Top 11 Statistical Analyst Certifications
Updated 17 min read
Certifications are important for a statistical analyst in the job market because they demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in specific areas of expertise. Having certifications can help a statistical analyst stand out from other applicants, as they show employers that the analyst has taken the initiative to gain additional knowledge and skills that could be beneficial to their team. Certifications also give employers an extra layer of assurance that the applicant is qualified to do the job. In addition, some employers prefer to hire applicants with certifications, so having them can open up more opportunities for a statistical analyst.
This article reviews some of the top certifications for Statistical Analysts and explains how they can help to advance a statistical analyst's career.
What are Statistical Analyst Certifications?
Statistical analyst certification is a credential that demonstrates a professional has the knowledge and skills to perform statistical analysis. This certification is often sought by those who want to be competitive in the job market, as many employers prefer candidates with such credentials. Statistical analyst certifications typically cover topics such as data collection and management, probability distributions, linear regression, and hypothesis testing.
Having a statistical analyst certification can help professionals demonstrate their expertise in this field and increase their chances of being hired for positions requiring statistical analysis. It can also help them stand out from other candidates who may not have this type of certification. Additionally, it shows employers that the individual has taken the time to learn about data analysis and has a comprehensive understanding of the principles and techniques associated with it. Furthermore, having this credential may also provide access to specialized job opportunities or higher salaries than those without it.
Overall, having a statistical analyst certification can be beneficial for those looking to pursue careers related to data analysis or analytics. It can demonstrate one's proficiency in the field and give them an edge over other candidates when applying for jobs requiring such expertise.
Pro Tip: When considering a statistical analyst certification, be sure to research the credentials and requirements of the certifying body. It is important to make sure that the program you choose will provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills for success in your chosen field. Additionally, be sure to check if the certification is recognized in your industry or geographic region.
Related: What does a Statistical Analyst do?
Top 11 Statistical Analyst Certifications
Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Statistical Analysts today.
1. SAS Certified Statistical Business Analyst
SAS Certified Statistical Business Analyst is a professional certification program offered by SAS Institute, Inc. It is designed for individuals who want to demonstrate their expertise in using the SAS software suite to analyze data and create reports. The certification validates an individual’s ability to apply statistical methods and techniques to solve business problems.
The certification requires that applicants pass an exam that covers topics such as data management, data analysis, report writing, and programming with SAS. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.
In order to become certified, individuals must first register for the exam through the SAS website. Once registered, they can purchase study materials or attend training sessions offered by SAS. After studying and preparing for the exam, candidates can then schedule the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center near them.
The cost of the exam varies depending on where it is taken; however, it typically ranges from $150-$200 USD.
2. Microsoft Certified Data Analyst
Microsoft Certified Data Analyst is a professional certification program offered by Microsoft to recognize individuals who demonstrate expertise in using data analysis tools and techniques to solve business problems. The certification validates an individual’s ability to extract, analyze, and interpret data from various sources, as well as the skills necessary to effectively communicate insights derived from the data.
The Microsoft Certified Data Analyst certification requires passing two exams: Exam DA-100: Analyzing Data with Microsoft Power BI and Exam DP-200: Implementing an Azure Data Solution. Both exams must be passed within 12 months of each other in order to earn the certification.
To get the Microsoft Certified Data Analyst certification, you must first register for and pass both exams. The cost for each exam depends on your location, but typically ranges between $165-$200 USD per exam. Additionally, you may need to purchase additional study materials or training courses in order to prepare for the exams.
Once both exams are passed successfully, you will receive a digital badge that can be displayed on your resume or online profiles such as LinkedIn. You will also receive a certificate that can be printed out and framed if desired.
3. American Statistical Association (ASA) Certified Professional Statistician (CPS)
The American Statistical Association (ASA) Certified Professional Statistician (CPS) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and promote the highest standards of statistical practice. It is designed to provide recognition for those who have achieved a high level of expertise in the practice of statistics. The CPS designation is intended to demonstrate that an individual has met the highest standards of professional competence in the field of statistics.
To become a Certified Professional Statistician, applicants must meet certain requirements, including having at least five years of experience in the field, passing an examination, and completing continuing education credits. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as probability theory, statistical methods, and data analysis. In addition, applicants must submit a portfolio demonstrating their knowledge and skills in the field.
It typically takes about three months to complete all the requirements for ASA certification. Applicants must submit an application form along with supporting documentation such as transcripts or work experience letters. After submitting all required materials, applicants can expect to receive notification within six weeks regarding their eligibility status.
The cost for obtaining ASA certification varies depending on factors such as whether you are an ASA member or not and which type of exam you take (e.g., online or paper). Generally speaking, it costs between $250-$400 USD to obtain ASA certification.
4. Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification
Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification is a professional certification program designed to help individuals demonstrate their proficiency in using Tableau Desktop. It is a comprehensive, hands-on exam that tests an individual’s ability to create and share interactive visualizations, analyze data, and use the features of Tableau Desktop. The certification is offered through Tableau Software and covers the latest version of Tableau Desktop.
The certification exam takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions as well as drag-and-drop activities. The exam can be taken online or in person at a testing center. To get certified, individuals must pass the exam with a score of 75% or higher.
The cost of the Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification varies depending on where you take it. Online exams cost $250 USD while in-person exams cost $350 USD. In addition, there may be additional fees for rescheduling or retaking the exam if needed.
5. IBM Certified Data Scientist – Professional Certificate
The IBM Certified Data Scientist – Professional Certificate is a professional certification program that validates a data scientist’s ability to analyze data, build and deploy machine learning models, and use advanced analytics techniques to solve real-world problems. The certificate is designed to help data scientists demonstrate their skills in the areas of data engineering, machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing (NLP), and more.
The program is self-paced and typically takes three months to complete. It consists of four courses: Introduction to Data Science; Machine Learning with Python; Deep Learning with TensorFlow; and Natural Language Processing with Python. Each course includes hands-on labs and projects that allow students to apply their knowledge in a practical setting.
To get the IBM Certified Data Scientist – Professional Certificate, you must successfully complete all four courses within the three-month period. Upon completion of all four courses, you will receive an official IBM badge that can be used on your resume or portfolio as proof of your certification.
The cost for the IBM Certified Data Scientist – Professional Certificate varies depending on the country where you are located. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,000 USD for the entire program.
6. Oracle Certified Data Scientist
Oracle Certified Data Scientist is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the skills and knowledge necessary to analyze data, build predictive models, and deploy machine learning algorithms. It is designed for professionals with a strong background in mathematics, statistics, computer science, and/or data engineering.
To become an Oracle Certified Data Scientist, you must pass two exams: Oracle Database 12c: Advanced PL/SQL Developer and Oracle Data Science Cloud Service. The exams are administered by Prometric or Pearson VUE test centers. The cost of the exams varies depending on location and currency exchange rate but typically costs around $200 USD each.
The time it takes to get certified as an Oracle Certified Data Scientist depends on your experience level and how much time you dedicate to studying for the exams. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from 3-6 months to prepare for both exams if you are starting from scratch. If you already have a strong background in databases, programming languages, and data science concepts then it may take less time.
7. Predictive Modeling Professional Certification
Predictive Modeling Professional Certification is a certification program designed to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in predictive modeling. It is offered by the Predictive Modeling Professional Association (PMPA), an international organization dedicated to advancing the field of predictive modeling.
The certification consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical assessment. The written exam covers topics such as data mining, machine learning, statistical analysis, and predictive modeling techniques. The practical assessment involves building a model using real-world data, which is then evaluated by PMPA experts.
The certification process typically takes about four months from start to finish. To get certified, candidates must first register for the program and submit an application form with their resume and other relevant documents. After being accepted into the program, candidates can begin studying for the written exam. Once they have passed the written exam, they can move on to the practical assessment.
The cost of getting certified depends on various factors such as location and type of program chosen (e.g., online or in-person). Generally speaking, it costs around $500-$1,000 USD to become certified in predictive modeling through PMPA.
8. Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ) Certification
Google Analytics Individual Qualification (IQ) Certification is a certification program offered by Google to demonstrate proficiency in Google Analytics. The certification is designed for individuals who want to demonstrate their expertise in the use of Google Analytics.
The certification consists of an online assessment, which tests your knowledge of the fundamentals of Google Analytics. The assessment takes about 90 minutes to complete and consists of 70 multiple-choice questions. To pass the assessment, you must score 80% or higher.
To get the certification, you must first register with Google Partners and then take the online assessment. Once you have passed the assessment, you will receive an email from Google confirming your certification status with a link to download your certificate.
The cost to take the IQ Certification exam is $50 USD per attempt.
9. R Programming Certification
R Programming Certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual’s proficiency in the R programming language. It is designed to validate an individual’s ability to write, debug and analyze code in R.
The certification process typically involves passing a written exam that tests knowledge of the language, its syntax, and its libraries. Most exams are administered by third-party organizations such as DataCamp or Coursera.
It usually takes between 1-3 months to prepare for the exam, depending on the level of expertise of the individual taking it. Preparation typically involves studying online tutorials, reading books on R programming, and practicing coding exercises with real data sets.
The cost of taking the exam varies depending on which organization administers it. Generally speaking, exams range from $100-$300 USD.
Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your certification which can be used to demonstrate your proficiency in R programming to potential employers or clients.
10. Cloudera Certified Data Analyst
Cloudera Certified Data Analyst (CCDA) is a professional certification program designed to validate an individual’s knowledge and skills in data analysis using Cloudera’s open source Apache Hadoop platform. It is an industry-recognized credential that indicates expertise in the field of big data analytics.
The CCDA exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The exam covers topics such as data ingestion, transformation, storage, querying, visualization, and machine learning.
To get certified as a Cloudera Certified Data Analyst, you must first pass the CCDA exam. You can prepare for the exam by taking online courses or self-study materials available from Cloudera or other training providers. You can also attend instructor-led trainings offered by Cloudera or its partners. After successfully passing the exam, you will receive your certification credentials via email.
The cost of the CCDA exam varies depending on the provider but usually ranges between $250 and $400 USD.
11. Hadoop Developer Certification
Hadoop Developer Certification is a certification program offered by Cloudera, the leading provider of Apache Hadoop-based software, services and training. It is designed to provide an industry-recognized credential for individuals who demonstrate the skills necessary to design, develop, deploy and maintain Hadoop applications in a production environment.
The certification consists of two exams: the CCA175 Spark and Hadoop Developer Exam and the CCA159 Data Analyst Exam. The CCA175 exam focuses on developing big data applications using Apache Spark and Hadoop while the CCA159 exam focuses on analyzing data with Apache Hive and Impala.
The entire certification process typically takes 4-6 months depending on how much time you are able to dedicate to studying for the exams.
In order to get certified, you must first register for an account with Cloudera University and then purchase a certification package which includes access to online course materials, practice tests, online proctoring of your exams, and a certificate upon successful completion of both exams. The cost of the certification package varies depending on whether you choose self-paced or instructor-led learning but typically ranges from $400-$800 USD.
Do You Really Need a Statistical Analyst Certificate?
The answer to this question depends on several factors. First, what is the purpose of getting a statistical analyst certificate? Is it for career advancement or just to learn more about statistics? Different certificates offer different levels of knowledge and training in various areas of statistical analysis.
If the goal is career advancement, then obtaining a statistical analyst certificate may be beneficial. It can give employers confidence that the applicant has a certain level of expertise in their field and an understanding of current trends in the industry. This can also be helpful if applying for jobs that require a certain level of proficiency in statistics or analytics.
On the other hand, if the goal is simply to learn more about statistics, then obtaining a certificate may not be necessary. There are many free online resources available that provide excellent tutorials and courses in statistics. Additionally, many universities offer courses in data science and analytics that can help build up one’s knowledge base without needing to obtain a formal certificate.
Ultimately, whether or not one needs a statistical analyst certificate depends on their individual goals and aspirations. If they are looking to further their career prospects then obtaining one could prove beneficial; however, if they are simply looking to learn more about statistics then there are plenty of other avenues available that may suit their needs better.
Related: Statistical Analyst Resume Examples
FAQs About Statistical Analyst Certifications
1. What is a Statistical Analyst Certification?
Answer: A Statistical Analyst Certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual’s ability to analyze data and interpret the results for decision-making purposes. It typically requires passing an exam and/or completing coursework in topics such as statistical analysis, data mining, forecasting, and predictive analytics.
2. How do I become certified as a Statistical Analyst?
Answer: To become certified as a Statistical Analyst, you must pass an exam specific to your field of study and/or complete coursework in topics such as statistical analysis, data mining, forecasting, and predictive analytics.
3. What are the benefits of becoming a Certified Statistical Analyst?
Answer: The primary benefit of becoming a Certified Statistical Analyst is increased job opportunities in the field of analytics and data science. Certification can also provide credibility when applying for jobs or promotions within your current organization. Additionally, it can help you stand out from other applicants when seeking new positions.
4. Are there any prerequisites for taking the certification exam?
Answer: Yes, most organizations require that individuals have at least a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics or related field with some experience working with statistical software packages prior to taking the certification exam. Additionally, some organizations may require additional certifications or coursework before allowing someone to take the examination.
5. How long is my certification valid for?
Answer: Most certifications are valid for two years from the date of completion but may vary depending on the organization offering the certification program.