Business Analyst Certifications: What are my choices?

If you are interested in furthering your career as a Business Analyst, certifications are a great way to show or improve your skills. There are many different programs throughout the world and selecting the right one can seem like a daunting task. You can choose an online program or look to local universities. As with anything make sure you do your homework on the programs you are interested in.

The IIBA or International Institute of Business Analysis, according to its website is a non-profit professional association with the purpose of supporting and promoting business analysis. It was formed in 2003 and has become the leading association in the world of Business Analysis. The IIBA has created guides to help you with collections of knowledge and general accepted practices.

There are two main certifications the IIBA offers. (CCBA) or Certification of competency in Business Analysis is for professionals looking to show investment in their careers as Business Analysts. The second certification (CBAP) or certified business analyst professional is designed for professionals with extensive business analyst experience.  Some people in the Business Analyst world would argue that having a (PMP) or project management professional certification is also a necessary step.  This certification is offered through the Project Management Institute. These three certifications are the most common among business analyst professionals today. It is designed to show the competency in project management and is also an industry standard.

Hopefully this has shed some light on the topic of business analyst certifications. For more information on each, please visit our certifications page.