Salesforce retired Gold, Silver, and Platinum in early 2026. Here’s what the new two-tier system — Select and Summit — means for businesses evaluating partners and for consulting firms navigating the transition.
In March 2026, Salesforce dismantled its four-tier partner hierarchy — Base, Ridge, Crest, Summit — and replaced it with two tiers: Select and Summit. At the same time, 170 legacy certification badges were cut to 28 focused competencies, most of them tied to AI delivery capability, specifically Agentforce and Data Cloud.
This guide explains what the new tiers mean, how partners qualify for each, and what you should look for when choosing a Salesforce partner in 2026 — whether you’re a business evaluating vendors or a consulting firm figuring out where you stand.
Why Salesforce Changed the Tier System
The old four-tier structure had a fundamental problem: it rewarded volume and badge accumulation, not outcomes. A partner could reach the top tier by closing enough deals and maintaining enough certifications — even if their customer satisfaction scores were poor and their delivery quality was inconsistent.
By 2026, the system had also become administratively complex. With 170 badges covering every corner of the platform, there was no clear signal to buyers about what a partner actually specialised in. A Gold partner could be a CRM generalist or a deep Apex developer — the tier told you nothing specific.
Salesforce is investing $1 billion in partner incentives to accelerate Agentforce adoption globally, with partners already leading 70% of Agentforce implementations worldwide. The tier restructuring is designed to surface which partners are ready to deliver on that strategy — and which aren’t.
The Old System vs the New System
Here’s a direct comparison of what changed:
| What Changed | Old System (pre-2026) | New System (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Partner Tiers | 4 tiers: Base, Ridge, Crest, Summit | 2 tiers: Select, Summit |
| Certification Badges | 170 badges across all products | 28 focused competencies |
| Primary Advancement Driver | Deal volume + certification count | AI delivery capability + verified outcomes |
| Competency Levels | Single badge status | Accredited or Expert per competency |
| Transition Period | — | Phased through end of 2026 |
⚠ Old Tier Names Are No Longer Valid
If a partner describes themselves as Gold, Silver, or Platinum, those designations no longer exist in Salesforce’s official program. Partners at Ridge (Gold) and Crest (Silver) are being evaluated for placement in the new two-tier system during the 2026 transition window.
The Two Tiers Explained
1Select Partner — Entry and Mid-Level
Select is the entry and mid-level tier under the new program. It replaces Base and Ridge from the old system. Select partners have demonstrated foundational Salesforce capability — they can deliver core implementations competently, but haven’t yet proven scaled AI delivery or achieved multiple verified client outcomes in the new competency framework.
Select is well suited for:
- Small to mid-sized business implementations with clearly defined Salesforce scope
- Single-cloud work — Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, or similar
- Organisations that don’t yet need Agentforce or Data Cloud capabilities
- Projects where cost efficiency matters more than breadth of specialisation
2Summit Partner — Highest Standing
Summit holds the highest standing in the new program. To reach Summit, a partner needs a strong track record of customer outcomes combined with demonstrated capability in the new AI-focused competencies — particularly Agentforce deployment and Data Cloud proficiency.
Summit partners have:
- Multiple verified client outcomes across relevant competency areas
- Certified staff with Expert-level designations (not just Accredited)
- Demonstrated Agentforce implementation capability at scale
- Strong CSAT track record — customer outcomes now directly influence tier standing
Summit partners are the right choice for complex, enterprise-scale implementations — especially those involving AI automation, Agentforce agents, or multi-cloud deployments where delivery risk is high.
The 28 Competencies — What Replaced 170 Badges
The credential framework changed just as significantly as the tiers. Salesforce replaced 170 legacy badges with 28 competencies focused on specific products, industries, and AI capabilities.
Each competency has two levels of recognition:
Competency Recognition Levels
- Accredited — The partner has demonstrated capability in delivering that competency. They’ve done it and can prove it.
- Expert — The partner has demonstrated scaled delivery excellence with multiple verified client outcomes. Consistent, repeatable results at volume.
The 28 competencies concentrate heavily on three areas: AI capabilities (Agentforce, Einstein), Data Cloud proficiency, and portfolio-level product delivery. Partners built on traditional Salesforce implementation credentials must retool — the old badges don’t map directly to the new competency framework.
How to Evaluate a Partner in 2026
Tier is a signal, not a guarantee. A Summit partner isn’t automatically the right fit for every project — and a Select partner can outperform on focused, well-scoped work. Here’s the evaluation framework that actually matters:
Verify current tier status directly
Don’t rely on a partner’s own description. Check Salesforce’s AppExchange partner listing for current tier designation. Old tier names (Gold, Silver, Platinum) are no longer valid — if a partner uses them, they haven’t updated their materials.
Match competencies to your project needs
Ask which of the 28 competencies the partner holds, and at what level — Accredited or Expert. For Agentforce and Data Cloud work, look for Expert-level designation with verified multi-client outcomes, not just Accredited.
Check CSAT and customer references
The 2026 program weighs customer outcomes more directly than the old system. Ask for references from clients with similar project scopes. A partner with a strong CSAT track record is a better signal than tier alone.
Size the engagement to the partner
Summit partners are optimised for enterprise complexity and scale. For a focused single-cloud implementation, a strong Select partner with deep relevant competency will often deliver better outcomes — and more attention to your project — than a large Summit firm treating it as a small engagement.
Ask specifically about AI delivery readiness
If your roadmap includes Agentforce or AI automation in the next 12–18 months, evaluate AI capability now — not after implementation begins. Ask for specific Agentforce delivery examples, not just general AI positioning.
Types of Salesforce Partners — Still the Same
The tier structure changed, but the fundamental types of Salesforce partners remain the same. Understanding the difference matters before you start evaluating tiers.
The Main Partner Types
- Consulting Partners — The most common type. They deploy, configure, and customise Salesforce within your organisation. This is where the Select/Summit tier distinction applies directly.
- ISV Partners (Independent Software Vendors) — They build apps that run on the Salesforce platform and are listed on AppExchange. The ISV program has its own tier structure (Registered, Exploration, Build, Select, Summit) separate from the consulting partner tiers.
- System Integrators (SIs) — Often classified as a subtype of consulting partner. They handle complex integrations between Salesforce and other enterprise systems. Large SIs operate at Summit tier for enterprise-scale engagements.
- Resellers — Sell Salesforce licences directly, typically bundled with services. Tier standing affects licence discount levels and access to Salesforce sales support.
For Consulting Firms: Navigating the Transition
If your firm was at Crest or Ridge and you’re now in the transition window, the path to Summit is clearly defined — but the window is roughly 12 months and it’s already shrinking.
What partners built on traditional implementation work need to do:
- Traditional certifications don’t map directly to the 28 new competencies — a full credential audit is required
- Agentforce delivery experience must be documented with verified client outcomes, not just claimed
- Data Cloud proficiency is now a core competency — firms without it face a significant gap
- CSAT scoring is now a direct input into tier standing, not just a secondary metric
Partners who adapt quickly are positioned to win larger engagements as Salesforce directs enterprise buyers toward Summit-tier firms for Agentforce implementations. Those who don’t will find themselves competing on price in the Select tier.
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