Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant Quick Facts (2026)

Certification Guide · Exam Overview · Quick Facts

Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant certification guide (Data-Con-101) delivers an exam overview, domain breakdowns, format and timing, cost, passing score, question types, preparation tips, and core skills across data ingestion, modeling, identity resolution, segmentation, insights, and activations.

Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant (Data-Con-101) Practice Exams
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Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant Quick Facts

The Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant credential empowers professionals to guide their organizations in harnessing unified, trusted data for smarter customer engagement and operational excellence. This overview brings clarity and confidence to your certification journey by summarizing what to expect and how the exam is structured for success.

Discover how the Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant certification elevates your data expertise

This certification validates your expertise in implementing and optimizing Salesforce Data Cloud solutions to deliver connected, real-time insights across enterprise data. As a certified consultant, you demonstrate the ability to design scalable architectures, streamline data ingestion, model identities, and activate segments across Salesforce and external platforms. It’s ideal for professionals eager to enable personalized experiences through unified data, helping organizations achieve seamless data connectivity and measurable business impact.

Who Should Pursue the Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant Certification?

The Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant credential is ideal for professionals who want to demonstrate their ability to design, implement, and optimize enterprise data platforms using Salesforce Data Cloud. This certification showcases your ability to bring together data from multiple systems to create unified customer profiles and actionable insights.

It’s a great fit for:

  • Consultants experienced in data-driven business solutions
  • Business analysts or solution architects focusing on customer data strategy
  • Developers or technical specialists building integrations between Salesforce clouds
  • Presales or strategy consultants who help organizations unlock customer data value

If you’re passionate about data strategy, identity resolution, or activating insights across Salesforce ecosystems, this certification can spotlight your expertise.

What Career Opportunities Come with Becoming a Salesforce Data Cloud Consultant?

Certified Data Cloud Consultants are highly valued by organizations focused on personalized engagement and intelligent customer experiences. With this certification, you can qualify for roles such as:

  • Salesforce Data Cloud Implementation Consultant
  • Customer Data Platform (CDP) Solution Architect
  • Salesforce Technical Consultant or Architect
  • Data Strategy Lead or Analytics Consultant

These roles often span departments like marketing automation, customer experience, and enterprise integration, giving you opportunities to lead in transformative data initiatives.

How Many Questions Are on the Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant Exam?

The Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant exam includes 60 scored multiple-choice or multiple-select questions, plus up to 5 non-scored questions. This means you may see a total of 65 questions during the test session.

Every question is designed to evaluate your hands-on knowledge and your ability to apply Salesforce Data Cloud principles in real-world scenarios—from setting up ingestion to activating data. Focusing on scenario-based practice questions can help mirror what you’ll see on exam day.

How Much Time Will I Have to Complete the Exam?

Candidates have 105 minutes to finish the exam. The time allocation provides ample opportunity to read each question carefully and reason through scenario-based items.

A great tip is to pace yourself by spending about a minute and a half per question on your first pass, then using remaining time to revisit more analytical ones such as data transformation or activation scenarios.

How Much Does the Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant Exam Cost?

The exam costs $200 USD, plus taxes where applicable. If you are based in Japan, the cost is JPY 30,000.

Retakes are $100 USD each. Many employers will reimburse certification exam fees, so check with your organization’s learning and development program.

What Is the Current Salesforce Data Cloud Consultant Exam Code?

The official exam code for this certification is Data-Con-101. When registering or searching for study resources, use this code to ensure that you’re preparing for the correct version of the exam aligned with the current release.

What Is the Passing Score?

To earn the credential, you’ll need a 62% passing score. The Salesforce exam scoring model emphasizes overall competency, so each domain contributes to your total performance rather than requiring a minimum score per section. Focus on reinforcing both conceptual understanding and configuration accuracy across all topics.

What Languages Is the Exam Offered In?

The Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant exam is available in English and Japanese. Salesforce continues to expand language availability, so check the registration page periodically for any new language options.

What Type of Questions Will I Encounter?

The exam features multiple-choice and multiple-select questions. Multiple-select items require selecting all correct answers from a list. There are no essay or case study questions in this version, making it a straightforward validation of your Data Cloud knowledge.

How Can I Prepare for the Salesforce Data Cloud Consultant Exam?

Preparation involves a balance of hands-on practice and guided learning. Salesforce recommends:

  • Completing the Trailmix: Unlock Your Data with Data Cloud
  • Taking the Discover Salesforce Data Cloud Fundamentals (SDC101) course
  • Studying modules like Cert Prep: Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant
  • Gaining real experience using Data Cloud features such as segmentation, insights, and data activation

To test your readiness, try realistic Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant practice exams that mirror the question style and format of the live test.

What Are the Key Domains Covered in the Salesforce Data Cloud Consultant Exam?

The exam measures your ability across six key content areas, each testing specific skills and decisions a consultant must make:

  1. Data Cloud Overview – 18%
    Understand Data Cloud’s purpose, key terminology, and business value.
  2. Data Cloud Setup and Administration – 12%
    Configure permissions, data bundles, and manage org-wide settings.
  3. Data Ingestion and Modeling – 20%
    Design data mapping and transformations for unified profiles.
  4. Identity Resolution – 14%
    Manage matching rules and resolve cross-source identity data.
  5. Segmentation and Insights – 18%
    Create segments, analyze membership, and apply insights.
  6. Act on Data – 18%
    Build and troubleshoot activations, data actions, and timing dependencies.

Together, these domains form the foundation of Salesforce Data Cloud consulting mastery.

Are There Any Prerequisites?

There are no formal prerequisites for registering for the Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant exam. However, Salesforce recommends at least two years of hands-on experience with data strategy, modeling, and implementation across multiple Salesforce clouds or external platforms.

How Difficult Is the Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant Exam?

While this is an intermediate-level certification, it is approachable for professionals who have worked with data architecture, modeling, or integration. Familiarity with concepts like identity resolution, segmentation, and activation will make the learning experience rewarding and practical.

How Is the Exam Delivered?

You can take your exam online with a remote proctor or in person at an authorized Salesforce testing center. Both options are managed by certified exam partners. Be sure to verify system requirements or identification policies in advance to ensure a smooth exam day.

What Skills Should I Master Before Attempting the Exam?

Core competencies to emphasize include:

  • Designing data models and transformations for Data Cloud
  • Configuring permissions, data streams, and spaces
  • Understanding identity resolution rulesets and reconciliation
  • Creating and maintaining segments and leveraging insights
  • Managing data actions and activations across various connectors

Building confidence in these areas will make your certification preparation structured and efficient.

How Long Is the Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant Certification Valid?

Salesforce certifications are maintained through seasonal release updates. Each release cycle provides short maintenance modules on Trailhead to keep your credential current with the latest platform features. This ensures your certification always reflects contemporary platform knowledge.

What Makes Salesforce Data Cloud Consultant Certification Valuable?

This certification is a strong differentiator for professionals who want to connect business strategy with data-driven action. Data Cloud helps organizations unify information sources to give customers personalized, consistent experiences. Holding this certification signals you can deliver measurable value through data unification and insights.

What Common Mistakes Should I Avoid When Studying?

A few pointers to optimize your success:

  • Balance theoretical learning with hands-on practice in a Data Cloud environment.
  • Don’t overlook data ethics and governance, which are key exam objectives.
  • Practice interpreting segmentation and activation scenarios, as these are central to Data Cloud consulting.

Approaching study sessions methodically ensures your preparation is both smart and focused.

How Can Trailhead Help Me Get Ready?

Trailhead empowers learners with guided resources, interactive modules, and practical exercises. The Trailhead Trailmix and Salesforce help documentation provide real exercises using live environments where you build, test, and activate data. It’s one of the most effective ways to develop the skills needed for the exam.

What Happens After Passing the Exam?

Once you pass, you’ll receive the Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant credential, an official badge, and access to exclusive Salesforce Certification benefits. You will also join a global network of certified consultants who are driving customer data innovation. Many candidates use this certification as a springboard toward becoming Salesforce Architects or Data Cloud specialists across industries.

Where Can I Register for the Exam?

You can register and find complete details on the official Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant certification page. There, you’ll choose your preferred testing method, schedule your exam, and access recommended study resources directly from Salesforce.


The Salesforce Certified Data Cloud Consultant Certification validates your expertise in unifying and activating customer data for real business impact. With the right preparation, structured learning on Trailhead, and practical experience, you’ll be ready to showcase your mastery and advance your consulting career in the Salesforce ecosystem.

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