Dynamics 365 Certification Landscape: Two Sides of the House

Customer Engagement (CRM)

This is the front-office side: Sales, Marketing, Service, and Field Service.

• Fundamentals Exam → MB-910 (Dynamics 365 Fundamentals – CRM) - This foundational exam validates your understanding of Customer Engagement applications, basic functionality, and use cases across Sales, Customer Service, Marketing, and Field Service. Ideal for: Business users, stakeholders, IT professionals new to Dynamics 365, Difficulty: Beginner
• Role-Based Exams → MB-210 (Sales), MB-220 (Marketing), MB-230 (Customer Service), MB-240 (Field Service)
  • MB-210: Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultant Associate
    • Key Skills Validated: Implementing sales processes, configuring product catalogs, setting up forecasts, enabling sales intelligence tools
    • Lead and opportunity management
  • • Sales automation and forecasting
    • Product catalog configuration
    • Quote-to-order processes
    • Sales insights and analytics
  • MB-220: Dynamics 365 Marketing Functional Consultant Associate
    • Key Skills Validated: Configuring marketing settings, creating segments, building customer journeys, implementing event management
      • Customer journey orchestration
      • Marketing email creation
      • Lead management and scoring
      • Event management
      • Marketing analytics

• • MB-230: Dynamics 365 Customer Service Functional Consultant Associate
    • Key Skills Validated: Implementing case management, configuring SLAs, setting up knowledge articles, enabling service analytics
      • Case management
      • Knowledge base setup
      • Service-level agreements
      • Queue configuration
      • Customer service insights
  • MB-240: Dynamics 365 Field Service Functional Consultant Associate
    • Key Skills Validated: Configuring field service settings, implementing resource scheduling, managing inventory, setting up mobile solutions
      • Resource scheduling
      • Work order management
      • Inventory and purchasing
      • Mobile app configuration
      • Asset management

Each exam focuses on implementing, configuring, and customizing specific Customer Engagement applications

• New Path → MB-280 D365 Customer Experience Analyst Associate (launching September 2024)
  • This new certification will integrate customer experience analytics across the Customer Engagement applications, focusing on deriving insights from customer data.

  • Cost:
    The exam is expected to be priced at $165 USD (the standard cost for Microsoft associate-level certifications), though the final amount will vary by country/region and applicable taxes.

  • What You’ll Learn / Be Tested On:
    This certification focuses on using analytics to improve customer experience across Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement apps (Sales, Customer Service, Marketing, Field Service). Key skills include:

    • Analyzing customer data to generate insights that improve engagement and satisfaction.

    • Leveraging Power BI, AI, and analytics tools within Dynamics 365.

    • Creating and interpreting customer experience metrics, dashboards, and reports.

    • Understanding cross-application data integration across Customer Engagement apps.

    • Providing actionable recommendations for customer journey optimization.

Finance & Operations (ERP / Back Office)

This is the back-office side: Finance, Supply Chain, Commerce, HR, Manufacturing.

• Fundamentals Exam → MB-920 (Dynamics 365 Fundamentals – Finance & Operations)
  • Covers ERP concepts like finance, supply chain, HR, and commerce in Dynamics 365.

Role-Based Exams (Associate Level):

📌 Important Update:
Until February 2024, you needed MB-300 (Core F&O) plus a specialization exam. MB-300 has since been retired, and now you only need the specialization exam (MB-310, MB-330, MB-340, or MB-500) to earn the certification.

• MB-310 Finance Functional Consultant - validates your ability to implement and configure Dynamics 365 Finance, focusing on core financial management processes and capabilities. This certification emphasizes practical implementation scenarios rather than theoretical knowledge. The MB-310 exam evaluates your ability to configure the Finance module and implement solutions that address complex financial requirements for organizations. Key focus areas include:
  • General Ledger Configuration, covering chart of accounts, fiscal calendars, dimensions, and financial reporting.
  • Accounts Payable includes vendor management, invoice processing, payment setup, and vendor collaboration.
  • Accounts Receivable involves customer setup, credit management, invoicing, collections, and customer payment processing.
  • Cash and Bank Management focuses on bank reconciliation, cash flow forecasting, and advanced bank reconciliation.
  • Fixed Assets covers asset acquisition, depreciation, disposal, and financial reporting. Finally,
  • Budgeting includes budget planning, control, register maintenance, and budget workflows.
• MB-330 Supply Chain Management validates your ability to implement and configure Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, focusing on end-to-end supply chain processes from procurement to manufacturing and distribution. This certification is particularly valuable for consultants working with manufacturing, distribution, or retail organizations with complex supply chain requirements. The MB-330 exam evaluates your ability to optimize supply chain processes, improve operational efficiency, and implement solutions that address complex supply chain challenges. It requires an understanding of the interrelationships between different supply chain components. Key focus areas include:
  • Inventory Management, which covers item setup, inventory transactions, inventory valuation, and inventory dimensions.
  • Warehouse Management addresses warehouse configurations, location directives, mobile device setup, and wave processing.
  • Manufacturing Processes focuses on production control, discrete manufacturing, lean manufacturing, and process manufacturing.
  • Master Planning involves demand forecasting, safety stock, planning optimization, and material requirements planning.
  • Procurement includes purchase requisitions, RFQs, purchase orders, vendor collaboration, and procurement catalogs.
• The F&O Certification: MB-330 Supply Chain Management validates your ability to implement and configure Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, focusing on end-to-end supply chain processes from procurement to manufacturing and distribution. This certification is particularly valuable for consultants working with manufacturing, distribution, or retail organizations with complex supply chain requirements. The MB-330 exam evaluates your ability to optimize supply chain processes, improve operational efficiency, and implement solutions that address complex supply chain challenges. It requires understanding the interrelationships between different supply chain components. Key Focus Areas:
  • Inventory Management: Item setup, inventory transactions, inventory valuation, inventory dimensions
  • Warehouse Management: Warehouse configurations, location directives, mobile device setup, wave processing
  • Manufacturing Processes: Production control, discrete manufacturing, lean manufacturing, process manufacturing
  • Master Planning: Demand forecasting, safety stock, planning optimization, material requirements planning
  • Procurement: Purchase requisitions, RFQs, purchase orders, vendor collaboration, procurement catalog

Developer Path

MB-500: Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Apps Developer Associate → Extending, integrating, and customizing F&O apps. The MB-500 certification validates your ability to extend and customize Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations applications using development tools and programming techniques specific to the platform. Unlike the functional consultant certifications, which focus on configuration, this exam evaluates your ability to write code, create customizations, and integrate with other systems. Key Technical Areas

• X++ Programming: Develop using the proprietary X++ language, including classes, methods, and data types
• Development Environment: Work with Visual Studio and other development tools in the Dynamics ecosystem
• Data Entities: Create and extend data entities for data management and integration
• Forms and Reports: Design and modify user interfaces and reporting solutions
• Extensions: Develop using the extensions framework rather than overlayering
• Integration: Implement integrations using various technologies (OData, data entities, event frameworks)
• Performance Optimization: Optimize code and queries for performance
• Application Lifecycle Management: Manage code, deployments, and environments

Exam Costs

Customer Engagement Path

• MB-910: Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (CRM)

  • Entry-level (fundamentals) exams typically cost around $99 USD Nigel Frank.

• MB-210: Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultant

  • Commonly reported as $165 USD per attempt Test Prep TrainingExam Catalog.

• MB-230: Dynamics 365 Customer Service Functional Consultant

  • Also priced at about $165 USD, though location variation applies Readynez.

• MB-240: Dynamics 365 Field Service Functional Consultant

  • Similarly, typically around $165 USD Nigel FrankReadynez.

ERP Path

• MB-920: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (ERP)

  • Cost is $99 USD, although it may vary by location.(SkillCertPro, Dumpsgate)

  • A voucher listed on Certiport (limited to the U.S.) shows a slightly higher price of $103 USD.(store.certiport.com)

• MB-310: Dynamics 365 Finance Functional Consultant

  • Standard cost is $165 USD, including taxes.(Test Prep Training, examcatalog.com, Edusum)

• MB-320: Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing

  • Cost is $165 USD, including taxes.(Test Prep Training, Exam-Labs)

• MB-330: Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Functional Consultant

  • Commonly listed as $165 USD.(ExamCollection, CertBolt)

  • One broader overview mentioned prices ranging from $80–165 USD, depending on country.(Medium)

Developer Path

• The MB-500: Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations Apps Developer exam typically costs $165 USD, though the exact price depends on the country or region where it’s scheduled. Microsoft notes that regional pricing and taxes may apply, so candidates should confirm the cost directly through Microsoft Learn or the Pearson VUE portal when booking their exam.

Summary Table

Customer Engagement Path

ERP Path

Notes & Recommendations

• All prices can vary by country or region, so it's always best to confirm via the official Microsoft site or your local exam provider (e.g., Pearson VUE or Certiport) (Microsoft Learn).

• The MB-920 voucher from Certiport is only valid in the U.S., so prices might differ in other locations (store.certiport.com).

• The broader price range for MB-330 (80–165 USD) suggests some countries may offer it for less, or promotions/discounts might apply (Medium).

• Always check for regional pricing, special offers, or discounts (such as through Microsoft partners or educational institutions).

How CRM and F&O Fit Together

• CRM (Customer Engagement) = Front office → managing customers, sales, service, and marketing.
• F&O (ERP / Back Office) = Back office → handling finance, supply chain, commerce, HR.
• Together, they form the full Dynamics 365 ecosystem, and many real-world projects involve integrating both sides.
• Integration Points
  • Customer Master Data: Shared customer records between CRM and F&O
  • Quote-to-Cash: Sales opportunities in CRM convert to orders in F&O
  • Product Catalog: Products managed in F&O surfaced in CRM for sales
  • Inventory Visibility: Real-time inventory from F&O available in CRM
  • Service Management: Service cases linked to financial transactions
  • Financial Reporting: Sales performance from CRM combined with financial data from F&O
• Implementation considerations - Most enterprise implementations involve both sides of the Dynamics 365 house, requiring professionals to understand how the systems interact:
  • Data Synchronization: Defining master data strategy across systems
  • Process Handoffs: Designing seamless transitions between front and back office
  • Integration Technologies: Using Power Platform, dual-write, or custom integrations
  • User Experience: Creating a unified experience across applications
  • Security Model: Managing permissions across the ecosystem

Passing the MB-series exams (MB-910, MB-220, MB-230, MB-240) or (MB-920, MB-310, MB-320, MB-330) shows you’ve built knowledge of the platform and can demonstrate commitment to learning. That definitely helps your résumé stand out, but by itself it usually isn’t enough to secure a Dynamics 365 role, since employers tend to prioritize hands-on experience. Here’s how it helps (and where the gap is):

✅ How Passing Exams Helps

• Signals commitment & initiative – Employers see that you’ve invested in learning and have a baseline understanding of the modules.

• Opens entry-level opportunities – Some consulting firms, partners, and system integrators hire candidates with certifications but little experience, especially if you can demonstrate transferable skills (like project management, ERP implementations, or finance/supply chain knowledge).

• Gives you a foundation for interviews – You’ll be able to “speak the language” of D365 Finance & Operations and understand core processes.

• Aligns with functional/PMO backgrounds – Since you already have ERP implementation experience (NetSuite, Salesforce, Workday), you can show that you understand the dynamics of system transformation, even if it wasn’t D365 specifically.

⚠️ The Limitation

• Most mid- to senior-level Dynamics 365 jobs require hands-on configuration or implementation experience, not just certifications. Employers often want candidates who have actually worked on live projects.

• Recruiters may filter résumés by experience keywords (e.g., D365 Finance, Supply Chain, Manufacturing), so your résumé could get overlooked if it only shows exam passes without practical application.

🚀 How to Bridge the Gap

1. Leverage your ERP background – Position your NetSuite, Workday, and Salesforce ERP project management as transferable experience, emphasizing how quickly you adapt to different ERP ecosystems.

2. Build practical exposure – You can:

   • Use a D365 trial environment (Microsoft offers free trials for Finance, Supply Chain, etc.) to practice navigation, configuration, and workflows.

   • Volunteer for D365-related projects at work (if available), even in a shadowing or PMO support role.

   • Contribute to community projects, user groups, or sandbox builds.

3. Target consulting firms or Microsoft partners – They sometimes hire candidates with strong business/PM backgrounds plus certifications, expecting to train them in D365.

4. Highlight certifications in combination with PM skills – Since you’re PMP/PMI-ACP certified, you can position yourself as the bridge between business stakeholders and technical teams in D365 implementations.

5. Network in the Dynamics community – LinkedIn groups, local user groups, and Microsoft events are good places to find roles that don’t strictly require years of hands-on D365 experience.

✨ Bottom line: Passing the exams will definitely open doors and boost your credibility, but to actually land a Dynamics 365 job, you’ll want to pair those certifications with either transferable ERP/PM experience (which you have) or some hands-on D365 exposure (which you can build relatively quickly).

✅ So in short:

1. Assess your current role and career goals
   • Customer facing = Customer Engagement (CRM)
   • Financial or Operational = F&O (ERP)
   • Technical/developer = Developer Certifications (Power Platform or MB-500)
2. Start with Fundamentals
3. Specialize Based on your focus area
   • If you’re on the CRM track, start with MB-910 → then Sales/Service/Marketing/Field Service.
   • If you’re on the ERP / F&O track, start with MB-920 → then Finance (MB-310), Supply Chain (MB-330), Commerce (MB-340), or Developer (MB-500).
4. Expand your expertise across domains
   • Consider certifications from both sides of the house to become a more versatile Dynamics 365 professional capable of working on integrated implementations.
   • The most valuable consultants understand how both CRM and F&O work together in real-world scenarios.

Remember that certifications validate your knowledge, but real-world experience remains equally important. Combine certification preparation with hands-on practice in demonstration environments to maximize both your exam success and practical skills.

#MicrosoftDynamics365 #Dynamics365 #MicrosoftCertification #ERP #CRM #FinanceAndOperations #Dynamics365CRM #MicrosoftLearn #ERPConsulting #CRMConsulting #ProjectManagement #CareerGrowth

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Author: Kimberly Wiethoff

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