Platform Identity and Access Management Architect Study Guide: Everything You Need to Know 2025
Your complete roadmap to passing the SALESFORCE-34 certification exam. This comprehensive study guide covers all 4 exam domains with detailed explanations, study tips, and practice resources.
Quick Start
Essential steps to begin your preparation
Review Exam Objectives
View all domains →Take Assessment Quiz
Free practice test →Follow Study Plan
8-week roadmap →Full Practice Exams
Start practicing →Exam Domains & Objectives
Master these 4 domains to pass the SALESFORCE-34 exam
Identity Management Concepts
Authentication and Authorization
Access Management
Identity Strategy and Governance
8-Week Study Plan
Follow this structured plan to prepare for your Platform Identity and Access Management Architect exam
Foundation
Understand core concepts and exam objectives
Focus Areas:
- Identity Management Concepts
- Authentication and Authorization
Deep Dive
Master advanced topics and practical applications
Focus Areas:
- Access Management
- Identity Strategy and Governance
Practice & Review
Take practice exams and review weak areas
Focus Areas:
Final Prep
Full practice exams and last-minute review
Focus Areas:
- Full-length practice tests
- Review all domains
Curated Study Resources
AI-curated resources with real links to help you prepare for the Platform Identity and Access Management Architect exam
Complete Study Guide for Salesforce Identity and Access Management Architect
The Salesforce Identity and Access Management Architect certification validates expertise in designing secure, scalable identity solutions for Salesforce implementations. This expert-level certification demonstrates mastery of identity management concepts, authentication protocols, access management strategies, and governance frameworks within the Salesforce ecosystem.
Who Should Take This Exam
- Salesforce Technical Architects with 3-5+ years of experience
- Identity and Access Management specialists transitioning to Salesforce
- Security architects implementing Salesforce identity solutions
- Solutions architects designing enterprise-scale Salesforce integrations
- Professionals already holding Salesforce Application Architect or System Architect certifications
Prerequisites
- Strong understanding of Salesforce platform architecture and security model
- Experience with SAML 2.0, OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect protocols
- Knowledge of Single Sign-On (SSO) implementations
- Familiarity with identity providers (Okta, Azure AD, Ping, etc.)
- Understanding of API security and JWT tokens
- Experience with user provisioning and SCIM protocol
- Recommended: Salesforce Administrator and Platform App Builder certifications
Official Resources
Identity and Access Management Architect Credential
Official certification page with exam guide, sample questions, and requirements
View ResourceSalesforce Identity Trailhead Trail
Comprehensive trail covering identity management fundamentals, SSO, OAuth, and social sign-on
View ResourceIdentity Implementation Guide
Official Salesforce documentation on implementing identity solutions
View ResourceSalesforce Identity Basics
Foundational module covering identity concepts in Salesforce
View ResourceSingle Sign-On Implementation Guide
Official guide for implementing SSO with Salesforce
View ResourceOAuth Authorization Flows
Detailed documentation on OAuth 2.0 flows supported by Salesforce
View ResourceConnected Apps Documentation
Official documentation on configuring and managing Connected Apps
View ResourceUser Provisioning Guide
Documentation on Salesforce Identity Connect and user provisioning
View ResourceMy Domain Setup Guide
Official guide for configuring My Domain for identity solutions
View ResourceMobile Security and Identity
Developer documentation for mobile identity implementations
View ResourceRecommended Courses
Recommended Books
Salesforce Identity and Access Management Designer Certification Guide
by Yoshikazu Yamamoto
Comprehensive guide covering IAM concepts, authentication, authorization, and architecture patterns for Salesforce identity solutions
View on AmazonSalesforce Security Guide
by Salesforce Ben Team
Practical guide covering Salesforce security features including identity management and access control
View on AmazonOAuth 2 in Action
by Justin Richer and Antonio Sanso
Comprehensive book on OAuth 2.0 protocol implementation, essential for understanding Salesforce authentication flows
View on AmazonAPI Security in Action
by Neil Madden
Deep dive into API security concepts including authentication, authorization, and token management
View on AmazonPractice & Hands-On Resources
Salesforce Developer Edition Org
Free development environment to practice identity configurations, SSO setup, and OAuth implementations
View ResourceTrailhead Hands-On Challenges
Interactive challenges within identity modules providing practical experience
View ResourceFocus on Force Practice Exams
Comprehensive practice exams specifically for Salesforce Identity and Access Management Architect certification
View ResourceSalesforce Identity Playground
Test environment for experimenting with different authentication flows and identity providers
View ResourceSAML Test IdP
Free test identity provider for practicing SAML SSO implementations
View ResourceSalesforce Certified Exams Preparation
Community-driven practice questions and study materials
View ResourceCommunity & Forums
Salesforce Trailblazer Community - Identity Group
Official community forum for discussing identity and access management topics, sharing experiences, and asking questions
Join CommunitySalesforce Stack Exchange
Q&A site for Salesforce technical questions, with extensive identity management discussions and solutions
Join Communityr/Salesforce
Active Reddit community discussing Salesforce certifications, identity solutions, and best practices
Join CommunitySalesforce Architects Blog
Official blog featuring architecture patterns, identity solutions, and real-world implementation stories
Join CommunitySalesforce Ben
Popular blog with certification guides, study tips, and identity management best practices
Join CommunityAdmin Hero Community
Community resource for Salesforce administrators and architects with study groups and certification preparation
Join CommunitySalesforce Developers LinkedIn Group
Professional networking group for sharing knowledge and discussing Salesforce architecture patterns
Join CommunityStudy Tips
Hands-On Practice
- Set up multiple Developer Edition orgs to practice different identity scenarios without conflicts
- Implement each OAuth flow at least twice - once following documentation, once from memory
- Configure SSO with different identity providers (Okta trial, Azure AD free tier, Auth0)
- Practice troubleshooting SAML assertions using browser developer tools and SAML validators
- Create Connected Apps for mobile, web, and server-to-server scenarios
- Document your implementations with architecture diagrams using tools like Lucidchart or Draw.io
Protocol Mastery
- Create a comparison matrix of all OAuth flows showing use cases, security implications, and token types
- Understand the complete SAML request/response lifecycle and be able to identify each component
- Study the differences between OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect and when to use each
- Memorize the JWT structure and understand claims for different authentication scenarios
- Practice reading and interpreting SAML assertions and OAuth tokens
- Understand refresh token rotation policies and session management strategies
Architecture Focus
- For every identity solution you study, ask: What are the scalability limits? What could go wrong?
- Practice designing identity solutions for different company sizes (SMB, Enterprise, Global)
- Create architecture diagrams showing identity flows between Salesforce and external systems
- Study real-world case studies from Salesforce Success Community and architecture blogs
- Understand the cost implications of different licensing models for external users
- Document trade-offs between different architectural approaches for common scenarios
Scenario-Based Learning
- The exam heavily features scenario-based questions - practice analyzing requirements and choosing solutions
- For each identity pattern, create 3-4 scenarios where it would be the best choice
- Practice explaining why certain solutions would NOT work for given scenarios
- Study edge cases like: What happens when IdP is down? How do you handle migrating between identity solutions?
- Understand the implications of different choices on user experience, performance, and security
- Review the 'Considerations' sections in official documentation - these often appear in exam questions
Documentation Deep Dive
- Read the official Identity Implementation Guide cover to cover, taking detailed notes
- Pay special attention to limitations, considerations, and best practices sections
- Bookmark and regularly review the OAuth flows documentation page
- Study the Connected Apps documentation thoroughly - it appears frequently on the exam
- Review all identity-related release notes for the past year to understand recent changes
- Create flashcards for specific configuration requirements and limitations
Compliance and Governance
- Understand GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA requirements as they relate to identity management
- Study audit trail capabilities and what identity events are logged in Salesforce
- Learn about data residency requirements and how they impact identity architecture
- Understand the governance implications of different provisioning strategies
- Study disaster recovery and business continuity patterns for identity solutions
- Review security best practices for storing and managing certificates and keys
Community Engagement
- Join the Trailblazer Community Identity group and participate in discussions
- Answer questions on Salesforce Stack Exchange to reinforce your knowledge
- Form or join a study group with other architect-level certification candidates
- Attend Salesforce webinars and virtual events focused on security and identity
- Follow Salesforce architects and identity experts on Twitter and LinkedIn
- Share your learning journey and study notes with the community
Exam Day Tips
- 1The exam is 120 minutes for 60 questions - that's 2 minutes per question. Pace yourself accordingly.
- 2Read each question completely and identify the key requirements before looking at answers.
- 3Look for keywords like 'scalable', 'secure', 'cost-effective' that indicate priority considerations.
- 4Eliminate obviously wrong answers first, then choose between remaining options.
- 5For scenario questions, mentally map out the architecture before selecting an answer.
- 6If a question mentions 'best practice', defer to official Salesforce recommendations over creative solutions.
- 7Watch for questions about what's NOT possible - these test your knowledge of limitations.
- 8Many questions involve trade-offs - choose the answer that best addresses stated priorities.
- 9Don't overthink - if you've studied thoroughly, your first instinct is often correct.
- 10Flag difficult questions and return to them after completing easier ones.
- 11With 67% passing score, you need 41 correct answers - don't panic if some questions are difficult.
- 12Remember that My Domain is a prerequisite for most identity features - this appears frequently.
- 13For OAuth questions, focus on which flow is most secure for the given scenario.
- 14External user access questions often have licensing implications - consider cost in your answer.
- 15If stuck between two answers, choose the one that's more secure or follows Salesforce best practices.
Study guide generated on January 8, 2026
Pro Study Tips
Expert advice to maximize your study effectiveness
Active Learning Strategies
- Hands-on practice: Apply concepts in real scenarios
- Teach others: Explain concepts to reinforce learning
- Take notes: Write summaries in your own words
Exam Day Preparation
- Get enough sleep: Rest well the night before
- Review key points: Go through your notes and cheat sheets
- Time management: Practice pacing with timed exams
Continue Your Preparation
More resources to help you succeed
Complete Platform Identity and Access Management Architect Study Guide
This comprehensive study guide will help you prepare for the SALESFORCE-34 certification exam offered by Salesforce. Whether you are a beginner or experienced professional, this guide covers everything you need to know to pass on your first attempt.
What You Will Learn
Our study guide covers all 4 exam domains in detail:
- Identity Management Concepts (28%)
- Authentication and Authorization (26%)
- Access Management (24%)
- Identity Strategy and Governance (22%)
Recommended Timeline
Most candidates need 6-8 weeks of dedicated study to pass the Platform Identity and Access Management Architect exam. We recommend studying 1-2 hours daily and taking practice exams weekly to track your progress.
Next Step: Start with our free practice test to assess your current knowledge level.