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 get started, let’s give you a clearer view of what becoming a certified business analyst can do for you.

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 not only have the skills and knowledge to succeed in the role but that you are also committed to your career. Furthermore, many employers seek certified professionals, so obtaining a certification is likely to broaden your job opportunities. READ ALSO: 10 Best TEFL Certification Programs Online in 2022

How To Become A Certified Business Analyst 

The basic steps for obtaining a business analyst certification are as follows:

Determine which certification you requireCheck that you have all of the requirementsGet ready to take the certification examTake 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. SEE ALSO: Top 10 Certifications For Small Businesses

3. Get ready to take the certification exam 

Most boards and institutes provide courses that are 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 chose. Note, to keep your certification active, make sure you 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 2022:

Analytics Professional Certification (CAP)The IIBA Entry Certificate in Business AnalysisIIBA 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 PMIMaster’s Degree in Business Analysis from SimpliLearnProfessionals 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 in order to guide strategic business decisions. To be eligible for this certification, you must have a master’s degree in a related field and 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. READ ALSO: How to Get Google Data Analytics Certifications: Grow With Google 2022

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) and 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, as well as 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. The fee for retake is $250 for members; $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’ll be required to 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. The fee for retake is $250 for members; $375 for non-members, while renewal fees are $85 for members and $120 for non-members.

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 a separate certification 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. There are no prerequisites for taking the exam, 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 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 effectively execute analysis-related work in support of business analytics initiatives.” To pass the exam, you must examine a real-world business problem, identify data sources and how to obtain data, analyze data, interpret data, 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 retake is $400 for members; $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 Certified Foundation Level Business Analysis (CFLBA) certification is offered by the International Qualifications Board 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 all over the world. 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. You can advance to the Certified Advanced Level Business Analyst (CALBA) and Certified Expert Level Business Analyst (CELBA) certifications after passing the entry-level exam. 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 the fundamentals of real estate. The Advanced Level follows, with three paths to choose from: 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,” which includes both 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 there is no need for renewal at this time. 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, as well as 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, $555 for non-members. There is no exam fee, and the fee for a renewal is $60 for PMI members, $150 for non-members. And for retaking the exam is $275 for PMI members, $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. You can earn your CCBA certification as well as certifications in Agile Scrum Foundation, Digital Transformation for Leaders, Python for Data Science, and R Programming for Data Science through the program. The program will also award you 35 IIBA and 25 PMI professional development units upon completion. 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 $1,299 USD. SEE ALSO: 15 Cheapest Online Business degree in the World 2022 | Best Ranking

11. Professionals in Certified Business Analysis (CBAP certification) 

The CBAP certification (also known as the IIBA CBAP certification or the International Institute of Business Analysts [IIBA] certification) is one of 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 of your team, you know they will bring valuable expertise to your team and your organization.

Conclusion

Business analysis is a specialied career path that thrives on the basis knowledge. To guide and lead the business through unknown or unmapped territory down to its desired destination, you need acquire a number certifications in business analysis.

References

indeed.com – 11 Business Analyst Certifications for Career Growthnhphoenix.com – Top-11-certifications-for-business-analysts

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