Top 10 Market Research Associate Certifications

Certifications are important for a market research associate in the job market because they demonstrate the professional's knowledge and expertise in their field. Certifications can help a market research associate stand out from other candidates, as employers often view certifications as evidence of a candidate's commitment to professional development and up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and best practices. Additionally, certifications can open up opportunities for advancement within an organization or even provide access to new job opportunities outside of the current organization. In short, certifications are an invaluable asset for any market research associate looking to make a name for themselves in the job market.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Market Research Associates and explain how they can help to enhance a market research associate's career.

What are Market Research Associate Certifications?

Market research associate certification is a professional qualification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and expertise in the field of market research. It is designed to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively conduct market research projects, interpret data, and make informed decisions. Certification can help demonstrate an individual's expertise in this area, potentially leading to improved job prospects or career advancement.

The certification covers topics such as designing surveys, data collection methods, sampling techniques, use of analytics software, statistical analysis techniques, qualitative data analysis techniques, report writing, and presentation of results. Additionally, it provides guidance on ethical considerations for conducting market research and understanding the regulatory environment.

By having a market research associate certification, individuals can demonstrate to employers their ability to develop effective survey designs; collect and analyze data; understand regulatory requirements; interpret results; make recommendations; write reports; and present findings. This can help them stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs or promotions within the field of market research. Furthermore, having this certification may provide access to higher-level positions within the industry.

Pro Tip: If you are considering a Market Research Associate Certification, make sure to research the different certifications available and compare their benefits and costs. Also, look for a program that provides continuing education opportunities so you can stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the industry.

Related: What does a Market Research Associate do?

Top 10 Market Research Associate Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Market Research Associates today.

1. Certified Market Research Professional (CMRS)

Certified Market Research Professional (CMRS) is a professional certification program offered by the Insights Association, a leading organization in the field of market research. The CMRS certification is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge and skills of experienced market researchers. It provides assurance that individuals have achieved a high level of proficiency in their field.

The CMRS certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as research design, data collection and analysis, sampling techniques, survey design, report writing, and ethics. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

To qualify for the CMRS exam, applicants must have at least two years’ experience in market research or related fields. They must also be members of the Insights Association or one of its affiliated organizations.

The cost for taking the CMRS exam is $450 for Insights Association members and $550 for non-members. This fee includes access to online study materials and practice exams. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with registering for the exam or obtaining certification documents after passing the exam.

Overall, obtaining the Certified Market Research Professional (CMRS) certification can be a great way to demonstrate your expertise in market research and set yourself apart from other professionals in this competitive field.

2. Certified Market Research Analyst (CMRA)

Certified Market Research Analyst (CMRA) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the field of market research. This certification is offered by the American Marketing Association (AMA).

The CMRA program consists of four courses and an exam. The courses cover topics such as survey design, data analysis, qualitative research methods, and marketing strategy. To become certified, you must complete all four courses and pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. The entire program typically takes around six months to complete.

To get started on the path to becoming a Certified Market Research Analyst, you must first register for the program through the AMA website. You will then be able to access course materials and take exams online at your own pace. The cost of the program varies depending on whether you choose to take individual classes or purchase a bundle package that includes all four courses plus the exam fee. In general, it costs around $1,000 - $1,500 to become certified.

3. Certified Qualitative Market Research Professional (CQMRP)

Certified Qualitative Market Research Professional (CQMRP) is a certification offered by the Qualitative Research Consultants Association (QRCA). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of professionals in the field of qualitative market research.

The CQMRP certification requires candidates to pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as qualitative research methodologies, data collection techniques, project management, report writing, and presentation skills. Candidates must have at least five years of experience in the field or have completed an approved course of study in order to be eligible for the exam.

The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions and scenarios. The cost of taking the exam is $250 for QRCA members and $350 for non-members.

To prepare for the exam, QRCA offers a variety of resources including study guides, practice exams, webinars, seminars, and more. Additionally, many universities offer courses related to qualitative market research that can help prepare candidates for the CQMRP certification exam.

Once certified, CQMRPs are expected to adhere to a code of ethics established by QRCA which includes maintaining professional standards in all aspects of their work. They also must complete continuing education requirements every three years in order to maintain their certification status.

4. Certified Quantitative Market Research Professional (CQMRP)

Certified Quantitative Market Research Professional (CQMRP) is a professional certification program offered by the American Marketing Association (AMA). It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in quantitative market research. The CQMRP certification provides a comprehensive understanding of the principles, tools, and techniques used in quantitative market research.

The CQMRP certification process includes an online application, a written exam, and an oral interview. The written exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as survey design, sampling methods, data analysis techniques, and report writing. The oral interview is conducted by a panel of experts who assess the applicant’s knowledge and experience in quantitative market research.

To obtain the CQMRP certification, applicants must pass both the written exam and oral interview with a minimum score of 70%. Applicants must also meet certain educational requirements such as having at least a bachelor’s degree in marketing or business administration or equivalent experience in marketing research.

The cost for obtaining the CQMRP certification varies depending on the type of package chosen. The basic package costs $395 USD and includes access to study materials, practice tests, and registration for the written exam. Additional packages are available that include additional study materials and access to webinars or other online resources for additional preparation for the written exam.

The process of obtaining CQMRP certification generally takes about three months from start to finish.

5. Certified Digital Marketing Research Professional (CDMRP)

Certified Digital Marketing Research Professional (CDMRP) is an online certification program designed to help digital marketing professionals demonstrate their expertise in the field of digital marketing research. It is offered by the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI).

The CDMRP certification program consists of six modules that cover topics such as digital marketing research fundamentals, market segmentation and targeting, data collection and analysis, and reporting. The course also includes a project component where participants are required to design and implement a digital marketing research project.

It typically takes about three months to complete the CDMRP certification program. Participants must complete all six modules and the project component before they can be certified.

To get started with the CDMRP certification program, you will need to register on the DMI website. Once registered, you will have access to all six modules as well as the project component. You will also need to purchase a study guide for each module which can be purchased through the DMI website or from third-party retailers.

The cost of the CDMRP certification program varies depending on which package you choose. The basic package costs $399 USD while the premium package costs $799 USD. Both packages include access to all six modules and the project component as well as a one-year membership with DMI which gives you access to additional resources such as webinars, case studies, and discounts on future courses.

6. Certified International Market Research Professional (CIMRP)

Certified International Market Research Professional (CIMRP) is a certification program offered by the International Institute of Market Research (IIMR). It is designed to provide professionals in the field of market research with an internationally recognized credential that demonstrates their knowledge and expertise.

The CIMRP certification requires applicants to pass an online exam and demonstrate their proficiency in market research principles, methods, and techniques. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as consumer behavior, market segmentation, survey design, data analysis, and report writing. Candidates must also submit a portfolio of professional work demonstrating their experience in the field.

The entire process takes approximately three months to complete. Applicants must first register for the exam with IIMR and pay the associated fee ($395 USD). After registering, applicants have up to 90 days to take the exam at any Pearson VUE testing center worldwide. Once they have passed the exam and submitted their portfolio, they will receive their CIMRP certification within two weeks.

The cost of obtaining CIMRP certification is $395 USD for the exam registration fee plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center.

7. Certified Business Intelligence and Analytics Professional (CBAP)

Certified Business Intelligence and Analytics Professional (CBAP) is a professional certification offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). The CBAP certification is designed to recognize business analysts who have the skills, knowledge, and experience to successfully analyze and interpret data for business purposes.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to prepare for the CBAP exam. To become certified, applicants must meet certain requirements such as having at least 7500 hours of business analysis experience in the past 10 years and attending 21 hours of professional development courses. Applicants also need to pass a 3-hour written exam that covers topics related to business analysis, data analysis, project management, and other related areas.

The cost of the CBAP exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $400 USD for the application fee plus an additional $325 USD for the exam itself.

8. Accredited Business Intelligence and Analytics Practitioner (ABAP)

Accredited Business Intelligence and Analytics Practitioner (ABAP) is an industry-recognized certification program designed to validate a practitioner’s knowledge and skills in the field of business intelligence and analytics. It is offered by the International Institute for Analytics (IIA).

The ABAP certification requires candidates to demonstrate proficiency in four core competency areas: data management, analytics, visualization, and communication. Candidates must also possess a minimum of two years of experience in a related field.

The ABAP program consists of two parts: an online assessment and an in-person exam. The online assessment consists of 60 multiple choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. The in-person exam consists of three hours of hands-on activities that test the candidate’s ability to apply their knowledge and skills to real world scenarios.

The cost for the ABAP program is $1,595 USD. This fee includes access to the online assessment, the in-person exam, and one year of membership with IIA.

It typically takes about six months for candidates to complete the entire ABAP program from start to finish.

9. Qualified Business Intelligence and Analytics Specialist (QBAS)

Qualified Business Intelligence and Analytics Specialist (QBAS) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute of Business Intelligence and Analytics (IBAA). It is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective business intelligence and analytics specialist. The program focuses on providing an understanding of data-driven decision making, data analysis, data visualization, predictive analytics, and other related topics.

The QBAS certification program consists of four courses: Introduction to Business Intelligence, Data Analysis for Business Intelligence, Data Visualization for Business Intelligence, and Predictive Analytics for Business Intelligence. Each course is completed over a period of 8 weeks. During this time, participants will learn how to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios in order to make informed decisions based on data.

In order to obtain the QBAS certification, individuals must pass all four courses with at least a 70% passing grade. Upon successful completion of the program, individuals will receive their official certificate from IBAA.

The cost of the QBAS certification program varies depending on which institution you choose to take it through. Generally speaking, it costs between $2,000 - $4,000 USD for the complete program.

10. Accredited Business Intelligence and Analytics Expert (ABE).

Accredited Business Intelligence and Analytics Expert (ABE) is a certification program offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in business intelligence and analytics.

The ABE certification is an advanced level certification that requires a minimum of two years of professional experience in the field of business intelligence and analytics. To obtain this certification, applicants must pass a three-hour exam that covers topics such as data analysis, predictive modeling, data mining, statistical analysis, and more.

The cost for the ABE exam varies depending on the country in which you are taking it. In the United States, the cost is $495 USD. The exam can be taken online or at an authorized testing center.

It typically takes 4-6 weeks to receive your results after taking the exam. Upon passing the exam, applicants will receive their ABE certificate via email within 2-3 weeks.

Do You Really Need a Market Research Associate Certificate?

A Market Research Associate Certificate can be a valuable asset for those interested in pursuing a career in market research. It is an official document that shows potential employers that you have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to work as a market research associate. Having a certificate can give you an edge over other candidates, as it demonstrates your commitment to the profession and your willingness to go the extra mile.

That said, it is important to note that having a certificate is not essential when applying for jobs in this field. Depending on your experience and qualifications, employers may be willing to overlook the fact that you do not possess such credentials. Furthermore, there are many online courses and resources available that can help you gain the knowledge needed to excel in this role without obtaining an official certificate.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a Market Research Associate Certificate depends on your individual circumstances. If you feel confident in your ability to demonstrate your expertise without one, then it may not be necessary for you to obtain such credentials. However, if you think having a certificate could give you an advantage when applying for jobs or advancing in your career, then it may be worth considering pursuing one.

Related: Market Research Associate Resume Examples

FAQs About Market Research Associate Certifications

1. What is a Market Research Associate Certification?

Answer: A Market Research Associate Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates the ability to apply research and analysis techniques to identify and interpret trends in the marketplace. It provides employers with assurance that an individual has the skills to conduct market research, analyze customer data, and develop insights into consumer behavior.

2. How do I become certified as a Market Research Associate?

Answer: To become certified as a Market Research Associate, you must pass an exam administered by an accredited organization such as the American Marketing Association or the Institute of Certified Professional Managers. You will also need to have completed coursework in market research, business analytics, or related fields.

3. What are the benefits of becoming a Market Research Associate?

Answer: Becoming a certified Market Research Associate can help you stand out from other job applicants and increase your chances of getting hired for positions in market research or related fields. It can also help you advance your career by giving you more credibility and helping you gain valuable industry experience.

4. What topics are covered on the exam for certification?

Answer: The exam for certification covers topics related to market research methods, analytics and reporting, customer segmentation and targeting, survey design, sampling techniques, data collection methods, data analysis techniques, marketing strategy development and implementation, and report writing.

5. How long does it take to get certified?

Answer: The length of time it takes to get certified varies depending on how quickly you complete any required coursework or exams. On average it can take anywhere from three months to one year to complete all requirements necessary for certification.