2024 IIBA Certifications Overview
IIBA (International Institute of Business Analysis) is a world renowned professional association for Business Analysts formed in October 2003 with the goal of supporting and promoting the discipline of business analysis . With about 30000+ registered members, IIBA has the largest community of business analysts.
IIBA certifications are recognized through out the world and are highly valued in the BA industry as it emphasizes on your work experience, personal development, competencies, and up-to-date knowledge of the latest industry trends and developments.
IIBA certification is appropriate for business analysts with varying experience levels, starting with folks who have no experience, going up to senior business analysts with multiple decades of experience. It is a surefire way to improve 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.
IIBA certifications are relevant to a large proportion of working professionals as:
-
Industry reports predict that business analysis will be among the fastest-growing IT occupations and it is among the top desired skills for tech workers.
-
The most sensible way (Backed by a recognized certificate) is to switch from the technical field to the management field.
-
As a recent trend among big companies, the business analyst role gradually is kept as a stand-by internal consultant for the organization.
-
Saves organizations time and money in training a prospective BA.
Apart from the relevancy of this certificate, there are several benefits to having IIBA certifications.
Benefits of IIBA Certifications
-
The reputation of the certification awarding body is important. Currently, IIBA is the undisputed leading body for BA certifications. Formal recognition from IIBA, which is undoubtedly the leading body for BA certifications will give employers the confidence that the BA is capable of taking up further responsibility, has a sound understanding of how to carry out BA activities, and that (s)he can demonstrate the experience, knowledge, and competencies of a qualified BA practitioner according to guidelines laid out by IIBA.
-
Gives the business analyst a competitive edge over others as employers will give preference to a certified BA over others.
-
Potentially higher income for being formally recognized as an experienced business analysis professional.
-
At times, the clients insist that the consultant on their project must have professional certification to ensure high-quality delivery. Here, an IIBA certified individual comes to the rescue.
-
A definite & swift ascent of career into senior management positions.
-
The process of achieving and maintaining certification helps ensure you are continually improving and enhancing the knowledge base.
-
Recognition of professional competence by professional peers and management.
-
Greater confidence in professional competence
This is certainly a great way to advance in the BA career and also opens up new opportunities as CCBA's and CBAP's are in great demand across industries to clearly understand business needs and translate them into technical requirements and facilitate the growth of firms. More importantly, getting certified is a commendable way of keeping oneself abreast with the BA world and using terminologies that are consistent across the domain. Needless to say, an IIBA certified professional would certainly have a higher pay compared to other BAs. We have worked with thousands of IIBA certified professionals and have seen them transforming to better roles, transitioning to global opportunities, better salaries.
As per the latest salary survey of IIBA, certified professionals on an average earn 18-20% more.
IIBA offers multiple certifications - primarily classified into 2 categories - Core and Auxiliary certifications.
The following 2 tables describe the current IIBA certifications.
IIBA Core Certifications
Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA)
| ECBA | |
|---|---|
| Target Audience | Individuals entering the BA profession New graduates Professionals aiming to switch over to a BA career |
| Eligibility |
No Work Experience required No Knowledge Area expertise Minimum 21 hours of Professional Development Training in the past four years |
| PDU | 21 in the last 4 years |
| References | Not needed |
| Questions distribution |
Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring – 5% Elicitation and Collaboration - 20% Requirements Life Cycle Management – 20% Requirements Analysis and Design Definition -25% Techniques -17.5% Underlying Competencies – 5% Business Analysis Key Concepts – 5% Business Analysis & the BA Professional- 2.5% |
| Exam Pattern |
1 hour long 50 multiple-choice questions Basic multiple choice that tests the candidate’s knowledge and understanding |
| Application Fee | 45 USD |
| Exam Fee |
150 USD for Members 305 USD for Non Members |
| Rewrite | Twice within one year of approval with no wait time |
| Rewrite/ Retake Fees |
95 USD – Members 250 USD – Non-Members |
| Membership Fees |
Region 1 – 139 USD – USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, UK Region 2 – 89 USD – Singapore, Malaysia, Middle East Asian countries… Region 3 – 55 USD – India, Pakistan, Thailand, Tanzania… |
Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA)
| CCBA | |
|---|---|
| Target Audience | BA professionals having 2/3 years of experience Developing BAs, Hybrid BAs – PMs, Testers, QA, Change Manager, Tech Lead |
| Eligibility |
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 |
| PDU | 21 in the last 4 years |
| References | 2 from a career manager, client or CBAP® recipient |
| Questions distribution |
Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring – 12% Elicitation and Collaboration – 20% Requirements Life Cycle Management – 18% Strategy Analysis – 12% Requirements Analysis and Design Definition – 32% Solution Evaluation – 6% |
| Exam Pattern |
3 hours long 130 multiple-choice questions. The questions are scenario-based (i.e. a candidate must do a bit of analysis to arrive at the answer) |
| Application Fee | 145 USD |
| Exam Fee |
250 USD for Members 405 USD for Non Members |
| Rewrite | Twice within one year of approval with no wait time |
| Rewrite/ Retake Fees |
195 USD – Members 350 USD – Non-Members |
Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
| Target Audience | Aimed towards BA professionals having 5 years of experience Seasoned BAs, BA Consultants, Trainers, Business analysis, Systems analysis, Requirements analysis or management, Process management, Consulting |
| Eligibility |
Minimum 7500 hours of BA work experience aligned with the BABOK® Guide in the last 10 years Minimum 900 hours in each of four of the six knowledge areas Minimum of 35 hours of Professional Development Training in the past four years Two references from a career manager, client or CBAP® recipient |
| PDU | 35 in the last 4 years |
| References | 2 from a career manager, client or CBAP® recipient |
| Questions distribution |
Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring – 14% Elicitation and Collaboration – 12% Requirements Life Cycle Management – 15% Strategy Analysis -15% Requirements Analysis and Design Definition -30% Solution Evaluation -14% |
| Exam Pattern |
3.5 hours long 120 multiple-choice questions. The questions are longer cases (1 to 1.5 pages of information) Multiple questions about the case. |
| Application Fee | 145 USD |
| Exam Fee |
350 USD for Members 505 USD for Non Members |
| Rewrite | Twice within one year of approval with no wait time |
| Rewrite/ Retake Fees |
295 USD – Members 450 USD – Non-Members |
| Membership Fees |
Region 1 – 139 USD – USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, UK Region 2 – 89 USD – Singapore, Malaysia, Middle East Asian countries… Region 3 – 55 USD – India, Pakistan, Thailand, Tanzania… |
IIBA Non-Core Certifications
Certification in Business Data Analytics (CBDA)
| CBDA | |
|---|---|
| Target Audience |
Business Analysts working on data analytics initiatives, professionals who are keen to visualize and interpret data and use analytics results to identify viable options, current CCBAs/CBAPs |
| Eligibility |
No work experience required |
| PDU | Recommended 21 hours |
| References | Not needed |
| Questions distribution |
Identify Research Questions - 20% Source Data - 15% Analyze Data - 16% Interpret and Report Results - 20% Use Results to Influence Business Decision Making - 20% Guide Company-level Strategy for Business Analytics - 9% |
| Exam Pattern |
2 hours long 75 multiple-choice questions The questions are scenario-based (i.e. a candidate must do a bit of analysis to arrive at the answer) |
| Application Fee | Not required |
| Exam Fee |
250 USD for Members 400 USD for Non Members |
| Rewrite/ Retake Fees |
195 USD – Members 350 USD – Non-Members |
| Membership Fees |
Region 1 – 139 USD – USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, UK Region 2 – 89 USD – Singapore, Malaysia, Middle East Asian countries… Region 3 – 55 USD – India, Pakistan, Thailand, Tanzania… |
Agile Analysis Certification (AAC)
| AAC | |
|---|---|
| Target Audience |
Individuals who work as BA professionals in agile environments, Agile practitioners with 2-5 years of experience and those who are keen to augment their business analysis skill set and expertise and stay up-to-date on best practices and industry trends |
| Eligibility |
No work experience required |
| PDU | Recommended 21 hours |
| References | Not needed |
| Questions distribution |
Agile mindset - 25% Strategy horizon - 25% Initiative horizon - 25% Delivery horizon - 25% |
| Exam Pattern |
2 hours long 85 multiple-choice questions. The questions are scenario-based (i.e. a candidate must do a bit of analysis to arrive at the answer) |
| Application Fee | Not required |
| Exam Fee |
250 USD for Members 400 USD for Non Members |
| Rewrite/ Retake Fees |
195 USD – Members 350 USD – Non-Members |
| Membership Fees |
Region 1 – 139 USD – USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, UK Region 2 – 89 USD – Singapore, Malaysia, Middle East Asian countries… Region 3 – 55 USD – India, Pakistan, Thailand, Tanzania… |
Certificate in Product Ownership Analysis (CPOA)
| CPOA | |
|---|---|
| Full-Form | Certificate in Product Ownership Analysis |
| Target Audience |
Individuals who work as Product Owners/Business Analysis Professional, support Product Owners in their work, execute Product Ownership related work, those considering a Product Owner career path, current CCBAs/CBAPs |
| Eligibility |
No work experience required |
| PDU | Recommended 21 hours |
| References | Not needed |
| Questions distribution |
Apply Foundational Concepts - 10% Cultivate Customer Intimacy - 15% Engage the Whole Team - 15% Make an Impact - 15% Deliver Often - 15% Learn Fast - 15% Obsess About Value - 15% |
| Exam Pattern |
1.5 hours long 60 multiple-choice questions The questions are knowledge-based |
| Application Fee | Not required |
| Exam Fee |
250 USD for Members 400 USD for Non Members |
| Rewrite/ Retake Fees |
195 USD – Members 350 USD – Non-Members |
| Membership Fees |
Region 1 – 139 USD – USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, UK Region 2 – 89 USD – Singapore, Malaysia, Middle East Asian countries… Region 3 – 55 USD – India, Pakistan, Thailand, Tanzania… |
Certificate in Cybersecurity Analysis (CCA)
| CCA | |
|---|---|
| Full-Form | Certificate in Cybersecurity Analysis |
| Target Audience |
Business analysts who want to learn/demonstrate proficiency in cyber security and assist in the overall cybersecurity solution |
| Eligibility |
No work experience required |
| PDU | Recommended 21 hours |
| References | Not needed |
| Questions distribution |
Cybersecurity Overview and Basic Concepts - 14% Enterprise Risk - 14% Cybersecurity Risks and Controls - 12% Securing the Layers - 5% Data Security - 15% User Access Control - 15% Solution Delivery - 13% Operations - 12% |
| Exam Pattern |
1.5 hours long 75 multiple-choice questions The questions are knowledge-based |
| Application Fee | Not required |
| Exam Fee |
250 USD for Members 400 USD for Non Members |
| Rewrite/ Retake Fees |
195 USD – Members 350 USD – Non-Members |
| Membership Fees |
Region 1 – 139 USD – USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, UK Region 2 – 89 USD – Singapore, Malaysia, Middle East Asian countries… Region 3 – 55 USD – India, Pakistan, Thailand, Tanzania… |