PL-300Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst
The leading business intelligence certification for Power BI professionals
Details last reviewed January 2026. Fees and exam formats change — always confirm on the official page.
About this certification
The PL-300 Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst certification validates skills in connecting to data sources, transforming data with Power Query, building data models, and creating interactive reports and dashboards in Power BI. Power BI is Microsoft's market-leading BI tool deployed across thousands of enterprises, making this one of the most in-demand data analytics credentials available.
What you'll validate
- ✓Power Query and M language for data transformation
- ✓DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) calculations
- ✓Data modeling and relationships (star schema)
- ✓Building interactive reports and dashboards
- ✓Power BI Service deployment and workspace management
- ✓Row-level security and data governance
- ✓Performance optimization and report refresh
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Power BI skills apply across organizations that run on Microsoft 365 and Azure
- +Exam cost ($165) is relatively low for the career impact
- +Free Microsoft Learn study paths cover the full exam curriculum
- +Strong salary premium in analyst and reporting roles
Disadvantages
- −Annual renewal assessment required (free but time-consuming)
- −Platform-specific — skills are Power BI-centric
- −DAX learning curve is steep for non-technical candidates
Who it's for
Best for
- →Business analysts and reporting professionals building dashboards
- →SQL analysts moving into self-service BI tools
- →Finance, operations, and HR professionals adding data skills
Not ideal for
- ×Data engineers focused on pipeline infrastructure (see AZ-104 or Databricks)
- ×Organizations using Tableau, Looker, or other non-Microsoft BI tools
Career paths this unlocks
PL-300: quick answers
- How much does the PL-300 exam cost?
- The listed exam fee is $165 (USD). Microsoft Certification exam standard price Fees vary by region and change over time — confirm on the official page before you buy.
- How long does it take to prepare for PL-300?
- We estimate roughly 80 hours of study for most candidates; your time depends on prior experience.
- How long is the PL-300 exam?
- The exam is 100 minutes with about 40 questions.
- How long is the PL-300 credential valid?
- 1 year. Free annual renewal assessment required to maintain certification
Study Resources
Contains affiliate linksRegister for the exam
Free practice assessments on Microsoft Learn; 50% discount exams often available via Microsoft events
More places to study
Self-paced video courses from independent instructors
Courses and certificates from universities and companies
Practice exams focused on AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud
Practice tests and hands-on labs for IT certifications
Printed and Kindle exam guides
Subscription video courses
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Jobs for PL-300 holders
Pay depends on role, location, and experience more than on any single credential. Check current postings below for real ranges in your market.
Job links open external sites. Search results are live and not curated by MyCertPath.
Quick Facts
- Exam Cost
- $165 (Microsoft Certification exam standard price)
- Exam Duration
- 100 minutes
- Questions
- ~40
- Passing Score
- 700/1000
- Exam Format
- Multiple Choice
- Study Time
- ~80 hours
- Validity
- 1 year
- Salary Impact
- Strong (editorial rating)
- Last Reviewed
- January 2026
Prerequisites
- !Basic understanding of data analysis concepts recommended
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