Top 10 Data Analyst Certifications

Certifications are essential for a data analyst in the job market as they can demonstrate their knowledge and skills in various areas of data analysis. They show that the person has a deep understanding of the tools and techniques used to analyze data, and they also provide evidence of their ability to apply those skills in real-world scenarios. For employers, certifications can provide assurance that the candidate is qualified and capable of performing data analysis tasks, which can help them make informed hiring decisions. In addition, certifications can be a great way for someone to differentiate themselves from other applicants and stand out from the competition.

This article reviews the top certifications for Data Analysts and explains how they can help to advance a data analyst's career.

What are Data Analyst Certifications?

Data analyst certification is a type of professional credential that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and skills in the field of data analysis. It provides employers with evidence that a person has the necessary qualifications to work as a data analyst. The certification typically requires applicants to demonstrate mastery of various topics such as mathematics, statistics, and computer programming.

Having a data analyst certification can be beneficial for those looking to enter or advance in the field of data analysis. A certification can help differentiate job seekers from other applicants when applying for positions. It also serves as tangible proof that someone has developed their skillset and is dedicated to their professional development. certifications can also open up opportunities for promotions or lateral moves within an organization, allowing certified individuals to take on more complex roles or responsibilities. Additionally, many companies offer bonuses or salary increases to employees who have earned certifications.

Pro Tip: Consider getting certified in a data analyst field that is relevant to your current job or future career. Not only will certification provide you with a competitive edge, but it can also help you develop the skills needed to succeed in the field. Additionally, obtaining certification may open up new opportunities and increase your earning potential.

Related: What does a Data Analyst do?

Top 10 Data Analyst Certifications

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

1. 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 designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of business analysis. The CBAP certification is intended for professionals who have extensive experience in business analysis, and it is one of the most sought-after certifications in the industry.

The CBAP certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and skills through an examination process. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as business analysis principles, techniques, tools, and practices. To be eligible to take the exam, applicants must have at least 7500 hours of work experience in business analysis over a minimum period of five years.

To get the CBAP certification, applicants must pass the exam with a score of at least 65%. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their certificate from IIBA.

The cost for taking the CBAP exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically costs around $400 USD. Additionally, there are often discounts available for those who are members of IIBA or other organizations related to business analysis.

It typically takes between two and four months to prepare for the CBAP exam; however, this can vary depending on an individual's background and experience level. There are many resources available to help individuals prepare for the exam, including study guides, practice tests, online courses, and more.

2. Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)

Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) is a certification program offered by the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS). It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated expertise in analytics, including data mining, predictive modeling, optimization, simulation, and decision analysis.

The program consists of three parts: an online assessment, a portfolio review process, and an oral exam. The online assessment tests applicants’ knowledge of analytics concepts and methods. The portfolio review process requires applicants to submit a portfolio that demonstrates their experience with analytics projects. Finally, the oral exam tests applicants’ ability to apply analytics principles in a business context.

It typically takes 3-6 months to complete the CAP certification process. To get started on the path towards earning your CAP credential, you must first create an account on the INFORMS website and pay the application fee of $150 USD. You will then be asked to complete an online assessment as well as submit a portfolio that showcases your experience with analytics projects. Once you have passed both components of the application process, you will be invited to take part in an oral exam which will assess your ability to apply analytics principles in a business context.

The cost of obtaining your CAP credential depends on whether or not you are already an INFORMS member. For non-members, there is an additional fee of $200 USD for taking part in the oral exam component of the certification process. In total, it will cost approximately $350 USD for non-members to obtain their CAP credential.

3. Certified Data Scientist (CDS)

Certified Data Scientist (CDS) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have the knowledge and skills to analyze data and develop insights from it. It is offered by the International Institute for Data Science (IIDS), which is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the field of data science.

It takes approximately six months to complete the CDS certification program. The program consists of three components: an online course, a hands-on project, and a final exam. The online course covers topics such as data analysis, machine learning, statistics, and programming. The hands-on project requires participants to use their skills in real-world scenarios. Finally, the final exam tests participants’ understanding of data science concepts and methods.

To get certified as a CDS, you must first register with IIDS and pay the associated fees. After registering, you will be able to access all of the materials needed for the program. Once you have completed all three components of the program successfully, you will receive your CDS certification from IIDS.

The cost of getting certified as a CDS varies depending on where you live and how long it takes you to complete the program. Generally speaking, however, it costs around $2,000 USD for registration fees plus any additional fees associated with taking part in the program.

4. IBM Certified Data Analyst – Professional Certificate

The IBM Certified Data Analyst – Professional Certificate is a comprehensive certification program designed to help data analysts demonstrate their skills and knowledge in the field of data analysis. This certification validates an individual’s ability to analyze, interpret, and visualize data using IBM tools such as SPSS Statistics, Watson Studio, and Cognos Analytics.

The program consists of four courses: Introduction to Data Analysis with SPSS Statistics; Advanced Data Analysis with SPSS Statistics; Introduction to Watson Studio; and Advanced Watson Studio. Each course is self-paced and can be completed within 8 weeks.

To earn the IBM Certified Data Analyst – Professional Certificate, you must successfully complete all four courses. Upon completion of the program, you will receive a digital badge that can be shared on social media or your professional profile. Additionally, you will receive an official certificate from IBM that verifies your achievement.

The cost for the IBM Certified Data Analyst – Professional Certificate program is $1,999 USD. Payment plans are available if needed.

5. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Data Management and Analytics (MCSE: DMA)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Data Management and Analytics (MCSE: DMA) is a certification program that validates an individual’s expertise in data management and analytics. It is designed to help IT professionals demonstrate their ability to build, deploy, and manage systems that use the latest Microsoft technologies for data management and analytics.

The MCSE: DMA certification requires passing three exams: 70-767 Implementing a Data Warehouse using SQL, 70-768 Developing SQL Data Models, and 70-775 Perform Big Data Engineering on Microsoft Cloud Services. The exams must be taken within 12 months of each other to earn the certification.

To get the MCSE: DMA certification, you must first pass all three required exams. Each exam costs $165 USD and can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center worldwide. You can also take the exams online if you have access to a secure environment with a webcam and microphone.

The cost of getting the MCSE: DMA certification depends on how many times you need to retake any of the exams, which will add up quickly if you don’t pass them all on your first attempt. However, there are several resources available to help prepare for the exams such as practice tests, study guides, and instructor-led courses offered by Microsoft Learning Partners.

6. Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification

Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a professional’s ability to use Tableau software for data analysis and visualization. This certification validates a person’s skills in creating interactive visualizations, dashboards, and stories using Tableau. It also confirms the individual's knowledge of the features and capabilities of Tableau Desktop.

The certification exam takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. The exam can be taken online or at a Pearson VUE testing center. To qualify for the certification, applicants must have at least six months of experience working with Tableau Desktop.

The cost of the certification exam is $250 USD per attempt. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you may retake it after 14 days for an additional fee.

To prepare for the exam, there are several resources available including official training courses from Tableau, practice exams, and study guides.

7. SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional

SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional is an advanced analytics certification offered by SAS, a leader in the business intelligence and analytics software space. This certification validates a professional’s ability to use SAS software to develop and deploy predictive models and other advanced analytics solutions. To earn this certification, one must pass two exams: SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional (AAP) Exam 1 and SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional (AAP) Exam 2.

The first exam covers topics such as data management, data preparation, statistical analysis, machine learning algorithms, model evaluation, and deployment of predictive models. The second exam focuses on more specialized topics such as text mining, time series analysis, optimization techniques, social network analysis and Big Data analytics.

It typically takes between 4-6 months to prepare for these exams depending on the individual's background knowledge and experience with SAS software. It is recommended that individuals have at least 3-4 years' experience working with SAS before attempting the certification exams.

The cost of the certification varies depending on the country in which you are taking the exam but typically ranges from $250-$350 per exam plus any applicable taxes or fees.

8. Cloudera Certified Associate Data Analyst (CCA-DA)

Cloudera Certified Associate Data Analyst (CCA-DA) is a professional certification program designed to validate the skills of entry-level data analysts. The certification is offered by Cloudera, a provider of enterprise data management software and services. It is intended for individuals who have basic knowledge in the areas of SQL, Apache Hadoop, and Apache Spark.

The CCA-DA certification exam consists of eight performance-based tasks that measure a candidate's ability to perform core analyst functions such as querying using Hive and Impala, creating tables and views in Impala, loading data into HDFS, transforming data with MapReduce and Spark, and analyzing data with Pig and Spark. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete.

To get certified as a CCA-DA, you must pass the CCA-DA exam. To prepare for the exam, you can take online courses offered by Cloudera or other training providers. You can also find practice exams online to help you prepare for the real exam.

The cost of taking the CCA-DA exam varies based on your location but typically ranges from $400 - $500 USD.

9. Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Implementation Specialist

Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Implementation Specialist is an Oracle Certified Professional certification that demonstrates a professional’s expertise in implementing Oracle Business Intelligence (BI) solutions. This certification is designed to validate the knowledge and skills of professionals who are responsible for designing, developing, and deploying BI solutions using the Oracle BI Foundation Suite 11g.

The exam for this certification consists of two parts: the Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Essentials Exam (1Z0-591) and the Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Implementation Specialist Exam (1Z0-592). The 1Z0-591 exam covers topics such as architecture, components, data modeling, administration, security, and reporting. The 1Z0-592 exam focuses on topics such as installation, configuration, development of dashboards and reports, performance tuning, troubleshooting and maintenance.

In order to be eligible for the certification exams, you must have experience with Oracle BI applications or have taken an approved course in Oracle BI technology. Additionally, you must pass both exams within 18 months in order to become certified.

The cost of each exam varies depending on your location. Generally speaking, each exam costs between $125 - $245 USD.

To get started with your studies for this certification you can purchase books or attend training courses offered by various vendors such as Oracle University or Global Knowledge. You can also find free resources online such as tutorials or practice tests to help you prepare for the exams.

10. Hortonworks HDP Certified Apache Spark Developer

Hortonworks HDP Certified Apache Spark Developer is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who demonstrate expertise in Apache Spark development. It is offered by Hortonworks, an enterprise-level Hadoop distribution provider.

The certification requires individuals to demonstrate their ability to develop and maintain applications using the Apache Spark framework. To become certified, applicants must pass a written exam that covers topics such as Spark Core, Spark SQL, Streaming and MLlib. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

The cost of the certification varies depending on the country in which it is taken. In the United States, the cost is $250 USD. The certification is valid for two years after which time it must be renewed.

To get certified, applicants must register for the exam through Hortonworks' website or through a third-party testing center such as Prometric or Pearson VUE. Once registered, applicants can schedule their exam at any time during regular business hours.

Do You Really Need a Data Analyst Certificate?

Data analysts are an important and growing part of the modern workforce. As businesses continue to expand and become more data-driven, the demand for qualified data analysts is expected to be high. With the right skills and training, data analysts can help organizations make better decisions, optimize performance, and drive innovation.

The need for data analysts is increasing as more organizations recognize the value of analytics in driving business growth. However, there is no single answer to whether or not you need a data analyst certificate. It depends on your specific goals, experience level, and willingness to invest in education and training.

For those looking to become a professional data analyst, having a certificate may be beneficial depending on the employer’s requirements. A certification can demonstrate that you have basic knowledge of key concepts such as database management systems (DBMS), statistical analysis techniques, predictive modeling algorithms, and programming languages like Python or R. It can also provide proof that you are committed to developing your skillset further by taking courses related to data analytics or completing industry-recognized certifications from vendors like IBM or Microsoft.

However, some employers may be willing to hire someone without a certificate if they have sufficient relevant experience or other qualifications. For example, if you have prior experience working with databases or coding in Python or R then this could be enough for them to consider you for the job—even without a formal certification. Ultimately it comes down to what type of organization you are applying to and their individual preferences when it comes to hiring criteria.

Overall, obtaining a data analyst certificate can be beneficial if it is required by employers or if it helps demonstrate your commitment to learning more about this field. However it’s not necessarily essential if you have other qualifications that make up for any lack of formal credentials in this area.

Related: Data Analyst Resume Examples

FAQs About Data Analyst Certifications

1. How long does it take to get a data analyst certification?

Answer: The length of time needed to obtain a data analyst certification depends on the specific program and the individual's experience level. Generally, most programs require between 6 months and 2 years of study to complete.

2. What are the prerequisites for becoming a certified data analyst?

Answer: Prerequisites vary depending on the program, but typically include a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a related field; knowledge of basic programming languages such as SQL and Python; and familiarity with database management systems.

3. Are there any online courses available for data analyst certifications?

Answer: Yes, there are many online courses available for data analyst certifications. Many programs offer self-paced courses that can be completed at your own pace from home or work.

4. What types of jobs can I get with a data analyst certification?

Answer: With a data analyst certification, you can pursue various career paths such as business analytics specialist, financial analyst, research analyst, market researcher, and more.

5. Is it worth getting a data analyst certification?

Answer: Yes, obtaining a data analyst certification is worth it if you want to increase your marketability as well as boost your earning potential in the industry. It also allows you to stay up-to-date with ever-evolving technology trends and best practices in the field of analytics.