Top 11 Information Analyst Certifications

Certifications are an important part of the job market for information analysts because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge in the field. These certifications can help employers differentiate between candidates and give them an idea of the analyst’s proficiency in specific areas. Certifications also provide a way to show that an analyst is up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies in their field, which is essential for staying competitive in such a rapidly changing industry. Finally, certifications can help establish credibility with potential clients, giving them assurance that they are hiring someone who is knowledgeable and reliable.

This article reviews some of the best certifications for Information Analysts and explains how they can help enhance an information analyst's career.

What are Information Analyst Certifications?

Information analyst certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a professional's expertise in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. This certification can be obtained through an accredited program or institution and involves taking courses in topics such as database design, data mining, statistical analysis, and programming. With this certification, individuals can demonstrate their knowledge of the latest technologies and techniques used to effectively analyze data.

Having information analyst certification can provide many benefits. It can open up new job opportunities and help individuals advance their careers. It also serves as proof of knowledge of current trends in data analysis and helps employers determine if a candidate is qualified for certain positions. Additionally, having this certification shows employers that the individual has taken the initiative to stay up-to-date with the latest technology in the industry. Finally, it provides a competitive edge over those without certification when it comes to salary negotiations or promotions within an organization.

Pro Tip: When selecting an information analyst certification, look for a program that provides hands-on training and experience with the latest industry tools and technologies. This will ensure you have the skills needed to become a successful data analyst in today’s competitive job market.

Related: What does an Information Analyst do?

Top 11 Information Analyst Certifications

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

1. Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) is an internationally recognized certification for business analysts. It is offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). The CBAP certification is designed to recognize and validate the skills and knowledge of experienced business analysts.

It takes approximately 200-400 hours of study time to prepare for the CBAP exam, depending on your experience level. To be eligible to take the exam, you must have a minimum of 7500 hours of professional business analysis experience in the last 10 years, with at least 900 hours in four out of six knowledge areas as defined by IIBA.

To get your CBAP certification, you must first complete an application process that includes submitting proof of your work experience and passing a written exam. Once you have completed the application process and passed the exam, you will receive your CBAP certificate from IIBA.

The cost for taking the CBAP exam varies by country and region. In North America, it typically costs around $325 USD for members of IIBA or $450 USD for non-members.

2. Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)

Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated proficiency in analytics. It is the first and only professional certification for analytics practitioners, and it is offered by the International Institute for Analytics (IIA). The CAP certification program is designed to validate an individual's knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field of analytics.

The CAP exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as data mining, predictive modeling, machine learning, statistical analysis, data visualization, and more. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete. To be eligible to take the CAP exam, applicants must have at least five years of experience in analytics or a related field.

To get certified as a Certified Analytics Professional (CAP), candidates must pass the CAP exam with a score of 70% or higher. After passing the exam, candidates will receive their official CAP certificate from IIA.

The cost for taking the CAP exam is $495 USD for members of IIA and $595 USD for non-members.

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

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Data Management and Analytics is a certification program designed to help IT professionals demonstrate their expertise in data management and analytics. It is an advanced-level certification that validates the skills needed to design, implement, and manage solutions for data storage, retrieval, and analysis.

The MCSE: Data Management and Analytics certification requires passing one or more exams related to data management and analytics topics such as database administration, data warehousing, business intelligence, big data analytics, cloud data services, and machine learning. The exact exams required vary depending on the version of the certification you are pursuing.

It typically takes three to six months to prepare for the MCSE: Data Management and Analytics certification exams. This time frame can vary depending on your current knowledge level of the topics covered by the exams. To get started preparing for the MCSE: Data Management and Analytics certification exams you should review the exam objectives for each exam you need to pass as well as any associated training materials available from Microsoft or other sources.

The cost of taking an MCSE: Data Management and Analytics exam varies depending on which specific exam you are taking but generally ranges from $100 - $200 per exam. Additionally there may be additional costs associated with purchasing study materials or attending training courses related to the exams.

4. SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional

SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional is a professional certification offered by SAS that recognizes expertise in advanced analytics. It is designed to validate the skills of experienced data scientists and business analysts who use SAS software to analyze data and build predictive models.

The certification exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within three hours. The exam covers topics such as predictive modeling, text analytics, machine learning, optimization, forecasting, and more. To prepare for the exam, candidates should have experience with SAS software and a strong understanding of advanced analytics concepts.

To get the certification, candidates must first register for the exam on the SAS website. After registering, they will receive an email with instructions on how to schedule their exam date and time. The cost of the exam is $250 USD.

Once a candidate has passed the exam, they will receive their official SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional certificate from SAS via email within two weeks.

5. Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification

Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification is a certification program designed to help individuals demonstrate their expertise in Tableau Desktop. It is an industry-recognized credential that validates an individual’s ability to use Tableau Desktop to create visualizations, build dashboards, and perform data analysis.

The certification exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The exam covers topics such as connecting to data sources, creating visualizations, building dashboards, and using advanced features of Tableau Desktop.

To receive the certification, you must pass the exam with a score of 80% or higher. You can take the exam online or at a Pearson VUE testing center. The cost of the exam is $250 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification badge which can be shared on social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Twitter. This badge will serve as proof that you are certified in Tableau Desktop and will help employers recognize your skillset.

6. IBM Certified Data Analyst – Predictive Modeling using SPSS Modeler

IBM Certified Data Analyst – Predictive Modeling using SPSS Modeler is a professional certification that validates the skills and knowledge of individuals in predictive modeling using IBM SPSS Modeler. It verifies that professionals have the expertise to use predictive analytics techniques to build, validate, and deploy models for data mining and machine learning.

The certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as data preparation, model building, validation, deployment, and optimization. It takes approximately two hours to complete the exam.

To become certified, you must first purchase an IBM Professional Certification Exam Voucher from an authorized reseller or directly from IBM. The cost of the voucher varies depending on your geographical location and whether you are taking the exam online or at a testing center. After purchasing the voucher, you can register for the exam by visiting ibm.com/certify. Once registered, you will receive instructions on how to schedule your exam appointment with Pearson VUE.

The cost of the IBM Certified Data Analyst – Predictive Modeling using SPSS Modeler certification exam is approximately $200 USD (varies by country).

7. 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 to validate the skills and knowledge of professionals in implementing and configuring Oracle BI solutions. This certification covers topics such as installation, configuration, administration, security, optimization, performance tuning and troubleshooting of Oracle BI solutions.

The exam for this certification consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The passing score for the exam is 70%. The cost of the exam is $245 USD.

To become an Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Certified Implementation Specialist, you must first take a training course from an authorized Oracle University Training Center. After completing the training course, you will be eligible to take the certification exam.

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

Cloudera Certified Associate Data Analyst (CCA-DA) is a professional certification program designed to validate an individual's knowledge and skills in data analysis using Apache Hadoop and related technologies. The certification exam is administered by Cloudera and tests the candidate's ability to perform core analyst tasks, such as using Hive and Impala for data extraction, transformation, and loading; managing data with Cloudera Manager; analyzing data with Pig, Spark, and MapReduce; and working with HBase.

The CCA-DA exam consists of 8 performance-based tasks that must be completed within 120 minutes. The exam costs $295 USD.

To get certified, candidates must first register for the exam on the Cloudera website. After registration, they will receive instructions on how to access the online practice environment where they can complete the tasks required for the exam. Candidates must then schedule their exam date with Pearson VUE or Prometric, who administer the CCA-DA exams worldwide.

Once a candidate has passed the CCA-DA exam, they will receive their official certificate from Cloudera via email within 7 business days of passing the test.

9. QlikView Data Architect Certification

QlikView Data Architect Certification is a professional certification program offered by Qlik, a leading provider of business intelligence and analytics solutions. It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the skills and knowledge necessary to design, develop, deploy and maintain QlikView applications.

The certification program consists of two exams: the QlikView Data Architect Foundation Exam and the QlikView Data Architect Advanced Exam. The Foundation exam focuses on basic concepts such as data modeling, scripting, charting, security, performance optimization and more. The Advanced exam covers more advanced topics such as advanced scripting techniques, data integration strategies, advanced charting techniques and more.

It typically takes around 6-8 months to complete the certification program depending on how much time you are able to dedicate to studying for the exams. To get certified you must pass both exams with a score of at least 70%.

The cost of the certification program varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD.

10. MongoDB for BI and Analytics Certification

MongoDB for BI and Analytics Certification is an official MongoDB certification program that verifies a professional’s expertise in using MongoDB for business intelligence and analytics. It is designed to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of professionals who are working with MongoDB to create data-driven insights.

The certification exam covers topics such as data modeling, query optimization, performance tuning, analytics pipelines, security best practices, and more. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and requires a passing score of 70% or higher.

It typically takes about two hours to complete the exam. To get certified, you must register online at the MongoDB website and pay the associated fee. The cost of the certification depends on your region but typically ranges from $150-$200 USD.

11. Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ)

Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ) is a certification program that tests an individual's knowledge and understanding of Google Analytics. It is a free, online assessment that covers topics such as digital analytics fundamentals, data collection, configuration and administration, conversion tracking, and reporting.

The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of 70 multiple-choice questions. To get the Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ), you must answer at least 56 of the 70 questions correctly. The exam is free to take and can be taken multiple times if needed.

To get the Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ), you must first create an account on the Google Partners site. You will then need to register for the exam by selecting "Google Analytics" from the list of products available on the site. Once registered, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the exam.

Once you have completed the exam, your results will be available within 48 hours. If you pass, you will receive a certificate that shows your level of expertise in using Google Analytics and a badge that can be displayed on your website or social media profiles.

Do You Really Need a Information Analyst Certificate?

The short answer to this question is: it depends. If you are considering a career in information analysis, then a certificate may be beneficial. It can help you gain a better understanding of the field, as well as provide you with an edge when applying for jobs.

On the other hand, if you already have a strong background in information analysis and want to stay current on industry trends and technologies, then you may not need an additional certificate. The decision ultimately depends on your individual goals and aspirations in the field.

If you are new to the field or looking to transition into a new role within information analysis, then obtaining a certificate could prove helpful. It can provide valuable insight into concepts such as data collection and manipulation, database design, data mining and analytics, and more. In addition, many employers view certificates as proof of your knowledge of today’s technology standards and best practices.

Moreover, having an information analyst certificate could open up opportunities for advancement within the field. Many organizations look for individuals with specialized training in order to fill roles that require more advanced skillsets. A certificate can also demonstrate that you have taken initiative to learn new skills and stay up-to-date on industry trends—which is always attractive to employers!

In conclusion, whether or not an information analyst certificate is necessary depends on your individual goals and experience level within the field. If you are just starting out or want to develop further expertise in the area of data analysis, then obtaining a certificate may be beneficial—it can help give you an edge over other applicants and increase your chances of success in the job market.

Related: Information Analyst Resume Examples

FAQs About Information Analyst Certifications

1. What is an Information Analyst Certification?

Answer: An Information Analyst Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates knowledge and expertise in the field of data analysis and analytics. This certification proves the holder’s ability to effectively analyze and interpret data, create reports, develop models, and provide insights from data.

2. What are the benefits of obtaining an Information Analyst Certification?

Answer: Obtaining an Information Analyst Certification can increase your credibility as a professional in the field, open up career opportunities, help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs, and increase your potential for higher pay.

3. How do I become certified as an Information Analyst?

Answer: To become certified as an Information Analyst, you must first complete a program or course of study related to data analysis and analytics. After completing the program or course, you will then need to sit for a certification exam in order to receive your certification.

4. Are there any prerequisites for taking the Information Analyst Certification exam?

Answer: Yes, depending on the certifying body offering the exam there may be prerequisites such as educational background or work experience required prior to taking the exam. Additionally some certifying bodies may have specific courses that must be completed before taking the exam.

5. How long is my Information Analyst Certification valid?

Answer: The length of time that your certification is valid will depend on the specific certifying body offering it; however most certifications are valid for two years before needing to be renewed by taking additional courses or exams related to the field of data analysis and analytics.