Top 11 Junior Business Analyst Certifications

Certifications are important for a junior business analyst in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that the analyst has the necessary skills and knowledge to do their job effectively. Certifications can also provide evidence of a commitment to professional development and an understanding of best practices in the field. Employers often view certifications as a sign of dedication and competence, which can help junior business analysts stand out from other candidates and increase their chances of getting hired. Additionally, certifications may be required by some employers in order to be considered for certain positions.

The purpose of the article is to provide an overview of the best certifications for Junior Business Analysts and explain how they can help further their career.

What are Junior Business Analyst Certifications?

Junior business analyst certification is a type of professional certification that provides individuals with the skills needed to become successful business analysts. This certification is designed to help junior-level professionals gain an understanding of the fundamentals of business analysis, as well as the tools and techniques used to analyze and assess data for decision-making purposes. The certification also helps individuals develop their ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders involved in a project, including clients, team members, and senior management.

The benefits of becoming certified include increased job security, higher pay scales, and improved qualifications for promotion. With this certification, professionals can demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in business analysis to potential employers or clients. Furthermore, it can help them stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs or promotions within their current organization. Additionally, having a Junior Business Analyst Certification can provide professionals with access to resources such as workshops and conferences related to their field of expertise.

Overall, junior business analyst certification can help individuals build a strong foundation in the principles of business analysis while giving them the necessary skills they need to succeed in their career. By gaining this certification, these professionals will be better prepared for the challenges they may face on the job while increasing their chances of success within their chosen profession.

Pro Tip: Before enrolling in a junior business analyst certification program, make sure to research the curriculum and the certifying body to ensure that the program meets your professional goals and offers an industry-recognized certification.

Related: What does a Junior Business Analyst do?

Top 11 Junior Business Analyst Certifications

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

1. PMI-PBA (Project Management Institute - Professional Business Analyst)

PMI-PBA (Project Management Institute - Professional Business Analyst) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is an industry-recognized certification that validates the knowledge and experience of business analysts in project management.

The PMI-PBA certification requires candidates to demonstrate their understanding of business analysis principles, processes, and techniques. This includes knowledge of stakeholder management, requirements gathering and analysis, solution evaluation, and more.

It typically takes about 6 months to prepare for the PMI-PBA exam. Candidates should review the PMI-PBA Handbook for information on eligibility requirements, exam content outlines, study materials, and more.

To get certified as a PMI-PBA professional, you must pass a 200 multiple choice question exam with a score of at least 70%. The exam fee is $405 USD for members of PMI or $555 USD for nonmembers.

In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also have 7500 hours of professional business analysis experience over the past 8 years or 35 contact hours of formal education in business analysis topics within the past 4 years.

2. IIBA-ECBA (International Institute of Business Analysis - Entry Certificate in Business Analysis)

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) is an entry-level certification program designed to recognize business analysis professionals who have basic knowledge and skills in the field. The certification is based on the IIBA's BABOK® Guide, which outlines the tasks, techniques, and knowledge areas of business analysis.

It takes approximately 3-6 months to complete the ECBA exam preparation process. This includes studying for the exam, taking practice exams, and familiarizing yourself with the BABOK® Guide. To get certified, you must pass a proctored exam that consists of 150 multiple choice questions.

The cost of obtaining your ECBA certification varies depending on where you take your exam. In general, it costs around $325 USD for IIBA members and $450 USD for non-members to take the exam. You can also purchase study materials from third-party providers such as Udemy or Coursera to help you prepare for the exam.

Overall, obtaining your ECBA certification is an important step towards becoming a successful business analyst and can open up new opportunities for career advancement and higher salaries.

3. CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional)

CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) is a professional certification offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). It is designed for experienced business analysts who want to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the field. The CBAP certification requires applicants to have at least 7,500 hours of business analysis experience over the past 10 years, as well as 35 hours of professional development in the last four years.

In order to become certified, applicants must pass an exam that tests their knowledge and understanding of business analysis processes, techniques, and tools. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and has a time limit of three hours. The exam fee is $325 USD for IIBA members and $450 USD for non-members.

Once an applicant passes the exam, they will receive their CBAP certification within two weeks. This certification is valid for three years after which it must be renewed. Renewal requires 60 hours of professional development activities over the three year period as well as passing an online recertification exam every three years. The cost to renew is $100 USD for IIBA members and $150 USD for non-members.

4. CCBA (Certification of Competency in Business Analysis)

CCBA (Certification of Competency in Business Analysis) is a professional certification offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). It is designed to recognize business analysts who have demonstrated their knowledge and experience in the field. The certification provides evidence that an individual has the skills necessary to analyze, document, and communicate requirements for effective business solutions.

To become certified, candidates must complete the following steps:

1. Have a minimum of 7500 hours of documented business analysis work experience within the past 10 years.

2. Complete 21 hours of professional development activities related to business analysis within the past four years.

3. Pass a written exam administered by IIBA.

4. Agree to abide by IIBA’s Code of Conduct and Professional Ethics.

The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. To prepare for the exam, IIBA offers study materials and practice exams for purchase on their website or through third-party vendors such as ExamFX or Kaplan IT Training. The cost for these materials varies depending on which vendor you choose, but typically range from $200-$400 USD. Additionally, many universities offer courses or certificate programs specifically tailored towards preparing students for the CCBA exam.

The cost for taking the CCBA exam itself is $325 USD plus applicable taxes if taken at an authorized testing center or $395 USD plus applicable taxes if taken online through Pearson VUE's OnVUE system. Once all requirements are met, you will receive your official CCBA certification within 8 weeks of passing your exam.

5. Agile BA Certification from Scrum Alliance

Agile BA Certification from Scrum Alliance is a certification program for Business Analysts who want to gain an understanding of Agile principles and practices. This certification is designed to help Business Analysts become more effective in their roles within Agile teams.

The certification consists of two parts: the Certified Agile Business Analyst (CABA) exam and the CABA Professional Development Program (PDP). The exam is a multiple-choice test that covers topics such as Agile values and principles, user stories, product backlogs, sprint planning, release planning, and product delivery. The PDP consists of four modules that cover topics such as requirements gathering, customer collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and agile team dynamics.

It typically takes around six months to complete the certification process. To get certified, you must first pass the CABA exam with a score of 70% or higher. After passing the exam, you must then complete all four modules of the PDP within six months. Once you have completed both parts of the program successfully, you will be awarded your CABA certificate.

The cost for the Agile BA Certification from Scrum Alliance varies depending on where you take it. In some cases it can be free if taken through an employer or other organization that offers it as part of their training program. Otherwise it usually costs between $400 - $600 USD to get certified through Scrum Alliance directly.

6. Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA)

Certified Financial Services Auditor (CFSA) is a professional certification offered by the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). It is designed to recognize auditors who have demonstrated expertise in financial services auditing, including banking and insurance. The CFSA credential is awarded to individuals who have met the IIA’s stringent criteria for knowledge, experience, and ethics.

It takes approximately three months to complete the CFSA program. To get the CFSA credential, candidates must first pass an exam that covers topics such as risk management, internal controls, and financial reporting. After passing the exam, applicants must submit a portfolio of evidence demonstrating their experience in the field of financial services auditing. Finally, applicants must pass a background check before being awarded their CFSA credential.

The cost of obtaining the CFSA credential varies depending on factors such as location and membership status with IIA. Generally speaking, it costs between $500-$1000 USD to obtain the CFSA credential.

7. Certified Quality Analyst (CQA)

Certified Quality Analyst (CQA) is a professional certification offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). This certification is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and skills in quality analysis and assurance. The CQA credential is highly valued by employers as it demonstrates that the individual has the necessary knowledge to effectively analyze and assess quality issues within a business.

The CQA exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions, divided into two parts: Part 1 covers quality concepts, principles, and tools; Part 2 covers the application of these concepts, principles, and tools. To be eligible for the CQA exam, applicants must have at least five years of full-time work experience in one or more areas of quality control or assurance.

The exam takes approximately four hours to complete. It can be taken either online or in person at an ASQ testing center. The cost of taking the CQA exam varies depending on where you take it; typically it costs between $350-$400 USD.

8. Certified Process Design Engineer (CPDE)

Certified Process Design Engineer (CPDE) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the expertise of process design engineers. It is offered by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE).

The CPDE certification program provides a comprehensive assessment of an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in process design engineering. The program consists of two parts: an online exam and a practical project.

The online exam tests the candidate’s general knowledge in process design engineering topics such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, mass transfer, and safety. The practical project requires the candidate to solve a real-world problem using their process design engineering skills.

The CPDE certification program typically takes 6-12 months to complete depending on the complexity of the practical project. Candidates must first register for the online exam before they can begin working on their practical project. Once both components are completed successfully, candidates will receive their CPDE certificate from AIChE.

The cost of the CPDE certification program varies depending on factors such as geographical location and membership status with AIChE. Generally speaking, it costs around $400-$500 USD to become certified.

9. Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, Enterprise Edition Solution Architect Expert

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, Enterprise Edition Solution Architect Expert is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have the skills and knowledge to architect, design, and implement Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations solutions.

The certification is valid for three years from the date of completion. To obtain the certification, you must pass two exams: MB-500: Microsoft Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps Developer and MB-300: Microsoft Dynamics 365: Core Finance and Operations.

You can purchase these exams through Microsoft's Learning Portal or through a third-party provider such as Certiport or Pearson VUE. The cost of each exam varies depending on where you purchase it from.

Once you have passed both exams, you will be eligible to receive your certification. You will then be able to demonstrate your expertise in designing, developing, deploying, and managing Microsoft Dynamics 365 solutions.

10. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Associate Architect

Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Associate Architect is a certification program designed to help IT professionals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in designing, deploying, and managing Oracle Cloud Infrastructure solutions. It is the first step in becoming an Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure.

The program consists of two exams: 1Z0-997-20: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure 2020 Architect Professional and 1Z0-1072-20: Oracle Cloud Infrastructure 2020 Architect Associate. The first exam focuses on the fundamentals of cloud infrastructure architecture, while the second exam covers more advanced topics such as security, performance optimization, and cost management.

It typically takes about 3 months to prepare for the exams. To get started, you need to register for the exams through the Oracle Certification Program website. You should then study using course materials such as books, online courses, or practice tests available from various sources. Once you have passed both exams successfully, you will be awarded an Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) credential for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Architecture.

The cost of taking these exams varies depending on your location and other factors but generally range from $200-$400 USD per exam.

11. AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate is an industry-recognized certification that validates your expertise in designing and deploying applications on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform. It demonstrates your ability to design, build, and deploy secure, reliable, cost-effective solutions on AWS.

The exam typically takes about 80 minutes to complete and consists of multiple choice and multiple answer questions. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 700 or higher out of 1000.

To prepare for the exam, you should have hands-on experience working with AWS services as well as knowledge of best practices related to security, reliability, scalability, performance optimization, cost control, and operational excellence. You can also take advantage of online courses and practice tests offered by AWS Training & Certification or third-party providers to help you prepare for the exam.

The cost of the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam is $150 USD.

Do You Really Need a Junior Business Analyst Certificate?

When it comes to business analysis, the answer to whether or not you need a junior business analyst certificate depends on your career goals and experience. If you are just starting out in the business analysis field, it may be beneficial to get a junior business analyst certificate as it will provide you with necessary skills and knowledge that can help you land an entry-level position. However, if you have more experience in the field, then a junior business analyst certificate may not be necessary.

The main benefit of having a junior business analyst certificate is that it provides employers with assurance that you have the required skills and knowledge needed to do the job correctly. It also shows potential employers that you have taken the initiative to take courses and learn about the latest techniques in business analysis. Additionally, having a certification can potentially open up more job opportunities for you since many companies prefer certified professionals.

On the other hand, if you already have some experience in the field, then it may not be beneficial for you to pursue a junior business analyst certificate. This is because employers may view your existing experience as being enough proof of your abilities and skillset without needing additional certification. Additionally, if your current job does not require any sort of junior business analyst certification, then there may not be much point in getting one as it would only serve as an extra cost without any tangible benefit.

Overall, whether or not you need a junior business analyst certificate ultimately depends on your individual situation and career goals. If you are looking to enter into the field and want to demonstrate your competency in certain areas, then getting certified could be a good idea. However, if you already have experience and don’t need additional credentials for your current job role then pursuing certification might not be worth it.

Related: Junior Business Analyst Resume Examples

FAQs About Junior Business Analyst Certifications

Q1. What is a Junior Business Analyst Certification?

A1. A Junior Business Analyst Certification is a specialized certification program designed to equip professionals with the knowledge and skills required to work as an entry-level business analyst in the corporate world. The program focuses on developing problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills that are essential for this role.

Q2. How long does it take to get a Junior Business Analyst Certification?

A2. It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the program and receive your certification depending on the type of course you take.

Q3. What do I need to do in order to become certified?

A3. In order to become certified as a Junior Business Analyst, you must first complete the necessary training courses or online programs related to business analysis, such as project management, data analysis, business process mapping, requirements gathering, etc. After completing these courses, you must then pass the relevant exams in order to obtain your certification.

Q4. What is the benefit of getting a Junior Business Analyst Certification?

A4. Having a Junior Business Analyst Certification provides employers with an assurance that you possess the necessary skills and knowledge required for this role and can be trusted with important projects and tasks related to business analysis within their organization. It also gives you an edge over other applicants when looking for jobs or promotions within the field of business analysis.

Q5. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a Junior Business Analyst Certification?

A5: Generally speaking, there are no formal prerequisites for obtaining a Junior Business Analyst Certification; however some certifying bodies may require that applicants have at least two years of experience working in an IT-related role prior to taking the exam(s).