Become a Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

The Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) designation is a professional certification offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), a non-profit professional association focused on supporting the field of business analysis (BA). 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. The certification also benefits non-BA consultants.

Certification can be a stepping stone to a new position. Discover the CBAP's exact definition, benefits, comparisons to alternatives, and steps to obtain it. 

CBAP certification explained

CBAP recipients are professionals with at least five years of experience in the business analysis (BA) field, met specific experience requirements, and passed the 120-question CBAP exam [1].

CBAP benefits 

Becoming a CBAP can positively impact your overall job prospects 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 (7,500 hours) of work experience in business analysis and pass an exam consisting 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, BA professionals with the certification earn 13 percent more on average than noncertified professionals [1].

How to become a CBAP

The path to becoming an IIBA CBAP is for those dedicated to studying and practicing business analysis. Below is what you’ll need to do to make a start: 

1. Complete the exam requirements.

To qualify for the Certified Business Analysis Professional designation, you’ll need to complete some key requirements first. According to the IIBA, applicants 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 hours must fall within four of the six Business Analyst Body of Knowledge (BABOK) areas. The applicant must complete at least 900 hours for each of the four areas their work falls within. 

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

Who can become a CBAP? 

The CBAP is primarily geared toward senior business analysts. However, it’s also suitable for other professionals who use BA daily, including project managers, product managers, change managers, quality assurance professionals, consultants, trainers, designers, 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 pay the $145 application fee [2]. 

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. As outlined by the IIBA, the CBAP exam will cover the following domains: 

• Business analysis planning and monitoring: 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

While you likely address many of the aforementioned subjects in your day-to-day work, testing environments differ considerably from the workplace. Enhance your exam readiness and build on your current experience by dedicating time to study and preparation for mock exams.

4. Take (and pass) the CPAB exam. 

You can take the CPAB exam in two ways: in person at a PSI test centre or online through remote proctoring. When registering, pick the best environment to ensure that you do your best on the test. Whatever approach you choose, you will have 3.5 hours to complete the 120 exam questions [1]. 

5. Showcase your credentials. 

Once you’ve passed the CBAP exam, you will officially be a CPAB. You can feature your credentials on your resume, LinkedIn profile, and other professional websites. 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. 

CBAP vs PMI-PBA: Which is better?

The CBAP isn’t the only certification for professionals looking to demonstrate 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 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.  

Consider these key differences between CBAP and PBA to determine which one best suits your career goals: 

Keep learning with Coursera.

Business analysis is a constantly evolving field. From IT infrastructure to employee development, a business analyst’s expertise profoundly impacts all areas of an organisation. Forecasting, budgeting, and reporting are key skills for business analysts. Keep your existing skills fresh or learn new ones by taking an online, flexible course through Coursera. 

The University of Pennsylvania’s Business Analytics Specialisation introduces big data analytics for all business professionals, including those with no prior analytics experience.

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