Business analysts help organizations make the most of the data they collect by finding trends, patterns, and errors that might otherwise go unnoticed. Successful business analysts have the skills to work with data, the acumen to understand the business side of the organization, and the ability to communicate that information to people outside of IT. Certifications provide a great way to prove your business analyst bona fides or get started in the field.
Business analytics is a lucrative role in IT, with an average entry-level salary of $80,692 per year. Throughout their careers, business analysts report average salaries ranging from $58,000 to $114,000 per year, according to PayScale. If you want to advance your business analyst career, or change career paths, here are 12 certifications that will help prove your mettle. Not finding what you’re looking for? Check out our list of big data and data analytics certifications.
Top 12 business analyst certifications
- Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
- IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA)
- IIBA Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA)
- IIBA Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
- IIBA Agile Analysis Certification (AAC)
- IIBA Certification in Business Data Analytics (CBDA)
- IQBBA Certified Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA)
- IQBBA Certified Advanced Level Business Analyst (CALBA)
- IQBBA Certified Agile Business Analyst (CABA)
- IREB Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE)
- PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PBA)
- Salesforce Certified Business Analyst
Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
The Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) is a vendor-neutral certification that certifies your skills and ability to draw valuable insights from complex data sets to help guide strategic businesses decisions. There are three levels of the exam — the essentials, pro, and expert certifications. Essentials is for entry-level analytics professionals, Pro is for mid-career analytics practitioners, and Expert is aimed at senior analytics leaders and directors. Depending on the level of certification, each has different requirements ranging from no-prerequisites at the Essentials level to advanced degrees to qualify for the Expert certification.
- Essentials exam fee: $195 for INFORMS members, $275 for non-members
- Professional exam fee: $325 for INFORMS members, $460 for non-members
- Expert exam fee: $440 for INFORMS members, $640 for non-members
IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA)
The Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) is the first level of certification with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), it’s designed for less experienced and entry-level business analysts. You will need to complete at least 21 hours of professional training credits, within the past four years, before you will be eligible for the exam. You don’t have to renew your ECBA certification, but it’s assumed you’ll move on to the second or third levels of certification.
- Exam fee: $395
For more, see our guide on the ECBA.
IIBA Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA)
Level 2 of the IIBA certification, the Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA) requires a minimum 3,750 hours of business analytics work aligned with the IIBA’s BABOK guide in the past 7 years, 900 hours in two of six BABOK knowledge areas, or 500 hours in four of six BABOK knowledge areas. The certification also requires a minimum of 21 hours of professional development training in the past four years and two professional references. The CCBA exam consists of 130 multiple-choice questions that are scenario-based and require some analysis. It covers fundamentals, underlying competencies, key concepts, techniques, and all six knowledge areas covered in the BABOK.
- Application fee: $145
- Exam fee: $240 for members, $405 for non-members
IIBA Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
The Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) certification is the third level of certification with IIBA and is designed for “individuals with extensive business analysis experience.” To qualify for this certification, you’ll need a minimum of 7,500 hours of business analyst work experience in the past 10 years, 900 hours of work experience hours within four of the six BABOK knowledge areas, at least 35 hours of professional development in the past four years and professional references. The exam is 3.5 hours long and includes 120 multiple-choice questions based on case studies. After you pass, you’ll need to report at least 60 hours of continuing development units every three years.
- Application fee: $145
- Exam fee: $350 for members, $505 for non-members
For more, see our guide on the CBAP.
IIBA Agile Analysis Certification (AAC)
The agile methodology has been rising in importance for business analysts over the past several years, according to the IIBA. The association’s competency-based Agile Analysis Certification (AAC) exam was designed to address this skillset and to certify business analyst professionals working in agile environments, which require fast adaption and rapid change. The exam was developed using the Agile Extension to the Business Analysis Book of Knowledge (BABOK) guide and released in May 2018 as a standalone certification and is separate from the other IIBA business analyst certifications, which stack on top of one another. The exam’s four main topics include agile mindset (30%), strategy horizon (10%), initiative horizon (25%) and delivery horizon (35%). There aren’t any eligibility requirements to take the exam, but the IIBA recommends at least two to five years of agile-related experience.
- Exam fee: $250 for members, $405 for non-members
IIBA Certification in Business Data Analytics (CBDA)
The Certification Business Data Analytics (IIBA-CBDA) from the IIBA is a certification that “recognizes your ability to effectively execute analysis-related work in support of business analytics initiatives.” To pass the exam, you will need to examine a real-world business problem, identify the data sources and how to obtain data, analyze the data, interpret and report results from the data. You’ll then need demonstrate how those results can influence business decision-making and guide company-level strategies for business analytics.
- Exam fee: $250 for members, $405 for non-members
IQBBA Certified Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA)
The International Qualifications Board for Business Analysts (IQBBA) offers the Certified Foundation Level Business Analysis (CFLBA) as an entry-level certification, which will qualify you to earn higher levels of certification. It’s a globally recognized certification with accredited exam and training centers across the world. It’s designed for “people involved in analyzing business processes within an organization, modeling businesses and process improvement.” The foundation level covers enterprise analysis, business analysis process planning, requirements elicitation, requirements analysis, solution validation, tools and techniques, innovation, and design.
- Exam fee: $215
IQBBA Certified Advanced Level Business Analyst (CALBA)
The IQBBA Certified Advanced Level Business Analysis certification offers an advanced-level qualification for those who have passed the entry-level CFLBA exam. At this level, you’ll gain skills in business analysis process management, strategic analysis and optimization, and requirements management. Learning modules focus on enhancing the skills gained at the foundational level, deepening your knowledge of more advanced skills that will be necessary in your career.
- Exam fee: $215
IQBBA Certified Agile Business Analysis (CABA)
The IQBBA Certified Agile Business Analyst certification is another foundational-level qualification designed for anyone who wants to strengthen their business analysis skills with a focus on the Agile framework. The course covers how to recognize the role of a BA in agile software development projects, contribute to agile software teams, understand the principles of agile business analysis, and employ BA techniques in an enterprise setting. In addition to BA principles, the course and certification cover agile skills as well, including the 12 principles of the Agile Manifesto and how they intertwine with BA methods.
- Exam fee: $215
IREB Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE)
The International Requirements Engineering Board (IREB) offers the Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE) certification is designed for those working in requirements engineering (RE), and it’s offered at three levels. The Foundation Level is first, where you’ll be certified in the basics of RE. The Practitioner Level is next, where you can choose between four paths, including management, modeling, elicitation, and RE@Agile followed by Specialist level in the same four pathways. Finally, the Expert Level certifies you at the “highest level of expert knowledge,” which includes both your hands-on experience as well as your knowledge and skills gained through previous certifications.
Your certification will not expire, and you will not need to renew it. The IREB states that the CPRE is “based on the fundamental methods and approaches of Requirements Engineering, and these alter only slowly,” so at this time, they don’t see a need for renewal.
- Exam fee: Varies by testing center
PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PBA) Certification
The PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PBA) certification is designed for business analysts who work with projects or programs, or project and program managers who work with analytics. It’s offered through the Project Management Institute, which specializes in widely recognized project management certifications, such as the PMP. The certification focuses on business analysis training through hands-on projects and testing on business analysis principles, tools and fundamentals.
If you’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree, you’ll need at least three years’ experience, or 4,500 hours, in business analysis consecutively within the past eight years to earn this certification. Without a bachelor’s degree, you’ll need five years or 7,500 hours experience.
You’ll be required to earn 60 professional development units within three years after completing the certification to maintain your renewal status. If you let your renewal lapse, your credentials will be suspended for one year until you fulfill the requirements — after that, it will be terminated and you’ll need to reapply.
- Exam fee: $405 for PMI members, $555 for non-members
Salesforce Certified Business Analyst
The Salesforce Certified Business Analyst certification is a vendor-specific certification for business analysts — or similar roles — who work directly with Salesforce technology. The exam covers customer discovery, collaboration with stakeholders, business process mapping, requirements, user stories, and development support and user acceptance. You will need to pass a 60-question multiple choice question test and up to five additional unscored questions. While it’s not required, candidates should have around 2 years of business analyst experience and Salesforce Platform experience.
- Exam fee: $200