewing the skills requirements for new Exam PL-300 and switching your focus to the new exam because the exams are very similar.  However, between February 28 and March 31, 2022, learners can pass either exam to earn their Power BI Data Analyst Associate certification.

If you plan to take the exam, you might start by exploring the data analyst certification journey. You can also find valuable resources for data analysts on the certification and exam pages. Next, review the required skills for Exam PL-300, use curated self-paced learning paths on Microsoft Learn. Or, if you prefer learning from an instructor, take in-depth courses, such as Analyzing Data with Power BI, from a Microsoft Learning Partner. Complement your training with additional resources, like Microsoft Docs or the Power BI Learning catalog. And don’t miss the Power BI community webinars. Until March 31, 2022, you can take a trial run for the exam using the Microsoft Official Practice Test for DA-100: Analyzing Data with Microsoft Power BI.

The role of the data analyst

If you’re a data analyst or business user who uses Power BI to help your organization maximize the value of its data assets, you might consider earning this certification. In this role, your responsibilities include designing and building scalable data models, cleaning, and transforming data, and enabling advanced analytic capabilities that provide meaningful business value through easy-to-understand data visualizations. You’re a subject matter expert who collaborates with key stakeholders across verticals to deliver relevant insights based on business requirements. And you should have a fundamental understanding of data repositories and data processing, both on-premises and in the cloud.

If you pass this certification exam, you might be eligible for American Council on Education (ACE) college credit. For details, check out College credit for certification exams.

Celebrate with the world: Post badges on LinkedIn

When you earn the Power BI Data Analyst Associate certification, you can post your badge on LinkedIn and celebrate your accomplishment with your team and your network. It often takes less than a minute to update your LinkedIn profile and to share your achievements, highlight your skills, and show how you can help to meet the needs and goals of your current or potential employer and its customers.

It’s easy to renew a Microsoft Certification

When your Power BI Data Analyst Associate certification expires, we’ve got good news. You can renew it and other current certifications by passing a free renewal assessment on Microsoft Learn—anytime within six months before the certification expires. Get the details in our blog post Stay current with in-demand skills through free certification renewals.

Where’s my community?

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

• Microsoft Power BI Community
• Microsoft Learn community
• LinkedIn: Power BI job board

Shine a spotlight on your data analyst skills

If you’re a data analyst or business user with a passion for data, it’s time to validate your expertise and showcase your data insights. The Power BI Data Analyst Associate certification can validate that you have what it takes to stand out and help to differentiate your organization in this high-demand field.

Related posts and resources

• Discover your career path: Get started with fundamentals
• Find the right Microsoft Power Platform certification for you
• Blog: Microsoft Power Platform
• Blog: Microsoft Power BI Community
• Microsoft Learn resources: Microsoft Power BI

[Mehdi HAMMADI]

Please can you adjust the dates in the visual let them in 2022 not 2021

[NancyTandy]

Sorry Mehdi - always takes me a month to switch over.  Correcting now.  Thanks!

[ChukaChukwu]

Great, I like that the focus on the tool is being high-graded with this name change. Fantastic stuff.

[manpeb]

now if you have the full and correct name

[JLunghusen]

The "required skills for Exam PL-300" links to a file that reads like it's for DA-100, including "Exam DA-100" and the retiring title of "Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate".  Am I misunderstanding something or is the incorrect file linked?

[NancyTandy]

@JLunghusen    This is correct.  Today was the announcement that this is going to happen on February 28th - that is when you will see the new PL-300 exam page and updated skills link.  It is basically the same but some minor changes.    Hope that helps.

[vikasrathee]

Hey @NancyTandy , is there any document available comparing the changes between the two exams going forward.

[NancyTandy]

@vikasrathee When the new skills outline document launches on February 28th on the new PL-300 exam page and the updated certification page - it will show you the differences or changes.  

[saketkore]

@NancyTandy If I am not mistaken, the certification was called "Data Analyst Associate", not "Azure Data Analyst Associate" as the graphic states. Nevertheless, it is a good decision to rename it to Power BI Data Analyst Associate.

I have a question, for those of us who have passed DA-100, would we be able to renew this certification once DA-100 retires?

[frangoncab]

Dear @NancyTandy Could you tell me if there has been any change in the learning-path of DA-100.

You are posting this for  "learning paths on Microsoft Learn"  but the learning path for DA-100 include one more block called "Manage workspaces and datasets in Power BI" compound by 3 Modules, it´s the last block.

[pdbenbow]

Thanks, that's a much better name for the certification.

I hope this foreshadows some more advanced Power BI certifications to come in the future. "Solution Architect Expert" maybe, or "Administration Expert?" It's a very deep product, and deserves more opportunities like that. 

[NancyTandy]

@saketkore   yes you will be able to renew your certification, but it will become Power BI Data Analyst or PL-300.  You will see a change to your certification dashboard on February 28th.

[NancyTandy]

@frangoncab  the learning path has not changed.   Get started with Microsoft data analytics - Learn | Microsoft Docs  Is the start of the learning path.

[rootsmusic]

@NancyTandy  Does this mean that Microsoft will be adding a certification for Power Query too?

[NancyTandy]

@rootsmusic   We do not have plans for a Power Query only certification.  Power BI Data Analyst already has some coverage around Power Query.

[luandrad]

@NancyTandy Hello, I've earned a voucher (100%) for DA-100 last year, valid till May/2022.
The same voucher will be available for PL-300 If I didn't take the exame before the exame change? Thanks.

[NancyTandy]

@luandrad Hi, the voucher should be for any exam, does it specify for DA-100 or does it just say free voucher?

[luandrad]

Hi @NancyTandy , when I apply the voucher, its say: "Vouchers MCP & MTA CPE 100% de desconto COMPRA WW 2014", with (-100) on the value.

So its means that the voucher will be valid for PL-300, right?

[NancyTandy]

@luandrad   It should be - as long as you use it within the given timeframe.  Vouchers normally have a time limit.

[mgarc258]

So, if I were to start going through the training modules that are currently available for the DA - 100 Exam now, will the modules be updated on Feb 28 for the new exam to cover the new skill requirements on the new test? Also, will going through current modules also work for preparing for the updated exam? 

[NancyTandy]

@mgarc258 The learning path/modules will not be changing so you can use the DA-100 path.  You can either go through the learning path or take the instructor led class from a Learning Partner to prepare for the exam.

[mgarc258]

@NancyTandy Thank you, So if I plan to take the PL-300 exam, then I should work on the learning modules until the new exam gets released then schedule my time to take it correct?

[NancyTandy]

@mgarc258  that is correct.

[bbnh09]

My Data Analyst Associate certification has an expiration date set for this year. If I understand correctly, my certification should simply be renamed from "Data Analyst Associate" to "Power BI Data Analyst Associate" on 2/28/2022 but the expiration date will remain the same?

[NancyTandy]

@bbnh09   That is correct.   You will see a new name in your certification dashboard, but your expiration date will remain the same and you will need to renew with the assessment to keep your certification.

Thanks,

Nancy

[HudaHamod2021]

Hi!

please advise what I should do if I have DA-100 exam on June 2022,

please note my exam was a paid voucher from my organization. and I schedule on June to give time for practicing,

so the the exam change, what will happen to this appointment,

should I reschedule it before 31 March?

appreciate if you could answer my inquiry

thanks

[Trang1850]

Hi @NancyTandy 

Thanks for the updates! I was trying to schedule for the DA-100 exam but it kept saying that it is no longer offered even though it is not going to retire until March. Does that mean it is too late to schedule the DA-100 exam now?

Thanks!

Trang

[NancyTandy]

@HudaHamod2021 

Does your voucher have a specific exam on it?  Most of them are available for any exam.  If it has the specific exam number on it - then yes - schedule it for prior to March 31st.  If it's an open voucher - then just select PL-300 before your voucher expires.

Thanks,
Nancy

[NancyTandy]

@Trang1850 

If you are having issues scheduling with PearsonVue - contact their support.  The exam is available until March 31st.

Thanks,

Nancy

[Trang1850]

@NancyTandy 

Thank you so much! Have managed to book it :). Have a great day!

[MarcoBertolasi]

Hi @NancyTandy, new exam will be able to italian language?

Thanks and have a good day :)

Marco

[NancyTandy]

@MarcoBertolasi   yes

[naras1125]

I have earned the Microsoft Data Analyst Associate today but if the Data Analyst Associates will be renamed to Power BI & Data Analysts on 28 Feb . 
Thus, how can I validate my  previous certificate , as you have mentioned in one of your answer that in the Microsoft Exam Dashboard that if anyone has a certificate on Data Analyst Associates, it will be updated to Power BI Data Analyst .

Finally, does this mean that from Feb 28 the previous certificate as Data Analyst Associates will be also replaced with a new certificate copy as Power BI/Data Analysts in line with the change name in the dashboard . 

kind regards

Uc . 

[NancyTandy]

Hi @naras1125 

Not sure what you are asking but think of it as only a name change.  It's the same certification (Data Analyst) You can still validate it the same way as always.  Yes, it will have a new name in the certification dashboard.  Hope that helps.

Nancy

[naras1125]

What I am asking is how can I have the new certificate written Power BI & Data Analyst Associates from what I have now as Data Analyst Associate?

[Lisette1802]

I have already scheduled and planned my DA-100 exam on May 23rd. I didn't receive any notification that this exam will be canceled? And I don't have any other possibility to get time off from work to study before that. What are my options?

[NancyTandy]

@Lisette1802 

You don't need to cancel.  You will be taking the PL-300 exam.  It's very similar in scope.  On Feb. 28th - download the skills guide from the landing page and it will show you what to study.  There are very few changes, they will be highlighted.  Good luck.

Nancy

[Pierluigicap]

@NancyTandy  Will the new exam be available in Italian?

[Indu320]

Will the new exam be available in French?

[NancyTandy]

Indu320 Yes, we localize in French.

[NancyTandy]

@Pierluigicap  yes, the exam will be localized to Italian

[Daniela_Lima]

Hi @NancyTandy 

Please, Could tell this test PL-300 gone be in portuguese (ptb)?

[NancyTandy]

@Daniela_Lima   Yes, it will be in Portuguese.  

[ViktorScheinmann]

Hi @NancyTandy ,

I have the DA-100 exam scheduled for March 31, 2022. I cannot make it annymore since I am travelling on this day and want to reschedule and just realized it is not possible anymore. 

Can I somehow reschedule to the new PL-300 exam without getting a new voucher? On PearsonVUE I couldn't find a way to do it. 

[jclaassen]

I have been practicing with DA100 and unfortunately the labs and or practice data downloads fail. Will that be fixed for PL300, and is the name change part of why some labs are not loading?

[ejprandini]

Hello @NancyTandy , i planned to pass the DA 100 exam, as I need to prepare a group of university student to get this exam by June. It seems that the new certification PL 300 is only available in English , whereas the DA 100 was also available in French. What is the alternative for french speaking audience?  Many thanks.

[NancyTandy]

HI @ViktorScheinmann 

Try out support team at:  aka.ms/MCPForum

Good luck.

Nancy

[NancyTandy]

@ejprandini 

Localization takes about 6 to 8 weeks from the exam live date - which is today.   We are working as fast as possible as we understand learners want to take the exams.  I think you will be fine for June.

Good luck,

Nancy

[chinmaykhandalkar]

Hello,

The renewal assessment link seems to be broken, could you update that? I am unable to renew my certification for this one. Thanks.

[NancyTandy]

@chinmaykhandalkar   Go to your certification dashboard and you will be able to renew from there.