Business analyst certifications are still in their early stages, but several organizations already offer exams to certify business analytics skills.
Business analysts assist organizations in making the most of the data they collect by identifying trends, patterns, and errors that would otherwise go undetected.
If you want to advance your business analyst career or change careers, the following certifications will help you prove your worth. Before we start, let’s give you a clearer view of what becoming a certified business analyst can do for you.
Table of contents
- Why Should You Become A Business Analyst Certified?
- How To Become A Certified Business Analyst
- Top 10 Business Analyst Certifications
- 1. Analytics Professional Certification (CAP)
- 2. The IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis
- 3. IIBA Competency in Business Analysis Certification (CCBA)
- 4. Certified Business Analysis Professional (IIBA) (CBAP)
- 5. Agile Analysis Certification from the IIBA (AAC)
- 6. IIBA Business Data Analytics Certification (CBDA)
- 7. IQBBA Foundation Level Business Analyst Certification (CFLBA)
- 8. Certified Professional in Requirements Engineering by the IREB (CPRE)
- 9. Professional in Business Analysis (PBA) Certification from PMI
- 10. Master’s Degree in Business Analysis from Simplilearn
- 11. Professionals in Certified Business Analysis (CBAP certification)
- Conclusion
- References
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Why Should You Become A Business Analyst Certified?
Business analysts are becoming more common in a variety of industries. Employers want to know that you have the skills and knowledge to do the job well during the hiring process.
An active business analyst certification demonstrates that you have the skills and knowledge to succeed in the role and are committed to your career.
Furthermore, many employers seek certified professionals, so obtaining a certification will likely broaden your job opportunities.
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How To Become A Certified Business Analyst
The basic steps for obtaining a business analyst certification are as follows:
- Determine which certification you require
- Check that you have all of the requirements
- Get ready to take the certification exam
- Take the test
1. Determine which certification you require
There are numerous certifications available, so think about each option. Reviewing business analyst job postings in your area can help you determine whether companies typically seek a specific certification.
If you work as a business analyst for a company, ask your boss if there is a certification that they prefer.
2. Double-check that you have all of the requirements
Most certifications have prerequisites that must be met before you can take the exam. Some positions necessitate a degree, prior experience, and business analyst education hours.
Examine each institute’s website to learn more about the certification requirements.
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3. Get ready to take the certification exam
Most boards and institutes provide courses specifically tailored to the certification exams.
There are also external courses available to assist you in your preparation. You may be able to find an in-person course in your area, but you can always complete one online.
4. Take the test
Exams last about an hour and consist of a variety of multiple-choice questions. Most tests allow you to retake them as many times as necessary.
You may need to renew your credential depending on the certification you choose.
Note that to keep your certification active, renew it on time and submit any required proof of continuing education.
Top 10 Business Analyst Certifications
Here are the 10 best business Analyst certifications worth obtaining this 2024:
- Analytics Professional Certification (CAP)
- The IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis
- IIBA Competency in Business Analysis Certification (CCBA)
- Certified Business Analysis Professional (IIBA) (CBAP)
- Agile Analysis Certification from the IIBA (AAC)
- IIBA Business Data Analytics Certification (CBDA)
- IQBBA Foundation Level Business Analyst Certification (CFLBA)
- Certified Professional in Requirements Engineering by the IREB (CPRE)
- Professional in Business Analysis (PBA) Certification from PMI
- Master’s Degree in Business Analysis from Simplilearn
- Professionals in Certified Business Analysis (CBAP certification)
1. Analytics Professional Certification (CAP)
The Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) is a vendor-neutral certification that validates your ability to extract valuable insights from complex data sets to guide strategic business decisions.
To be eligible for this certification, you must have a master’s degree in a related field, at least five years of relevant experience, or a bachelor’s degree in a related field and seven years of data or analytics experience.
If you have a master’s degree and three years of related experience in data or analytics, you can also sit for the associate level aCAP exam.
The exam fee is $495 for INFORMS members and $695 for non-members; the aCAP exam is $200 for INFORMS members and $300 for non-members.
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2. The IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis
The Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) is the first level of certification offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). It is intended for less experienced and entry-level business analysts.
Before you can take the exam, you must have completed at least 21 hours of professional training credits within the last four years.
You are not required to renew your ECBA certification, but it is assumed that you will progress to the second or third levels of certification.
The exam costs $110 for members and $235 for non-members. And to retake the exam will cost an additional retake fee of $89 for members and $195 for non-members. Note there is no renewal fee.
3. IIBA Competency in Business Analysis Certification (CCBA)
The Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA), Level 2 of the IIBA certification, requires a minimum of 3,750 hours of business analytics work aligned with the IIBA’s Business Analysis Book of Knowledge (BABOK) guide in the previous 7 years, 900 hours in two of six BABOK knowledge areas, or 500 hours in four of six BABOK knowledge areas.
In addition, the certification requires a minimum of 21 hours of professional development training in the previous four years and two professional references.
The CCBA exam consists of 130 scenario-based multiple-choice questions that require some analysis. It covers the fundamentals, underlying competencies, key concepts, techniques, and all six BABOK knowledge areas. For this certification, the application fee is $125, while the exam costs $325 for members and $450 for non-members.
Retake fees are $250 for members, and $375 for non-members, while renewal fees are $85 for members and $120 for non-members.
4. Certified Business Analysis Professional (IIBA) (CBAP)
The Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) certification is the third level of IIBA certification and is intended for “individuals with extensive business analysis experience.”
To be eligible for this certification, you must have at least 7,500 hours of business analyst work experience in the last ten years, 900 hours of work experience in four of the six BABOK knowledge areas, at least 35 hours of professional development in the last four years, and professional references.
The exam lasts 3.5 hours and consists of 120 multiple-choice questions based on case studies. After passing, you must report at least 60 hours of continuing education units every three years.
For this certification, the application fee is $125, while the exam costs $325 for members and $450 for non-members. Retake fees are $250 for members, and $375 for non-members, while renewal fees are $85 for members and $120 for non-members.Easiest Business Schools To Get Into/Beginners’ Guide
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5. Agile Analysis Certification from the IIBA (AAC)
According to the IIBA, agile as a methodology has grown in importance for business analysts in recent years.
The Agile Analysis Certification (AAC) exam, which is competency-based, was created to address this skill set and certify business analyst professionals working in agile environments that require quick adaption and rapid change.
It is separate from the other IIBA business analyst certifications, which stack on top of each other.
The exam is administered via remote online proctoring and consists of 85 multiple-choice, scenario-based questions that must be completed in 2 hours.
The exam’s four main topics are agile mindset (30%), strategy horizon (10%), initiative horizon (25%), and delivery horizon (25%).
Your certification will be valid for three years, after which you will need to renew it. The exam has no prerequisites, but the IIBA suggests at least two to five years of agile-related experience.
For this certification, the application fee is $125, while the exam costs $250 for members and $375 for non-members. The fee for a retake is $250 for members; $325 for non-members, while renewal fees are $30 for members and $50 for non-members.
6. IIBA Business Data Analytics Certification (CBDA)
The IIBA’s new Certification in Business Data Analytics (IIBA-CBDA) “recognizes your ability to execute analysis-related work in support of business analytics initiatives effectively.”
To pass the exam, you must examine a real-world business problem, identify data sources and how to obtain, analyze, interpret, and report results.
You’ll then need to show how those results can influence business decisions and guide company-level business analytics strategies.
For this certification, the application fee is $125, while the exam costs $450 for members and $575 for non-members.
The fee for a retake is $400 for members, and $525 for non-members, while renewal fees are $30 for members and $50 for non-members.
7. IQBBA Foundation Level Business Analyst Certification (CFLBA)
The International Qualifications Board offers the Certified Foundation Level Business Analysis (CFLBA) certification for Business Analysts (IQBBA) as an entry-level certification that will qualify you to earn higher levels of certification.
It is a globally recognized certification with exam and training centers located worldwide.
It is intended for “individuals involved in analyzing business processes within an organization, modeling businesses, and process improvement.”
Enterprise analysis, business analysis process planning, requirements elicitation, requirements analysis, solution validation, tools and techniques, innovation, and design are all covered at the foundation level.
After passing the entry-level exam, you can advance to the Certified Advanced Level Business Analyst (CALBA) and Certified Expert Level Business Analyst (CELBA) certifications.
There are currently only a few accredited training and exam centers in the United States, with locations in Chicago, Maryland, Oklahoma, Florida, and Texas. There are, however, options for taking training courses and exams online.
For this certification, the exam costs $250.
8. Certified Professional in Requirements Engineering by the IREB (CPRE)
The International Requirements Engineering Board (IREB) provides the Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE) certification, which is available in three levels and is designed for those working in requirements engineering (RE).
The Foundation Level is the first, where you will be certified in real estate fundamentals.
The Advanced Level follows three paths: Requirements Elicitation and Consolidation, Requirements Modeling, and Requirements Management — but you must wait 12 months after passing the first exam to take the advanced level exam.
The Expert Level certifies you at the “highest level of expert knowledge,” including your hands-on experience and the knowledge and skills you’ve gained through previous certifications.
Your certification will not expire, nor will you be required to renew it. According to the IREB, the CPRE is “based on the fundamental methods and approaches of Requirements Engineering, and these change only slowly,” so renewal is unnecessary.
For this certification, the exam costs vary.
9. Professional in Business Analysis (PBA) Certification from PMI
The PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PBA) certification is intended for business analysts who work on projects or programs and project and program managers who use analytics.
It is provided by the Project Management Institute, a company that specializes in widely recognized project management certifications such as the PMP.
The certification focuses on hands-on business analysis training and testing on business analysis principles, tools, and fundamentals.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you’ll need at least three years, or 4,500 hours, of consecutive business analysis experience within the last eight years to earn this certification. You’ll need five years or 7,500 hours of experience if you don’t have a bachelor’s degree.
To maintain your renewal status, you must earn 60 professional development units within three years of completing the certification. If you fail to renew your credentials, they will be suspended for one year until you meet the requirements; after that, they will be terminated, and you will need to reapply.
For this certification, the application fee is $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members. There is no exam fee, and the fee for a renewal is $60 for PMI members and $150 for non-members. And retaking the exam is $275 for PMI members and $375 for non-members.
10. Master’s Degree in Business Analysis from Simplilearn
If you’re new to the industry or want to change careers and become a business analyst, SimpliLearn offers an IIBA-accredited Business Analyst Masters Program.
Through the program, you can earn your CCBA certification and certifications in Agile Scrum Foundation, Digital Transformation for Leaders, Python for Data Science, and R Programming for Data Science.
Upon completion, the program will also award you 35 IIBA and 25 PMI professional development units.
The course claims to teach you Excel, CBAP, Tableau, Agile ScrumMaster, SQL, CCBA, and Agile Scrum Foundation.
You’ll also learn how to create interactive dashboards, use statistical tools and concepts, master the agile scrum methodology, plan and track Scrum projects, understand key business analysis concepts, and analyze data using Tableau, among other things. Note the course costs USD 1,299.
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11. Professionals in Certified Business Analysis (CBAP certification)
The CBAP certification (the IIBA CBAP certification or the International Institute of Business Analysts [IIBA] certification) is among the most well-known and respected business analyst certifications.
A CBAP certification demonstrates an individual’s knowledge of business analysis best practices, professional competence, and commitment to their field.
When one or more employees hold a CBAP certification, an organization gains knowledge of industry-standard procedures, efficiency, consistency, and reliable, high-quality results.
A CBAP-certified professional can assist your organization in reducing costs and delays, effectively managing resources, and gathering and outlining requirements.
When you have a CBAP-certified member, you know they will bring valuable expertise to your team and your organization.
Conclusion
Business analysis is a specialized career path that thrives on basic knowledge. To guide and lead the business through unknown or unmapped territory down to its desired destination, you must acquire several business analysis certifications.
References
- indeed.com – 11 Business Analyst Certifications for Career Growth
- nhphoenix.com – Top-11-certifications-for-business-analysts
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