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Business analysts assist organizations in making the most of the data they collect by identifying trends, patterns, and faults that would otherwise go unnoticed, as well as communicating that knowledge to individuals outside of IT.
A business analyst certification might help you stand out as a contender for new employment and boost your earnings potential.
Although business analyst certifications are still in their infancy, a number of organizations are now giving tests to certify business analytics skills.
Here are 10 of the best business analyst certificates that will assist you to establish your mettle if you want to develop your BA profession or alter your career lines.
1. Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
Those who fulfill the rigorous criteria of this certificate can demonstrate to organizations that they are valued assets, capable of transforming data into helpful insights, charts, and recommendations.
This certification is highly regarded and is one of the world’s most sought-after IT credentials for business analysts.
It sets individuals apart from pools of applicants during the hiring process, and allows employed analysts to receive salary increases, and improves one’s knowledge within the field to produce better results.
Those interested in pursuing this certification are usually in their mid-career, with a bachelor’s degree and five years of analytic experience, or a master’s degree and three years of analytic experience.
The base fee for this certification is US$495 for members and US$695 for non-members.
To demonstrate your up-to-date knowledge, the certification must be recertified every three years. Visit Certified Analytics Professional to learn more about this certificate.
IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA)
The International Institute of Business Analysis’s (IIBA) Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) is the initial level of certification for less experienced and entry-level business analysts.
ECBA is a fundamental business analysis certification that covers all of the essential information and skills for an analyst.
Individuals must have completed at least twenty-one hours of professional development in the previous four years, which must be registered and monitored through an IIBA account in order to pass.
- Fee for application: $60
- Fees for the exam are $110 for members and $235 for non-members
- Fees for retakes are $89 for members and $195 for non-members
- Fee for renewal: non-applicable
Although this certification does not need to be renewed, it is expected that applicants would expand their expertise by earning higher certifications.
Please visit the official website’s ECBA page to get started or learn more about this certification.
IIBA Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA)
This certificate demonstrates a candidate’s competence to use business analysis methodologies in real-world situations.
Candidates must have at least 3,750 hours of business analysis experience, produce references, complete 21 hours of professional development, and pass an exam in order to receive a CCBA.
Applicants must pay a $125 application fee and pass 130 multiple choice questions in the test within three hours. Members pay $325 for the exam, while non-members pay $450.
The cost of retaking a failed exam is $250 for members and $375 for non-members. After three years, this qualification must be recertified.
Members pay $85 and non-members pay $120 to renew their membership.
Visit the CCBA page on the IIBA website to get started or learn more.
IIBA Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
One of the most prestigious qualifications for business professionals is Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP). It is a business analysis professional certification program.
This program is designed for people with substantial business knowledge and years of actual business experience.
This certification verifies a person’s business analysis skills and talents.
It’s best for those who have a lot of experience, have the CCBA accreditation, manage their businesses, and teach their employees.
It is the highest competency-based certification that analysts may receive from IIBA, and those who have it are among the industry’s most senior analysts.
In addition, applicants must complete at least 35 hours of Professional Development over a four-year period and give two professional references.
Candidates must complete a 3.5-hour program that includes 120 multiple-choice questions.
The CCBA charges the same fees for applying, taking the test, retaking the exam, and renewing credentials.
Visit the CBAP website for further information.
IIBA Agile Analysis Certification (AAC)
The course is designed for business analysts who work in agile environments and want to improve their skills and knowledge while remaining current on best practices and industry trends.
You’ll discover how agile intersects and interacts with business analysis with the AAC certification, as well as how to use an agile approach inside a business analysis framework.
This credential will attest to your ability to:
- Become an important member of a successful Agile team.
- Use a broad set of tools in an Agile context, and practices for successful business analysis.
- Assist a team and its organization in making the switch from conventional approaches to Agile.
The IIBA Agile Analysis Certification will consist of 85 scenario-based multiple-choice questions that must be solved in 120 minutes.
The IIBA AAC certification costs members $250 and non-members $375.
The fee of membership varies by region and ranges from $55 to $125.
Although there are no specific requirements for Agile Analysis certification, IIBA recommends it for BA experts with 2-3 years of Agile experience.
IIBA Certification in Business Data Analytics (CBDA)
This certification will enable you to not only fulfil the position of Business Analyst but also to collaborate on end-to-end projects alongside data scientist specialists in Data Analytics/Business Intelligence Projects as an experienced or aspiring Business Analyst.
This certification will broaden your horizons as a data scientist or analyst, from fundamental data-related operations to high-level business decision-making and successful relationships with business analysts.
The IIBA CBDA certification examinations will have 75 multiple-choice questions to be answered in a 2-hour remote internet proctored exam.
Members pay $450 for the IIBA CBDA certification, while non-members pay $575.
The recertification price is $30 for members and $50 for non-members, and it must be completed within one year of the original certification date.
Professional in Business Analysis (PBA)
The Project Management Institute (PMI) provides a business analysis certification called PBA.
The PMI-PBA focuses on business analysis in the context of projects and programs, which is the most common and frequently the only setting in which PMs conduct business analysis.
The test covers topics ranging from developing a business case to assessing solutions after they’ve been implemented.
This qualification is for analysts who collaborate with project teams on a regular basis.
Candidates must pass a 200-question multiple-choice test to get PBA certification.
PBA holders must renew their license every three years by submitting an application that includes documentation of completion of 60 professional development units.
PMI certification is earned by passing either a Computer-based testing (CBT) for and a Certification Fee of $405, or a Paper-based testing (PBT) for $129 and a Certification Fee of $250.
You have a year to pass the test if you meet the eligibility requirements.
You may retake the examination up to three times during the eligibility period by paying the $275 re-examination fee for the second and third attempts.
FAQ section
What is ECBA?
The IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) certifies that a person has a basic understanding of business analysis processes.
To achieve this certification, you must complete at least 21 hours of professional development and pass an exam.
Do I need a certification to be a Business Analyst?
Certification is not always required to work as a business analyst. It can, however, make it easier to break into the sector and assist existing BAs to advance their careers.
A certification is an excellent approach to establishing credibility as a business analyst.
Hiring managers are interested in hearing real-life instances of how you’ve used your business analysis abilities in the past, but they also value getting it confirmed by a third party that you have those talents.