Top 20 Business Analyst Certifications 2024 | Free BA Book

Business Analyst Certifications (Short summary)

Business analyst certifications are valuable for any practicing business analyst to prove their knowledge, get peer recognition and get ahead in their career. In this blog, we will describe top 20 business analysts popular in 2024.

1. CBAP® from IIBA
2. Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
3. ECBA™ from IIBA
4. BCS Foundation BA
5. CSBA-FL from Adaptive US
6. ACBA from Bridging the gap
7. ITIL Foundation
8. Six Sigma certification
9. CCBA® from IIBA
10. AAC from IIBA
11. CBDA from IIBA
12. CPOA from IIBA
13. CCA from IIBA
14. PMI-PBA® from PMI
15. CPRE-FL from IREB
16. CPRE-AL from IREB
17. CPRE-EL from IREB
18. CFLBA from IQBBA
19. CALBA from IQBBA
20. CSPO from Scrum Alliance

Detailed Blog

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that Business Analysis is one of the fastest-growing occupations, with a 14% growth projected between 2016 and 2026.

Multiple other industry reports also indicate that business analysis is among the fastest-growing occupations and is among the top desired skills. The scope for the business analyst profile is ever-expanding and is quickly becoming one of the sought-after jobs. A good business analyst is one of the best assets an organization can have. Having a good and competent BA in the organization is like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Business analysts are in high demand as more companies realize the need to fix outdated processes and adopt new technology to stay competitive. Business Analyst is a role where one can contribute to the organization's strategy, its offerings, its revenue, and its margin. Business Analysts are change enablers in an organization. Certification of business analysts enables business analysts to get global recognition for their knowledge and skills.

Top 10 Benefits of Business Analyst Certifications

1. Certified BAs earn significantly more. This is proven year on year by IIBA’s Annual BA salary Surveys.

2. Employers show increased confidence when hiring

3. Shows commitment to the profession

4. Helps business analysts stand out in the field

5. Provides proof of competence. 

6. Certification help improve overall job performance

7. Improves confidence at work

8. Improve personal branding

9. They remove uncertainty and widen market opportunities

10. A certified business analyst has a broader perspective of the BA techniques and approaches and demonstrates better capabilities in principle and practice.

Top 20 Best Business analyst Certifications

There are multiple BA certifications. Their acceptability, qualification criteria, and fees vary widely. Some of the points you need to consider before choosing which BA certification is correct for you are-

1. Popularity and recognition of a certification in the organization / domain / geography
2. How much experience do you have as a business analyst?
3. What is your employment status?
4. What are your future learning goals?

The following business analyst Certifications listed below are some of the best certifications available to BA professionals. One should choose the right certification based on the selection criteria given the blog here.

1. CBAP® from IIBA
2. Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
3. ECBA™ from IIBA
4. BCS Foundation BA
5. CSBA-FL from Adaptive US
6. ACBA from Bridging the gap
7. ITIL Foundation
8. Six Sigma certification
9. CCBA® from IIBA
10. AAC from IIBA
11. CBDA from IIBA
12. CPOA from IIBA
13. CCA from IIBA
14. PMI-PBA® from PMI
15. CPRE-FL from IREB
16. CPRE-AL from IREB
17. CPRE-EL from IREB
18. CFLBA from IQBBA
19. CALBA from IQBBA
20. CSPO from Scrum Alliance

This blog will give you the details of the above certifications based on their eligibility criteria, the focus area of the certification, and the cost of the certifications.

Business Analyst Certifications for Beginners

While entering the field of business analysis, a broad understanding of business analysis tasks and techniques is the prerequisite. Therefore, undergoing a training program and attempting the certifications listed below would not only give you a solid foundation to establish your BA career but also prove to your prospective employers that you have taken a step ahead to show your commitment to the BA profession, in terms of acquiring BA skills and getting certified.

ECBA from IIBA

The Entry certificate in Business Analysis, ECBA, is the first level of certification by IIBA. ECBA certification is ideal for individuals entering the field of business analysis. In addition, ECBA recognizes individuals ready to develop their business analysis skills, knowledge, and behaviors, to join the business analysis profession.

ECBA is framed rightly to suit the needs of an entry-level Business analyst, focusing on requirements analysis, modeling, and requirements life cycle management with a good amount of emphasis on modeling concepts and tools. The questions in this certification exam are based on the business analysis body of knowledge BABoK version 3.0 by the International Institute of Business Analysis, IIBA.

The eligibility criteria for the ECBA Certification examination are as follows:

• 21 hours of verifiable professional development in the last 4 years. Adaptive US is an authorized EEP of IIBA®; its training will provide you with the desired professional development (PD) hours for the ECBA certification examination.
• Agreement with the ECBA Code of Conduct.

ECBA certification cost has the below components:

1. ECBA Application Fee – $45
2. ECBA Exam Fee – $150 for IIBA members and $305 for non-IIBA members
3. IIBA membership fee varies based on the country of residence ($55 - $139)

Adaptive US provides 100% Success Guaranteed ECBA Certification Training.

CPRE-FL Certification from IREB

The CPRE-FL certification is designed for those working in requirements engineering (RE), Business Analysis, and Testing. The IREB Certification Model consists of three subsequent levels. First, the CPRE Foundation Level covers the fundamentals of the Requirements Engineering domain, methodology, and available techniques.

This certification has lifetime validity. 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. The prices for the certification are fixed by the Certification Bodies and vary depending on the country.

The CPRE-FL certification gives the maximum flexibility regarding preparation. Though a classroom training course is recommended, you can prepare via online training or self-study. The exam is usually taken subsequent to a classroom training course. However, it can also be taken in a test center - at a later time and independently of your choice of preparation.

BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis

BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis covers a range of fundamental knowledge needed for a business analyst role. This includes the roles and competencies required as well as strategic analysis, business system, process modeling, and business case development. The content of this course includes information on how to analyze and model business activities, identify potential solutions, and analyze stakeholder perspectives.

Certified Software Business Analyst – Foundation Level (CSBA-FL) from Adaptive US

Certified Software Business Analyst – Foundation Level (CSBA-FL) from Adaptive US covers a range of fundamental knowledge needed for the software business analyst role. This includes the roles and competencies required towards business analysis planning, elicitation, requirements life cycle management and requirements elicitation. It also includes training on tools like MS Visio, Jira, Balsamiq, Confluence. The certification comes with 60+ hours of mentoring support over a period of 6 months and costs about $2500.

Applied Certification in Business Analysis, ACBA from Bridging the Gap

The Applied Certification in Business Analysis, ACBA, from Bridging the Gap, can be earned by participating in the Business Analysis Certification Program. In this program, professionals learn a plethora of BA Techniques, either on-the-job or through volunteering. For their work to conform to industry standards, their work is assessed by instructors. Professionals who are ACBA certified don't just pass the test but are capable of performing the foundational BA techniques as required by the industry.

ITIL Foundation

ITIL is an accredited global body of knowledge that offers best practices for IT services. The ITIL certification is one of the most coveted IT certifications. ITIL certified professionals can help businesses strengthen customer relations, manage risk, build a stable IT environment, and establish cost-effective practices.

The target audience for the ITIL certification ranges from IT and business students making their foray into service management to seasoned professionals familiar with earlier versions of ITIL and other sources of industry best practices. Fees for ITIL 3 and ITIL 4 exams vary by location, between $150 to $500.

Six Sigma Certifications

The Six Sigma certification is a corroboration of a professional's command over a well-established method of professional skills development. The Six Sigma certification has levels. They use a belt classification system that is similar to what is used in martial arts.

The Six Sigma Methodology comprises a set of business tools, quality control knowledge, and statistical theory to improve business processes. This helps in decreasing process discrepancies and improving performance. A professional having a thorough knowledge of the Six Sigma methodology is definitely an asset to their organization. Six Sigma has 4 levels of achievements. A higher level of accomplishment is accompanied by an increase in your value to your organization. Fees differ according to the belt.

Image source: https://www.sixsigmacouncil.org/

Business analyst Certifications for Mid-level Professionals

For professionals who have a few years of BA experience, a good understanding of technology and business will enable them to be successful in their careers. Certifications like CCBA, AAC, and CBDA will help you with this.

CCBA from IIBA

The Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA) is the 2nd level of professional certifications by IIBA for business analysis practitioners. It is highly valued in the BA industry as it emphasizes your work experience, personal development, competencies, and up-to-date knowledge of the latest industry trends and developments.

CCBA certification is appropriate for business analysts with 2-3 years of experience who are keen to expand their skillsets and climb the BA career ladder. It adds a lot of value to a BA's profile as it is a recognition and acknowledgment of the expertise that a BA practitioner has in the business analysis domain.

The eligibility criteria for the CCBA certification exam are:

• Minimum 3750 hours of BA work experience aligned with the BABOK Guide in the last 7 years
• Minimum 900 hours in each of two of the six knowledge areas or minimum 500 hours in each of four of the six knowledge areas
• Minimum 21 hours of Professional Development Training in the past four years
• Two references from a career manager, client, or CBAP recipient
• Signed Code of Conduct

CCBA certification cost has the below components:

Adaptive US provides 100% Success Guaranteed CCBA Certification Training.

CPRE-AL Certification from IREB

The prerequisite for the CPRE-Advance Level certification is having obtained the certificate of the previous level, i.e., CPRE-FL.

The CPRE Advanced Level stands for mastering and using methods and techniques. There are four choices for achieving an Advanced Level certificate:

• Requirements Elicitation
• Requirements Modeling
• Requirements Management
• RE@Agile

The Advance Level certification has lifetime validity as with the Foundation Level certification. The prices for the certification are fixed by the Certification Bodies and vary depending on the country.

AAC from IIBA

IIBA Agile Analysis Certification (AAC) is the first agile certification provided by IIBA. IIBA Agile Analysis Certification examination is ideal for Agile Business analysts, B.A. Consultants, Trainers, Project Managers, Testers, etc.

There are no eligibility experience requirements or any other prerequisites for this exam. However, IIBA recommends it for BA professionals with 2-3 years of Agile-related experience. IIBA-AAC recognizes one's ability to effectively execute analysis-related work in an agile context. Earning this certification provides potential employers a clearer indication of the competencies that one has developed.

The IIBA-AAC exam is closely aligned to the Agile Extension to the BABOK® Guide, version 2, and tests one's ability to answer questions focused on real-world scenarios. The Agile Extension, developed in collaboration with the Agile Alliance, describes good practices, techniques, guidelines, and other key information that drives better business outcomes and adds customer value when work is executed using various agile approaches.

IIBA AAC Certification Cost has the below components and breakups:

CBDA from IIBA

IIBA recently launched a Certification in Business Data Analytics.  This is a level 2 certification intended for those with 2-3 years of experience and those who are experienced with core BA skills. Earning this certification informs employers of your passion for and competencies in performing business analysis on analytics initiatives. In addition, the certification helps identify skilled business data analytics professionals for organizations seeking these in-demand skills.

The certification exam is comprised of 75 scenario-based questions.  As an experienced-based exam, you'll apply your work experience to answer scenarios common to analytics initiatives. The IIBA®- CBDA exam includes questions pertaining to the six Blueprint Domains, five practitioner-based domains as discussed in IIBA's Introduction to Business Data Analytics: A Practitioners View, and one organizational-based domain from IIBA's Introduction to Business Data Analytics: An Organizational View.

This mid-level certificate/certification is priced at USD 250 for IIBA members and USD 400 for non-members.

Adaptive US provides 100% Success Guaranteed CBDA Certification Training.

Business Analyst Certifications for Senior Professionals

As business analysts mature in their careers, the expectations attached to their roles expand. It is essential that the BA, too, expand their knowledge base through training and certifications related to business analysis.

CBAP from IIBA

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) is the 3rd level of professional certification by IIBA for business analysis practitioners. It is the most sought-after certification for senior business analysts to excel in the corporate world. CBAP certification has proven results in terms of salary benefits, career growth, and opening up new opportunities in the global markets. The CBAP certification examination needs one to understand BABoK in-depth and apply BABoK concepts to various business analysis scenarios.

Following are the eligibility criteria for CBAP certification:

1. 7500 hours in the last 10 years, 900 hours of which should be in 4 out of the 6 BABOK Guide Version 3 Knowledge areas
2. 35 hours of Professional Development in the past 4 years
3. Two references from a career manager, client, or Certified Business Analysis Professional – CBAP
4. A Signed Code of Conduct with IIBA

CBAP certification cost has the below components:

• IIBA membership Fee - $55 to $139 depending on the country of residence
• CBAP Application Fee –$125
• CBAP Exam Fee – $325 for IIBA members and $450 for non-IIBA members

Adaptive US provides 100% Success Guaranteed CBAP Certification Training.

PMI-PBA Certification

The PMI-PBA certification is best suited 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. The certification focuses on business analysis training through hands-on projects and testing on business analysis principles, tools, and fundamentals.

To maintain the PMI-PBA certification, you must earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) in business analysis topics every three years. The prerequisites of the PMI-PBA certification exam are-

• Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate's degree 
• 7,500 hours of business analysis experience
• 35 contact hours of education in business analysis OR
• Bachelor's degree or the global equivalent
• 4,500 hours of business analysis experience
• 35 contact hours of education in business analysis

Cost of the certification-

Member: USD 405
Non-member: USD 555

CPRE-EL Certification from IREB, Germany

The Expert Level of the CPRE certification stands for the highest level of expert knowledge, which comprises practical experience as well as outstanding knowledge and skills in Requirements Engineering.

The prerequisite for the CPRE-EL certification is having obtained the certificate of the previous level, i.e., CPRE-AL.

As with the previous levels, the Advance Level certification has lifetime validity. The prices for the certification are fixed by the Certification Bodies and vary depending on the country.

CPOA from IIBA, Canada

The Product Ownership Analysis certification program from IIBA recognizes the integration of Product Ownership and Business Analysis with an Agile mindset to maximize value. The CPOA certification allows professionals the opportunity to learn essential concepts needed for creating successful products. IIBA's Certificate in Product Ownership Analysis (IIBA®-CPOA) is targeted at professionals who:

• Work as Product Owners
• Work as Business Analysis Professionals
• Support Product Owners in their work
• Execute Product Ownership related work
• Those considering a Product Owner career path

Exam Fees

$250 (Member Pricing)

$400 (Non-Member Pricing)

CCA

The CCA or the Certificate in Cyber Security is offered by IIBA. IIBA and the IEEE Computer Society have partnered to offer this robust learning and certification program on Cybersecurity Analysis. This certification provides Business Analysts the opportunity to learn key cybersecurity concepts and tools that they need to demonstrate core competencies.

Like all other IIBA exams, CCA, too, is an online exam and can be taken from the luxury of your home.

Exam Fees

$250 (Member Pricing)

$400 (Non-Member Pricing)

CFLBA from IQBBA

The Certified Foundation Level Business Analysis (CFLBA) is an entry-level certification offered by the International Qualifications Board for Business Analysts (IQBBA). You can go for higher levels of certification once you have the CFLBA certification. It is a globally recognized certification with approved exam and training centers across the globe.

Target audience

This foundation-level certification is ideal for business analysts, system analysts, requirements engineers, product managers, and product owners. The Foundation level certification focuses on common standards and rules used in the BA domain. Innovation and design is an additional topic covered in the certification, intending to give the certified professional a competitive advantage. The exam content covers Fundamentals of Business Analysis, Strategy Definition, Management of Business Analysis Process, Requirements Engineering in Business Analysis, Solution Evaluation and Optimization, Techniques and tools and Design and innovation. In the US, the recognized training and exam centers are limited. There are centers in Chicago, Maryland, Oklahoma, Florida, and Texas. The training course and exam can, however, be taken online.

Exam fee: $250

CALBA from IQBBA

The Certified Advanced Level Business Analysis (CALBA) is the advanced level certification offered by the International Qualifications Board for Business Analysts (IQBBA). This exam can be taken by those who have successfully completed the foundation level certification, CFLBA.

The advanced level modules aim to improve the skills learnt and developed during the foundation level course. In addition, the Advanced Level is designed to help develop advanced skills in the specific knowledge area, for example, in Requirements Management, of IQBBA Business Analysis approach.

This exam is conducted online. The highest level of certification provided by IQBBA is the Certified Expert Level Business Analyst (CELBA) certification.

Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)

CAP, or The Certified Analytics Professional, is a vendor-neutral certification. With CAP, you are certified for your skills and ability to draw useful insights from complex data sets to help guide strategic business decisions.

Qualification

Master's degree and at least 5 years of relevant experience, or a bachelor's degree in a related field along with 7 years of experience in data or analytics.

You can also appear for the associate level aCAP exam with just three years of related experience in data or analytics and if you have a master's degree.

Exam fee

For CAP exam- $495 for INFORMS members, $695 for non-members;

For aCAP exam- $200 for INFORMS members, $300 for non-members

Image source: https://www.certifiedanalytics.org/

CSPO from Scrum Alliance

The CSPO or Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) credential from Scrum Alliance certifies your proficiency in Scrum. In CSPO certification, you will learn about the framework, values, and principles of Scrum. You also learn the skills and tools needed to be effective and accomplish the role of a Product Owner on a Scrum team.

CSPO certified professionals typically work closely with the business side of the project. These professionals are responsible for satisfying the stakeholders in the best possible manner while ensuring that the product is delivered. In addition, CSPOs keep a product backlog, ensuring that each individual in the project is aware of their priorities.

Target Audience

The CSPO certification is beneficial for members of scrum teams, managers of scrum teams, teams transitioning to Scrum, business analysts, data analysts, product managers, project managers, product owners, etc.

Summary

If you want to advance your business analyst career or change career paths, these globally-recognized certifications will help prove your mettle. Business analysis certification is a specialized education that works as a credential for a business analyst professional. Formal recognition from a reputed and authorized body differentiates an individual in the Market in terms of both skills and salary.