Top 10 Planning Analyst Certifications

Certifications are important for a planning analyst in the job market because they demonstrate to potential employers that an individual has specialized knowledge and experience in their field. Certified planning analysts are seen as more credible and knowledgeable by employers, and they can often command higher salaries than those without certifications. Additionally, having a certification implies that the analyst is up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the field. This is especially true for certifications from professional organizations such as the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or the Project Management Institute (PMI), which require continuing education credits to maintain certification status. Having these certifications can also be beneficial when networking with other professionals in the industry.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Planning Analysts and explains how they can enhance a Planning Analyst's career.

What are Planning Analyst Certifications?

Planning analyst certification is a type of professional credential for those who work in the field of planning and analysis. It is designed to certify that individuals have the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to excel in this role. The certification process includes a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as data analysis, forecasting, budgeting, and strategic planning. By earning a Planning Analyst Certification, individuals demonstrate their mastery of these essential skills and their commitment to professional excellence.

Having a Planning Analyst Certification can help individuals stand out from other job applicants as they demonstrate their knowledge and abilities in this specialized area. It also helps employers identify qualified candidates who may not have the same level of experience or education as others. Additionally, having a Planning Analyst Certification can open up new career opportunities for those seeking advancement within the field of planning and analysis. Finally, it provides an opportunity for continuous learning as professionals must stay current with trends in the industry to maintain their certification status.

Pro Tip: When planning for an analyst certification, be sure to do your research beforehand. There are a variety of certifications available and some may be more applicable to your role than others. Take the time to read through the requirements for each certification and determine which one would best fit your goals and professional development needs. Additionally, make sure you understand what resources and study materials will be required in order to successfully pass the exam.

Related: What does a Planning Analyst do?

Top 10 Planning Analyst Certifications

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

1. Certified Planning Analyst (CPA)

Certified Planning Analyst (CPA) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the field of financial planning. It is offered by the Institute for Certified Financial Planners (ICFP), an organization that sets standards and provides education and certification programs for financial planners.

To become a CPA, individuals must first meet certain educational requirements, such as having a bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting, or a related field. They must also complete ICFP’s Certified Planning Analyst Program, which consists of three courses: Foundations of Financial Planning, Advanced Financial Planning Strategies, and Retirement Income Planning. The program typically takes six to nine months to complete.

In addition to completing the program, applicants must pass the CPA Exam administered by ICFP. This exam tests their knowledge of financial planning topics such as investments, taxes, insurance, estate planning, retirement planning and risk management. The exam fee is $495 USD.

Once applicants have passed the exam and met all other requirements for certification, they can be awarded the CPA designation by ICFP. The designation is valid for two years and requires renewal every two years through continuing education credits earned from approved activities such as attending conferences or taking additional courses.

2. Certified Financial Planning Analyst (CFPA)

Certified Financial Planning Analyst (CFPA) is a professional certification that is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated their knowledge and competency in the field of financial planning. The CFPA designation is offered by the Institute of Certified Financial Planners (ICFP).

To obtain the CFPA designation, applicants must complete a comprehensive course of study, pass an exam, and meet certain experience requirements. The course of study includes topics such as investment principles, retirement planning, tax planning, estate planning, insurance planning, and risk management. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering these topics.

The entire process typically takes between six months and one year to complete. To maintain the designation, individuals must complete continuing education credits every two years.

The cost for obtaining the CFPA designation varies depending on how you choose to pursue it. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $2,000-$4,000 for tuition and fees associated with completing the required coursework and taking the exam.

3. Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) is a certification program that is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated experience and knowledge in the field of business analysis. The CBAP certification is offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA).

To become a CBAP, an individual must have 7500 hours of professional business analysis experience over the past 10 years, as well as 900 hours in four out of six specified areas. Additionally, applicants must pass an exam administered by IIBA.

The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that assesses knowledge in the areas of business analysis planning and monitoring, elicitation and collaboration, requirements life cycle management, strategy analysis, requirements analysis and design definition, and solution evaluation.

It typically takes 3-6 months to prepare for the CBAP exam. It is recommended that individuals take a course or use self-study materials to prepare for the exam. There are also practice exams available for purchase from IIBA.

The cost for the CBAP exam varies depending on whether you are an IIBA member or non-member. For members it costs $325 USD while non-members pay $450 USD per attempt at the exam.

4. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification program offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is the most widely recognized and respected project management certification in the world. The PMP credential recognizes an individual’s knowledge, experience, and skills in managing projects.

The PMP exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that cover five process groups: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing. The exam takes four hours to complete.

To be eligible for the PMP exam, you must have a secondary degree (high school diploma or equivalent), 7500 hours of leading and directing projects, 35 hours of project management education/training, and four years of project management experience.

The cost of taking the PMP exam varies depending on your location and whether or not you are a member of PMI. In the United States, non-members pay $555 to take the exam while members pay $405. In addition to this fee, there may be additional costs associated with obtaining study materials or taking courses to prepare for the exam.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the PMP exam if you already have some project management experience. However, it can take longer if you need more time to review material or if you need to take additional courses before taking the exam.

5. Certified Business Process Professional (CBPP)

Certified Business Process Professional (CBPP) is a certification offered by the Association of Business Process Professionals (ABPP). It is designed to recognize professionals who are proficient in business process management and have the knowledge and skills necessary to create, analyze, improve, and optimize business processes.

The CBPP certification requires a minimum of two years of professional experience in business process management or related fields. Candidates must also pass an exam that covers topics such as process improvement methods, process mapping techniques, process modeling tools, and project management principles.

The CBPP exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. The cost of the exam is $495 USD.

To obtain the CBPP certification, candidates must successfully pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. Once certified, individuals must maintain their certification through continuing education credits every three years.

6. Certified Strategic Planning Analyst (CSPSA)

Certified Strategic Planning Analyst (CSPSA) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to develop, implement, and manage successful strategic planning initiatives. The CSPSA certification is offered through the Institute for Strategic Planning (ISP).

The certification process involves completing a series of courses and passing an examination. The courses focus on topics such as strategic planning fundamentals, strategy development, implementation, and evaluation. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that test the candidate’s understanding of the material covered in the courses.

The CSPSA certification typically takes about six months to complete. Candidates must first complete all required coursework before being eligible to take the exam. After passing the exam, candidates are awarded their CSPSA certification.

The cost of obtaining a CSPSA certification varies depending on which ISP program you choose to pursue. Generally, it costs around $2,000-$3,000 USD for all course materials and exams fees associated with obtaining your CSPSA certification.

7. Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates a person’s expertise in the Six Sigma methodology. It is designed to help professionals identify and eliminate defects in their processes, leading to improved customer satisfaction and overall organizational efficiency.

The certification process typically takes between four and eight weeks, depending on the individual's prior experience with Six Sigma. To become certified, individuals must complete an approved training program with a qualified instructor. This program includes classroom instruction as well as hands-on practice of the Six Sigma tools and techniques. After completing the training program, individuals must pass an exam administered by an accredited certifying body.

The cost of obtaining a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification varies depending on the provider and length of the training program. Generally, it can range from $1,000 to $3,500 USD for the entire process.

8. Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification is a professional certification that recognizes an individual's expertise in the Lean Six Sigma methodology. It is designed to provide professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead process improvement initiatives within their organization. The certification requires a comprehensive understanding of Lean Six Sigma principles, tools, and techniques.

The certification typically takes between 8-12 weeks to complete. This includes completing coursework, passing exams, and completing project work. Coursework can be completed online or in a classroom setting depending on the provider.

In order to get certified, individuals must first pass a series of tests that assess their knowledge of Lean Six Sigma principles and techniques. Those who pass the tests will then be required to complete project work which will demonstrate their ability to apply those principles and techniques in practice.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on the provider, but generally ranges from $2,000-$4,000 USD for all course materials and exams.

9. Certified Risk Management Professional (CRMP)

Certified Risk Management Professional (CRMP) is a professional certification program offered by the Global Risk Management Institute (GRMI). It is designed to equip risk management professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage risk in their organizations. The CRMP program covers topics such as risk assessment, risk control, risk financing, and enterprise risk management.

The CRMP program consists of four courses: Introduction to Risk Management, Risk Control Strategies, Risk Financing Strategies, and Enterprise Risk Management. Each course takes approximately 25 hours to complete. Upon successful completion of all four courses, candidates must pass an online exam to receive the CRMP designation.

To get the CRMP designation, candidates must first complete all four courses within one year and then register for the online exam. The cost for the entire program is $2,495 USD. This includes access to all four courses as well as the exam fee.

Once a candidate has successfully completed all four courses and passed the online exam, they will be awarded the Certified Risk Management Professional (CRMP) designation. This designation is valid for three years after which time it must be renewed by taking additional continuing education credits or retaking the online exam.

10. Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) is a certification program offered by the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM). It is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage global supply chains. The CSCP program focuses on teaching best practices in areas such as customer relations, logistics, inventory management, and more.

The CSCP program consists of three parts: an online course, a proctored exam, and a professional development plan. The online course covers topics such as supply chain strategies, operations management, supply chain technology, and global logistics. The proctored exam tests your knowledge of the material covered in the online course. Finally, the professional development plan helps you apply what you've learned to your job.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete all three parts of the CSCP program. To get certified, you must pass the proctored exam with a score of at least 75%.

The cost of getting certified depends on whether or not you are an ASCM member. If you are an ASCM member, the cost is $995. If you are not an ASCM member, the cost is $1,295.

Do You Really Need a Planning Analyst Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their goals. For some, a Planning Analyst Certificate may be essential for achieving career advancement or for a particular job role. For others, the certificate may not be necessary as they may already have sufficient experience in the field.

For those seeking to enter the field of planning analysis, a Planning Analyst Certificate can be a great asset. The certificate provides evidence that an individual has acquired knowledge and skills in the field, which can be beneficial when competing against other applicants for jobs in this area. It also demonstrates to employers that an individual is capable of understanding and analyzing complex data sets, which is important for many positions within planning analysis.

For experienced professionals within the planning analysis field, however, a certificate might not be necessary as they will likely already have developed an extensive skill set through their previous experience. Furthermore, experienced professionals may already have connections within their industry and therefore may not need to rely on a certification when looking for new opportunities.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a Planning Analyst Certificate will depend heavily on your own circumstances and goals. If you are just starting out in the field or are looking to advance your career then it could be worth considering obtaining one, but if you are already established then it might not be necessary.

Related: Planning Analyst Resume Examples

FAQs About Planning Analyst Certifications

Q1: What is the cost of a Planning Analyst Certification?

A1: The cost of a Planning Analyst Certification varies depending on the provider and specific program. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to over $2,000 for a certification course.

Q2: What are the prerequisites for obtaining a Planning Analyst Certification?

A2: Generally, you must have at least a bachelor's degree in planning or related field as well as several years of experience in the field. Some certifications may also require additional courses or examinations before they are granted.

Q3: How long does it take to get certified as a Planning Analyst?

A3: This depends on the type of certification and provider you choose. Usually it takes between 6 months to 1 year to complete all requirements and obtain certification.

Q4: What types of jobs can I get with a Planning Analyst Certification?

A4: With your certification, you may be able to find work in urban planning, public policy analysis, economic development, community development and other related fields.

Q5: Is there an exam required for becoming certified as a Planning Analyst?

A5: Yes, most certifying organizations will require you to pass an exam in order to receive your certification.