Top 10 Report Writer Certifications

Certifications are important for a report writer in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that a person has the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in their position. Additionally, certifications can show employers that a report writer is committed to professional development and is willing to invest time and money into bettering their abilities. Certifications also provide an opportunity for report writers to stand out from other applicants and showcase their expertise. Ultimately, having certifications can give report writers an edge when competing for jobs in the job market.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Report Writers and explain how they can help to enhance a report writer's career.

What are Report Writer Certifications?

Report Writer Certification is a professional certification that validates a person's ability to produce quality reports that are accurate, well-structured, and effectively communicate information. This certification is designed to help individuals demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in report writing. It also helps employers identify qualified candidates for report writing positions.

The certification exam tests an individual's understanding of the principles of effective report writing, including data analysis, formatting, and presentation. The exam also covers topics related to database design and management, as well as best practices for creating visuals such as charts and graphs.

Having Report Writer Certification can be beneficial for job seekers looking to enter the field or those already working in it who want to gain more credibility. It provides a way for individuals to demonstrate their competence in report writing, which can help them stand out from other job applicants. Additionally, having this certification may give current employees the opportunity for career advancement or higher pay.

Overall, Report Writer Certification is an important credential that can help individuals advance their career in the field of report writing. It demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and expertise in producing quality reports while also providing employers with an assurance that they are hiring qualified professionals.

Pro Tip: Before enrolling in a report writer certification program, make sure the program is accredited and recognized by professional organizations. Also, look for programs that offer hands-on experience and provide access to real-world data sets to practice with. This will ensure that you are well-prepared to tackle any report writing challenge you may face in the future.

Related: What does a Report Writer do?

Top 10 Report Writer Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Report Writers today.

1. Microsoft Certified Professional: Power BI Report Writer

Microsoft Certified Professional: Power BI Report Writer is a certification program that demonstrates an individual's expertise in creating, managing, and delivering interactive data visualizations with the Microsoft Power BI platform. This certification validates a person's ability to build and manage reports and dashboards using the Power BI service. It also validates their understanding of the fundamentals of data modeling, data visualization, and report writing.

The exam for this certification is called Exam DA-100: Analyzing Data with Microsoft Power BI. It consists of 40-60 questions that must be completed in two hours or less. The exam covers topics such as data preparation, data analysis, report creation, report customization, and dashboard design.

To get certified as a Microsoft Certified Professional: Power BI Report Writer, you must pass Exam DA-100: Analyzing Data with Microsoft Power BI. You can prepare for the exam by taking a course such as the Microsoft Official Courseware (MOC) DA-100T01 or studying independently using resources such as practice tests and study guides.

The cost of Exam DA-100: Analyzing Data with Microsoft Power BI varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $99 to $150 USD.

2. Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification

Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification is a professional certification program designed to validate an individual’s expertise in Tableau Desktop. This certification demonstrates that the holder has a comprehensive understanding of Tableau Desktop and its features, as well as the ability to use it to solve complex data analysis problems. The certification includes two exams: the Tableau Desktop Qualified Associate Exam and the Tableau Desktop Professional Exam.

The Tableau Desktop Qualified Associate Exam is a 90-minute exam that tests an individual’s knowledge of basic concepts, terminology, and functionality of Tableau Desktop. It consists of 50 multiple choice questions and covers topics such as connecting to data sources, creating visualizations, working with calculations, and sharing workbooks. To pass this exam, an individual must score at least 70%.

The Tableau Desktop Professional Exam is a 180-minute exam that tests an individual’s advanced knowledge of Tableau Desktop features and functionality. It consists of 80 multiple choice questions and covers topics such as advanced calculations, dashboard design best practices, performance optimization techniques, and troubleshooting. To pass this exam, an individual must score at least 75%.

It typically takes around 6 months to complete both exams depending on how much time you are able to commit to studying for them. The cost for the exams varies depending on where you take them but usually ranges from $200-$400 USD per exam. You can find more information about registering for the exams on the official Tableau website.

3. Oracle Business Intelligence Reporting and Analysis Certification

Oracle Business Intelligence Reporting and Analysis Certification is a professional certification program offered by Oracle. It provides an in-depth understanding of the Oracle Business Intelligence Suite, enabling professionals to create and manage reports and analyze data using Oracle’s suite of business intelligence tools.

The certification requires candidates to have experience with Oracle Database, SQL, PL/SQL, and other related technologies. Candidates must also have a good understanding of data warehousing concepts such as dimensional modeling and star schemas.

The certification exam consists of two parts: a written test and a practical exam. The written test covers topics such as SQL query writing, data warehouse design, report creation, analysis techniques, and more. The practical exam tests the candidate’s ability to create reports from a given dataset.

It typically takes about one month to prepare for the Oracle Business Intelligence Reporting and Analysis Certification exam. Candidates should plan on spending at least 40 hours studying for the exam. It is recommended that candidates use practice exams to familiarize themselves with the content covered in the actual exam.

To get certified, candidates must register for the certification exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. The cost of registering for the exam is $245 USD per attempt.

4. Qlik Sense Data Architect Certification

Qlik Sense Data Architect Certification is a professional certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of individuals who have achieved a level of proficiency in designing and developing Qlik Sense applications. The certification is based on an exam that covers topics such as data modeling, application design, scripting, performance optimization, and security.

The certification exam typically takes about two hours to complete. It consists of multiple-choice questions that assess the candidate’s knowledge and understanding of the Qlik Sense platform. Candidates must score at least 70% to pass the exam.

To get certified, candidates must register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric. The cost of the exam varies depending on location but generally ranges from $150-$200 USD.

Once a candidate has successfully passed the exam, they will receive their Qlik Sense Data Architect Certification certificate via email within three weeks. The certificate is valid for three years from the date it was issued.

5. IBM Certified Data Analyst – Cognos Analytics Report Writer

IBM Certified Data Analyst – Cognos Analytics Report Writer is a professional certification from IBM. It is designed to validate the skills of professionals in creating and delivering reports using IBM Cognos Analytics. The certification validates the ability to use the product’s features and functions to create, format, and deliver reports that meet business requirements.

To get this certification, you will need to pass an exam that covers topics such as report design, data access, formatting options, report delivery, and more. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and can be taken at any Pearson VUE testing center or online.

The cost of the exam is $200 USD. You must also purchase a subscription to the IBM Certification Marketplace in order to register for the exam. This subscription costs $99 USD per year.

6. SAS Certified Advanced Programmer for SAS 9 – Report Writing

SAS Certified Advanced Programmer for SAS 9 – Report Writing is an advanced-level certification that demonstrates a professional’s expertise in creating, modifying and managing SAS reports. This certification validates that the individual has the skills necessary to create and modify complex reports using SAS software.

This certification requires a minimum of three years of experience working with SAS software and report writing. The exam consists of 80 questions and takes approximately two hours to complete. It covers topics such as data manipulation, report formatting, data analysis, and reporting techniques.

To get this certification, you must register for the exam with Pearson VUE or Prometric. The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200-$250 USD. You will also need to purchase study materials such as books or practice tests to help prepare for the exam.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive a digital badge that can be displayed on your website or social media profiles to demonstrate your expertise in report writing with SAS software.

7. SAP Crystal Reports Certification

SAP Crystal Reports Certification is a professional certification program that enables individuals to demonstrate their expertise in creating and managing reports using the SAP Crystal Reports software. This certification validates an individual’s ability to create, format, and deliver meaningful business information from a variety of data sources.

The certification consists of two exams: the SAP Certified Application Associate – Crystal Reports 2011 (C_BOCR_11) exam, and the SAP Certified Application Professional – Crystal Reports 2011 (C_BOCP_11) exam. The C_BOCR_11 exam focuses on basic report creation, while the C_BOCP_11 exam covers advanced topics such as report formatting, data integration, and report delivery.

It typically takes between four to six weeks to complete both exams, depending on an individual's familiarity with the software. To get certified, individuals must register for each exam through the SAP Education website and pay the applicable fees. The cost of each exam is $200 USD.

8. Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Expert – Report Writing

Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Expert – Report Writing is a certification program offered by Microsoft. This certification demonstrates an individual’s proficiency in creating and maintaining reports in Microsoft Excel. It is designed to validate the skills needed to create, format, analyze, and share data using the latest version of Microsoft Excel.

The certification exam takes approximately 90 minutes and consists of 50-60 questions that cover topics such as data analysis, report creation and formatting, formulas and functions, charts and graphs, collaboration features, and more. The exam is administered through Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide.

To become certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Expert – Report Writing you must pass the associated certification exam. The cost for the exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $90-$125 USD.

9. Adobe Certified Expert in InDesign – Report Writing

Adobe Certified Expert in InDesign – Report Writing is a certification program offered by Adobe to demonstrate expertise in the use of InDesign for creating professional-quality reports. It is designed to help writers, editors, and designers create documents that are visually appealing, well organized, and easy to read. The certification requires passing an exam that tests knowledge of the features and functions of InDesign as it relates to report writing.

The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. To be eligible for the certification, applicants must have at least six months of experience using InDesign.

To get certified as an Adobe Certified Expert in InDesign – Report Writing, applicants must first register with the Adobe Certification Program website. After registering, applicants can purchase vouchers from the website which allow them to take the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center or online through OnVUE online proctoring. The cost of the voucher varies depending on location but typically ranges from $90-$180 USD.

Once applicants have taken and passed the exam they will receive an email confirming their certification status along with a digital badge they can display on their website or social media profiles.

10. IBM Certified Database Administrator – DB2 UDB V9 Family Fundamentals - Report Writing

IBM Certified Database Administrator – DB2 UDB V9 Family Fundamentals - Report Writing is a certification offered by IBM. This certification validates the skills and knowledge required to write reports using the DB2 UDB V9 family of products. It is designed for individuals who are responsible for developing and maintaining reports that use the DB2 UDB V9 family of products.

The duration of this certification is approximately 2 hours, and it can be taken online or in a classroom setting. To get this certification, you must first pass an exam which consists of multiple-choice questions. The fee for taking the exam varies depending on your location; however, it typically ranges from $100 to $200 USD. After passing the exam, you will receive your IBM Certified Database Administrator – DB2 UDB V9 Family Fundamentals - Report Writing certificate.

Do You Really Need a Report Writer Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual’s career goals and the type of report writing they plan to do. For some people, a report writer certificate may be necessary in order to gain employment or advance in their chosen field. For others, it may not be necessary at all.

For those looking to become a professional report writer, a certificate can provide an edge over other candidates for jobs. A report writer certificate can demonstrate to potential employers that you have knowledge of the basics of report writing, such as grammar and syntax, formatting, and research skills. It also shows that you are serious about your profession and have taken the time to invest in your education. Additionally, many employers appreciate having someone with specialized training in their field on staff.

On the other hand, if you are already employed in a related field or do not intend to pursue a career in professional report writing, then it may not be essential for you to obtain a certificate. Many people write reports without any formal training or certification; however, having a certificate can still be beneficial as it can help boost your confidence and show potential employers that you are dedicated to learning more about your craft.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a report writer certificate will depend on your individual goals and circumstances. If you feel that obtaining one would be beneficial for your career aspirations then it is certainly worth considering investing in one. However, if you would prefer to learn the basics of report writing through self-study or other means then this is also perfectly acceptable.

Related: Report Writer Resume Examples

FAQs About Report Writer Certifications

1. What qualifications do I need to become a report writer?

Answer: Generally, report writers should have a degree in computer science, information technology, business administration or related field. Additionally, knowledge of programming languages such as SQL, Java and HTML is beneficial.

2. How long does it take to become certified?

Answer: The length of time required to become certified varies depending on the certification program and the individual's experience level. Generally, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to complete the necessary coursework and exams.

3. Are there any prerequisites for taking the certification exam?

Answer: Yes, some certifications may require applicants to have prior experience with report writing and/or data analysis before they can sit for the exam. Additionally, some programs may require applicants to pass an online assessment or attend a training class prior to taking the exam.

4. Is there an age limit for becoming certified?

Answer: No, there is no age limit for becoming certified in report writing; however, some certifications may require applicants to be of a certain age due to liability issues. Check with your certification provider for more information.

5. Are report writer certifications valid internationally?

Answer: Generally speaking, most certifications are valid globally; however, you should check with your specific certification provider for more details regarding international validity of their certification program.