With so many business analyst certifications available, completing them all just isn’t possible. Unless you have the time and the funds, of course.
But for most of us, completing one or two certifications is all we need.
Depending on what goals you want to achieve either for your career or for your education the business analyst certification you complete is crucial.
There is also the factor of your education level.
So, how do you decide which business analyst certification is right for you?
We have put together 5 of the best business analyst certifications, their pros, and cons, and a handy buyers guide to ensure you never go wrong.
Read below to find out which business analyst certification will get you closer to your goals.
1. Entry Certificate In Business Analysis-ECBA
Any professional who wants to work as a business analyst must first earn the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis.
This certification is perfect for someone who has little to no knowledge about the workings of business analysis and is looking to begin their career.
You will study the foundations of business analysis following the BABOK Guide.
With this certification, you can ensure you stand out from the sea of resumes and job applications as you have the knowledge of business analysis and are certified by the IIBA.
The ECBA is available in a range of languages including English. French Standard, French Canadian, and Japanese.
With a variety of resources such as the Core Certification Handbook and the Guide to Online Proctored Exams, you will be prepped and ready for exam day.
You can gain an industry recognized certification that provides you with the fundamental knowledge to rapidly increase your career.
With a minimum of 21 Professional Development hours, your hard labor is rewarded and recognized.
Pros
- Entry Level. Little to no experience or knowledge of business analysis is required in order to apply for the ECBA. However, working in a low-entry business analysis role would be beneficial when it comes to completing the exam.
- Languages. This certification is available in a range of languages including English. French Standard, French Canadian, and Japanese.
- Materials. With the Core Certification Handbook and Guide to Online Proctored Exams, you know exactly what to expect on exam day and how to gain your certification.
- Fees. This certification is affordable. A discount is available for IIBA members.
Cons
- Professional Development Hours. 21 Professional Development Hours must have been completed within the last four years.
2. Certified Business Analysis Professional- CBAP
For those with significant business analysis (BA) expertise, the Certified Business Analysis Professional is an essential professional certification.
This widely accepted and recognized certification is issued by the IIBA and is considered to be extremely tough on those who decide to take on the challenge.
This certification is for those who have great experience in business analysis and are looking to further their skills and knowledge.
You may find this course difficult and you will be accepted if you have less than 7,500 hours of work experience in the field in the last 10 years.
Yes, it is that intense. However, if you meet the high standards of the CBAP then you have the ability to take the exam online, anywhere in the world!
Once you have achieved this certification you have the opportunity to obtain higher compensation and show potential employers that you have the initiative to take your own professional career development into your own hands.
Although, if you are just starting out in the field of business analysis then you may want to give this certification a miss.
Entry-level certifications are more suitable for less experienced business analysis.
Pros
- Recognition. This certification is widely recognized and accepted by businesses around the world.
- Online Exam. Take the CBAP exam at any time, anywhere in the world with the new online exam.
- Opportunities. Have the ability to earn higher compensation from employers and highlight your dedication to your career and industry.
Cons
- Entry Requirements. This course is known for being tough and is extremely difficult to be accepted into. Applicants must have completed 7,500 hours of work experience within the last ten years. A minimum of 900 work experience must be completed in 4 out of 6 BABOK Guide Knowledge Areas.
3. PMI Professional In Business Analysis- PMI PBA
Have a stable career in business analysis and looking to go that one step further? The PMI Professional in Business Analysis certification is perfect.
Created for those with 3-5 years of experience in the business analysis field, you are given the opportunity to gain more industry knowledge and develop your skills.
The entry requirements for this course can be a little confusing depending on the level of education you have obtained.
For those who have earned their high school diploma or an associate’s degree then you must have 60 months of business analysis experience and 35 contracted hours of education in business analysis.
However, for those with a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent then you only require 36 hours of business analysis experience and 35 contract hours.
When it comes to preparing for the 200-question multiple choice exam, there are different forms of guidance.
You can opt for self-study meaning you will follow the PMI-PBA reference list and study the materials suggested.
Or PMI offers a formal study course to provide more support on your journey.
This certification comes with a rather expensive exam fee, meaning that funding this certification on your own may be unrealistic.
However, many employers offer to pay for your education and certifications if it will aid in your professional development.
Pros
- Exam. The 200-question multiple-choice exam can be taken from your home or office, 24/7 online.
- Study Aids. PMI-PBA Examination Content Outline and PMI PBA reference list is used to guide your study materials for the exam. PMI also offers a formal study course that uses PMI chapters or Authorized Training Partners.
- Recognition. Recognized worldwide this PMI-issued certification is one of the best courses to have on your resume.
Cons
- Fees. This certification is expensive to apply for whether you are a PMI member or not.
4. Certified Professional For Requirements Engineering- CPRE
A personal certificate called the Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE) is intended for people who work in requirements engineering, business analysis, and testing.
Your professional expertise will grow as a result, and you’ll work more and succeed in your position.
The CPRE certificate has a lifetime validity meaning once you earn the certification you do not have to take any further exams or courses.
Although if you wish to take your learning even further, the International Requirement Engineering Board (IREB) provides 3 levels of certification: Foundation, Advanced, and Expert. Each course dives deeper into business analysis for engineering.
Pros
- Focus. Gain more insight into business analysis in the fields of engineering and testing.
- Lifetime Validity. Once completed, you will have no need to take further testing.
- Certificate Levels. Depending on your current level of knowledge you can complete the Foundation, Advanced, or Expert level certifications. ‘
Cons
- Fees. Application fees for this certification range from country to country and can be difficult to determine an accurate price.
5. Business Analyst Certification By BCS
The Business Analyst Certification by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT is an incredibly beneficial certificate for anyone of any level to complete.
This certification comes in a variety of levels. To apply for the Foundation level certification you require no previous experience or knowledge of business analysis.
Although to move up the levels you must have completed the previous certificates. This can be time-consuming for those with more experience in business analysis.
Through the completion of each globally recognized certificate, you gain the opportunity to map your skills and provide a clear picture of your career goals by following the SFIAPlus industry-standard framework.
Pros
- Entry level. No experience is required to complete the Foundation Level certificate.
- Levels of Certificates. Ranging from Foundation to Expert Levels, each certificate provides a deeper understanding of business analysis and hands-on experience.
- SFIAPlus Framework. Map your skills and gain a clearer understanding of your career goals under an industry-standard framework.
Cons
- Non-negotiable Levels. If you happen to have a more expert level of knowledge, you must complete lower-level certificates first.
Buyers Guide For Business Analyst Certificates
When deciding which business analyst certificate is best for you there are certain elements that must be considered.
Otherwise, you could end up paying an expensive application fee for a certificate that will not increase your employment prospects or improve your knowledge of business analysis.
We have created this simple buyers guide to help you understand what makes a business analyst certificate worth your time and money.
Curriculum
Much like when choosing what classes you are going to take for the semester at college, the curriculum of a business analyst certificate is extremely important.
You want to ensure that the course and exam topics are going to help you in furthering your knowledge and career.
For those looking to enter the industry of business analysis, courses which go into depth about the fundamentals of business analysis will be crucial.
When you have a more in-depth range of knowledge and experience then your certificate may require more consideration.
As you have studied and worked in a particular industry, your focus may be to continue developing your knowledge of that field.
However, if you wish to learn something new about another sector of business analysis then you will have to start at the beginning with more entry-level courses.
This can be difficult for more experienced business analysts to complete if they already know and understand the basics of the industry.
Take your time to really research the curriculum of each certificate. While the course topics should be focused on your goals, you also want to enjoy the subjects you are studying.
Program Recognition
One of the main reasons people look to complete industry certifications is to improve their employability.
Whether it is for a particular organization or just to break into the industry, certifications are a great tool to increase your chances of being hired.
They showcase your knowledge and skills in the industry and that you will utilize your initiative to better your skillset.
But why go through the stress and trouble of studying and completing an exam if the certification is not recognized by multiple organizations?
Many certifications are recognized on an international level.
They have higher application fees, however, completing the certification and knowing that you can apply for a position anywhere in the world with your achievements professionally acknowledged is worth it.
Certifications that are only nationally recognized could be significantly hindering your career.
Internally recognized certifications showcase that you have the ability to work anywhere in the world and that you have a desirable skill set.
This will not only improve your career prospects but can also provide great opportunities for promotion.
You have a strong qualification portfolio when you complete internationally recognized business analysis certifications.
Support
When completing any form of educational certification, feeling supported is important for your success.
With many certifications, there is the option for self-study or group study.
Depending on your learning style, you may find it more beneficial to stay alone or with others also completing the certificate.
Certification Bodies will provide a range of resources to support your journey. This may include a reference list and previous exams.
This is where you take the time either by yourself or in the group to read, understand, and learn the information with each material and take previous exams.
You will learn the format of the pending exam and what areas you have to improve on.
Another form of support would be hands-on learning. Students are provided a project with similar parameters to work they would complete within the professional field.
This can provide essential skills and knowledge that are needed for your success within your chosen sector.
It is highly important that the certificate you decide to complete provides the learning materials and support that will ensure you complete the certification exam.
Student Experience
Does a course have the curriculum, learning materials, and recognition that you require but you are still unsure if it is the certificate for you?
Many institutions will provide student reviews from previous years.
You can gain an insight into the experience of other students and ensure that this certification will provide you with the correct tools to propel your career.
Student reviews are an excellent way to determine the benefits and drawbacks of a particular certification.
For example, the topics covered throughout the certification are perfect for the industry yet it lacks any real support throughout.
You can make an educated decision on whether certification will benefit you or not based on the previous experiences of others.
This is especially important before paying the application fees and committing to the certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are still unsure about how to decide if a business analyst certification is right for you, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions. Check them out below.
Are Business Analyst Certificates Worth It?
There are numerous businesses and organizations offering different Business Analyst credentials due to the popularity and expansion of the Business Analyst position.
This can make the market seem over-saturated.
Although, if you are an aspiring business analyst looking to break into the industry, then business analyst certificates are essential.
They provide you with the knowledge and skills to perform to a high standard and complete tasks effectively.
Certifications can open doors for promotions if you are a current business analyst because they demonstrate to the employer your commitment and willingness to consistently provide value to projects, but your performance in the role will be more important.
What Do Business Analysts Do?
Business analysts analyze recent and historical business data with the main objective of enhancing organizational decision-making procedures.
What Is A Business Analysis Certification?
Business analysis has become a talent of crucial importance to firms to satisfy their business needs and give solutions.
While opportunities for business analysts are increasing, becoming certified as a business analysis specialist can help you take your career in a new way.
Final Thoughts
In need of a career change or want to better your knowledge and skills to further your career, certificates are a great tool.
With the industry growing rapidly, standing out from the crowd can be extremely difficult.
Business Analyst Certificates are effective in highlighting your accomplishments, knowledge, and skills as a business analyst.
However, there are thousands of certificates all claiming to be the best. How do you decide which one is right for you?
We have curated a list of 5 of the best business analyst certificates. All you have to do is take a look and discover what you can achieve from each certificate.
We have also put together a simple buyers guide so that you know what to look for when selecting your certificate.
Take a look and jumpstart your career as a business analyst today!
