Who Is This Certification For?
✓ This certification is a good fit if you…
- Use Tableau at work and want official validation of your skills
- Are learning Tableau and want a credential to demonstrate competency to employers
- Work as a data analyst, business analyst, or in a reporting role
- Want to stand out when applying for roles that require Tableau
- Have 3+ months of Tableau experience (even self-taught)
- Are building toward Tableau Certified Data Analyst and want to start with fundamentals
✗ You might consider alternatives if you…
- Already have significant Tableau experience—skip to Certified Data Analyst instead
- Have never used Tableau—learn the basics first before pursuing certification
- Work primarily with Power BI—get Microsoft certifications instead
- Need broader analytics skills—Google Data Analytics Certificate covers more ground
- Want a free credential—Tableau certifications aren't free
Prerequisites (In Plain English)
Official requirement: None. Anyone can take the exam.
Tableau's recommendation: At least 3 months of experience using Tableau Desktop.
Realistic expectations:
- Basic Tableau skills: Connecting to data, building basic charts (bar, line, scatter), using filters, creating dashboards
- Understanding of data types: Dimensions vs. measures, discrete vs. continuous, date handling
- Familiarity with the interface: Data pane, Analytics pane, Marks card, Show Me panel
- Basic calculations: Simple calculated fields, quick table calculations
If you've built 10–20 visualizations in Tableau and feel comfortable navigating the interface, you're ready to start studying. If you've never opened Tableau, spend 2–4 weeks learning basics first.
What You'll Be Tested On
The exam covers five domains:
- Connecting to & Preparing Data (25%):
- Data connections (live vs. extract)
- Data source management and joins
- Data interpreter, pivoting, splitting
- Managing metadata and data properties
- Exploring & Analyzing Data (35%):
- Creating basic visualizations
- Using Show Me and changing chart types
- Sorting, filtering, and grouping
- Using the Marks card (color, size, labels, detail)
- Basic calculations and quick table calcs
- Sharing Insights (25%):
- Formatting visualizations
- Building and configuring dashboards
- Dashboard interactivity (filters, actions)
- Exporting and sharing workbooks
- Understanding Tableau Concepts (15%):
- Dimensions vs. measures
- Discrete vs. continuous
- Aggregation and granularity
- Tableau terminology
Note: This is a knowledge-based exam with multiple choice and multiple response questions. You won't be building visualizations in Tableau during the test—but you need hands-on experience to answer questions correctly.
Exam Format & Scoring
Question format: 45 questions. Mix of multiple choice, multiple response (select all that apply), and true/false.
Time limit: 60 minutes.
Passing score: 70% (approximately 32 correct out of 45).
Testing options: Online proctored through Pearson VUE. Take from home or office with a webcam and stable internet.
Results: Pass/fail shown immediately after completing the exam.
Cost: $100 USD.
Retake policy: If you fail, you can retake after 24 hours. No limit on attempts (though you pay each time).
Renewal: Valid for 3 years. Renew by retaking the current exam or passing a higher-level Tableau certification.
Recommended Study Plan
Beginner Track
4–6 weeksFor those newer to Tableau:
- Week 1: Download Tableau Public (free). Complete Tableau's free training videos on their website. Build 5–10 basic visualizations.
- Week 2: Work through connecting to different data sources. Practice joins, pivots, and data preparation.
- Week 3: Focus on calculations—calculated fields, quick table calculations. Build a complete dashboard.
- Week 4: Review exam guide. Take practice questions. Identify weak areas.
- Weeks 5–6: More practice. Build more dashboards. Review weak areas. Schedule exam when confident.
Experienced Track
1–2 weeksFor those already using Tableau regularly:
- Days 1–3: Review the official exam guide. Identify any features you don't use regularly (data prep, specific calculation types).
- Days 4–7: Practice unfamiliar features in Tableau. Review terminology—the exam uses specific Tableau language.
- Days 8–10: Take practice exams. Review wrong answers. Fill gaps.
- Days 11–14: Final review. Schedule and take exam.
Prep Resources
Disclosure: Some links below are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Tableau Free Training Videos
Official training from Tableau covering all the fundamentals. Directly aligned with exam content. Start here.
Free
Start LearningTableau Public
Free version of Tableau Desktop. Full functionality for learning and building portfolio visualizations. Essential for hands-on practice.
Free
Download FreeUdemy Tableau Courses
Various instructors offer comprehensive Tableau courses. Good for structured learning. Look for courses specifically mentioning Desktop Specialist prep.
~$15–20 on sale
View on Udemy (affiliate)Official Exam Prep Guide
Tableau's official exam guide listing all topics covered. Free download. Use as a checklist for your study plan.
Free
Download GuidePractice Data Sources
Build your skills with these free datasets:
- Tableau Sample Data: Superstore, World Indicators—included with Tableau
- Kaggle: Thousands of free datasets to practice with
- data.gov: US government open data
Official Information
Verify current exam details, pricing, and register with Tableau:
Visit Tableau Official Page →External link to tableau.com.
Alternative Certifications to Consider
Tableau Certified Data Analyst
If you already have solid Tableau experience. More comprehensive and respected than Desktop Specialist.
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst
If your organization uses Power BI instead of Tableau. Similar role, different tool.
Google Data Analytics Certificate
If you want broader analytics skills beyond just Tableau. Covers SQL, R, and analysis methodology.
Google Looker Studio
Free visualization tool from Google. No official cert but skills are valuable for Google-centric organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tableau Desktop Specialist worth it?
For analysts who use Tableau regularly, yes—it's an affordable way to validate skills. However, it's entry-level and may not impress employers who expect deeper expertise. If you're experienced, consider skipping to Certified Data Analyst for more recognition.
How hard is the Tableau Desktop Specialist exam?
Relatively straightforward if you actually use Tableau. The challenge is knowing Tableau's specific terminology and features you might not use daily (like certain data prep functions). Most people with 3+ months of regular Tableau use pass with modest preparation.
Can I use Tableau Public to prepare?
Yes—Tableau Public has nearly all the features tested on the Desktop Specialist exam. The main limitations are that you can't connect to certain data sources and workbooks save publicly. For exam prep, it's perfectly sufficient.
Should I get Desktop Specialist or jump to Data Analyst?
If you have 6+ months of Tableau experience and use it for real analysis work, consider going straight to Certified Data Analyst. Desktop Specialist is truly entry-level. However, Desktop Specialist is cheaper and can build confidence before attempting the harder exam.
Is the exam hands-on or multiple choice?
Multiple choice only—you won't be building visualizations during the exam. However, you need hands-on experience to answer correctly. Questions describe scenarios and ask what you'd do or what result you'd see.
Tableau vs Power BI certification—which is better?
Depends on what your target employers use. Check job postings in your area. Tableau is more common in analytics-focused roles and consulting. Power BI is dominant in Microsoft-centric enterprises. Both are valuable—choose based on your market.
Do I need to renew Tableau certification?
Yes—Desktop Specialist is valid for 3 years. Renew by retaking the current exam or by earning a higher-level Tableau certification (which resets the clock). Tableau updates exams periodically, so you may need to learn new features.