Best Business Analyst Certifications – 5 Top Choices

by | Jul 24, 2020

In the world of business, several outcomes are left to chance and market conditions. However, there are ways to monitor outcomes as far as possible before one must absolutely leave things to chance. This is done by meticulous business analysis, which uses quantitative methods to shape the desired outcome for a given business venture. This is a skill that must be cultivated and requires a fair amount of practice and expertise, even if one has a natural instinct for making business decisions. A business analyst certification is a form of training to that end.

Business Analyst Certification

What Is The Meaning Of A Business Analyst Certification?

A business analyst certification is a formal document that certifies you have undergone thorough training to become a business analyst. Business analyst certifications rely on coursework where individuals are exposed to situation-based questions and are encouraged to use their application-based skills to solve problems and shape business outcomes. One can be a business analyst even without certification. However, the process of being certified is usually thorough and prepares one for the challenges of the business world in addition to giving one a formal acknowledgment.

Are All Certifications The Same?

All business analyst certifications are not the same. In fact, the certifications that have more value in the business world are the ones that are quite hard to come by. They have a long list of requirements and ensure that the candidates have ample experience in the field before they become eligible for a specific designation. The certifications that hold less value are the ones that have fewer requirements. The following are some of the best business analyst certifications you can consider.

Best Business Analyst Certifications

ExpertRating—Business Analyst Certification

ExpertRating—Business Analyst Certification

The Business Analyst Certification course offered by ExpertRating is a great course for those who are looking to become more business inclined and aware and also pick up more skills along the way to bolster their career. If you are looking at a career in business management and analysis, then this course is highly recommended. 

The course is delivered online and consists of important topics such as financial reporting, ratio analysis, market strategy analysis, functional areas of a company, company valuation, etc. The course has been designed to teach you important, quantitative methods that will equip you to make better business decisions. This is an especially good course for small business owners and entrepreneurs.

 The course should take between 1-4 weeks to complete, depending upon how much time you can devote to it. Once you have completed the course, you can sit for the final exam at your own convenience. 

ExpertRating—Business Analyst Certification Price: $99.99 Sign Up Now

International Institute of Business Analysis—Entry Certificate in Business Analysis

International Institute of Business Analysis—Entry Certificate in Business Analysis

The Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is an entry-level certification for someone who has no prior experience in business but is looking to enter the fray. To take the course and become eligible for the certification, you need to be a member with IIBA to make the process easier and with fewer hurdles.

It is not easy to get this certification, even though it is an entry-level certificate. You will need to complete a minimum of 21 Professional Development (PD) hours, more details about which have been mentioned on the institute’s website. Once you have completed these steps, you are eligible to sit for the exam. The exam has 50 multiple-choice questions and you have an hour to complete the exam. In case you are not able to clear the exam, you can retake it with a fee of $89 for members and $195 for non-members.

International Institute of Business Analysis—Entry Certificate in Business Analysis Price: $60 (application fee), $110 (exam fee for members), $235 (exam fee for non-members) Sign Up Now

International Institute of Business Analysis—Certification of Capability in Business Analysis

International Institute of Business Analysis—Certification of Capability in Business Analysis

The Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA), offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis, is the next step after one acquires the (ECBA). Though it is not compulsory to pursue the CCBA after you get the ECBA, the latter is a prerequisite to be eligible for this certification. 

This is a great course for product managers, trainers and even non-business analyst consultants. This course is meant to take you to the next level after you have acquired the business analysis skills from the ECBA. 

To earn this designation, one needs to complete a minimum of 3,750 hours of business analysis work experience acquired in the last 7 years. In addition to that, one needs to complete at least 21 hours of Professional Development in the last 4 years. 

Once you have cleared these qualifications, you can take the exam, which consists of 130 multiple-choice questions. 

International Institute of Business Analysis—Certification of Capability in Business Analysis Price: $125 application fee + $325-$450 exam fee Sign Up Now

International Qualification Board for Business Analysis—Foundation Level

International Qualification Board for Business Analysis—Foundation Level

The Foundation Level program offered by the International Qualification Board for Business Analysis is a basic, foundational level of certification in business analysis. This is a great program for business analysts, system analysts, product managers and owners and requirements engineers. The program requires preliminary experience in design, solution concept or development. 

Once you graduate with a Foundation level certificate, you automatically qualify for the optional advanced training course. The course lays the foundation for all the qualifications one requires to succeed as a business analyst. The course will train you in business processes modeling and improving. You will be able to design business solutions and work as an innovator. 

The primary focus of the certification is on making candidates thorough with the fundamental rules and standards that are accepted in business analysis. There is also an emphasis on the need to innovate.

International Qualification Board for Business Analysis—Foundation Level Price: $250 Sign Up Now

Project Management Institute—PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)

Project Management Institute—PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)

The Professional in Business Analysis program offered by the Project Management Institute is a course that is ideal for those who work closely with stakeholders in the process of defining requirements for a business and subsequently shape the output. It is a course that is designed to teach the candidates how to eliminate inaccurate requirements while working on a project. 

To qualify for the course, however, you need to complete certain eligibility criteria. You must either have a secondary degree, 60 months of business analysis experience and 35 contact hours of education in the field, or you should have a bachelor’s degree, 36 months of experience and 35 contact hours of education in business analysis. It is certainly a difficult program to get into and has not been designed for beginners. But it is a worthy program that will boost your CV and your skills manifold. 

The final exam will have 200 multiple-choice questions and must be completed in four hours. To maintain your certification, you need to earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) in business analysis subjects, every three years.

Project Management Institute—PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) Price: $405-$555 application fee Sign Up Now

Parting Words: Becoming A Certified Business Analyst

Business analysis is a complex and exciting field that requires the cultivation of a variety of skills. The certification courses that have been described above are an endeavor in that direction. To encourage individuals to acquire more skills and experience to be the best at their jobs. These programs are designed to bring the best out of a business analyst.

Andrew Green

Andrew is a successful entrepreneur and lifelong learner. Throughout his career, he has watched hundreds of online courses that have allowed him to achieve success in highly competitive fields such as online marketing, investing, and sales. Andrew is committed to expanding his knowledge and expertise and he reviews the premium courses he watches on his online blog.
Posted in: Certifications

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