Top 10 SAS Analyst Certifications

Certifications are an important way for SAS analysts to demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in the field. Certification can help SAS analysts stand out from other candidates in the job market by demonstrating their expertise and commitment to the field. Employers look to certifications as a way to gauge a candidate’s level of expertise, which can give them an edge in the hiring process. Additionally, having a certification can open up opportunities for more advanced roles within the company or industry. Finally, certifications provide SAS analysts with professional recognition that can be beneficial for career advancement and networking.

This article reviews and explains the benefits of certifications for SAS Analysts, providing insight into how they can help to advance their career.

What are SAS Analyst Certifications?

SAS Analyst Certification is a professional credential offered by SAS, a leading provider of advanced analytics software and services. This certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the use of SAS for data analysis and reporting. It is the ideal credential for professionals looking to validate their SAS skills, advance their careers, and differentiate themselves in the job market.

The certification requires that applicants demonstrate their knowledge and skills in areas such as data manipulation, statistical analysis, predictive modeling, reporting, and presentation of results. The exam consists of 140 multiple-choice questions which must be completed within three hours. Those who successfully pass the exam will receive an official certificate from SAS that is valid for two years.

Having a SAS Analyst Certification can be extremely beneficial to those working with data or looking to enter the field of analytics. It demonstrates technical expertise and shows employers that you have the necessary skills to work with large datasets and generate meaningful insights from them. Additionally, it can open up career opportunities in industries such as finance, healthcare, marketing, or retail where data-driven decision making is essential.

Pro Tip: When preparing for your SAS Analyst Certification exam, focus on understanding the concepts and principles behind the SAS language. Knowing how to execute specific commands is important, but having an overall understanding of how the language works will help you better understand the questions on the exam and be able to answer them quickly and accurately.

Related: What does an SAS Analyst do?

Top 10 SAS Analyst Certifications

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

1. SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS 9

SAS Certified Base Programmer for SAS 9 is a certification program that demonstrates a professional’s ability to use the SAS programming language to access, manage, and analyze data. This certification is designed for professionals who are responsible for writing and maintaining SAS programs. It requires knowledge of the basics of the SAS language, including data steps and procedures, as well as an understanding of how to use the SAS system options.

The certification exam takes approximately four hours to complete and consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as accessing data stored in different formats, creating and modifying data sets, using SAS functions and statements, using macro variables, debugging programs, and using SQL within SAS.

To get certified as a Base Programmer for SAS 9 you must first register with the SAS Global Certification Program. You can do this by visiting their website or by calling their customer service line. Once registered you will be able to purchase the exam voucher from Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers.

The cost of the exam voucher is $180 USD.

2. SAS Certified Advanced Programmer for SAS 9

SAS Certified Advanced Programmer for SAS 9 is a professional certification program designed to validate the skills of experienced SAS programmers. It covers topics such as advanced data manipulation techniques, macro programming, and advanced statistical techniques. The certification typically takes between 6-12 months to complete depending on the individual's experience level and study habits.

To get certified, individuals must pass an exam that covers the following topics: Base SAS Programming; Advanced SAS Programming; Data Management & Manipulation; Macro Language; SQL Processing; Advanced Statistical Techniques; and Debugging & Optimization Techniques. The cost of the exam varies by region but typically ranges from $180-$250 USD.

3. SAS Certified Predictive Modeler Using SAS Enterprise Miner 13

SAS Certified Predictive Modeler Using SAS Enterprise Miner 13 is a certification program offered by SAS. It is designed for data scientists and analysts who want to become experts in predictive modeling using SAS Enterprise Miner. The certification validates that the candidate has the skills necessary to build and deploy predictive models in a production environment.

To get this certification, you must pass an exam which is administered by Pearson VUE. The exam consists of 65 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 2 hours to complete.

The cost of the exam varies depending on your location but generally ranges from $180-$250 USD. You can register for the exam through Pearson VUE’s website or at a local testing center.

Once you have successfully passed the exam, you will receive your official SAS Certified Predictive Modeler Using SAS Enterprise Miner 13 certificate and be listed as certified on the SAS website.

4. SAS Certified Statistical Business Analyst Using SAS 9: Regression and Modeling

SAS Certified Statistical Business Analyst Using SAS 9: Regression and Modeling is a certification program designed to validate the skills of professionals in applying regression and modeling techniques with SAS software. This certification exam tests candidates' knowledge of data analysis, model building, and interpretation of results using SAS software.

The exam takes approximately 3 hours to complete. It consists of 70 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as linear regression, logistic regression, model selection, and validation techniques.

To get this certification, you must first register for the exam on the SAS website. You will need to provide proof of your educational background and professional experience before you can take the exam. After registering for the exam, you will be given access to an online practice test that will help prepare you for the actual exam.

The cost of taking this certification exam varies depending on where you take it. In the US, it typically costs around $200 USD per attempt.

5. SAS Certified Clinical Trials Programmer Using SAS 9

SAS Certified Clinical Trials Programmer Using SAS 9 is a certification program from SAS Institute that validates the skills and knowledge of individuals who are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining clinical trial data sets and programs. The certification program is designed to ensure that certified professionals have the necessary skills to work with clinical trial data.

The certification exam consists of two parts: an online assessment and a hands-on practical exam. The online assessment tests your knowledge of SAS programming language, clinical trials terminology, and basic statistical concepts. The hands-on practical exam requires you to demonstrate your ability to use SAS software to create and manipulate clinical trial datasets.

To become certified as a SAS Certified Clinical Trials Programmer Using SAS 9, you must pass both the online assessment and the hands-on practical exam. It typically takes about four weeks to complete the entire process from start to finish.

The cost of becoming a SAS Certified Clinical Trials Programmer Using SAS 9 varies depending on where you take the exams, but it typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD.

6. SAS Certified Data Integration Developer for SAS 9

SAS Certified Data Integration Developer for SAS 9 is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated their knowledge and skills in data integration, transformation, and loading. The certification validates the ability to use the SAS Data Integration Studio application to access, transform, and deliver data from multiple sources.

It typically takes up to 12 weeks of study time to prepare for the exam. To get certified, you must pass an online proctored exam that consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. The cost of the exam is $180 USD or local currency equivalent.

7. SAS Certified Visual Analytics 7.1 Exploration and Design

SAS Certified Visual Analytics 7.1 Exploration and Design is a certification program that provides individuals with the skills needed to create effective visualizations for data exploration and design. The certification covers topics such as data visualization, design principles, data analysis, and report creation. It also covers the use of SAS Visual Analytics software to create interactive visualizations and reports.

The certification exam typically takes around 2 hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. Candidates must have a minimum of 6 months experience working with SAS Visual Analytics software in order to take the exam.

In order to get certified, candidates must register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. The cost of the exam varies by country but typically ranges from $200-$300 USD.

8. SAS Certified Big Data Professional

SAS Certified Big Data Professional is a certification program offered by SAS that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in working with big data. This certification is designed to demonstrate an individual’s ability to develop, deploy, and maintain big data solutions using SAS technologies.

It typically takes 3-6 months to prepare for the exam, depending on the individual's experience level. The exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions and must be completed within two hours. The cost of the exam is $180 USD.

In order to get certified as a SAS Certified Big Data Professional, you must first register for the exam through the SAS website and then pass it with a score of 70% or higher. You will also need to have at least one year of experience working with big data or related technologies in order to be eligible for the certification.

9. JMP Software Certification Exam

JMP Software Certification Exam is an exam administered by SAS Institute Inc. to certify users in the use of JMP software. The exam tests a user’s ability to create and analyze data using JMP software. It covers topics such as basic statistics, graphical analysis, scripting, and design of experiments.

The exam typically takes around two hours to complete and consists of 60 multiple-choice questions. To pass the exam, a minimum score of 70% must be achieved.

To get certified in JMP software, you must first register for the certification exam through the SAS Institute website. After registering, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the online testing platform and take the exam.

The cost of taking the JMP Software Certification Exam is $200 USD per attempt.

10. SAS Certified Platform Administrator for SAS 9

SAS Certified Platform Administrator for SAS 9 is a certification program that validates the skills and knowledge of professionals who manage, maintain, and administer SAS 9 environments. The certification is designed to demonstrate the individual’s ability to install, configure, and troubleshoot SAS 9 components in a distributed environment.

The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. To receive the certification, candidates must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

In order to get certified as a SAS Certified Platform Administrator for SAS 9, candidates must first register for the exam at Pearson VUE website. The cost of the exam is $180 USD. After registration, candidates will be able to schedule their exams at any Pearson VUE testing center worldwide. It is recommended that candidates prepare for the exam by taking an official course from SAS Institute or an authorized training provider.

Do You Really Need a SAS Analyst Certificate?

No, you do not need an SAS Analyst Certificate to become a successful SAS analyst. Many employers prefer that applicants have such a certification, but having one is not a requirement for the job. The main thing that matters is your knowledge and experience in the field of SAS analytics. You should be able to demonstrate your capabilities and understanding of the software through interviews and other methods.

Having an SAS Analyst Certificate may give you a slight edge over other applicants when it comes to landing the job. However, it is important to remember that having the certificate alone does not guarantee employment or success in the field. It is only one part of being a successful SAS analyst and should be supplemented with relevant experience and knowledge.

In summary, while having an SAS Analyst Certificate can be beneficial, it is not necessary for you to become a successful SAS analyst. Ultimately, employers want someone who is knowledgeable and experienced in using this powerful software in order to help them achieve their goals.

Related: SAS Analyst Resume Examples

FAQs About SAS Analyst Certifications

1. What are the different levels of SAS certification?

Answer: The different levels of SAS certification are Base Programmer, Advanced Programmer, Predictive Modeler, Statistical Business Analyst and Data Management Specialist.

2. How much does it cost to get SAS certified?

Answer: The cost of getting SAS certified varies depending on the type of certification you are pursuing and your geographical location. It can range from $180 to $400 for each exam.

3. What is the duration of a SAS certification exam?

Answer: Each exam typically takes four hours to complete.

4. How often do I need to renew my SAS certification?

Answer: Your certification is valid for two years from the date when you pass the exam. After that, you will need to retake the exam in order to maintain your certification status.

5. Does a SAS certification guarantee me a job?

Answer: While having a SAS certification may increase your chances of securing a job in data analytics or related fields, there is no guarantee that it will land you a job as employers also look for other qualifications and experience when hiring for such positions.