Top 10 Business Intelligence Certifications

Certifications are important for a business intelligence professional in the job market because they provide evidence of expertise and experience in a particular area. They demonstrate to employers that the individual has the necessary skills, knowledge, and competencies to perform their job functions effectively. Certifications also serve as a signal to potential employers that the individual is committed to staying current with industry trends and technologies. Additionally, certifications may give an applicant an edge over other job seekers who do not have them.

The purpose of this article is to review and explain how the top business intelligence certifications can contribute to a career in business intelligence.

What are Business Intelligence Certifications?

Business intelligence (BI) certification is a professional credential for individuals working in the field of business intelligence. It demonstrates that an individual has a comprehensive understanding of the principles and techniques used in business intelligence and data analytics.

The purpose of obtaining BI certification is to demonstrate to employers, clients, and other stakeholders that an individual has the skills needed to be successful in the field. The certification provides assurance to employers that an individual is knowledgeable in areas such as data mining, data analysis, reporting and visualization tools, statistical analysis, predictive analytics, and more. It also serves as a benchmark for employers when evaluating job applicants or current staff members.

BI certifications are often required for certain positions in the field of business intelligence and can be beneficial for professionals looking to advance their careers by demonstrating their expertise and knowledge. In addition, having a BI certification can help individuals stand out from other job candidates with similar experience levels by showing employers that they have taken the time to invest in their own education and training in this specific area. Finally, having a BI certification may open up opportunities for individuals to access specialized jobs or higher salaries.

Pro tip: When considering a business intelligence certification, look for programs that offer hands-on experience with real-world projects. This will help you gain the skills needed to successfully implement and manage BI systems in the workplace. Additionally, make sure the program is accredited by relevant organizations and that it covers the latest industry trends.

Related: What does a Business Intelligence do?

Top 10 Business Intelligence Certifications

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

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

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Business Intelligence is a certification program that validates the skills and knowledge of IT professionals who design, build, maintain, and troubleshoot business intelligence solutions. This certification demonstrates the ability to use Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014/2016 to create business intelligence solutions that include data warehouses, ETL processes, data cleansing, and data mining.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for and pass the MCSE: Business Intelligence exam. The preparation process includes studying for the exam using self-study materials such as books, online courses, practice tests, and other resources. Additionally, hands-on experience with SQL Server is recommended in order to gain a better understanding of the topics covered on the exam.

In order to get certified as an MCSE: Business Intelligence professional, you must first pass two exams: 70-461 (Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014) and 70-467 (Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2012/2014). Both exams are available through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers worldwide.

The cost of taking the two exams varies depending on location but typically ranges from $150-$200 per exam.

2. IBM Certified Data Architect – Business Intelligence

IBM Certified Data Architect – Business Intelligence is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement data architectures for business intelligence solutions. It is an advanced level of certification that requires a strong understanding of the IBM Cognos BI platform, including architecture, administration and development.

This certification typically takes two to three months to complete. To obtain this certification, you must first pass the IBM Certified Data Architect – Business Intelligence exam. This exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as data modeling, data integration, security and performance tuning.

The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but is generally between $200-$300 USD.

3. 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. It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to install, configure, and deploy Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g.

The certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as installation, configuration, administration, security, performance tuning, and troubleshooting. The exam also includes questions related to Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g features such as dashboards, scorecards, reports and analytics.

The duration of the exam is two hours and it costs $245 USD. To get certified as an Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Certified Implementation Specialist you must first pass the certification exam. You can take the exam at any Pearson VUE test center or online through their website.

Once you have passed the exam you will receive your official certificate from Oracle which will be valid for three years from the date of issue.

4. SAS Certified BI Content Developer for SAS 9

SAS Certified BI Content Developer for SAS 9 is a certification that demonstrates a professional's ability to develop and deploy business intelligence content using the SAS 9 platform. This certification is designed for professionals who are responsible for developing, deploying, and maintaining data warehouses, reports, dashboards, and other analytics solutions.

The certification exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. To become certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

You can register for the exam through the SAS website or through Pearson VUE. The cost of the exam varies depending on your geographic location; however, it typically costs around $180 USD.

5. Tableau Desktop Qualified Associate Certification

Tableau Desktop Qualified Associate Certification is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a level of proficiency in using Tableau Desktop. This certification is targeted at users who are proficient in creating visualizations, connecting to data sources, and building interactive dashboards. The certification exam covers topics such as understanding Tableau architecture, working with data sources, designing visualizations, and creating interactive dashboards.

The certification exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. It consists of 40 multiple-choice questions that must be answered within the allotted time frame. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost of the Tableau Desktop Qualified Associate Certification is $250 USD for an individual license. Group discounts are available for companies purchasing 5 or more licenses.

6. Cloudera Certified Professional: Data Scientist (CCP: DS)

The Cloudera Certified Professional: Data Scientist (CCP: DS) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated their expertise in data science. It requires proficiency in the use of the Cloudera platform and its associated tools, as well as an understanding of data science concepts and techniques.

The CCP: DS certification requires applicants to complete a series of exams that assess their knowledge of the Cloudera platform, as well as their ability to apply data science principles and techniques. The exams are divided into two parts: Core Concepts and Advanced Techniques. The Core Concepts exam covers topics such as data management, analytics, machine learning, and security. The Advanced Techniques exam covers topics such as predictive modeling, clustering algorithms, natural language processing, and streaming analytics.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the CCP: DS certification exams. Applicants should plan on spending at least 40 hours studying for each exam. To help prepare for the exams, applicants can take advantage of online resources such as practice tests and study guides from Cloudera University or other third-party providers.

To obtain the CCP: DS certification, applicants must pass both parts of the exam with a score of 70% or higher within one year of applying. Once certified, applicants will receive a digital badge that they can display on their professional profiles or websites.

The cost for taking the CCP: DS certification exams varies depending on which provider you choose to take them through; however, it typically costs around $300 USD per exam ($600 total).

7. QlikView Business Analyst Certification Program

QlikView Business Analyst Certification Program is a comprehensive certification program designed to help business analysts, data scientists, and other professionals gain the skills necessary to effectively analyze data using QlikView. The program consists of three levels: Associate, Professional and Expert.

The Associate level is the entry-level certification which focuses on basic concepts such as data modeling, visualizations, scripting, and dashboard design. It takes approximately 10-15 hours of self-paced study to complete this level.

The Professional level builds upon the Associate level by introducing advanced topics such as predictive analytics and advanced scripting techniques. This level requires approximately 30-40 hours of self-paced study to complete.

The Expert level is the most difficult certification in the program and focuses on topics such as advanced data analysis techniques, enterprise architecture design, and optimization strategies. It takes approximately 40-50 hours of self-paced study to complete this level.

To get certified at any of these levels you must pass an online exam administered by QlikView. Each exam costs $99 USD and you must score at least 70% in order to pass it. Once you have successfully passed your exams you will receive a digital certificate from QlikView that can be used for professional recognition or job applications.

8. Microsoft Power BI Certification Exam 70-778

Microsoft Power BI Certification Exam 70-778 is a Microsoft certification exam that tests your knowledge and skills in using Microsoft Power BI to analyze data and create reports. The exam covers topics such as connecting to data sources, transforming data, creating visuals, and sharing insights. It takes approximately 2 hours to complete the exam and it costs $165 USD. To get certified, you must pass the 70-778 exam with a score of 700 or higher. You can register for the exam through Pearson VUE or through the Microsoft Learning website.

9. SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence Certification Exam C_BOBIP_41

SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence Certification Exam C_BOBIP_41 is a certification exam offered by SAP that tests an individual's knowledge and skills related to the use of SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence (BI). This certification is intended for individuals who have experience in working with Web Intelligence, including designing, creating, and managing reports.

The exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 180 minutes to complete. The topics covered on the exam include data modeling, query design, report design, report formatting, report distribution, and security.

To get certified in SAP BusinessObjects Web Intelligence you must pass the C_BOBIP_41 exam. To prepare for the exam you can take an instructor-led training course or use self-study materials such as books or online tutorials.

The cost of the certification exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200 USD to $400 USD.

10. Cognos Analytics 11 BI Administrator and Developer

Cognos Analytics 11 BI Administrator and Developer is a comprehensive suite of tools designed to help IT professionals and business users manage their data, create reports, analyze trends, and make predictions. It provides an integrated environment for managing data sources, creating interactive dashboards, and delivering insights through web-based applications.

It takes approximately one hour to get Cognos Analytics 11 BI Administrator and Developer up and running. The first step is to download the software from the IBM website. Once downloaded, it can be installed on a computer or server with the appropriate operating system requirements. After installation, users can begin configuring the system according to their specific needs.

The cost of Cognos Analytics 11 BI Administrator and Developer depends on the user's specific needs. IBM offers different levels of pricing depending on the number of users, amount of storage needed, and other features required. Prices start at around $2,000 per year for basic packages. More advanced packages may cost more than $10,000 per year depending on the features included in the package.

In addition to purchasing a license for Cognos Analytics 11 BI Administrator and Developer from IBM, users may also need additional hardware or software components such as servers or databases in order to use it effectively.

Do You Really Need a Business Intelligence Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your career goals. If you are looking to advance in your current role or switch careers, a business intelligence certificate may be beneficial. A certificate can prove your knowledge and understanding of the technology used in business intelligence and analytics, which can help you stand out to potential employers. It also provides an opportunity to learn more about the subject and gain valuable skills that could improve your job performance.

However, if you already have experience with business intelligence or analytics, a certificate may not be necessary. Many employers recognize that experience is just as important as formal education when it comes to hiring decisions. Furthermore, if you are already knowledgeable in the area, a certificate may not offer much new information.

Ultimately, whether or not a business intelligence certificate is worth pursuing depends on your individual circumstances and goals. Consider what kind of knowledge and skills you need for success in your field, then decide if a certificate would be helpful for achieving those goals.

Related: Business Intelligence Resume Examples

FAQs About Business Intelligence Certifications

Q1: What is a Business Intelligence Certification?

A1: A Business Intelligence (BI) certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a professional’s expertise in the field of BI. It typically involves passing an exam to prove knowledge and skill in areas such as data analysis, data mining, and reporting.

Q2: What are the advantages of having a Business Intelligence Certification?

A2: Having a BI certification can give you an edge in the job market by showing employers that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a BI role. It also shows your commitment to your profession, as well as your ability to stay current with the latest trends and technologies related to business intelligence.

Q3: What are some of the best certifications for Business Intelligence?

A3: Some of the best certifications for BI include Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Data Management & Analytics; Cloudera Certified Professional (CCP); SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional; IBM Certified Data Engineer; Oracle Certified Professional, MySQL Database Administrator; Amazon Web Services Certified Big Data Specialty; Tableau Desktop Qualified Associate.

Q4: How much does it cost to get certified in Business Intelligence?

A4: The cost of getting certified in BI depends on which certification you choose. Generally speaking, most certifications range from around $100-$600 USD depending on the specific organization offering it.

Q5: How long does it take to become certified in Business Intelligence?

A5: The amount of time it takes to become certified in BI varies based on which certification path you choose and how much prior experience you have with the subject matter. Generally speaking, most certifications require anywhere from 60-120 hours of study time prior to taking the exam.