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KEY FEATURES OF CERTIFICATIONS

Here’s a “one-stop shop” encyclopedia of the most prominent and internationally recognized certifications for business analysts and an attempt to make an “apples-to-apples” comparison of their features, requirements and costs. In the end, every BA likes structured information, don’t we?

Certification Certification Targeted audience Formal Cost Exam form Is provider name prerequisites recertification required and how much does it cost?

International Academic This is an entry-level N/A N/A N/A Not required Institute for Business Analysis certification you Business Certificate can obtain from a Analysis (ABAC) college or institution (IIBA) partnered with the IIBA. The ABAC can help students prepare for competency-based IIBA certifications.

Entry Certificate The ECBA shows 21 hours of Application - $60 50 multiple choice Not required in Business an individual has professional knowledge-based Exam fee – from Analysis (ECBA) a foundational development (1) questions to be $97.5 (IIBA knowledge of business completed in 60 members) - analysis practices. minutes 230 (non-IIBA members) (4) Re-write - $85 - 195

Certification of Individuals with an Complete a minimum Application - 130 multiple choice Recertification Competency in ECBA designation, of 3,750 hours of $125 scenario-based is required Business Analysis Product Managers, Business Analysis questions formulated every 3 years Exam fee - (CCBA) Non-BA consultants, Work (2) experience in from the BABOK $289.25 - 450 Trainers, Hybrid the last 7 years. Guide and must be Business Analysis Re-write - $250 completed within 3 • Within these 3750 professionals, - 375 hours. minimum hours including: Project required, a minimum This is a computer- Manager, Testers, Recertification - of 900 hours must be based exam. The Quality Assurance $85 - 120 completed in each CCBA exam can be (QA) professionals, of 2 of the 6 BABOK taken online via Change/Transformation Guide Knowledge proctor format or at a Managers, and Areas OR, a minimum PSI test centre. Designers 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 (1) within the last 4 years. • Provide references. Certified Individuals with • Complete a Application - The CBAP exam Recertification Business Analysis significant experience minimum of 7,500 $125 consists of 120 is required Professional in business analysis, hours of Business multiple choice every 3 years. Exam fee - (CBAP) Individuals with a Analysis Work (2) questions and You need to $289.25 - 450 CCBA™ designation, experience in the last must be completed evidence 20 Product Manager, 10 years. Re-write - $250 within 3.5 hours. Continuing Non-BA consultants, - 375 Formulated from the Development • Within this Trainers,Hybrid BABOK Guide, exam Units (3) per experience, a Business Analysis Recertification - questions are both year, so - easy minimum of 900 hours professionals, $85 - 120 scenario and case to calculate - 60 completed in 4 of including: Project study-based. in total. the 6 BABOK® Guide Manager, Testers, Knowledge Areas, for This is a computer- Quality Assurance a total of at least 3,600 based exam. The (QA) professionals, of the required 7,500 CBAP® exam can Change/Transformation total. be taken online via Managers, and proctor format or at a Designers. • Complete a PSI test centre. minimum of 35 hours of Professional Development (1) in the last 4 years. • Provide two references.

Agile Analysis For BA professionals No pre-requisites Application - free 85 multiple choice, Recertification Certification who work in agile scenario-based is required Exam fee - $225 environments. questions, and must every year. - 375 be completed within You need to Re-write - $200 2 hours. evidence 20 - 325 Continuing Scheduled, live, Development online exam that can Recertification - Units (3) each be taken either online $30 - 50 time you apply via proctor format or recertification. at a PSI test centre.

Certificate in An opportunity to No pre-requisites Application - free The exam consists of Not required Cybersecurity learn key cybersecurity 75 multiple choice, Exam fee - $310 Analysis concepts and tools knowledge-based - 475 business analysis questions and must professionals need Re-write - $300 be completed within to demonstrate - 425 90 minutes. core competencies, Scheduled, live, based on ISO Recertification - online exam that can standards related to not required be taken either online cybersecurity. via proctor format or at a PSI test centre.

Certification in Certification for skilled No pre-requisites Application - free The exam consists of Recertification Business Data business data analytics 75 multiple-choice, is required Exam fee - $400 Analytics professionals – e.g. scenario-based every year. - 575 questions to be You need to Analysts. Re-write - $400 completed within 2 evidence 20 - 525 hours. Continuing Development Scheduled, live, Recertification - Units (3) each online exam that can $30 - 50 time you apply be taken either online recertification. via proctor format or at a PSI test centre. Certificate Supports development No pre-requisites Free of charge 60 multiple choice, Not required in Product of key competencies until end of June knowledge-based Ownership and provides Product 2021 for IIBA questions to be Analysis Owners, Proxy Product members, then completed within 90 Owners, and team TBD minutes. members with the Scheduled, live, necessary framework, online exam that can tools, techniques, be taken either online approaches, and via proctor format or foundational Agile at a PSI test centre. values.

International Certified Professionals who No pre-requisites Prices vary The exam must be Not required Requirements Professional for recently started between completed within 75 Engineering Requirements working with software examination minutes and covers Board (IREB) Engineering requirements centres - a about 45 multiple Foundation Level sample price in choice questions. On Poland is 922,5 request non-native PLN gross ($251 speakers may be as of 24.05.2021). granted a 15 minute extension. To pass the exam, you must achieve at least 70.00 % of the total possible score. Classroom exam in an examination centre - however, during the COVID-19 pandemic IREB allows exceptionally remote proctored exams. Exam is available in 12 different languages.

Re@Agile Primer Professionals who No pre-requisites Prices vary The exam must be Not required recently started between completed within 40 working with software examination minutes and covers requirements in an centres - a 22 multiple choice Agile environment sample price in questions. On request Poland for an non-native speakers English-speaking may be granted a 10 exam is 204 EUR minute extension. To gross ($249 as of pass the exam, you 24.05.2021). must achieve at least 70.00 % of the total possible score. Classroom exam in an examination centre - however, during the COVID-19 pandemic IREB allows exceptionally remote proctored exams. Exam is available in English and German. Certified Certification for CPRE Foundation Prices vary The exam consists of Not required Professional for requirments engieneers Level certificate between two parts: test and a Requirements with substantial or a certificate examination written assignment. Engineering experience. in Requirements centres - a The test must be Advanced Level Engineering from sample price in Four independent completed within 75 British Computer Poland is 4243,50 modules are available: minutes and covers Society PLN gross ($1154 about 45 multiple as of 24.05.2021). Requirements choice questions. On Elicitation request non-native Techniques from the speakers may be Foundation Level are granted a 15 minute elaborated here in extension. To pass more detail and further the exam, you must techniques added achieve at least 70.00 enabling participants % of the total possible to efficiently elicit score. requirements. The written Requirements assignment must be Modeling submitted within one year of taking the Correct use of examination. It must graphical models to represent a realistic express functional project situation requirements. from your working Requirements environment and demonstrate that you are capable of Appropriate methods applying the acquired and techniques to RE knowledge. effectively deal with the management Exam is available in of requirements 2 different languages throughout the product (English and German). development. Classroom exam in an RE@Agile examination centre. How to apply RE methods and techniques in agile development processes - and vice versa. Certified Certification for Prerequisites: Prices vary The examination Not required Professional for professionals with between consists of the • The candidate has to Requirements extensive experience examination following three parts: be a holder of at least Engineering in requirements centres - a three CPRE Advanced Part 1: Written Expert Level engineering topics who sample price in Level certificates. want to prove their Poland (exam application exert knowledge. • Up to two provider from The written certificates can be Austria due to application has to substituted by other inavailability demonstrate that the forms, e.g. university inside Poland) is candidate fulfils the lectures clearly EUR 2,340 gross prerequisites (see related to RE, certain ($2,866 as of above). certificates linked 25.05.2021). to other education Part 2: Written schemes (e.g. CBAP, assignment BCS Diploma in The written Business Analysis, assignment has to ...), or a substantial demonstrate that publication. the applicant has in-depth know-how • Activity as a in the Requirements field. Engineer in various roles and projects Part 3: Oral amounting to at least examination three years of full-time equivalent. The oral examination is a face-to-face • Activity as a meeting or a video trainer or coach in conference at a the Requirements dedicated place. It Engineering field. takes 90 minutes and comprises three parts: • Case (30 minutes after 2 hours preparation time). mThe candidate has to present his/ her suggestions and thoughts on a given case. • Questions on Requirements Engineering in the context of the candidate’s projects (30 minutes). • General questions on Requirements Engineering (30 minutes). The exam can be taken only in English. British Foundation Professionals who No pre-requisites Exam cost is Exam consists of Not required Computer Certificate recently started or GBP 192 ($271 40 multiple choice Society in Business are about to start on 24.05.2021) questions. Pass mark Analysis. working with software at Pearson Vue is 65%. The exam requirements. certification time is 60 minutes, Foundation centre. but additional time Certificate in may be granted due Business Change. to disability or non- Foundation native speakers. Certificate in The exam can be Organisational taken only in English. Behavior. Each one of the above examinations counts as “Knowledge Based Module” for Business Analysis diplomas issued by BCS (5).

Practitioner Professionals who No pre-requisites Exam cost is Exam consists of Not required Certificate in recently started or GBP 228 ($322 40 multiple choice Business Analysis are about to start on 24.05.2021) questions. Pass mark Practice. working with software at Pearson Vue is 65%. The exam requirements. certification time is 60 minutes, Counts as “Core centre. but additional time Module” for may be granted due Business Analysis to disability or non- diplomas issued native speakers. by BCS.

Practitioner Professionals who No pre-requisites Exam cost is Exam consists of Not required Certificate recently started with GBP 228 ($322 40 multiple choice in Benefits software requirements. on 24.05.2021) questions. Pass mark Management at Pearson Vue is 65%. The exam and Business certification time is 60 minutes, Acceptance. centre. but additional time may be granted due Counts as to disability or non- “Practitioner native speakers. Module” for Business Analysis diplomas issued by BCS.

Practitioner Professionals who No pre-requisites Exam cost is Exam consists of Not required Certificate recently started with GBP 228 ($322 40 multiple choice in Modelling software requirements. on 24.05.2021) questions. Pass mark Business at Pearson Vue is 65%. The exam Processes. certification time is 60 minutes, centre. but additional time Counts as may be granted due “Practitioner to disability or non- Module” for native speakers. Business Analysis diplomas issued by BCS. Practitioner Professionals who No pre-requisites Prices for courses One hour ‘open Not required Certificate recently started with vary depending book’ written exam, in Data software requirements. on your chosen preceded by 15 Management training provider minutes’ reading time Essentials. and course based on a business format. scenario. Additional Counts as time may be granted “Practitioner due to disability or Module” for non-native speakers. Business Analysis Pass mark is 50%. diplomas issued by BCS.

Practitioner Professionals who No pre-requisites Exam cost is Exam consists of Not required Certificate in recently started or GBP 228 ($322 40 multiple choice Requirements are about to start on 24.05.2021) questions. Pass mark Engineering working with software at Pearson Vue is 65%. The exam requirements. certification time is 60 minutes, centre. but additional time may be granted due to disability or non- native speakers.

Professional Professionals with No pre-requisites Prices for courses Exam consists of Not required Certificate substantial working vary depending 40 multiple choice in Advanced experience with on your chosen questions. Pass mark Requirements software requirements. training provider is 65%. The exam Engineering and course time is 90 minutes, Counts as “Analytical format. but additional time Skills” certificate for may be granted due Business Analysis to disability or non- diplomas issued by BCS. native speakers.

Professional Professionals with No pre-requisites Prices for courses Exam consists of Not required Certificate in substantial working vary depending 40 multiple choice Agile Business experience with on your chosen questions. Pass mark Analysis software requirements training provider is 65%. The exam who want to certify or and course time is 90 minutes, deepen their ability to format. but additional time perform this task in an may be granted due Agile environment. to disability or non- native speakers. Counts as “Analytical Skills” certificate for Business Analysis diplomas issued by BCS.

Professional Professionals with No pre-requisites Exam cost is Exam consists of Not required Certificate in substantial working GBP 342 ($482 40 multiple choice Benefits Planning experience with on 24.05.2021) questions. Pass mark and Realisation software requirements. at Pearson Vue is 65%. The exam Focuses on the certification time is 90 minutes, business benefits of centre. but additional time the processes analysis may be granted due supports. to disability or non- native speakers. Counts as “Business Skills” certificate for Business Analysis diplomas issued by BCS.

Professional Professionals with No pre-requisites Prices for courses Exam consists of Not required Certificate substantial working vary depending 40 multiple choice in Business experience with on your chosen questions. Pass mark Architecture software requirements. training provider is 65%. The exam and course time is 90 minutes, Counts as “Analytical format. but additional time Skills” certificate for may be granted due Business Analysis to disability or non- diplomas issued by BCS. native speakers. Professional Professionals with No pre-requisites Exam cost is Exam consists of Not required Certificate in substantial working GBP 342 ($482 40 multiple choice Business experience with on 24.05.2021) questions. Pass mark software requirements. at Pearson Vue is 65%. The exam Focuses on the certification time is 90 minutes, financial analysis of centre. but additional time the processes analysis may be granted due supports. to disability or non- native speakers. Counts as “Business Skills” certificate for Business Analysis diplomas issued by BCS.

Professional Professionals with No pre-requisites Exam cost is Exam consists of Not required Certificate in substantial working GBP 342 ($482 40 multiple choice Data Analysis experience with on 24.05.2021) questions. Pass mark software requirements. at Pearson Vue is 65%. The exam Focuses on the data certification time is 90 minutes, aspects of analysis. centre. but additional time may be granted due Counts as “Analytical to disability or non- Skills” certificate for native speakers. Business Analysis diplomas issued by BCS.

Professional Professionals No pre-requisites Exam cost is Exam consists of Not required Certificate in with substantial GBP 342 ($482 40 multiple choice working experience on 24.05.2021) questions. Pass mark Engagement with software at Pearson Vue is 65%. The exam requirements. Focuses certification time is 90 minutes, on collaboration with centre. but additional time stakeholder as a tool may be granted due for business analysts. to disability or non- native speakers. Counts as “People Skills” certificate for Business Analysis diplomas issued by BCS.

Professional Professionals with No pre-requisites Exam cost is Exam consists of Not required Certificate in substantial working GBP 342 ($482 40 multiple choice Team Leadership experience with on 24.05.2021) questions. Pass mark software requirements. at Pearson Vue is 65%. The exam Focuses on the issue certification time is 90 minutes, of managing teams of centre. but additional time business analysts. may be granted due to disability or non- Counts as “People native speakers. Skills” certificate for Business Analysis diplomas issued by BCS.

International Certified Agile Professionals who No pre-requisites The cost of the Exam consists of 40 Not required Software Business Analysis intend to show that exam is $215. For questions. The pass Quality (CABA) you have the necessary additional 25% rate is 65%. Allotted Institute knowledge to conduct you can re-sit time is 60 minutes, business analysis and your exam fee of however, extensions can utilize this in agile charge, if you first can be granted for development. attempt fails. non-native speakers. Public exam and remote proctored exams available. Project Professional in Business Analysis Prerequisites: Exam fee varies The certification exam To maintain Management Business Analysis professionals who from $405 (PMI has 200 multiple- your PMI-PBA, • Secondary degree Institute (PMI-PBA) combine this role with Members) - 555 choice questions you must earn (high school diploma, (PMI non- and you have four 60 professional associate’s degree duties or work in members) - hours to complete development projects with strongly • 60 months of retakes cost $275 it. The passing score units (PDUs) accented project business analysis – 375 for all PMI exams in business management approach experience is determined analysis topics Renewal costs by psychometric every three $60 - $150. • 35 contact hours analysis. years. of education (6) in business analysis Online proctored Out of these 60 exam. hours: OR 35 hours have • Bachelor’s degree or to be spent on the global equivalent education: • 36 months of • 8 hours on business analysis technical topics, experience • 8 hours on • 35 contact hours of leadership education in business topics, analysis • 8 hours on business/ strategic topics, • remaining 11 hours can be distributed anywhere in the topics above. 25 hours have to be spent on “giving back”: • Volunteering, • creating work, • working as professional.

FOOTNOTES

(1) Professional development hours are defined by Important Note: The content of these professional IIBA differently for different examinations. development activities must be aligned with the BABOK® Guide v3.0. ECBA exam prerequisites define them as: • Classroom and online courses (e.g. EEP endorsed CCBA and CBAP exam prerequisites define them as: courses) • It must be moderated/facilitated similar to a formal • Webinars - live or recorded (e.g. IIBA Webinars) course (i.e., there must be a moderator for the session, or a facilitator/instructor who leads the • Conference track sessions, tutorials, keynotes & group/individual through the material). workshops • There must be a measurable learning objective • Chapter events (i.e. presentations, study groups, (or set of objectives), and those must be directly workshops, conference days) applicable to the role of the (i.e., • Self -directed learning (i.e. reading/reviewing the in terms of either changing behavior or improving BABOK® Guide v3.0) skills). • It cannot simply be a presentation on a specific (4) IIBA individual membership costs, annual fees are: topic. Region 1 - $139 • There must be the opportunity for students to Region 2 - $89 interact with the material (e.g., be able to ask Region 3 - $55 questions, make the learning meaningful). Regions are groups of countries, where the member is • An opportunity to practice the task or objective domiciled. Poland is Part of Region 2, while India sits in being presented and, be assessed by the facilitator/ Region 3. moderator. • The subject matter must be directly aligned with the (5) British Computer Society introduced a concept of BABOK® Guide. “diplomas” in their certification framework. Individual certifications are grouped in to categories and • To qualify, courses must also be completed by the considered as pre-requisites for applying for certain application submitted date and have a start date diplomas. Additionally, apart from the certification within the last four years from the application itself, BCS requires an application form with evidence submitted date. of professional experience as business analyst, • All courses that are part of our Endorsed Education description of the applicant’s contribution to the and Training Provider program automatically qualify business analysis community as well as signature of a towards the professional development requirement. supporter. This is because they have already been assessed and Diploma applications require holding the following validated by IIBA® to ensure they meet the above certifications from the BCS offer: criteria. International Diploma in Business Analysis (2) Work History hours are hours spent on professional • 2 “core” modules, activities referring to BABOK Guide Knowledge Areas. • 1 “knowledge-based” module, There are 6 BABOK (v. 3.0) Knowledge Areas: Business Analysis Planning & Monitoring, Elicitation and • 1 “practitioner” module. Collaboration, Requirements Lifecycle Management, Strategy Analysis, and Design Advanced International Diploma in Business Analysis Definition, Solution Evaluation. • 1 “analytical skills” certificate, • 1 “business skills” certificate, (3) Continuous Development Units (CDUs) are not time, but ‘unit’ based. They are defined by IIBA as: • 1 “people skills” certificate, • Attending meetings, each general program meeting • 1 additional “analytical skills” or “business skills” of the chapter is worth 1 CDU. certificate, on the top of the first two. • Speaking at meetings or events, speaking on a Expert Business Analyst BA related topic at a chapter meeting, workshop, The application process for the award comprises the professional development day or other event is following steps: worth 10 CDUs, Being part of a discussion panel is worth 5 CDUs. • prerequisite certification and experience (details on: http://www.bamanagerforum.org/the-expert-ba- • Volunteer in a leadership role of the chapter. Board award/), of Director and other volunteer positions for the chapter earns CDUs for the volunteer. The number • written submission of evidence demonstrating your of CDUs depends on the amount of engagement and core and specialist skills, and contribution to the BA length of time in the role. Basically, it is 1 CDU for profession, each hour of work in the role, with a bonus 10 CDUs • supporter validation, for each six months in the role. • project assignment, • Provide BA services to the community or charitable . Each hour of work for a legally • interview with assessors. recognized not-for-profit organization in the The Expert BA Award is assessed and awarded by the community is worth 1 CDU. BA Manager Forum (BAMF). (6) PMI “Contact hours” of education includes • Distance-learning , including an end-of- workshops and educational sessions offered by one or course assessment more of the following types of providers: • University/college academic and continuing • PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s) education programs • PMI Approved Training Providers (ATPs) (7) Listed here as an example of a -based • PMI chapters or communities of practice* certification for business analysts. Numerous other, • Employer/-sponsored programs similar certifications exist for other . • Training companies or consultants (e.g., training schools)