Best Data certifications
The best data certifications in 2026
Data certifications range from a first fundamentals credential to specialist analytics and data-engineering tracks across Microsoft, Google, and Snowflake. Pick by your role, analyst or engineer, and by your platform.
This list is ordered from the most accessible to the most advanced. Each entry notes who it suits and links to a full practice question set.
- 1
Best first data certification
A foundational credential covering core data concepts across relational, non-relational, and analytics workloads on Azure. The easiest entry point.
Practise DP-900 questions - 2
Best for business-facing analysts
Preparing, modelling, and visualising data in Power BI. The right fit if your role is analysis and reporting rather than engineering.
Practise PL-300 questions - 3
Best for the Snowflake platform
Foundational Snowflake knowledge covering its architecture and the AI Data Cloud. Choose it if your stack is built on Snowflake.
Practise COF-C03 questions - 4
Best for Microsoft Fabric analytics
Designing, preparing, and securing analytics solutions in Microsoft Fabric. The analytics-engineering track in the Microsoft data stack.
Practise DP-600 questions - 5
Best for Microsoft Fabric data engineering
Implementing data engineering solutions in Microsoft Fabric: pipelines, transformation, and orchestration.
Practise DP-700 questions - 6
Best for data engineers on Google Cloud
A professional-level certification for designing and operating data-processing systems on Google Cloud. The most advanced option here.
Practise PDE questions
Frequently asked questions
- Which data certification should I start with?
- Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900) is the most accessible starting point and assumes no prior data experience.
- Analyst or engineer - which track is right for me?
- If your work is reporting and insight, the analyst track (PL-300) fits. If it is building pipelines and platforms, the engineering track (DP-700, Google Professional Data Engineer) is the better path.
Browse the full certification catalogue for every exam we cover.