New Certifications: PL-200 & PL-400 replacing MB-200 & MB-400

If you are here, then you want to know what are these 2 new certifications (PL-200 and PL-400) and what’s the future of MB-200 and MB-400 and which one should be your next target.

Well, after checking out these certifications and based on my knowledge of MB-200 (cleared 1 year back) and MB-400 (cleared 2 months back), I would like to give my opinion so that you can plan out your future exams and certification path accordingly.

PL series Vs MB series

PL series is a newer series which comprises of exams specific to Power Platform. With the enhancements in Power Platform areas, Microsoft is releasing new exams that focus on core Power Platform in the series. With all these new changes, Microsoft is either releasing new exams or replacing existing exams by moving them under PL series. PL-200 and PL-400 fall under the same criteria.

MB series is more focused on Business Apps. In this case, Dynamics First-Party Apps that are built on top of Power Platform like Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, Field Service and even other Finance Operation Apps. It seems Microsoft wants to keep MB series exclusive to exams for such Apps only and any exams they might be common to both areas will be moved to PL series soon.

PL-200 Vs MB-200

The new certification, Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Functional Consultant Associate, will replace the existing MB-200 exam as a prerequisite for earning certifications in Dynamics 365 Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, and Field Service.

• You will be required to clear PL-200 instead of MB-200 to earn Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement certifications.
• Unlike MB-200, clearing PL-200 will also give a new certification, Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Functional Consultant Associate.

What happens to exam MB-200?
It will expire on December 31, 2020, but will still qualify as a prerequisite until June 30, 2021. After December 31, 2020, only PL-200 will be available.

Difference in Skills measured for PL-200 vs MB-200

• As PL-200 is the replacement for MB-200, most of the MB-200 skills are part of PL-200 as well. But PL-200 seems to cover an even wider area of skills.
• PL-200 is more aligned to Power Platform terms like CDS, Power App, Power Automate, Power BI and Power Virtual Agents.
• Power Virtual Agents is an additional skill required in PL-200
• Configure CDS seems to include all managing entities, data and security.
• Build a Power App includes skills from both Model-Driven and Canvas Apps related to user experience design.

We should wait for the PL-200 exam skills outline to be sure of what all we should study before the exam.

PL-400 Vs MB-400

What happens to exam MB-400?
This exam will expire on December 31, 2020, and after December 31, 2020, only PL-400 will be available.

Difference in Skills measured for PL-400 vs MB-400

• For now, there seem to be that PL-400 skills are exactly the same as MB-400.
• PL-400 might include the recent new changes from 2020 release wave 2 as well and hence we need to keep an eye on it.

Even though the skills measured seems to be same, we should wait for the PL-400 exam skills outline to be sure of what all we should study before the exam.

Should we take MB-200 & MB-400 or not?

I would personally recommend to wait for a while and then go for PL-200 and PL-400 instead of MB-200 and MB-400 if you have not scheduled it so far.
As far as certifications are concerned, I prefer to plan for newer certifications as due to that you are bound to study and learn about the latest changes in the technologies.

• PL-400 is very similar to MB-400 and it should be very easy to clear if you have already cleared MB-400 or have been studying for it.
• PL-200 seems to be a little tricky as it covers a wider range of skills and might need a different study plan.

I hope people who are planning to pursue these exams, my journey and advice will help them to plan it out effectively to meet their requirement and future certification paths.
Best of luck to all and until next time… 😉