Top 11 BI Analyst Certifications

Certifications for a BI analyst can be very important in the job market. Having certifications demonstrates a level of knowledge and expertise in the field that can help set job applicants apart from other candidates. Certifications can also give employers confidence that an applicant is up to date on the latest trends and technologies related to BI analytics. Additionally, certifications can provide recognition of an individual’s professional achievements, making them more attractive to potential employers. Finally, certifications can help individuals advance their career by helping them gain access to higher-level roles and opportunities.

The article reviews some of the top certifications for BI Analysts and explains how they can help to further a bi analyst's career.

What are BI Analyst Certifications?

Bi analyst certification is a credential that validates the skills and knowledge of professionals who collect, analyze and interpret data to help organizations make better decisions. It is designed for individuals who have an understanding of business intelligence (BI) concepts and are looking to demonstrate their expertise in the field. With bi analyst certification, professionals can demonstrate their advanced knowledge and skills in data analysis, data visualization, reporting, problem-solving, communication, and more.

Bi analyst certification can be beneficial to both employers and employees alike. For employers, having certified BI analysts on staff can give them the confidence that their team is well-trained in the best practices for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to inform strategic decisions. Certified BI analysts also have a competitive edge when it comes to job opportunities since they can prove their proficiency in the field with this credential.

For employees seeking bi analyst certifications, it can provide them with a pathway to advance their career by demonstrating their knowledge and abilities in this specific area of expertise. Additionally, it allows them to stay up-to-date with the latest trends in BI technology so that they remain relevant as the industry changes over time.

Pro Tip: When considering a BI Analyst Certification, make sure to research the program thoroughly to ensure it is accredited and up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices. Additionally, look into the program's instructors and what type of experience they have in the field. Finally, be sure to understand what types of job roles you may be qualified for after completing the certification program.

Related: What does a BI Analyst do?

Top 11 BI Analyst Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to BI Analysts today.

1. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Business Intelligence

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Business Intelligence is a certification that validates an individual’s expertise in designing, developing, and deploying business intelligence solutions using Microsoft SQL Server 2012. This certification demonstrates the ability to create end-to-end business intelligence solutions that include data preparation, data warehouse implementation, and reporting.

It typically takes about six months to complete the requirements for the MCSE: Business Intelligence certification. To get this certification, you must first pass four exams: 70-461 (Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012), 70-462 (Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases), 70-463 (Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012), and 70-466 (Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012).

The cost of each exam varies depending on your location. Generally speaking, it costs around $150 per exam. In total, it will cost approximately $600 to get your MCSE: Business Intelligence certification.

2. Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Certified Implementation Specialist

Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Certified Implementation Specialist is a certification program offered by Oracle that provides professionals with the knowledge and skills to design, develop, deploy, and maintain Oracle BI applications. The certification is designed for individuals who have experience in designing, developing, deploying, and managing Oracle BI applications.

The certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions that assess a candidate's knowledge of the topics related to the implementation of Oracle BI applications. Candidates must pass an online proctored exam to become certified. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete.

To get the Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Certified Implementation Specialist certification, candidates must first register for the exam through the Oracle Certification website. After registering for the exam, candidates can schedule an appointment at a local Pearson VUE testing center or take the exam online using their own computer.

The cost of taking the Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Certified Implementation Specialist exam varies depending on location and other factors. Generally speaking, it costs around $245 USD for each attempt at the exam.

3. IBM Certified Database Administrator – Business Intelligence

IBM Certified Database Administrator – Business Intelligence is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s ability to design, implement, and maintain IBM Cognos BI solutions. It validates the skills required to develop and deploy business intelligence solutions using IBM Cognos software.

To become certified as an IBM Certified Database Administrator – Business Intelligence, you must pass one of the following exams: C2090-622 or C2090-623. The exam covers topics such as architecture, installation, configuration, administration, security, performance tuning, troubleshooting, and support.

The time it takes to get certified depends on your experience with IBM Cognos BI and how much time you are able to dedicate to studying for the exam. It typically takes about four months of study before taking the exam.

You can register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. The cost of the exam varies depending on location but generally ranges from $200-$250 USD.

4. Tableau Desktop Professional Certification

Tableau Desktop Professional Certification is a certification program offered by Tableau Software that validates the skills and knowledge of professionals who use Tableau to create visualizations, dashboards, and stories. The certification is designed to demonstrate proficiency in using Tableau’s powerful data visualization capabilities. It can take anywhere from 2-4 hours to complete the exam, depending on the individual's familiarity with Tableau.

To get certified, individuals must register for and take an online exam through Tableau's website. The cost of the exam is $250 USD. Once registered, individuals will have 90 days to complete the exam before their registration expires. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and requires a passing score of 70% or higher to receive certification.

The certification provides recognition for those who have mastered Tableau’s tools and techniques for creating visualizations and dashboards that help organizations make better decisions based on data insights. It also serves as proof of professional competency when applying for jobs or promotions in data analysis or business intelligence fields.

5. SAS Certified BI Content Developer for SAS 9

SAS Certified BI Content Developer for SAS 9 is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of professionals who develop and maintain business intelligence (BI) content. This certification demonstrates an individual’s ability to create, manage, and deploy BI content using the SAS 9 platform.

The exam for this certification consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. The topics covered in the exam include: data access and integration, BI application development, report writing and design, metadata management, data mining, OLAP cube design, security administration, performance tuning and optimization.

To get certified as a SAS Certified BI Content Developer for SAS 9 you must first register with Pearson VUE or Prometric. You will then need to purchase a voucher from Pearson VUE or Prometric in order to take the exam. The cost of the voucher varies depending on where you are located but typically ranges from $150 - $200 USD.

Once you have purchased your voucher you can schedule your exam at any time convenient for you. It typically takes about 4 weeks to receive your results after taking the exam. Upon successful completion of the exam you will receive an official certificate from SAS Institute Inc., validating your achievement as a SAS Certified BI Content Developer for SAS 9.

6. QlikView Data Architect Certification

QlikView Data Architect Certification is an industry-recognized certification program that verifies a professional’s knowledge and skills in designing, developing, and deploying QlikView applications. The certification validates the ability to design and develop data models, create visualizations, and deploy applications.

The certification consists of two exams: the QlikView 11 Data Architect Exam (QVDA) and the QlikView 12 Data Architect Exam (QVDA2). Both exams must be completed in order to obtain certification.

To get certified, you must first register with Pearson VUE to take the exams. The cost of each exam is $125 USD. Once registered, you can schedule your exams at any Pearson VUE testing center worldwide. Each exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

Once both exams have been successfully completed, you will receive a certificate from Qlik confirming your status as a certified QlikView Data Architect. This certificate is valid for two years from the date of issuance and may be renewed by taking either the QVDA or QVDA2 exam again.

Overall, it usually takes about 3-4 weeks to complete both exams and receive your certification.

7. SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0 Solution Consultant Certification

SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0 Solution Consultant Certification is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have the skills and knowledge necessary to design, develop, and implement SAP BusinessObjects BI solutions. The certification requires a deep understanding of the SAP BusinessObjects BI platform, including its architecture, functionality, and features.

The certification process takes approximately 6-8 weeks depending on individual experience and preparation. To become certified as an SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0 Solution Consultant, candidates must first register for the exam through the SAP Learning Hub. After registering for the exam, candidates must complete a series of online courses that cover topics such as data integration and modeling, report authoring and analysis, dashboard design and implementation, mobile applications development, security management, administration tasks, and more. Once all course requirements are met, candidates can take the final certification exam which consists of multiple choice questions.

The cost to become certified as an SAP BusinessObjects BI 4.0 Solution Consultant varies based on individual circumstances but typically ranges from $1,500 - $2,500 USD depending on additional training materials purchased or other factors such as discounts offered by some training providers.

8. MicroStrategy Certified Designer

MicroStrategy Certified Designer is a certification program offered by MicroStrategy, a leading provider of business intelligence and analytics software. The certification program is designed to help individuals demonstrate their expertise in designing, developing, and deploying enterprise-level business intelligence solutions.

The certification requires the completion of two courses: MicroStrategy Certified Designer Fundamentals and MicroStrategy Certified Designer Advanced. The fundamentals course covers topics such as data modeling, report design, dashboard creation, and more. The advanced course covers topics such as security configuration, best practices for performance optimization, and troubleshooting techniques.

It typically takes around 6 months to complete both courses and obtain the certification. To get started on the path to becoming a certified designer, you must first register for the courses through MicroStrategy University (MSTRU). Once registered, you can access course materials online or attend instructor-led classes at one of MSTRU's global training centers.

The cost of the certification varies depending on which delivery method you choose (online or classroom). Online access costs $2,000 USD per person per course; classroom access costs $2,500 USD per person per course.

9. Cloudera Certified Professional: Data Analyst (CCP:DA)

Cloudera Certified Professional: Data Analyst (CCP:DA) is an industry-recognized certification for professionals who have demonstrated their expertise in data analysis using Apache Hadoop and Cloudera's enterprise data platform. The CCP:DA certification verifies that professionals can use the tools and techniques necessary to work with large datasets, build models, and interpret results.

To become a CCP:DA, you must pass the Cloudera Certified Professional Data Analyst Exam. This exam covers topics such as querying data with Impala and Hive, loading data into HDFS, working with Sqoop and Flume, building models with Spark MLlib and Oryx, visualizing data with Hue and Zeppelin notebooks, managing clusters with Cloudera Manager, and more. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes.

In order to take the exam, you must first register for a Cloudera account. Once registered, you can purchase the exam voucher from the Cloudera website for $295 USD. After purchasing the voucher, you will receive an email containing instructions on how to schedule your exam appointment at a testing center near you.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CCP:DA certification from Cloudera which is valid for three years from the date of passing.

10. Teradata 14 Certified Master – Business Intelligence

Teradata 14 Certified Master – Business Intelligence is a certification program that demonstrates an individual's expertise in the Teradata Database and Business Intelligence tools. This certification requires mastery of the Teradata Database, SQL, and Business Intelligence tools.

The Teradata 14 Certified Master – Business Intelligence exam consists of multiple-choice questions that evaluate a candidate’s knowledge of the Teradata Database, SQL, and Business Intelligence tools. The exam is administered by Pearson VUE and takes approximately two hours to complete.

To become certified as a Teradata 14 Certified Master – Business Intelligence, you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. You can register for the exam online through Pearson VUE or at any authorized testing center.

The cost of taking the Teradata 14 Certified Master – Business Intelligence exam varies depending on your country of residence and local currency exchange rate. Generally speaking, it costs around $200 USD to take the exam.

11. Hortonworks HDP Certified Apache Hadoop 2.0 Developer

Hortonworks HDP Certified Apache Hadoop 2.0 Developer is a certification program that validates the skills and knowledge of developers who are working with Apache Hadoop 2.0 technology. This certification is designed to demonstrate that developers have the required skills to develop, maintain, and optimize applications on Apache Hadoop 2.0 technology platforms.

The certification process consists of a single exam that tests the candidate's knowledge of Apache Hadoop 2.0 components, architecture, development techniques, and best practices for developing solutions on the platform. The exam covers topics such as data ingestion, data processing, data storage, security, monitoring and troubleshooting.

The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through their website. The cost of the exam is $250 USD plus applicable taxes and fees. Upon successful completion of the exam, candidates will receive a Hortonworks HDP Certified Apache Hadoop 2.0 Developer certificate which is valid for three years from the date of completion.

Do You Really Need a BI Analyst Certificate?

The decision to pursue a BI Analyst Certificate is one that should be carefully considered. While the certificate may provide helpful credentials, there are other factors to consider before committing to an educational program.

First, it is important to evaluate your current skill level and experience in business intelligence (BI) analysis. If you have a good understanding of the field and have several years of experience in data analysis, then a certificate may not be necessary. However, if you are new to the field or looking for a way to gain additional competencies in BI analysis, then pursuing a certificate could be beneficial. It can also help demonstrate your commitment and dedication to the profession.

In addition, it is important to consider the cost of obtaining a BI Analyst Certificate. The cost of tuition and fees will vary depending on the institution offering the program. If you are able to afford the cost of earning a certificate, then it could be worth considering as an investment in your future career prospects.

Finally, it is important to understand why you want to obtain a BI Analyst Certificate. Are you looking for recognition from employers? Do you want access to more advanced job opportunities? Or do you simply want additional knowledge and skills related to data analysis? Understanding your reasons for wanting to pursue this certification can help guide your decision-making process and ensure that it aligns with your professional goals.

Overall, whether or not you need a BI Analyst Certificate depends on many factors such as your current level of expertise, financial resources available, and motivations for obtaining certification. Taking time to evaluate these considerations can help ensure that any decision made is right for both yourself and your career aspirations.

Related: BI Analyst Resume Examples

FAQs About BI Analyst Certifications

FAQ #1: What is a BI Analyst Certification?

Answer: A BI Analyst Certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual’s proficiency in using Business Intelligence tools, technologies and techniques to analyze data. The certification typically requires passing an exam and may also include prerequisites such as education or experience.

FAQ #2: What are the benefits of being certified as a BI Analyst?

Answer: Being certified as a BI Analyst can provide many benefits, including increased job opportunities, higher salary potential and greater credibility with employers and clients. It can also demonstrate your expertise in the field and make you more competitive when applying for jobs.

FAQ #3: How do I become certified as a BI Analyst?

Answer: To become certified as a BI Analyst, you must pass an exam that covers topics such as data analysis, data integration, data visualization, reporting and dashboards. You may also need to meet certain prerequisites such as educational qualifications or work experience.

FAQ #4: What types of certifications are available for BI Analysts?

Answer: There are several different types of certifications available for BI Analysts, including those offered by Microsoft (MCSA), Oracle (OCP) and SAS (SAS Certified Professional). Each certification has its own set of requirements, so you should research the different options to determine which one best suits your needs.

FAQ #5: How long does it take to become certified as a BI Analyst?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become certified as a BI Analyst varies depending on the type of certification you pursue and any prerequisites that must be met. Generally speaking, most certifications require at least several weeks of preparation before taking an exam.