Being aware of the major business analyst certifications is important to know for both new or aspiring business analyst and those who have been in the profession for a number of years. It is important to understand the business analysis certifications worth getting to become a certified business analysis professional.
This article provides an introductory guide (including business analyst certification costs) to business analyst certification for beginners offered by the major business analysis examination bodies. Each of the major business analysis examination bodies provide an entry level business analysis certification:
- IIBA Certified – Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA)
- BCS Certified – Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis
- IQBBA Certified – Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA)
- IREB Certified – Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE) – Foundation Level
Whilst there are a number of business analyst certifications, many consider the core certifications provided by the British Computer Society (BCS) and the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®). When making your decision you should also take into consideration the region of the world that you are from, for example in the United Kingdom, the BCS has been the popular certification for many years (and followers of the site will take this into consideration and make comparisons
to their decision making).
This article will help those seeking the answer for the differences between the business analysis core certifications and industry bodies:
- IQBBA vs IIBA,
- ECBA vs CBAP,
- IIBA vs PMI-PBA,
- CCBA vs CBAP,
- IIBA vs BCS.
- Adaptive US
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- Agora Insights – see special offer page
The certifications will help you get familiar with industry standard business analysis templates and business analysis techniques for you to find your perfect business analysis job.
Table of Contents
What is Business Analysis Certification?
Business analysis has become a competency of critical importance to businesses to meet their business needs and provide solutions. Becoming certification certified as a business analysis expert can move your career in a fresh direction while opportunities for business analysts are on the rise.
Is Business Analyst Certification Worth It?
A business analyst certification is definitely worth it and will help you demonstrate professionalism and a specific competence in business analysis. It will also show that you have a commitment to personal development and direction.
If you are seeking a new job it will help provide a level of credibility to hiring managers during your business analyst interview and help negotiate a higher salary or pay
increases.
What are the Benefits of a Business Analysis Certification?
There are plenty of benefits of a business analyst certification. A business analysis certification will allow you to focus on gaining knowledge and help to demonstrate professionalism. Having the opportunity to learn the commonly used business analysis tools and techniques provides a foundation that you can apply in your current role and build as a platform as your career progresses.
When you apply for a role, a certification will help to differentiate you from candidates who are not formally certified. Gaining one of the more advanced business analysis certification will open up opportunities to work on large programmes and projects with additional complexity which can be rewarding and challenging at the same time. In addition, an advanced certification will lead to more enhanced career options.
What are the Major Business Analysis Examination Bodies?
There are a number of business analysis examination bodies. The one which is relevant to you will depend on which part of the world that you are from. How do you become a certified business analyst? You must undertake your certification from one of the major examination bodies:
- International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®);
- British Computer Society (BCS);
- Project Management Institute (PMI);
- International Qualification Board for Business Analysis (IQBBA);
- International Requirements Engineering Board (IREB).
What are the Major Business Analysis Certifications?
International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®)
- IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA);
- IIBA Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA);
- IIBA Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP).
British Computer Society (BCS)
- BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis;
- BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis;
- BCS Advanced International Diploma in Business Analysis;
- BCS Expert BA Award.
Note, the BCS endorses the Expert BA Award in partnership with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and the BA Manager Forum (BAMF).
Project Management Institute (PMI)
- PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA).
International Qualification Board for Business Analysis
(IQBBA)
- IQBBA Certified Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA).
Note, IQBBA have plans in the future to introduce advanced level certifications as follows:
- Certified Advanced Level Business Analyst (CALBA);
- Certified Expert Level Business Analyst (CELBA).
International Requirements Engineering Board (IREB)
- Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE) – Foundation Level;
- Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE) – Advanced Level;
- Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE) – Expert Level.
What can I Expect to Learn for Each Business Analyst Certification?
IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA)
ECBA is the entry level business analyst certification with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). ECBA certification covers foundational knowledge on how to approach business analysis. This is a business analyst certification for beginners.
To earn your ECBA certification, you must:
- Effective April 26, 2023, IIBA has eliminated the ECBA application process, the separate ECBA application fee, and the 21 Professional Development requirement necessary for eligibility.
- The streamlined process will consist of a new ECBA exam fee priced at $195 USD (for Members), $350 USD (for Non-Members) and $150 USD (for Corporate Members).
- When this new fee is paid, a candidate has one year from the date payment is received to schedule and attempt the exam.
- Pass the ECBA exam.
The exam fee is:
- Corporate Member – $ 150
- Member – $ 195
- Non-Member – $ 350
IIBA Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA)
CCBA is appropriate for business analysts with 2 to 3 years’ experience and will help you to recognise your ability to take on larger and or more complex project responsibility. CCBA will also help you to highlight your capability to work effectively with stakeholders, to model business processes, identify and evaluate opportunities for better business outcomes; and represent your skills and knowledge applied to real-life scenarios.
To earn your CCBA, you must:
- Complete a minimum of 3,750 hours of business analysis work experience in the last 7 years;
- Within these 3750 minimum hours required, a minimum of 900 hours must be completed in each of 2 of the 6 BABOK® guide knowledge areas or, a minimum of 500 hours must be completed in each of 4 of the 6 BABOK® guide knowledge areas;
- Complete a minimum of 21 hours of professional development within the last 4 years;
- Provide references;
- Pass the exam.
The application fee is:
- Member – $ 145 USD
- Non-Member – $ 145 USD
The exam fee is:
- Corporate Member – $ 205
- Member – $ 250
- Non-Member – $ 405
IIBA Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
The CBAP will help you recognise your business analysis expertise and skills by obtaining the highest certification to demonstrate commitment, a superior skill set and leadership expertise. A CBAP will help you demonstrate senior knowledge and professional competence, increased earning potential and a path towards leadership. CBAP recognises your expertise in multiple business domains and your ability to tackle more complex projects, work with stakeholders to define and manage their business requirements, drive business processes, lead the business analysis effort, and identify opportunities to achieve better business results.
To earn your CBAP, you must:
- Complete a minimum of 7,500 hours of business analysis work experience in the last 10 years;
- Within this experience, a minimum of 900 hours completed in 4 of the 6 BABOK guide knowledge areas, for a total of at least 3,600 of the required 7,500 total;
- Complete a minimum of 35 hours of professional development in the last 4 years;
- Provide two references;
- Pass the exam.
The application fee is:
- Member – $ 145 USD
- Non-Member – $ 145 USD
The exam fee is:
- Corporate Member – $ 305
- Member – $ 350
- Non-Member – $ 505
BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis
The BCS foundation certificate in business analysis is the BCS entry level business analyst certification. The certification will help you to understand how to identify and evaluate options for improving your business; develop skills and knowledge to support successful business change programmes within your organisation. You will also gain a broad understanding of business analysis, including:
- The role and competencies of a business analyst;
- Investigation techniques, including interviews, observations, workshops and prototyping;
- How to categorise, analyse and manage stakeholders;
- How to model business processes;
- Making a business and financial case and assessing feasibility;
- How to establish, document and model requirements.
There are no entry requirements for this certification. This is a business analyst certification for beginners. Classroom courses normally last 3 days. You can study via provider or e-learning or web conference learning. You can sit the exam only if you wish.
How much does it cost? Exam price: £192 (£160 + VAT)
BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis
The BCS international diploma in business analysis will help you to validate the knowledge, skills and capabilities you have gained so far; attain an internationally-recognised certification.
Applicants must:
- Pass 4 modules;
- Then sit an oral examination.
What format is the oral exam?
- Up to 50 minutes oral examination with two examiners;
- Questions will be based on topics defined in the oral examination syllabus and from your chosen specialist modules. The questions will require you to apply your business analysis knowledge and understanding to scenarios described by the oral examiners.
How much does it cost? Exam price: £390 (£325 + VAT)
BCS Advanced International Diploma in Business Analysis
The BCS advanced international diploma in business analysis is designed for senior business analysts, this advanced diploma recognises business analysis experience and expertise plus contribution to the wider BA community.
Applicants must demonstrate a combination of formal certification and experience in business analysis, ongoing personal development in the profession and must actively contribute to the development and promotion of business analysis.
What are the entry requirements? All applicants must hold the BCS international diploma in business analysis plus specialist professional BCS certifications. They must also have a minimum of five years’ experience in business analysis and provide evidence of contribution to the BA community.
To proceed to the advanced diploma in business analysis an applicant will need a combination of BCS certifications and experience.
An applicant must hold the following certifications:
- A BCS international diploma in business analysis, and;
- A BCS professional certification in each of the analytical, business and people skills subjects and;
- One additional BCS professional certification in either an analytical or business skills subject.
How much does it cost? The fee is £714 (£595 + VAT)
BCS Expert BA Award
The BCS endorses the expert BA award in partnership with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and the BA Manager Forum (BAMF). This award validates a candidate’s ability to conduct complex business analysis activities, engage with senior stakeholders and improve the organisation at a strategic level.
Who is this aimed at? Senior business analysts who are looking for formal recognition of their higher skill levels and expertise.
What are the entry requirements? Pre-requisite certification plus evidence of core and specialist skills. Full details are on the BAMF website.
What format is the award?
- Assessment;
- Project assignment;
- Interview.
The BA manager forum is the awarding body and administrator for the expert BA award. Forum members participate as assessors for the award.
PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)
The PMI professional in business analysis (PMI-PBA) is relevant for business analyst working in project teams, managing requirements or product development.
To gain the PMI-PBA
- The certification exam has 200 multiple-choice questions and you have four hours to complete it;
- To maintain your PMI-PBA, you must earn 60 professional development units in business analysis topics every three years.
Prerequisites
- Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate 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.
How much does it cost?
Member – $ 405.00
Non-member – $ 555.00
IQBBA Certified Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA)
The Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE) – Foundation Level is suitable for business with a basic experience in solution concept, design or development is required. The knowledge acquired from the foundation level certification assures a proficiency in definitions and background about business processes modelling and improving, collecting and analysing requirements, designing business solutions and working in the area of innovation. This is a business analyst certification for beginners.
The content includes:
- Fundamentals of business analysis;
- Strategy definition;
- Management of business analysis process;
- Requirements engineering in business analysis;
- Solution evaluation and optimisation.
How much does it cost? Exam fee: $250
Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE)
The Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE) is a personal certificate aimed at individuals working in requirements engineering, business analysis and testing. It will expand your professional knowledge and help you to become more successful in your job.
The certification scheme is developed by the IREB, the contents are taught by independent training providers and the CPRE exam can be taken at approved certification bodies. The CPRE certificate has lifetime validity.
Foundation Level
The CPRE foundation level covers the fundamentals of the requirements engineering domain, methodology and available techniques. There are no prerequisites to apply for it. This is a business analyst certification for beginners.
The foundation level addresses the advanced beginner in requirements engineering and provides the core knowledge of this topic. The certificate will help you to:
- Be familiar with the terminology of requirements engineering / business analysis and requirements management;
- Understands the basic techniques and methods of requirements engineering and their application;
- Be familiar with the most established notations for requirements.
Advanced Level
The CPRE advanced Level stands for mastering and using methods and techniques. There are three choices for achieving an advanced level certificate:
- Requirements elicitation;
- Requirements modelling;
- Requirements management;
- Agile.
The advanced level addresses the holders of the CPRE foundation level certificate, who want to deepen their knowledge of particular requirements engineering and business analysis activities. The certificate will help you to:
- Be familiar with the specific terminology within the field covered by the advanced level module and the CPRE glossary;
- Master the specific techniques and methods of the partial discipline of requirements engineering covered by the advanced level module;
- Possess sound knowledge within the partial discipline of requirements engineering covered by the advanced level module and has proven that in a practical examination.
Expert Level
The expert level stands for the highest level of expert knowledge, which comprises practical experience as well as outstanding knowledge and skills in requirements engineering.
Prerequisites:
- The candidates have to be a holder of at least three CPRE advanced level certificates. Up to two certificates can be substituted by other forms, e.g. university lectures clearly related to requirements engineering, certain certificates linked to other education schemes (e.g. CBAP, BCS diploma in business analysis), or a substantial publication;
- Activity as a requirements engineer in various roles and projects amounting to at least three years of full-time equivalent;
- Activity as a trainer or coach in the requirements engineering field.
Why is there no syllabus? Expertise as a level of knowledge and experience cannot be imparted through a syllabus or training course only. Many different building blocks need to come together to achieve expertise, such as continuous personal development, exchange with other experts and a permanent questioning of beliefs.
The examination consists of three parts:
- Written application;
- Written assignment;
- Oral examination (face-to-face meeting or video conference at a dedicated place).
Business Analyst Apprenticeship Standard
In the UK, the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education is an employer led crown non-departmental public body, who oversee the development, approval and publication of apprenticeship standards, one of which is the apprenticeship standards for business analysis.
Selection criteria is set by the employer – this typically includes one or more of the following:
- Two or more A levels;
- Level 3 apprenticeship;
- Other relevant qualifications or experience.
The duration of the apprenticeship programmes are typically 18 months. You can find out more about the business analysis standards here.
Business Analyst Certification Cost
IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA)
The exam fee is:
- Corporate Member – $ 150
- Member – $ 195
- Non-Member – $ 350
IIBA Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA)
The application fee is:
- Member – $ 145 USD
- Non-Member – $ 145 USD
The exam fee is:
- Corporate Member – $ 205
- Member – $ 250
- Non-Member – $ 405
IIBA Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
The application fee is:
- Member – $ 145 USD
- Non-Member – $ 145 USD
The exam fee is:
- Corporate Member – $ 305
- Member – $ 350
- Non-Member – $ 505
BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis
The exam fee is:
- £192 (£160 + VAT)
BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis
The exam fee is:
- £390 (£325 + VAT)
BCS Advanced International Diploma in Business Analysis
The exam fee is:
- £714 (£595 + VAT)
PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)
How much does it cost?
- Member – $ 405.00
Non-member – $ 555.00
IQBBA Certified Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA)
The exam fee is:
- 230.00 EUR
IQBBA Certified Business Analyst Advanced Level (ALBA)
The exam fee is:
- 250.00 EUR
Conclusion – Guide To Business Analyst Certification For Beginners
This article provides has provided an introductory guide to business analyst certification for beginners offered by the major business analysis examination bodies. Each of the major business analysis examination bodies provide an entry level business analysis certification:
- IIBA Certified – Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA)
- BCS Certified – Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis
- IQBBA Certified – Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA)
- IREB Certified – Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE) – Foundation Level
Whilst there are a number of business analysis certifications, many consider the core certifications provided by the British Computer Society (BCS) and the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). When making your decision you should also take into consideration the region of the world that you are from, for example in the United Kingdom, the BCS has been the popular certification for many years.
Once you obtain a core business analyst certification you may choose to specialise in an agile business certification which both BCS and IIBA offer. Those aspiring to start their first BA role are likely to want to focus on gaining experience and knowledge, alongside a foundation or entry-level certificate.
In contrast, more advanced certification will be relevant to more experienced BAs. Certifications (such as agile business analysis certifications) for business analysts will continue to evolve as the industry introduces and improves the ways of working and emerging technologies require new skills and approaches. Obtaining a certification will provide you the knowledge and confidence when you come to apply for your skills in the working environment. A certification will also help to advance your business analyst career.
Links to Business Analysis Examination Bodies
Links to Business Analysis Apprenticeship Standards
Get Your Business Analyst Certification With Our Partners
Our business analyst IIBA certification course listing page has a list of IIBA endorsed partners that we recommend that offer IIBA certifications including CBAP, CCBA, ECBA.
We have also recommended courses (including data modelling, process modelling, tutorials and webinars) that provide professional development training and provide you with the opportunity to earn Professional Development Units (PDUs) while advancing your knowledge about business analysis topics.