Top 11 Business Architect Certifications

Certifications for a business architect are important in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge that can be used to gain professional recognition, advance career prospects and stand out from the competition. Certified business architects possess the skills necessary to analyze, design, implement and manage complex business solutions. They understand how different components within an organization work together and how technology can be leveraged to optimize operations. Certification also shows employers that the individual has invested time into developing their skillset and has kept up with industry trends and best practices. This indicates that the individual is committed to their profession and prepared to take on challenging projects.

This article reviews the top certifications for Business Architects and explains how they can benefit a business architect's career.

What are Business Architect Certifications?

Business Architect Certification is an accreditation for professionals who specialize in analyzing, designing, and managing business processes. This certification is designed to help professionals demonstrate their ability to lead organizations through complex business changes and transformations. Business architects are responsible for creating an overall vision of the organization's goals, objectives, and strategies. They must have a comprehensive understanding of the organization’s structure, operations, processes, and technology in order to effectively design and implement new solutions that will improve the organization’s performance.

Business architects need to be highly skilled in identifying opportunities for improvement within the enterprise. They must also have excellent communication skills in order to effectively collaborate with other stakeholders on developing innovative strategies and solutions that are aligned with organizational goals. The certification provides a framework for assessing business architecture professionals’ competency levels and helps organizations identify qualified individuals who can help them reach their desired outcomes. Additionally, it can provide individuals with a competitive advantage when applying for jobs or contracts related to business architecture roles.

Pro Tip: Before pursuing a business architect certification, make sure you have experience in the field and understand the industry and its key players. Additionally, research the different certifications available to ensure that you choose the best fit for your career goals.

Related: What does a Business Architect do?

Top 11 Business Architect Certifications

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

1. Certified Business Architect (CBA)

Certified Business Architect (CBA) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of business architecture. The CBA credential is offered by the Business Architecture Guild, a global non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the practice of business architecture.

The CBA certification requires applicants to have at least 5 years of experience in business architecture or related disciplines such as IT strategy, enterprise architecture, process engineering, or systems analysis. Applicants must also demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in topics such as business strategy, organizational design, value chain modeling, process modeling, information management, and technology management.

To obtain the CBA credential, applicants must pass an online exam that consists of multiple choice questions covering various topics related to business architecture. The exam typically takes 2-3 hours to complete and costs $495 USD for members of the Business Architecture Guild and $595 USD for non-members. After passing the exam, applicants must also submit a portfolio demonstrating their experience in business architecture or related disciplines. Once approved by the Business Architecture Guild’s Certification Board, applicants will receive their CBA credential.

2. Certified Enterprise Architect (CEA)

Certified Enterprise Architect (CEA) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of experienced enterprise architects. It is administered by the Open Group, an international organization that sets standards for IT professionals. The CEA program tests an individual’s understanding of the principles and practices of enterprise architecture, including business strategy, governance, process design, technology selection, and implementation.

The CEA exam takes approximately four hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. To become certified, applicants must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $500-$1,000 USD.

In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also have at least five years of experience in enterprise architecture or related fields. Applicants must also submit evidence of their experience such as project documentation or references from employers or colleagues.

Once certified, CEA holders are eligible for membership in the Open Group’s Enterprise Architecture Professional (EAP) program which provides access to exclusive resources and networking opportunities.

3. Certified Solutions Architect (CSA)

Certified Solutions Architect (CSA) is a professional certification program designed to help IT professionals understand the principles of cloud architecture and design secure, reliable, and cost-effective solutions. The certification is offered by Amazon Web Services (AWS), the world’s largest cloud computing platform.

To become a CSA, candidates must pass two exams: the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam and the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional exam. Both exams are offered online and can be taken at any time.

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam covers basic knowledge of designing distributed applications and systems on the AWS platform. It consists of multiple choice questions that assess an individual’s understanding of core AWS services, such as EC2, S3, RDS, CloudFormation, VPC, etc. The exam takes approximately 80 minutes to complete and costs $150 USD.

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional exam covers more advanced topics related to designing scalable and resilient architectures on the AWS platform. It consists of multiple choice questions that assess an individual’s understanding of core AWS services, such as EC2, S3, RDS, CloudFormation, VPC, etc., as well as their ability to design complex architectures using these services. The exam takes approximately 170 minutes to complete and costs $300 USD.

In order to maintain their CSA certification status, individuals must recertify every two years by taking either one of the two exams again or completing a series of continuing education courses provided by AWS.

4. Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP)

Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP) is a certification program offered by the Data Management Association International (DAMA-I). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in data management. The CDMP certification is based on the DAMA-I's Data Management Body of Knowledge (DMBOK), which provides an industry-standard framework for data management professionals.

The CDMP certification process consists of three steps: passing a written exam, completing a portfolio review, and attending an oral interview. The exam covers topics such as data governance, data architecture, data modeling, database design, and analytics. After passing the exam, applicants must submit a portfolio that demonstrates their experience in data management. Finally, they must attend an oral interview with a panel of experts to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.

The entire process typically takes between six months and one year to complete. To get started, applicants must register with DAMA-I and pay the applicable fees. The cost of the CDMP certification varies depending on the country where you are applying from; however, it generally ranges from $500-$1,000 USD.

5. Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) is a professional certification offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). It is the most widely recognized and respected certification for business analysis professionals. The CBAP recognizes individuals who demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills and experience in the field of business analysis.

The CBAP certification requires applicants to have a minimum of 7500 hours of business analysis work experience over the last 10 years and 35 hours of professional development within the last 4 years. Applicants must also pass an exam that covers topics such as business analysis planning and monitoring, enterprise analysis, requirements management and communication, solution assessment and validation, and stakeholder management.

To obtain the CBAP certification, applicants must complete an application process which includes submitting their resume or CV along with proof of their work experience and professional development hours. Once approved, applicants can then register for the exam which costs $325 USD. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four hours.

Once an applicant has passed the exam they will receive their CBAP certification from IIBA. This certification is valid for three years after which time recertification will be required to maintain it.

6. TOGAF 9 Certification

TOGAF 9 Certification is an industry-recognized certification program that provides a comprehensive framework for enterprise architecture and helps organizations to develop, manage, and maintain their IT architectures. It is based on the TOGAF 9 standard, which was developed by The Open Group.

The TOGAF 9 certification consists of two levels: Foundation and Certified. The Foundation level focuses on basic concepts and terminology related to the TOGAF 9 standard, while the Certified level requires a more in-depth understanding of the framework.

To get certified at either level, you must take an exam administered by The Open Group. The exams are offered online or in person at testing centers around the world.

The Foundation exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and costs $320 USD. The Certified exam takes approximately 180 minutes to complete and costs $540 USD.

In addition to taking the exams, you must also meet certain prerequisites in order to become certified. For example, if you are applying for the Certified level, you must have at least two years of experience working with enterprise architecture or a related field such as software engineering or business analysis.

7. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is a globally recognized qualification in IT Service Management. It is designed to provide individuals with a comprehensive understanding of the ITIL framework and how it can be used to improve the quality of IT services. The certification covers service strategy, design, transition, operations and continual service improvement.

The certification typically takes around two days to complete and involves an exam at the end of the course. The exam consists of 40 multiple choice questions which must be completed within 60 minutes. To pass the exam, candidates must score at least 65% or higher.

To get ITIL Foundation Certification, individuals must first attend an accredited training course from an approved provider such as AXELOS or PeopleCert. These courses are available online or in-person and typically cost between $500-$1,000 depending on the provider and location. After completing the training course, individuals can then register for and take the ITIL Foundation exam either online or in-person. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on where it is taken but usually ranges from $150-$200 USD.

Once an individual has passed their ITIL Foundation Exam they will receive their official certificate from AXELOS confirming they have achieved their ITIL Foundation Certification. This certificate is valid for three years after which point a re-certification will be required to maintain your certification status.

8. COBIT 5 Foundation Certification

COBIT 5 Foundation Certification is a certification program developed by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) that provides IT professionals with the skills and knowledge to effectively implement and manage COBIT 5. It is designed to help organizations achieve their desired business outcomes through effective governance of enterprise IT.

The COBIT 5 Foundation Certification is an entry-level certification that takes approximately two days to complete. It covers the core concepts of COBIT 5, including its purpose, structure, principles, components, processes, and enablers. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 90 minutes.

To get certified in COBIT 5 Foundation, you must first register for the exam on ISACA's website. Once you have registered, you will need to purchase the exam voucher from ISACA's online store. The cost of the voucher is $200 USD plus applicable taxes and fees. After purchasing your voucher, you will receive an email confirmation with instructions on how to schedule your exam at a Pearson VUE testing center near you.

Once you have passed the exam with a score of 65% or higher, you will receive your official COBIT 5 Foundation Certificate from ISACA within 4–6 weeks after completing the exam.

9. PMI-PBA Certification

PMI-PBA (Project Management Institute – Professional in Business Analysis) is a certification program offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated their knowledge and experience in business analysis. The PMI-PBA certification demonstrates that the individual has the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively analyze and document requirements, assess potential solutions, and manage changes throughout the project life cycle.

The PMI-PBA certification requires applicants to pass an exam consisting of 200 multiple choice questions covering topics such as project management, business analysis, stakeholder engagement, process improvement, and more. The exam must be completed within three hours.

To obtain the PMI-PBA certification, applicants must first meet certain educational and professional experience requirements. Applicants must have a minimum of seven years of professional experience in business analysis or a related field. At least four of these years must include direct involvement in business analysis activities. Additionally, applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.

Once all eligibility requirements have been met, applicants can register for the exam through PMI’s website or call center. The cost of registration is $405 for members of PMI and $555 for non-members. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their PMI-PBA certification within four weeks.

10. Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) Certification

Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) Certification is a globally recognized certification that is designed to provide a comprehensive approach to enterprise architecture. It is an industry standard framework used by organizations to help them design, plan, implement, and manage their IT systems. TOGAF provides a common language for discussing the components of an organization's IT architecture and helps organizations align their technology investments with their business objectives.

The TOGAF certification program consists of two levels: Level 1 (Foundation) and Level 2 (Certified). The Foundation level requires candidates to pass a multiple-choice exam that tests their knowledge of the basics of TOGAF. The Certified level requires candidates to pass both the Foundation exam and an additional essay-based exam that tests their ability to apply TOGAF principles in practice.

It typically takes about 6 months to prepare for the exams and obtain certification. Candidates should begin by familiarizing themselves with the TOGAF documentation, which can be found on The Open Group website. They should also consider taking a training course or attending workshops on TOGAF in order to gain hands-on experience with the framework.

The cost of obtaining TOGAF certification varies depending on where you take the exams and how much preparation you do beforehand. Generally speaking, it will cost between $500-$1,000 USD for both levels of certification.

In order to obtain TOGAF certification, candidates must register with The Open Group and pay for their exams online or through an authorized testing center. Once registered, they will receive instructions on how to schedule their exams and access study materials provided by The Open Group. After completing both exams successfully, candidates will receive official confirmation from The Open Group that they have obtained TOGAF certification.

11. Zachman Framework for Enterprise Architecture Certification

The Zachman Framework for Enterprise Architecture Certification is a professional certification program that provides an internationally recognized standard of knowledge and skills in enterprise architecture. The framework was developed by John Zachman, who is widely considered to be the father of enterprise architecture. The certification program is designed to help individuals develop their skills in the areas of business process modeling, data modeling, application development, and technology management.

The certification consists of three levels: Foundation Level (FL), Intermediate Level (IL) and Advanced Level (AL). Each level requires successful completion of a series of exams as well as practical experience in the field. The FL exam focuses on basic concepts such as understanding the Zachman Framework, developing an enterprise architecture model, and applying the framework to solve business problems. The IL exam covers more advanced topics such as creating a strategy for implementing an enterprise architecture solution, designing an enterprise architecture system, and managing its implementation. Finally, the AL exam covers topics such as developing a comprehensive view of an organization’s IT environment and designing solutions to meet its needs.

In order to obtain the Zachman Framework for Enterprise Architecture Certification, individuals must first pass all three levels of exams within a two-year period. After passing all three exams, individuals must also complete at least one year of practical experience in order to receive their certificate.

The cost for taking each exam varies depending on where you take it; however, most exams cost around $500 USD per exam. Additionally, some organizations may offer discounts or other incentives if you register for multiple exams at once or if you are part of certain groups or organizations.

Do You Really Need a Business Architect Certificate?

No, you do not need a business architect certificate to be successful in the field. A business architect is responsible for designing and managing an organization’s business architecture, which includes everything from defining the structure of the organization to developing strategies for growth and success. While having a business architect certificate may help you stand out in the job market, it is not necessary to become successful in this role.

The most important thing when pursuing a career as a business architect is having the right skillset. It is important to have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as an understanding of how different departments within an organization interact with each other. You should also have knowledge of various software programs and industry trends. Additionally, it is beneficial to have experience working with stakeholders at all levels of an organization and developing strategies that align with their goals. With these skills in place, you can be successful without needing a certification.

That being said, if you are looking for ways to differentiate yourself from other candidates or want to demonstrate your commitment to the profession, obtaining a business architect certificate could be beneficial. These certificates typically require completion of coursework related to the field and may provide additional insight into best practices or new technologies that are relevant in today’s market.

Overall, while having a business architect certificate can help boost your resume, it is not essential for success in this role. Having the right skill set and knowledge base are more important than any certification when it comes to becoming a successful business architect.

Related: Business Architect Resume Examples

FAQs About Business Architect Certifications

1. What is a Business Architect Certification?

Answer: A Business Architect Certification is a professional certification that recognizes an individual's expertise in business architecture and related disciplines, such as enterprise architecture, systems engineering, and business analysis. It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s commitment to excellence in their profession.

2. How do I become certified?

Answer: To become certified, you must pass the Business Architecture Guild Certified Business Architect (CBA) exam, which tests your knowledge and skills in the areas of business strategy, value creation, governance and management, organizational design, technology enablement and process design.

3. How long does it take to become certified?

Answer: The length of time it takes to become certified depends on how much preparation you put into studying for the exam. Generally speaking though, most people take between two months and six months to complete their studies for the CBA exam.

4. What are the benefits of becoming a certified business architect?

Answer: Becoming a certified business architect provides many benefits including increased credibility with clients, greater job opportunities and higher salaries. Additionally, it can help you gain recognition from peers and colleagues as an expert in your field.

5. Is there any other certification available besides the CBA?

Answer: Yes! There are several other certifications available including The Open Group Certified Architect (Open CA), TOGAF 9 Certified (TOGAF 9), The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) Certification Program (TOCP), Certified Enterprise Architect (CEA), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and more.