Become a Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

The Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) designation is a professional certification endorsed by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), a non-profit professional association focused on supporting the field of business analysis. Professionals who have worked in the field for some time might consider obtaining a certification in business analysis to showcase their professional qualifications and experience. With various certifications on offer, the CBAP is highly regarded, with the IIBA considered a world-leading authority in business analytics and, therefore, a popular choice. 

Discover exactly what the CBAP is, its benefits, how it stacks up to alternatives, and the steps you need to take to obtain it. 

CBAP certification explained

CBAP recipients are professionals with experience who have worked in the field for at least five years, met specific experience requirements, and passed the 120-question CBAP exam.

CBAP benefits 

Becoming a CBAP can positively impact your overall job prospects, salary expectations, and career standing. Some of the most common benefits include: 

• Stand out to potential employers: In a crowded and competitive applicant pool, having the CBAP designation could help you stand out from other job applicants and land the position. 

• Demonstrate your skill set, knowledge, and experience: To qualify for the CBAP, you must have at least five years of business analysis work experience, with 7,500 hours in the last ten years, and pass an exam, which consists of 120 questions covering everything from business analysis planning and monitoring to solution evaluation. 

• Potentially increase your pay: According to research conducted by the IIBA for its Annual Business Analysis Survey, business analysis (BA) professionals with the certification earn 13 percent more on average than non-certified professionals [1].

How to become a CBAP

A dedication to the study and practice of business analysis defines the path to becoming an IIBA CBAP. Here’s what you’ll need to do to make a start: 

1. Complete the exam requirements.

To qualify for the Certified Business Analysis Professional exam, you’ll need to complete some key requirements first. According to the IIBA, you must [1]: 

• Complete at least 7,500 hours of BA work experience within the last 10 years.

• Of those 7,500 hours, at least 3,600 must fall within four of the six Business Analyst Body of Knowledge (BABOK) areas. You must complete at least 900 hours for each of your work's four areas. 

• Over the last four years, you must have completed at least 35 hours of professional development. 

Who can become a CBAP? 

While the CBAP is primarily geared towards senior business analysts, it’s also suitable for other professionals who use BA daily, including project managers, product managers, quality assurance professionals, consultants, and testers. 

2. Register for the exam.

Once you've gained the required experience to qualify for the exam, you can register for it. To register, you’ll need to submit two professional references who can vouch for your qualifications, agree to the IIBA’s Code of Conduct and Terms and Conditions, and also pay the 145 USD application fee. 

3. Study for the test. 

Before the day of the test, make sure to schedule time for exam prep. The CBAP test includes 120 exam questions covering a variety of different subjects. According to the IIBA, here’s what you can expect from the exam: 

• Business analysis and Planning: 14 percent 

• Elicitation and Collaboration: 12 percent

• Requirements life cycle management: 15 percent

• Strategy analysis: 15 percent

• Requirements analysis and design definition: 30 percent

• Solution evaluation: 14 percent

Rather than relying solely on your experience to ace the exam, use the time before it to study and prepare yourself with practice exams. While you likely address many of these subjects in your day-to-day work, testing environments differ considerably from the workplace. 

4. Take and pass the CBAP exam. 

You can take the CBAP exam online through remote proctoring. When registering, pick the best environment to ensure that you do your best on the test. You have 3.5 hours to complete the 120 exam questions. 

5. Show off your credentials. 

Once you’ve passed the CBAP exam, you will officially be a CBAP. Congratulations! You can show your credentials on your CV, LinkedIn profile, and other professional materials. This is a big accomplishment that shows the hard work you have put into your career and the skills you have advanced to stay relevant and competitive in the workplace. 

Alternative certifications: CBAP vs PMI-PBA

The CBAP isn’t the only certification for professionals looking to show off their business analyst abilities. The Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Professional in Business Analysis (PBA) certification is popular among industry professionals. 

The certification you choose will likely depend on your own preferences. While PMI has been around longer than IIBA, the CBAP has been around longer than the PBA, meaning that some employers might be more familiar with one organisation or certification over the other. Nonetheless, both certifications are highly rated.

At a glance, here are some key differences between both of the certifications to help you decide which better suits your goals: 

You may also consider the Association of Project Management Qualification (APM PMQ), which is highly regarded in the UK.

Keep learning with Course

Business analysis constantly evolves, and certification proves your skills and knowledge, bolstering your CV. The CBAP is a highly regarded option in the business analytics field. 

Take an online, flexible course through Coursera to refresh your existing skills or learn new ones. The University of Pennsylvania’s Business Analytics Specialisation introduces big data analytics for all business professionals, including those with no prior analytics experience.

Rice’s Business Statistics and Analysis Specialisation, meanwhile, helps course takers master essential spreadsheet functions, develop descriptive business data measures, and develop their aptitude for data modelling.

specialization

Business Analytics

Make Data-Driven Business Decisions. Achieve fluency in business data strategies in four discipline-specific courses.

4.6

(16,609 ratings)

195,999 already enrolled

Beginner level

Learn More

Average time: 1 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Customer Analytics, Analytics, Business Analytics, Decision Tree, Simulation, Mathematical Optimization, Solver, Strategic Management, Data Analysis, Accounting, Earnings Management, Finance, Predictive Analytics, Marketing Performance Measurement And Management, Regression Analysis, Talent Management, Performance Management, Collaboration

specialization

Business Statistics and Analysis

Build Data Analysis and Business Modeling Skills. Gain the ability to apply statistics and data analysis tools to various business applications.

4.7

(7,476 ratings)

95,541 already enrolled

Beginner level

Learn More

Average time: 3 month(s)

Learn at your own pace

Skills you'll build:

Microsoft Excel, Linear Regression, Statistical Hypothesis Testing, Predictive Analytics, Data Analysis, Regression Analysis, Lookup Table, Pivot Table, Log–Log Plot, Interaction (Statistics), Statistics, Statistical Analysis, Normal Distribution, Poisson Distribution