ADM-211 · ● Active · Professional · Salesforce
A credentials-level platform for advanced Salesforce administrators. This exam validates expertise in security, access control, data management, automation, and advanced configuration. Requires active Salesforce Administrator (ADM-201) credential.
Exam facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost | USD $200 |
| Duration | 105 minutes |
| Questions | 60 (scored) + 5 (unscored) = 65 total |
| Passing | 65% (approximately 39/60 scored questions) |
| Format | Multiple choice / Multiple response |
| Delivery | Pearson VUE (online proctored or onsite testing centers) |
| Languages | English |
| Valid | 3 years (with annual maintenance module completion) |
| Renewal | Free annual maintenance module per release cycle (Spring, Summer, Winter); maintaining ADM-201 automatically maintains ADM-211 |
| Prerequisites | Active Salesforce Administrator (ADM-201) credential |
| Released | 2016 (as Platform Administrator II); continuously updated with release cycles |
| Retiring | N/A — currently active and updated three times per year |
Vendor source — Salesforce Credentials ↗
Official exam guide — Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator Exam Guide PDF ↗
Exam objectives — Salesforce Certification Exam Guide ↗
About
The Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator credential is for seasoned Salesforce administrators who master advanced features, security controls, automation, and system optimization. This exam validates the ability to implement complex configuration, manage record access, design process automation, maintain data quality, and oversee environment governance. ADM-211 is the professional-level follow-up to the foundational ADM-201 Administrator certification and is mandatory prior to pursuing this credential.
Domain context — CRM/SaaS Administration
Salesforce administration spans customer relationship management (CRM) configuration, user lifecycle, data governance, security model design, and cloud application optimization across the Salesforce ecosystem.
Read full deep dive — Salesforce Ecosystem →
Topics covered
The exam covers seven weighted domains of Salesforce administration knowledge:
- Security & Access Control (20%) — Custom profiles, permission sets, delegated administration, field-level security (FLS), record access models (sharing rules, role hierarchy, organization-wide defaults), territory management, and data security implications
- Objects & Apps (19%) — Relationship types (master-detail, many-to-many, lookup), related lists, record types, schema builder, object management, Lightning App Builder, dynamic forms, standard Lightning components, console configuration, and Lightning page layout
- Auditing & Monitoring (8%) — Setup audit trail, login history, record modification fields, field history tracking, debug logs, and system monitoring
- Cloud Apps Integration (7%) — Service Cloud features, integration patterns, and extending native Salesforce solutions
- Data Management (10%) — Data import (Data Import Wizard vs. Data Loader), duplicate detection, validation rules, data enrichment, and maintaining data quality
- Analytics & Reporting (10%) — Custom report types, reporting snapshots, complex charting, custom summary formulas, bucketing, joined reports, cross-filters, dynamic dashboards, and dashboard filters
- Environment Management & Deployment (8%) — Change sets, sandboxes, managed/unmanaged packages, Salesforce Extensions for Visual Studio Code, and deployment strategies
Source: Official Salesforce Exam Guide ↗
Common skills at CRM/SaaS Administration · Professional
Shared competencies for CRM administration at the professional level — not specific to this cert.
- Salesforce platform architecture and customization capabilities
- User access and security model design (profiles, permission sets, role hierarchy)
- Data governance and integrity maintenance
- Process automation configuration (workflows, flows, process builder)
- Report and dashboard design for business intelligence
- Integration patterns and middleware concepts
- Change management and system governance
- Training and user adoption strategies
- Troubleshooting and system optimization
Recommended courses at CRM/SaaS Administration · Professional
| Provider | Title | Cost | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salesforce Trailhead | Prepare for your Salesforce Platform Administrator II Certification Trailmix | Free | ↗ |
| Salesforce Trailhead Academy | Administer, Extend, and Automate Salesforce (ADX-211) | Free | ↗ |
| Focus on Force | Advanced Administrator Certification Study Guide | $79 | ↗ |
| Focus on Force | Advanced Admin Certification Practice Exams | $59 | ↗ |
| Udemy | The Complete Salesforce Advanced Administrator Certification | $12–$100 | ↗ |
| Salesforce Ben | Advanced Administrator Certification Guide & Tips | Free–$X | ↗ |
Course-selection rule: Trailhead is official and free; Focus on Force provides targeted study guides with practice exams. Udemy courses vary widely in quality — check instructor reviews before purchasing.
Practice exams
| Provider | Title | Cost | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus on Force | Advanced Admin Certification Practice Exams & Questions | $59 | ↗ |
| Salesforce Trailhead | Official Trailhead Maintenance Exams (post-certification) | Free | ↗ |
| Salesforce Ben | Practice Questions & Sample Exams | Free–Subscription | ↗ |
| ExamTopics Community | Certified Advanced Administrator Practice Questions | Free/Community-driven | ↗ |
Books
| Title | Author | Publisher | Year | ISBN | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salesforce Advanced Administrator Certification Guide | Enrico Murru | Packt Publishing | 2021 | 978-1838643898 | ↗ |
| CertCoach Pro: Salesforce Advanced Administrator Certification Study Guide | B. D. | Self-Published | 2023 | 9798287020781 | ↗ |
Book note: Limited dedicated print resources for ADM-211; most recent study materials are online (Trailhead, Focus on Force). The Murru guide (2021) covers the core domain; confirm edition aligns with current exam objectives before purchase.
Typical job titles at CRM/SaaS Administration · Professional
Senior Salesforce Administrator · Salesforce Operations Specialist · Salesforce Systems Administrator · Lead Salesforce Administrator · Salesforce Operations Lead · CRM Systems Manager · Salesforce Platform Manager
(Job titles drawn from current job-board postings listing ADM-211 as required or preferred qualification.)
Salary
| Region | Range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| USD | $75,500–$140,000 (roles requiring ADM-211) | ZipRecruiter ↗ · PayScale ↗ · Glassdoor ↗ |
| GBP | £55,000–£85,000 | IT Jobs Watch ↗ · Hays ↗ |
| ZAR | No region-specific data available — use Salesforce Administrator salary surveys for South Africa | |
| EUR | €50,000–€80,000 (DE/FR/NL) | LinkedIn Salary Explorer ↗ |
Salary context: ADM-211 holders typically earn 10–20% more than ADM-201-only administrators. Salary varies significantly by location, industry, and company size (enterprise vs. mid-market). Senior Salesforce Administrator and Salesforce Operations Lead roles command the higher end of the range.
Skills validated
Specific technologies and competencies this exam assesses.
- Salesforce platform security model (profiles, permission sets, sharing rules, role hierarchy)
- Record access control and field-level security implementation
- Data quality tools (validation rules, duplicate detection, data enrichment)
- Salesforce automation (flows, process builder, workflow actions)
- Report and dashboard design (including joined reports, bucketing, dynamic dashboards)
- Change set deployment and sandbox lifecycle
- Managed and unmanaged package administration
- Environment management and release cycles
- Salesforce Extensions for Visual Studio Code (basic)
- Login history and audit trail analysis
- Territory management and quota configuration
Related certifications
- Prerequisite to: ADM-211 requires active Salesforce Certified Administrator (ADM-201) ↗
- Pairs well with: Salesforce Certified Platform App Builder ↗ — declarative customization and app development
- Equivalents at this level: No direct equivalent; adjacent SaaS admin certs include ServiceNow CSA, Microsoft 365 Security Administrator, Okta Certified Administrator
- Vendor overview: Salesforce Ecosystem ↗
Sources
- Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator credential page: https://trailhead.salesforce.com/en/credentials/advancedadministrator
- Official Exam Guide: https://developer.salesforce.com/resources2/certification-site/files/SGCertifiedAdvancedAdministrator.pdf
- Salesforce Administrator Certification Maintenance: https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/administrator-certification-maintenance-spring-25
- Trailhead Academy ADX-211 Course: https://trailheadacademy.salesforce.com/classes/adx211-administer%2C-extend%2C-and-automate-salesforce
- Focus on Force Advanced Admin Study Guide: https://focusonforce.com/advanced-administrator-certification-study-guide/
- Salesforce Ben Advanced Administrator Guide: https://www.salesforceben.com/advanced-administrator-certification-guide-tips/
- Salary data: ZipRecruiter, PayScale, Glassdoor (2026)
- Job titles: ZipRecruiter, Indeed, LinkedIn job postings (2026)
Last verified: 2026-05-01
Parent ecosystem: Salesforce Ecosystem
Parent domain: CRM/SaaS Administration
Vendor overview: Salesforce Vendor Overview