Salesforce Certification Exam Retake Promotion (2026/2027)

Retake Promotion Overview

Salesforce and Pearson have partnered to offer a free exam retake promotion. This promotion provides candidates with a "safety net" for their certification journey: register and complete a Salesforce certification exam during the fall registration window, and if you do not pass on the first attempt, you qualify for one free retake ($200 USD and $400 USD exams) from January 4, 2027 to April 7, 2027.

Key Retake Promotion Dates

Exam Registration & First Attempt Window: September 29, 2026 – November 17, 2026
Free Retake Redemption Window: January 4, 2027 – April 7, 2027

How It Works: Step-by-Step Guidance

Step 1: Opt-In by September 29, 2026

Candidates must first opt in to the promotion using the official sign-up page:

Pearson VUE Free Retake Opt-In Link

Step 2: Schedule & Complete the First Attempt

When: Schedule, purchase, and take your exam between September 29 and November 17, 2026.
How: Book your exam via Trailhead Academy. For step-by-step instructions on registration and exam delivery options, please see these resources:

Promo Code: Enter the unique promo code received in your opt-in confirmation email at checkout. Important: This promo code will not be active or usable prior to September 29, 2026.
Payment: Pay for the initial exam attempt as usual.

Step 3: Schedule & Take your Free Retake (If Needed)

When: The free retake must be scheduled and sat between January 4 and April 7, 2027.
How: Return to Trailhead Academy and schedule your retake. You do not need to enter a promo code at checkout for this attempt.

Eligibility & Key Rules

Scope: Free retakes apply ONLY to exams that were scheduled, paid for, and taken within the promotional window (September 29 – November 17, 2026).
Single Retake Limit: The promotion covers exactly one free retake for full-price initial exams.
Exclusions: This offer strictly excludes the Salesforce Certified Technical Architect (CTA) exam and Accredited Professional exams. Terms apply.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the Pearson Free Retake Promotion?
A: It is a partnership between Salesforce and Pearson to offer candidates a "safety net" on their certification journey. If you register, pay for, and complete a Salesforce certification exam during the promotional window and do not pass, you qualify for one free retake in early 2027.

Q: What are the key promotion dates?
A: The exam registration and first attempt window is September 29, 2026 – November 17, 2026. The free retake redemption window is January 4, 2027 – April 7, 2027.

Q: How do I participate in the promotion?
A:

Step 1 (Opt-in by September 29, 2026): You must opt in using the Pearson VUE free retake opt-in link.
Step 2 (First Attempt): Schedule, purchase, and take your exam during the registration window (Sept 29 – Nov 17, 2026) via Trailhead Academy. Enter the promo code received in your opt-in confirmation email at checkout and pay for your initial attempt as usual.
Step 3 (Free Retake, if needed): If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can schedule and take your free retake between January 4 and April 7, 2027, on Trailhead Academy. You do not need to enter a promo code at checkout for the free attempt.

Q: Are all Salesforce certification exams covered under this promotion?
A: No, the promotion applies to eligible standard full-price exams ($200 USD and $400 USD) but strictly excludes the Salesforce Certified Technical Architect (CTA) exam and Accredited Professional (AP) exams.

Q: How many free retakes can I get?
A: The promotion covers exactly one free retake for full-price initial exams taken within the promotional window.

Q: Can I combine this promotion with other discounts or vouchers?
A: No. Due to system limitations, 100% discounts (such as the free retake) cannot be combined or stacked with existing 50% discount codes.

Q: Can I participate if I forgot to opt in before taking my exam?
A: No. Candidates must opt in before scheduling and completing their first attempt to qualify for the free retake.

Q: What happens if I no-show or miss my scheduled first attempt — is my free retake still available?
A: No. If a candidate misses/no-shows their scheduled first attempt, they forfeit the funds and it counts as a no-show. They can reschedule, but missing the exam results in a no-show (no free retake earned from that attempt).

Q: Can I take my first attempt in English and my free retake in Japanese (or another language)?
A: No. The retake must be the same exam, same language as the first attempt. If they register the retake as a different exam, they'll be charged full price.

Q: Can I take my first attempt online and my free retake onsite (or vice versa)?
A: No. Delivery mode must match — if the first attempt was via OnVUE (online), the retake must also be via OnVUE.

Q: If I already failed this exam once before the promo period started, and I'm registering/paying for it again during the promo window (Sept 29–Nov 17), does the free retake offer still apply to me?
A: Yes. The promo isn't limited to your first-ever attempt at the exam — it applies to the attempt you register and pay for during the promo window, regardless of prior failed attempts before the window opened. So if this is your first paid attempt during the promo period, that attempt qualifies you for the free retake if you don't pass.