Salesforce Certification Maintenance Requirements 2026
To keep Salesforce certifications active in 2026, release-specific maintenance exams must be completed on Trailhead.
Maintenance remains aligned to the three annual Salesforce releases: Winter, Spring, Summer.
Use these resources to manage your certification!
Maintain your Salesforce Certification
Certification Maintenance Schedule
🔐 Who Must Complete Maintenance Exams?
Maintenance applies to most active Salesforce certifications, including:
Salesforce Administrator (ADM 201)
Advanced Administrator
Platform App Builder
Platform Developer I & II
Sales Cloud & Service Cloud Consultant
Marketing Cloud Consultant & Email Specialist
CPQ Specialist
Other role-based consultant and developer credentials
⚠️ Some newer or niche certifications may follow a different cadence. Always confirm in the official Salesforce Credential Maintenance list.
2026 Salesforce Certification Maintenance Deadlines
Expected cadence based on Salesforce’s standard release cycle.
Release: Winter ’26
Maintenance Window: Dec 2025 – Feb 2026
Deadline: February 28, 2026
Release: Spring ’26
Maintenance Window: March 2026 – May 2026
Deadline: May 31, 2026
Release: Summer ’26
Maintenance Window: June 2026 – August 2026
Deadline: August 31, 2026
✅ Pro tip: Finish maintenance early. Trailhead congestion and login issues spike near deadlines.
🛠 How to Complete a Salesforce Maintenance Exam
Log into Trailhead using the email tied to Salesforce certifications.
Open the Credentials page.
Select the required maintenance module for each certification.
Complete the module and pass the quiz.
Confirm the maintenance badge appears.
Maintenance exams are free, short, and typically take under one hour with basic release familiarity.
🚨 What Happens If a Deadline Is Missed?
Certification status becomes inactive.
Full certification exam retake may be required.
Potential impact on employment, consulting eligibility, and Salesforce Partner status.
🧠 Summary & Pro Tips
Three maintenance exams per year remain mandatory in 2026.
Key deadlines: Feb 28, May 31, Aug 31.
Monitor Trailhead Credentials regularly.
Bookmark the Salesforce Credential Maintenance page.
📚 Helpful Resources for Salesforce Professionals
Salesforce Admin Guide – org setup, automation, user management
Salesforce Certification Paths – exam guides and role maps
Salesforce Release Notes – detailed feature changes
Credential Verification – confirm certifications by name
FocusOnForce – https://focusonforce.com/salesforce-certification-exams-scheduling-location-and-vouchers/
Written w ChatGPT