Qualified business analysts who meet certain work experience, education, and professional reference requirements can earn a professional certification from the International Institute of Business Analysis®. Applicants for the Certified Business Analysis ProfessionalTM designation must pass a written exam based on the Institute’s Business Analysis Body of Knowledge®, which is a collection of widely accepted methods and practices in the business analysis field. You must have a minimum of five years of practical work experience as a business analyst, as well as 21 hours of business analysis coursework, to be considered for testing.
To be considered for professional business analyst certification, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent. You must complete a specific course of study based on the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® before taking the certification exam. The Institute requires at least 21 hours of coursework in this field of study before you can sit for the business analyst certification exam. These courses must also be completed within the four-year period preceding the examination date.
Before you can become professionally certified, you must have at least five years of work experience as a business analyst. Prior to applying for business analyst certification, this work experience must include activities aligned with the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® and must be completed within the ten-year period. You must also submit two letters of professional recommendation to the International Institute of Business Analysis® with your application, in addition to the educational and work experience requirements. A client, a manager, or a professionally certified business analyst can make these recommendations.
The Certification of Competency in Business AnalysisTM is a new intermediate level business analyst certification offered by the Institute. This certification is intended to serve as a stepping stone to the Certified Business Analyst ProfessionalTM designation at the senior level. This certification is for people who are still working on completing all of the requirements for. Prior to becoming professionally certified, it allows business analysts to demonstrate their competency to employers and potential clients. This intermediate certificate has the same educational requirements as the senior certificate, but only requires 2-1/2 years of work experience.
Both types of exams are offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis® at various locations around the world on a regular basis. The written exam typically lasts three hours and consists of 150 questions. At some testing locations, you can take exams electronically. It is not necessary to be a member of the International Institute of Business Analysis®.