Top 10 BI Architect Certifications

Certifications are important for a bi architect in the job market because they demonstrate an individual's knowledge and competency in the areas of business intelligence, data analytics, data warehousing, and other related disciplines. A bi architect with certifications can prove to potential employers that they have the necessary skills to fulfill the role of a bi architect and understand the complexities of this field. Additionally, certifications can provide evidence of a bi architect’s abilities to analyze data and create meaningful insights from it. In today’s competitive job market, having certifications is often seen as a mark of distinction and can help individuals stand out from their peers when applying for positions.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for BI Architects and explains how they can help to further a bi architect's career.

What are BI Architect Certifications?

Bi Architect Certification is a professional certification program that provides an individual with the knowledge and skills to design, develop, and implement Business Intelligence (BI) solutions. This certification recognizes individuals who have the technical ability to build BI solutions using the latest technologies, as well as the business acumen to help organizations maximize their BI investments.

The Bi Architect Certification helps organizations ensure that their BI solutions are designed and implemented by professionals with the appropriate level of expertise. By having certified personnel on staff, organizations can rest assured that their BI solutions are built on best practices and principles, while being tailored to meet their unique business needs. Additionally, it allows them to differentiate themselves from competitors by demonstrating a commitment to excellence in BI technology.

The Bi Architect Certification also provides individuals with a competitive edge when looking for new career opportunities or promotions within their current organization. The certification demonstrates an individual’s proficiency in designing, developing, and implementing end-to-end BI solutions, which can give them an advantage over other job candidates. It also gives them access to exclusive resources such as industry events and webinars that can help keep them up-to-date on the latest trends in BI technology.

Pro Tip: When considering a bi architect certification, make sure to research the specific requirements and certifications needed for your desired position. Most bi architect positions require a combination of technical skills, industry experience, and specialized knowledge of data analytics tools. Additionally, many employers will prefer applicants who have completed a formal training program or earned an additional certification from a recognized authority on the subject.

Related: What does a BI Architect do?

Top 10 BI Architect Certifications

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

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

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Business Intelligence is a certification that demonstrates an individual's expertise in designing, implementing, and managing business intelligence solutions. This certification is designed to validate the skills of IT professionals who specialize in creating and maintaining data-driven solutions that enable organizations to make better decisions.

The MCSE: Business Intelligence certification requires individuals to pass four exams: two core exams and two elective exams. The core exams cover topics such as database administration, data warehousing, data analysis, reporting services, and analytics. The elective exams focus on specific technologies such as Power BI or Azure Data Factory.

To get the MCSE: Business Intelligence certification, individuals must first pass all four exams within one year of each other. After passing all four exams, individuals will receive their certification from Microsoft.

The cost for the MCSE: Business Intelligence certification varies depending on which exam you are taking and where you take it. Generally speaking, each exam costs around $165 USD. Therefore, the total cost for the entire MCSE: Business Intelligence certification would be approximately $660 USD.

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

Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Certified Implementation Specialist is a certification program provided by Oracle Corporation. The certification is designed to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to successfully implement an Oracle BI 11g solution.

The certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions that test the candidate’s understanding of the Oracle BI 11g architecture, installation, configuration, administration, security, data modeling, and reporting. The exam also tests the candidate’s ability to troubleshoot and optimize performance of an Oracle BI 11g implementation.

The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and is available in both English and Japanese. It costs $245 USD for non-members of the Oracle Partner Network (OPN) or $195 USD for OPN members.

To get certified as an Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Certified Implementation Specialist, you must pass the associated certification exam. To prepare for the exam, you can take training courses offered by Oracle University or self-study using online resources such as whitepapers and tutorials.

3. IBM Certified Data Architect - Business Intelligence Solution

IBM Certified Data Architect - Business Intelligence Solution is a professional certification program designed to recognize IT professionals who have the skills and knowledge necessary to design, develop, and implement data architectures for business intelligence solutions. It is an advanced-level certification that requires a comprehensive understanding of the IBM Cognos platform and its associated tools, as well as experience in developing data architectures for business intelligence solutions.

In order to obtain this certification, candidates must pass two exams: IBM Cognos Analytics 11 BI Author (C2090-320) and IBM Cognos Analytics 11 BI Administrator (C2090-321). The C2090-320 exam covers topics such as creating reports, dashboards, and scorecards; managing users; working with data sources; using security; and troubleshooting. The C2090-321 exam covers topics such as installation, configuration, administration, performance tuning, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

The cost of the exams vary depending on the country you are taking them in. In the United States they cost $200 each. The time it takes to get certified depends on how much time you put into studying for the exams. It typically takes between one to three months of study to prepare for these exams.

4. Cloudera Certified Professional: Data Engineer

Cloudera Certified Professional: Data Engineer is a certification program that validates the skills and knowledge of professionals in data engineering. It is designed to assess a Data Engineer’s ability to design, build, and maintain reliable data pipelines using Cloudera’s open-source technologies.

The certification exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The exam covers topics such as data ingestion, transformation, analysis, storage, and security. To pass the exam, candidates must demonstrate an understanding of Cloudera’s open-source technologies as well as their ability to apply them in real-world scenarios.

To get certified as a Cloudera Certified Professional: Data Engineer, you must first register for the exam on the Cloudera website. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to access the exam. After passing the exam, you will receive an official certificate from Cloudera certifying your achievement.

The cost of taking the Cloudera Certified Professional: Data Engineer exam varies depending on your geographic region but typically ranges from $250-$400 USD.

5. SAS Certified BI Content Developer for SAS 9

SAS Certified BI Content Developer for SAS 9 is a certification program that validates the skills and knowledge of professionals who develop, deploy, and maintain business intelligence (BI) content. This certification is designed to demonstrate an individual's ability to use SAS BI tools and technologies to create BI content such as reports, dashboards, cubes, and more.

The certification exam typically takes two hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. To become certified, individuals must pass the exam with a score of at least 70%.

In order to get the SAS Certified BI Content Developer for SAS 9 certification, candidates must first register for the exam on the SAS website. The cost of the exam varies depending on location but is usually around $200 USD. After registering for the exam, candidates can take it either in person at a Pearson VUE testing center or online from home or work.

Once an individual has passed their exam, they will receive their official SAS Certified BI Content Developer for SAS 9 certificate in the mail.

6. SAP Certified Application Associate – Business Intelligence with SAP BW 7.x & BI 4.x

SAP Certified Application Associate – Business Intelligence with SAP BW 7.x & BI 4.x is a certification program from SAP that validates the skills and knowledge of professionals in the field of business intelligence and data warehousing. It is designed to demonstrate a professional’s ability to work with SAP Business Warehouse (BW) 7.x and SAP Business Intelligence (BI) 4.x solutions, including data modeling, reporting, analysis, and visualization.

The certification process typically takes around 8-10 weeks to complete, depending on the individual’s experience level and availability for study time. To get certified, candidates must first register for an exam through the SAP Learning Hub portal or through an authorized training partner. The cost of the exam varies depending on country and currency exchange rates but generally ranges between $500-$600 USD. After registering for the exam, candidates must then pass a multiple-choice test that covers topics such as data modeling, reporting, analysis, visualization, system administration, security management and more.

Once certified as an SAP Certified Application Associate – Business Intelligence with SAP BW 7.x & BI 4.x professional, individuals are able to demonstrate their expertise in working with these solutions to employers or customers looking for experienced professionals in this field.

7. Teradata 14 Certified Master Data Warehouse Architect

Teradata 14 Certified Master Data Warehouse Architect (TD14CM) is a certification program offered by Teradata Corporation. It is designed to recognize and reward individuals who demonstrate the highest level of proficiency in data warehouse architecture, design, implementation, and optimization. The certification requires an individual to demonstrate mastery of the Teradata Database platform, including its features, tools, and utilities.

The TD14CM certification process takes approximately three months to complete. It consists of two parts: the online exam and the hands-on lab exam. The online exam tests an individual’s knowledge of the Teradata Database platform and its related components. The hands-on lab exam requires an individual to demonstrate their ability to architect, design, implement, and optimize a data warehouse solution using Teradata products.

To get certified as a TD14CM, you must first register for the program through the Teradata website. After registering for the program, you will need to take both exams within six months of registration. You can find study materials on the Teradata website or purchase them from third-party vendors such as Amazon or Udemy.

The cost for the TD14CM certification varies depending on where you take it and which study materials you use. Generally speaking, it will cost around $2,000-$3,000 USD for both exams and study materials combined.

8. Tableau Desktop Qualified Associate Certification

Tableau Desktop Qualified Associate Certification is an industry-recognized certification that verifies a user’s ability to create and share visualizations using Tableau Desktop. This certification is designed for individuals who have basic knowledge of data visualization and are looking to demonstrate their proficiency in the Tableau platform.

The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete. The exam covers topics such as connecting to data, creating views, formatting worksheets, and sharing visualizations. To become certified, candidates must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

To get the Tableau Desktop Qualified Associate Certification, you will need to register for the exam on the Tableau website. The cost of the exam is $250 USD per attempt. After registering for the exam, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access it via your web browser. You should also review all available study materials before taking the exam.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official certification from Tableau within 5-7 business days. Your certification will be valid for one year from date of issue and can be renewed by retaking the same exam or upgrading to a more advanced level of certification (e.g., Professional or Expert).

9. Microsoft Power BI Certification

Microsoft Power BI Certification is a professional credential that validates an individual’s expertise in using Microsoft Power BI, a powerful business analytics tool. The certification covers the fundamentals of Power BI, including data modeling and visualization, working with datasets, creating reports and dashboards, and more. It also includes an understanding of how to use the features of Power BI to create compelling insights.

The certification exam typically takes about two hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. To qualify for the certification, you must pass the exam with a score of 700 or higher out of 1000 points.

You can take the Microsoft Power BI Certification exam online through Pearson VUE or at any authorized testing center around the world. The cost for taking the exam is $165 USD (or equivalent in local currency).

10. QlikView Business Analyst Certification

QlikView Business Analyst Certification is a professional certification program designed to help individuals develop the skills and knowledge needed to become successful QlikView Business Analysts. The certification is offered by Qlik, a leading provider of data analytics software.

The certification consists of two exams: the QlikView Business Analyst Exam and the QlikView Data Modeling Exam. Both exams are administered online, and must be passed in order to receive the certification. The exam topics include data analysis, data modeling, visualizations, scripting, and more.

The QlikView Business Analyst Certification requires approximately 50 hours of study time. It is recommended that individuals have at least one year of experience working with QlikView before attempting the exams.

To get certified as a QlikView Business Analyst, you must first register for the exams on the official website. Once registered, you can purchase study materials from Qlik or other third-party vendors to help prepare for the exams. After completing your studies and passing both exams with a score of 70% or higher, you will receive your certificate in PDF format via email.

The cost of becoming certified as a QlikView Business Analyst varies depending on where you purchase your study materials and how much time you spend preparing for the exams. Generally speaking, it costs around $500-$600 USD to become certified as a QlikView Business Analyst.

Do You Really Need a BI Architect Certificate?

When considering whether or not to pursue a BI Architect Certificate, it is important to consider the value that such a certificate could bring. As technology continues to evolve, businesses are increasingly turning to data-driven solutions in order to better understand their customers and operations. A BI Architect Certificate can provide individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to effectively design, develop, and deploy business intelligence (BI) solutions for their organization.

In addition to providing individuals with the technical skills needed for successful BI implementation, having a BI Architect Certificate can also help job seekers stand out from other applicants in a competitive job market. With more businesses seeking experienced professionals who are knowledgeable about data-driven solutions, having a certification in this field can give you an edge over other applicants without one. This certification can also make you more attractive to potential employers by demonstrating your commitment to professional development and expertise in the field of business intelligence.

Finally, having a BI Architect Certificate can be beneficial even if you don’t plan on working as an architect or engineer. By understanding how data-driven solutions work, you can better understand how your organization uses them and bring valuable insights into decision making processes. Having this knowledge can help you become an invaluable asset inside or outside of your organization by helping to inform decisions regarding customer segmentation, product optimization, marketing campaigns, and more.

In conclusion, there are many benefits associated with obtaining a BI Architect Certificate depending on what career goals you have set for yourself. If you are looking to gain technical skills related to designing and deploying business intelligence solutions or want to stand out from other job applicants in a competitive market then obtaining this certification may be worth considering.

Related: BI Architect Resume Examples

FAQs About BI Architect Certifications

Q1: What is the purpose of a BI Architect Certification?

A1: The purpose of a BI Architect Certification is to demonstrate an individual’s competence in designing and developing business intelligence solutions. It is also intended to validate an individual’s knowledge and skills in the areas of data analysis, data architecture, data management, and other related topics.

Q2: What are the different types of BI Architect Certifications available?

A2: Different certifications may be offered by different organizations, but generally they include Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP), Certified Data Warehouse Professional (CDWP), Certified Enterprise Data Architect (CEDA) and more.

Q3: How do I become a certified BI Architect?

A3: To become a certified BI Architect you must pass an exam administered by an accredited organization such as the Institute for Business Intelligence Architecture (IBBA). The exam consists of multiple-choice questions about various aspects of business intelligence architecture.

Q4: How long does it take to receive certification?

A4: It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the requirements for certification. This includes taking the exam, completing any required courses or training programs, and submitting any necessary documentation.

Q5: What are the benefits of becoming a certified BI Architect?

A5: Becoming a certified BI Architect can lead to better job opportunities and higher salaries. It can also help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs, as employers often prefer candidates with certification experience in this field. Additionally, having this certification can provide you with credibility when dealing with customers or clients who require technical expertise in this area.