5 Popular Data Governance Certifications

Data governance entails various policies and standards promoting optimal information use. Most importantly, it ensures that data remains protected while readily accessible for discovery and analytics.

Data governance tools verify and filter data, much like a security checkpoint. This facilitates the secure passage of data between trusted endpoints or users. Earning a data governance certification enhances your professional credibility, opening doors for advanced data management and security positions. 

Read on to discover the additional benefits of obtaining a data governance certification, and explore five popular certification options to ascertain which best fits your career goals.

Benefits of being certified in data governance

Pursuing data governance certifications can positively impact your career, regardless of your experience level. Notable benefits include staying current with industry advancements and boosting your earning potential.

Staying current with industry advancements

Completing a data governance certification course can help you gain the knowledge and skills to implement effective data governance strategies tailored to your organization’s needs. You'll typically learn to harness the latest technologies to ensure data security.

Increased earning potential 

Organizations often reward certified employees with promotions or raises, acknowledging their value to the team. If you switch careers, a certification can help set you apart, potentially leading to better job offers and a higher salary.

5 popular data governance certifications 

You may choose from various data governance certifications depending on your career goals. Next is a roundup of five popular options.

1. Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) 

DAMA International offers the CDMP certification for data management professionals seeking to demonstrate their expertise in data management principles. 

Focus areas: Obtaining Associate, Practitioner, or Master-level CDMP certification requires passing DAMA International’s Data Management Fundamentals exam, spanning 14 topics [1]:

• Data management process (2 percent)

• Big data (2 percent)

• Data architecture (6 percent)

• Document and content management (6 percent)

• Data ethics (2 percent)

• Data governance (11 percent)

• Data integration and interoperability (6 percent)

• Master and reference data management (10 percent)

• Data modeling and design (11 percent)

• Data quality (11 percent)

• Data security (6 percent)

• Data storage and operations (6 percent)

• Data warehousing and business intelligence (10 percent)

• Metadata management (11 percent)

Prerequisites: Along with a DAMA membership, the following are listed as eligibility criteria for obtaining a CDMP certification [1]:

• CDMP Associate: Suggested six months to five years of industry experience; required score of 60 percent or higher on the Data Management Fundamentals exam 

• CDMP Practitioner: Suggested two to 10 years of experience; required score of 70 percent or higher on the Data Management Fundamentals exam and a score of 70 percent or higher on two specialist exams

• CDMP Master: Required minimum of 10 years of experience, submission of your CV for review, a score of 80 percent or higher in the Data Management Fundamentals exam, and a score of 80 percent or higher in two specialist exams

• CDMP Fellow: Suggested 25 or more years of experience; required evidence of contribution to the CDMP or data management field, nomination, and CDMP Master certification. 

Cost: The Individual Central Membership of DAMA International costs $50 per year [2]. The Associate level certification exam costs $311 [3]. The Practitioner level costs $311 for each of the three exams, totaling $933 [3]. The master level costs $983, which includes $933 for the exams and a $50 master's experience assessment administration fee [3].

2. Informatica Cloud Data Governance and Catalog (CDGC) certification

The CDGC certification by Informatica gauges your proficiency in establishing and managing a data catalog with Informatica Cloud Data Governance and Catalog and Metadata Command Center services.

Focus areas: The Cloud Data Governance and Catalog exam covers three main subject areas [4]:

• Introduction to Cloud Data Governance and Catalog (3 percent)

• Cloud Data Governance and Catalog: Administration (48 percent)

• Cloud Data Governance and Catalog: Data Stewardship and Curation (49 percent)

Prerequisites: Informatica recommends completing Cloud Data Governance and Catalog: Administration and Cloud Data Governance and Catalog: Data Stewardship and Curation training courses before attempting the CDGC exam. 

Cost: $340 [5]. A second attempt is included with the test purchase.

3. Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE)

The CDPSE credential, issued by ISACA, helps you highlight your ability to craft, analyze, and implement data privacy measures.

Focus areas: The CDPSE certification exam tests your skills in the following domains [6]:

• Privacy governance (34 percent)

• Privacy architecture (36 percent)

• Data life cycle (30 percent)

Prerequisites: To achieve CDPSE certification, you must [7]:

• Successfully pass the CDPSE certification exam.

• Pay a $50 application processing fee.

• Have three years of experience in data privacy governance, privacy architecture, and/or data life cycle management.

• Adhere to ISACA’s Code of Professional Ethics.

• Comply with ISACA’s Continuing Professional Education Policy.

Cost: The CDPSE costs $575 as an ISACA member [6]. Without membership, the exam costs $760 [6].

4. Data Governance and Stewardship Professional (DGSP)

The Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP) administers the DGSP certification, which focuses on industry best practices in data governance.

Focus areas: The Data Governance and Stewardship exam, available at foundational or professional level, is based on the domains listed below:

• Data governance concepts, business drivers, and roles

• Data governance and stewardship roles

• Data governance inputs and deliverables

• Data governance function

• Fundamental knowledge areas for data stewardship activities

Prerequisites: Along with the cost associated with the certification and adherence to the ICCP Code of Ethics, ICCP sets forth the following requirements for pursuing the DGSP certification [8]:

• DGSP Assistant: Score 50 percent or higher in the Data Governance and Stewardship Exam, and accumulate 900 hours of direct experience in data governance or data stewardship.

• DGSP Practitioner: Score 50 percent or higher in the Data Governance and Stewardship Exam, and hold at least two years of experience, with 1,400 hours dedicated to data governance or data stewardship.

• DGSP Master: Score 70 percent or higher in the Data Governance and Stewardship Exam, and hold at least four years of experience, with 1,400 hours dedicated to data governance or data stewardship.

• DGSP Principal: Score 70 percent, or higher, in the Data Governance and Stewardship Exam, hold at least five years of experience with 1,400 hours dedicated to data governance or data stewardship, have proof of notable industry contribution, and complete a two-day mentoring workshop.

• DGSP Executive: Score 70 percent or higher in a written assignment, hold at least five years of management experience with 1,400 hours dedicated to data governance or data stewardship, and complete a four-day mentoring workshop.

Cost: $125 [8]

5. Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP)

The CIPP certification by IAPP affirms your command of jurisdictional laws, regulations, and enforcement practices, including legal standards for data handling and transfer. 

Focus areas: The CIPP certification is available in different regions, each tailored to that area's specific privacy laws and regulations. The CIPP/United States certification exam covers US privacy laws and regulations. Key topics include [9]: 

• Introduction to the US privacy environment

• Limits on private-sector collection and use of data

• Government and court access to private-sector information

• Workplace privacy

• State privacy laws

Prerequisites: None

Cost: To keep your certification active, you’ll need to secure an IAPP membership or pay the certification maintenance fee. The annual cost for IAPP membership, which covers the certification maintenance fee, is $295 [10]. As a non-member, maintaining your certification will cost $250 [11].

*Certification and exam costs current as of February 2025

What jobs can you get with the data governance certification?

With data governance as a key skill, you can target several data management roles. These include, but aren’t limited to, the following:

*All salary data as of February 2025

Data steward 

Average annual US base salary (Glassdoor): $77,187 [12]

As a data steward, you will ensure data quality, integrity, and usability within an organization. You’ll also define how your organization collects and handles its data. 

Data compliance officer 

Average annual US base salary (Glassdoor): $98,959 [13]

As a data compliance officer, you will ensure your organization's data handling practices comply with relevant laws and regulations. Additionally, you may oversee training programs to help enhance employees' knowledge of data compliance standards.

Data privacy officer 

Average annual US base salary (Glassdoor): $106,984 [14]

As a data privacy officer, you will support your organization’s efforts to meet data protection standards and safeguard personal information. You’ll serve as the primary contact for all matters concerning personal data and its processing.

Start your data governance career on Coursera

Data governance is a framework that helps guarantee data's accuracy, security, privacy, and usability throughout its life cycle. Learn more about data governance with Northeastern University’s Data Privacy Fundamentals course on Coursera. With this beginner-friendly course, you can learn more about modern-day data privacy challenges associated with journalism, surveillance, biometrics, and more. You’ll need about eight hours to finish this course.