A Comprehensive Guide on Business Analyst Certification Course

Introduction

In the last decade, the demand for business analysts has increased rapidly—and there's seemingly no end in sight.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),  the number of business analyst jobs will flourish by 14%, almost twice as fast as the average for all roles between 2020 and 2030. 

Data analysts command huge salaries and excellent perks, even at the entry-level, making it a fascinating career option. Well-qualified and skilled data analysts are considered as one of the most sought-after professionals in the world. But since the demand is so high, and the number of people who can efficiently do this job well is very limited. 

Business analysts are not less than superhumans!

They help a business to plan the business processes through the analysis, planning, insights, and data-driven approach and creates strategies based on insights and analysis-driven from the data and market. But, this is not an easy task and requires tremendous skill sets to bridge every gap that leads the organization to its end goal. 

Acquiring these skill sets can open doors to amazing opportunities and that’s why the Business Analyst Certification course is much in demand. Best business analyst certification course lets you analyze an organization or business domain (real or hypothetical) and documents its business processes, or systems, assessing the business model or its integration with technology. Business Analyst helps in guiding businesses in improving processes, products, services, and software through data analysis. 

If you are looking to begin your career as a Business Analyst, you get everything you need to know about this job profile. Below is the list of questions, we are going to answer – 

• Who is a business analyst, and what are job roles for a business analyst? 
• Why become a business analyst? 
• What are the Business analyst skills and Business analyst salaries? 
• The complete business analyst certification online course roadmap
• What are the Key learnings from business analyst certification programs and in-demand career path post Business Analyst Certification ?    

Who Is A Business Analyst?

The employment of business analysts is expected to grow 14 percent between 2018 and 2028, according to the U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This is a higher growth rate than other professions. 

Business Analysts (BAs) bridge the gap between I.T. and the business through data analytics, thereby assessing processes, determining requirements, and delivering recommendations based on data submitting reports to stakeholders, executive helping them in planning and analysis.

Business analyst certification program imparts skills that let B.A. engage with multiple stakeholders to understand how data-driven changes to processes, products, services, and software can improve efficiencies and add value. 

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), a nonprofit professional association, considers the business analyst “an agent of change,” writing that business analysis “is a disciplined approach for introducing and managing change to organizations, whether they are for-profit businesses, governments, or nonprofits.”

Why Become A Business Analyst?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), management analysts' employment, including business analysts, is expected to grow 14 percent by 2028, a much higher rate than any other profession. 

Business analyst certification for beginners lets you become a master in using data to outline issues, opportunities, and the respective solutions for businesses and report them back to the organization's stakeholders, thereby playing a critical role in fixing processes, introducing innovation, adapting to new technology, making this an in-demand role in every business area, from consulting to product management. There are multiple directions open for Business Analysts depending on their experience and future career goals. Janbask training provides one of the best business analyst certification programs that are perfect for kicking to start your career and get you endless opportunities. Next, we will check the best Business Analyst Certifications available! 

Best Business Analyst Certifications in 2022

Because of the increasing work opportunities in business analysis, the demand for business analyst certifications is going high. Many organizations like IIBA, IQBBA, IREB and PMI each offer their Business Analyst Certification. Here, they are:

1. IIBA Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA)

This CCBA Certification Training will help you to identify and implement the most applicable business solutions and produce reliable, quality results with increased efficiency and consistency. Our CCBA course validates your knowledge in the practices and principles of business analysis and will prepare you to pass the CCBA exam. 

This business analyst certification is an appropriate option for business analysts with 2-3 years of work experience. It helps you to recognize your ability to take on more complex project responsibilities. Getting certified with CCBA certification highlights your capability to work with stakeholders, model business processes, identify and evaluate opportunities for better business outcomes. 

To earn your CCB business analyst certification, you must complete a minimum of 3,750 hours of business analysis work experience in the last 7 years 

CCBA Business Analyst Certification Details

Category	Details
Exam Name	IIBA Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA)
Application Fee	It costs USD $125
Exam Fee	It costs USD $325
Exam format	130 multiple-choice questions
Exam Time	3.5 hours
Passing Score	60%
Exam Delivery mode	Online Proctored or onsite in a testing center
Knowledge & areas tested	It covers fundamentals, underlying competencies, key concepts, techniques and all six knowledge areas covered in the BABOK

2. IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA)

The Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) is the initial level of certification with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), designed for less experienced and entry-level business analysts.

One of the best BA certifications for beginners, the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis covers basic knowledge on how to approach business analysis. To earn this business analyst certification, you need to complete a minimum of 21 professional development hours in the last four years and pass the ECBA exam. 

ECBA Business Analyst Certification Details

Category	Details
Exam Name	IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA)
Application Fee	It costs USD $60
Exam Fee	It costs USD $110
Exam format	50 multiple-choice questions
Exam Time	60 minutes
Passing Score	70%
Exam Delivery mode	Online Proctored or onsite in a testing center
Knowledge & areas tested	It covers Business analysis planning and monitoring, Elicitation and collaboration, Requirements life cycle management, Strategy analysis, Requirements analysis and design definition, and  Solution Evaluation.

3. IIBA Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP)

The Certified Business Analysis Professional CBAP certification is the third level of certification IIBA and is for individuals with extensive business analysis experience.

This is an excellent business analyst certification option for professionals that helps you recognize your expertise and skills in business analysis by obtaining the highest certification to demonstrate commitment, skill set and leadership expertise. The CBAP will demonstrate senior-level knowledge and professional competence in you and increase your earning potential.  

CBAP Business Analyst Certification Details

Category	Details
Exam Name	IIBA Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP)
Application Fee	It costs USD $125
Exam Fee	It costs USD $450
Exam format	120 multiple-choice questions
Exam Time	60 minutes
Passing Score	70%
Exam Delivery mode	Online Proctored or onsite in a testing center
Knowledge & areas tested	It covers Business analysis planning and monitoring, Elicitation and collaboration, Requirements life cycle management, Strategy analysis, Requirements analysis and design definition, and  Solution Evaluation.

4 . IIBA Agile Analysis Certification (AAC)

Agile Analysis Certification (AAC) exam is designed to address skills and to certify business analyst professionals working in agile environments, which require fast adaptation and rapid change.

Although there is no eligibility requirement to appear in the same, the IIBA recommends at least two to five years of agile-related experience. This business analyst certification exam was developed using the Agile Extensions to the BABOK guide, and it was released in the year 2018. It is a standalone certification and is different from the other IIBA business analyst certifications. 

AAC Business Analyst Certification Details

Category	Details
Exam Name	IIBA Agile Analysis Certification (AAC)
Application Fee	It costs USD $125
Exam Fee	It costs USD $250
Exam format	85 multiple-choice questions
Exam Time	120 minutes
Passing Score	90%
Exam Delivery mode	Online Proctored
Knowledge & areas tested	The exam’s four main topics include agile mindset (30%), strategy horizon (10%), initiative horizon (25%) and delivery horizon (35%).

5. IQBBA Certified Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA)

The International Qualifications Board for Business Analysts (IQBBA) offers the Certified Foundation Level Business Analysis (CFLBA) as an entry-level certification and is a globally recognized certification. It’s designed for “people involved in analyzing business processes within an organization, modeling businesses and process improvement”.

The foundation level of this business analyst certification course covers enterprise analysis, business analysis process improvement. After you complete the entry-level exam, you can continue to the advanced level courses. 

CFLBA Business Analyst Certification Details

Category	Details
Exam Name	IQBBA Certified Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA)
Application Fee	It costs USD $125
Exam Fee	It costs USD $250
Exam format	95 multiple-choice questions
Exam Time	120 minutes
Passing Score	90%
Exam Delivery mode	Online Proctored or onsite in a testing center
Knowledge & areas tested	The exam focuses on enterprise analysis, business analysis process planning, requirements elicitation, requirements analysis, solution validation, tools and techniques, innovation and design.

6. IREB Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE)

Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE) certification is designed for those working in requirements engineering (RE). The certification is offered at three levels. The Foundation Level is where you’ll be certified in the basics of RE. The Advanced Level is where you can choose between three paths, including Requirements Elicitation and Consolidation, Requirements Modeling and Requirements Management, and then the Expert Level.

The best part about this business analyst certification is that it does not expire, and you will not need to renew it. The IREB states that this is based on the fundamental methods of Requirements Engineering, and these alter slowly. 

CPRE Business Analyst Certification Details

Category	Details
Exam Name	IREB Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE)
Application Fee	—----------------
Exam Fee	Varies by the center
Exam format	45 multiple-choice questions
Exam Time	75 minutes
Passing Score	70%
Exam Delivery mode	Online Proctored or onsite in a testing center
Knowledge & areas tested	The exam focuses mainly on Requirements Engineering, Business Analysis and Testing.

7. PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PBA)

The PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PBA) certification is for business analysts working with projects or programs with analytics. It’s offered through the Project Management Institute, which specializes in widely recognized project management certifications, such as the PMP. The certification focuses on business analysis training and focuses on business analysis principles, tools, and fundamentals.

If you have already done your graduation, you should have at least three years of work experience, or 4,500 hours, in business analysis consecutively within the past eight years to earn this certification. In case you do not have a Bachelor’s degree, you will need five years or 7,500 hours of experience. 

PBA Business Analyst Certification Details

Category	Details
Exam Name	PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PBA)
Application Fee	It costs USD $405
Exam Fee	None
Exam format	200 multiple-choice questions
Exam Time	4 Hours
Passing Score	Not disclosed
Exam Delivery mode	Online Proctored or onsite in a testing center
Knowledge & areas tested	The exam focuses mainly on Requirements Engineering, Business Analysis and Testing.

8. Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)

The Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) is a vendor-neutral certification that certifies your skills to draw valuable insights from complex data sets that shape strategic business decisions.

To qualify for this business analyst certification, you need to have a master’s degree in a related field and have at least five years of work experience or a bachelor’s degree in this field along with seven years of experience in data or analytics. You can make yourself qualified for the associate level CAP exam, if you hold a master’s degree with three years of industry experience. 

CAP Business Analyst Certification Details

Category	Details
Exam Name	Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
Application Fee	—----------------
Exam Fee	Varies as per the center
Exam format	100 multiple-choice questions
Exam Time	75 minutes
Passing Score	70%
Exam Delivery mode	Online Proctored or onsite in a testing center
Knowledge & areas tested	The exam focuses mainly on Requirements Engineering, Business Analysis and Testing.

9. IIBA Certification in Business Data Analytics (CBDA)

The Certification in Business Data Analytics (IIBA-CBDA) from the IIBA has certified the ability to effectively execute analysis-related work in support of business analytics initiatives.

This is a new certification that requires you to examine a real-world business problem, find the data sources, obtain data, analyze the data, and interpret and report results from the data. You will then need to demonstrate how those outputs can influence the business decision-making strategies for business analytics. 

CBDA Business Analyst Certification Details

Category	Details
Exam Name	IIBA Certification in Business Data Analytics (CBDA)
Application Fee	It cost around USD $ $300-$350
Exam Fee	It costs USD $450
Exam format	120 multiple-choice questions
Exam Time	3.5 hours
Passing Score	70%
Exam Delivery mode	Online Proctored or onsite in a testing center
Knowledge & areas tested	The exam includes a specific set of techniques, competencies and practices to perform the continuous exploration and investigation of business data.

These are some of the best business analyst training programs. From the above names, you can choose the one that suits your career goals and educational qualification perfectly. 

Why Owning Business Analyst Certifications is Critical?

With the increasing number of companies relying on business analytics every day, it’s no surprise that a business analyst certification is one of the most popular technology certifications available today. If you’re looking to grow your career, training as a business analyst can be the best decision. 

Still confused? Consider some of the following advantages of going for a business analyst certification:

• Certification validates your skill set: Getting a business analyst certification is an excellent way to build credibility as a business analyst. Employers take interest in herding real-life examples of how you took advantage of your previous business analysis skills in the past; besides they also look for a highly objective source proving that you possess those skills.

 If your skill set is already impressive, BA certification will make it obvious to potential employers. 

• Career growth: Although having a business analyst certification does not guarantee that you will always get a job, of course, being certified for something that is in high demand and obviously provides you an advantage. 

Apart from the salary growth, there are also salary advantages. When it comes to going for a business analyst certification, according to Businesses2Wire, “getting certified can boost your salary from 20% to 40%. 

Get an idea how to build an effective resume, check BA Resume Sample blog to add wings to your career!  

• Builds your peer network: 85% of jobs are filled via networking, according to LinkedIn. It clearly shows why business analysts or any professionals should make an effort for networking. 

There are various ways of networking, getting a business analyst certification is one of them. When you join a study group or take an exam preparation class is a common way to begin your preparation, you get a chance to meet and interact with peers looking for the same objective.  

• Learn the most popular Business Analytics tools: There are numerous tools you need to finish your tasks efficiently and get your job done. 

When you go through a training course and get a business analyst certification, you will learn to use some of the most popular tools used in business analytics. For example, you may need to learn SAS for analyzing massive data sets, or Tableau for excellent data visualization across enterprise data. 

• An Indicator of commitment & dedication: Getting a business analyst certification or any other certification can be somehow challenging. From studying to taking exams, the whole process takes time. When companies hire a candidate having this certification, it shows that candidate has put great effort and worked hard to obtain this certification. A business analyst certification also indicates that the candidate is able to tackle challenging projects.  

Also check – Business Analyst Career Path: Step by Step BA Career Roadmap

How to Pass the Certified Analytics Professional Exam?

• Enroll for an online CAP training course 
• Use practical questions from internal and external sources for online business analyst certification    
• Use the CAP Study Guide
• Watch Relevant YouTube Videos about the Content
• Practice the Concepts in Projects

How To Crack Business Analyst Exam and Get Business Analyst Certification - Essential Tips

Hopefully, you are clear on the advantages of owning a business analyst certification. Next, let’s go through the process of how to prepare for the business analyst certification and qualify for the exam. 

How To Pass the ECBA Exam and Get The Best Business Analyst Certification ?

• ECBA certification exam is based on IIBA BABOK Guide version 3. A proper online course will help you crack the exam.
• Go through BABOK guide structure
• Read about some practical ECBA Exam tips based on inputs from Janbask certified professionals and our experts.
• CCBA Exam sample questions
• Use Online Flashcards a list of 1000 questions related to the BABOK.
• Absorb the BABOK

How To Pass CBAP Exam - Tips For Business Analyst Certification Programs

• Ensure the eligibility 
• Take IIBA approved training on CBAP 
• Study BABoK and Practice CBAP questions
• With application approval, take the CBAP test 
• Ensure to get training from faculties to understand BABoK really well
• Can relate the concepts to real-life examples
• Learn the tasks and techniques recommended by BABoK
• Apply the tasks and techniques

Agile Analysis Certification (AAC) Exam Tips

• Attempt only when you have mastered the basic knowledge, and understand agile.
• Enroll for a business analyst certification online and learn how to successfully answer typical analysis-related outcomes and activities questions in the sample quiz.
• Do not expect the exam to be easy.

How to pass the PMI exam - Business Analyst Certification Programs

• Learn with Books and PMI Documentations provided through the best business analyst certification course.
• Go through Business Analysis for Practitioners practice guide.
• Evaluate yourself with the practice test.

Key Learnings - Business Analyst Certification Program

• A comprehensive guide to the skills that you will learn with our business analyst certification course. If you want to find out what skills & knowledge we impart in detail, enrol for our Business Analyst Training
• SDLC models & overview, Business analysis Frameworks & techniques, stakeholder identification & management.
• SQL data querying, data modelling, software testing types, deployment environments, test case revising.
• Business analysis planning and monitoring, stakeholder collaboration, gap analysis, risk mitigation techniques.
• UML, structural & behavioural diagrams, tools to create wireframes & mock-ups, user stories.
• Enterprise IT analysis, Agile SDLC, sprint planning, scrum management.
• An ability to model Use Case diagrams and write use cases for them.
• Business Domains overview, supply chain management & logistics, ERP, JIRA, Basecamp, Mantis functioning.
• An ability to process modelling logically.
• An ability to understand business requirements & insights and requirements and confidently convey solutions for it merely with the smart & available analysis tools.
• An ability to mock wireframes depicting UIs for front-end systems.
• An ability to act as a bridge between the technical team and the business ensures there are no gaps in the product development phase and the product developed by testing it rigorously.
• To carry the communication over tools like WebEx.
• Along with technical and job-oriented skills, you will learn great personality & soft skills too, such as - time management, stakeholder management, problem-solving skills, project handling skills, business goals identification & implementation, communication skills & many more.

Business Analyst Job Description

BAs create models that enhance businesses by working closely with financial reporting and IT teams to develop strategies and develop initiatives that improve business processes and optimize costs. With a strong understanding of regulatory and reporting requirements and experience in forecasting, budgeting, and financial analysis with a keen knowledge of key performance indicators.

Read More  - What Does a Business Analyst Do & Different Type of Business Analyst?

Business analyst certification program lets you perform job descriptions that typically includes:

• Formulating a detailed business analysis
• Outlining problems, opportunities, and solutions for a business
• Budgeting
• forecasting
• Planning 
• Monitoring
• Variance analysis
• Pricing
• Reporting
• Defining business requirements 
• Reporting analysis and business plan to the stakeholders

Business Analyst Jobs Roles

Here are the few rapidly growing industry-demanding job roles post online business analyst certification that you can target and see yourself growing big down the line in 2-6 years of your career run.

• IT Business Analyst
• Data Analysis Scientist
• Business Analyst Manager
• Quantitative Analysts
• Data Business Analyst
• Product Manager
• QA Tester

A Business Analyst Certification can help you achieve any of these standout profiles. The best part is, these profiles/roles are now available even in the non-core IT industries - it means with limited learnings, you can choose to be a part of diversified sectors. To know what these profiles entail, what is all required, enroll in our free career counseling & demo classes.

Business Analyst Skills

Some of the most essential skills and experience for a business analyst are that they acquire business analyst certification programs :

• Analytical thinking and problem solving
• Oral and written communication skills
• Facilitation skills
• Interpersonal and consultative skills
• Organizational skills
• Stakeholder analysis
• Knowledge of the business structure
• Requirements engineering
• Costs benefit analysis
• Processes modeling
• Understanding of networks, databases, and other technology

Business Analyst Salaries

The best business analyst certification can fetch you an average salary for an IT business analyst starting from $67,762 per year, according to data from PayScale. Feel free to visit another blog that covers the Average Salary of Business Analysts in the USA in detail.

Conclusion

A professional business analyst certification course ensures you gain all the requirements to draft insightful analysis from data, plan processes, build interactive dashboards, plan and monitor processes, work on agile methodologies and SQL database. Programs are designed to give you industry exposure and learnings from industry experts and people with domain expertise. Looking for the best business analyst certification, share your credentials and our industry experts will guide you along with details about the course, business analyst certification cost, how to get business analyst certification.

FAQs on Business Analyst Certification

Q1. What certifications are needed for a business analyst?

Ans:- Following are emerging and credible Business Analyst Certifications.

Top 10 business analyst certifications

• Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
• IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA)
• IIBA Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA)
• IIBA Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
• IIBA Agile Analysis Certification (AAC)
• IIBA Certification in Business Data Analytics (CBDA)
• IQBBA Certified Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA)
• IREB Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE)

Q2. Is business analyst certification worth it?

Ans:- Yes, as business analyst certification course gets you key skills industry is looking for like:

• Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring
• Elicitation and Collaboration
• Requirements Life Cycle Management
• Strategy Analysis
• Requirements Analysis and Design Definition
• Solution Evaluation
• BA Certification Programs Make You a Better Businessperson
• BA Certification Programs Can Boost Your Salary. Payscale.com puts the average annual salary at AU$82,497 for BA professionals and AU$104,000 for certified business analysts (CBAP).

Q3. Is a business analyst in high demand?

Ans:- The U.S. Department of Labor projects demand for business and management analysts will grow 14% from 2018 to 2028, much faster than average for all occupations due to the need for organizations to control costs and improve efficiency. 

Prepare for your interview, here are the top BA Interview questions

Q4. Who Can Apply for Business Analyst Certification?

Ans:- All applicants, college graduates, and anybody can apply for a business analyst certification. But they must have five years of business analysis experience to qualify for the exam. One needs to provide the highest level of education achieved and what he studied, and also when and where he graduated.

Q5. Which certification is best for a business analyst? 

Ans:- There are numerous options counted among the best business analyst certifications: 

• IIBA Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA)
• IIBA Agile Analysis Certification (AAC)
•  IQBBA Certified Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA)
•  IREB Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE)

Q6. Which is the best business analyst certification for beginners? 

Ans:- Business Analysis Certification (BAC) and  Entry Certification in Business Analysis (ECBA) are the two best business analyst certifications for beginners. 

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