The short version
Take PL-300 first if you mainly build Power BI reports and models and are new to Fabric. Take DP-600 first if you already model data in Power BI and now work with lakehouses, warehouses, and governance in Fabric. PL-300 is the narrower exam, centered on Power BI. DP-600 is broader on the platform side. Microsoft lists no required order between them on the pages we checked.
Side by side
| Item | PL-300 | DP-600 |
|---|---|---|
| Credential | Power BI Data Analyst Associate | Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate |
| Level | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| Audience | Analysts turning data into insights with Power BI | People designing and managing analytical assets in Fabric |
| Skills named | Power Query, DAX | SQL, KQL, DAX |
| Time | 100 minutes | 100 minutes |
| Pass mark | 700 of 1,000 | 700 of 1,000 |
| Questions | Not published | Not published |
| Domains | 4: three at 25-30%, one at 15-20% | 3: 25-30%, 45-50%, 25-30% |
| Languages | 10 | 7 |
| Renewal | 12 months, free online assessment | 12 months, free online assessment |
| Outline date | Skills measured as of April 20, 2026 | Skills measured as of October 19, 2026 |
Source: Microsoft’s certification pages and study guides, checked October 22, 2026.
Domains compared
PL-300 splits its weight across Prepare the data, Model the data, Visualize and analyze the data (each 25-30%), and Manage and secure Power BI (15-20%). Reports and visuals are a full domain in PL-300.
DP-600 has no report-design domain. Its weight goes to Maintain a data analytics solution (25-30%), Prepare data (45-50%), and Implement and manage semantic models (25-30%). Fabric stores, SQL and KQL queries, deployment pipelines, and Direct Lake appear here.
You can read the details on the PL-300 overview and the DP-600 domains.
Overlap
- DAX and semantic models. Both test them. PL-300 treats them from an analyst’s view, and DP-600 goes deeper into enterprise-scale topics such as calculation groups and storage choices.
- Data preparation. PL-300 centers on Power Query. DP-600 centers on Fabric tools, SQL, and KQL.
- Security. Both include row-level security and workspace access. DP-600 adds item-level, column-level, object-level, and file-level controls.
- Power BI service. Workspaces and sharing appear in both.
Differences that matter
| Topic | PL-300 | DP-600 |
|---|---|---|
| Report design and visuals | Full domain | Not a domain |
| Power Query | Central | Less central |
| Lakehouse and warehouse design | Not a focus | Central |
| SQL and KQL queries | Not named in the audience profile | Named |
| Version control and deployment pipelines | Light | Part of a full domain |
| Direct Lake and large-model tuning | Not a focus | Yes |
This table is our reading of the published outlines, not a Microsoft statement.
How to choose
- Report builder, new to Fabric: PL-300. It matches your current work, and it builds the model and DAX base that DP-600 uses.
- Already strong in Power BI modeling: DP-600 may fit better, because it extends into the platform.
- Heading for analytics engineering: PL-300 first, then DP-600 is a natural path, though not a rule from Microsoft.
- Not using Power BI at all: look at DP-600 vs DP-700 instead.
Studying both
The shared DAX and modeling work carries across. Plan extra weeks for report design if you go from DP-600 to PL-300, and for SQL, KQL and Fabric stores if you go the other way. Note the outline dates: PL-300’s current published outline is from April 20, 2026, and DP-600’s changed on October 19, 2026. Always use the guide with the date that matches your exam day.
More guides for DP-600
- DP-600 Exam Format, Scoring and Retakes
- DP-600 Study Plan: 4-Week and 8-Week
- DP-600 Sample Questions With Answers
- Is the DP-600 Exam Hard?
- DP-600 Renewal and Retakes Explained
- Is DP-600 Worth It? An Honest Look
- DP-600 Cheat Sheet: Key Facts to Review
Next step
Start with the DP-600 overview and the prerequisites self-check, then use the DP-600 practice exams. For the other side, see the PL-300 practice exams. Practice exams show readiness and do not replace Microsoft’s learning material.
Frequently asked questions
Is PL-300 a prerequisite for DP-600?
Not on the Microsoft pages we checked. It is useful background, not a rule.
Which has more reporting?
PL-300. Report design is a full domain there and not one in DP-600.
Do both expire?
Yes. Both show a 12-month renewal frequency and a free online renewal assessment.