Top 11 Statistician Certifications

Certifications are important for statisticians in the job market because they demonstrate a certain level of knowledge and expertise. A certification can show employers that an applicant has the necessary skills to perform the job, as well as a commitment to their profession. In addition, certifications can help differentiate applicants from other candidates and increase their chances of landing a job. They also provide an opportunity for professional growth and development, as many organizations require certification for advancement in the field.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Statisticians and explain how they can enhance a statistician's career.

What are Statistician Certifications?

Statistician certification is a professional designation awarded by organizations such as the American Statistical Association (ASA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of competence and knowledge in the field of statistics. Statistician certification is beneficial for those seeking employment, promotion, or advancement in the field of statistics. It provides employers with assurance that the individual has achieved a certain level of proficiency in the area and can be trusted to provide accurate data and analysis. Certification also serves as evidence of an individual’s commitment to continuing education and keeping their skills up-to-date. Finally, statistician certification can open many doors for career advancement in the field since it is often required or preferred by employers when hiring new staff or promoting existing employees.

Pro Tip: Statistician certification is a great way to demonstrate your expertise in the field of statistics. To maximize the value of your certification, be sure to take courses that cover the latest statistical methods and software packages. Additionally, look for certifications that offer continuing education requirements so you can stay up-to-date on the latest developments in the field.

Related: What does a Statistician do?

Top 11 Statistician Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Statistician (CPS)

Certified Professional Statistician (CPS) is a professional certification program offered by the American Statistical Association (ASA). It is designed to recognize and promote excellence in statistical practice. The CPS credential is awarded to individuals who demonstrate mastery of the core principles and practices of professional statistics, as well as an understanding of the ethical responsibilities associated with the profession.

To become a Certified Professional Statistician, applicants must meet certain academic and professional requirements. This includes at least a bachelor’s degree in statistics or a related field, plus two years of full-time professional experience in statistical work. Applicants must also pass an examination administered by the ASA that covers topics such as data analysis, probability theory, experimental design, and statistical computing.

The process for obtaining the CPS credential typically takes several months to complete. After submitting all required documentation and payment of fees, applicants will be notified within four weeks if they have been accepted into the program. Once accepted, applicants must then take and pass the exam within six months before they can be officially certified as a Certified Professional Statistician.

The cost for obtaining the CPS credential varies depending on whether you are already an ASA member or not. For non-members, it costs $400 for application fees plus $450 for exam fees; for ASA members, it costs $200 for application fees plus $450 for exam fees.

2. Certified Statistical Analyst (CSA)

Certified Statistical Analyst (CSA) is a professional certification program offered by the American Statistical Association (ASA). The CSA credential demonstrates a mastery of statistical methods and techniques, as well as an understanding of modern data science and analytics. It is designed to recognize those who have demonstrated excellence in the field of statistics and data analysis.

The CSA program requires applicants to pass two exams: one on basic statistical concepts and methods, and another on advanced topics such as machine learning, predictive modeling, and data visualization. Applicants must also complete a project demonstrating their ability to apply statistical methods in real-world settings.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete the CSA program. The cost of the program varies depending on the number of exams taken, but it generally ranges from $700-$1,000 USD. To get started with the CSA program, applicants must first register for an account with ASA's online portal. From there they can access exam preparation materials, review application requirements, and submit their application for review by ASA staff.

3. Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)

Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) is a professional certification program offered by the International Institute for Analytics (IIA). It is designed to recognize professionals who demonstrate expertise in the field of analytics and data science. CAP certifies that individuals possess knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to apply analytics in their work environment.

The CAP exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as data management, predictive modeling, business intelligence, analytics strategy and implementation, data visualization, ethics and privacy considerations. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

To get the CAP certification, applicants must have at least three years of professional experience in the field of analytics or data science. Applicants must also pass an online application process that includes a background check and a review of their professional experience.

The cost for the CAP certification varies depending on where you take the exam. Generally speaking, it costs around $600 to take the exam in North America or Europe.

4. American Statistical Association’s Certified Statistical Consultant (CSC)

The American Statistical Association’s Certified Statistical Consultant (CSC) is a professional certification program for individuals who provide statistical consulting services. The CSC credential is designed to recognize the knowledge, skills, and abilities of individuals who are qualified to provide statistical consulting services.

To be eligible for the CSC, applicants must have a master’s degree in statistics or biostatistics from an accredited institution, as well as at least two years of experience providing statistical consulting services. Additionally, applicants must pass an examination that covers topics such as data analysis, interpretation of results, research design and methodology, and communication of results.

The CSC exam is offered twice a year and consists of multiple-choice questions and essay questions. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete. Applicants must register for the exam in advance and pay a fee of $400 USD.

To maintain the CSC credential, individuals must complete continuing education activities every three years. This includes attending conferences or workshops related to statistical consulting or taking courses in topics related to statistical consulting.

5. SAS Certified Advanced Programmer for SAS 9 (A00-212)

SAS Certified Advanced Programmer for SAS 9 (A00-212) is a certification program designed to validate an individual's advanced programming skills in the SAS 9 software environment. It is intended for experienced SAS programmers who have mastered the fundamentals of SAS programming and are ready to take their skills to the next level.

The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 2 hours to complete. The exam covers topics such as data manipulation, advanced data step processing, macro language, SQL processing, and optimization techniques.

To get certified, you must first register for the exam with Pearson VUE. Once registered, you will be able to select a date and time that works best for you. You can also purchase study materials from SAS Institute or other third-party vendors if desired.

The cost of the exam varies by country but typically ranges from $180 - $250 USD depending on your location.

6. Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

Six Sigma Black Belt Certification is a professional certification program designed to help individuals develop their skills and knowledge in the field of Six Sigma. It is an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates an individual’s ability to lead successful Six Sigma projects.

The certification typically takes between four and six months to complete, depending on the individual's experience and commitment level. To become certified, individuals must complete a series of courses, exams, and projects. The courses cover topics such as process improvement methodology, project management, data analysis, problem solving techniques, and more.

To get started on the path to becoming a Six Sigma Black Belt Certified Professional (SSBB), individuals should first find an accredited training provider or organization that offers the program. After enrolling in the program and completing all required coursework and exams, applicants must submit their completed projects for review by a panel of experts in order to receive their certification.

The cost of Six Sigma Black Belt Certification varies depending on the provider or organization offering it. Generally speaking, it can range from $1,500 to $4,000 USD for the entire program.

7. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Data Management and Analytics

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Data Management and Analytics (MCSE: DM&A) is a certification that validates an individual’s ability to design, develop, and maintain business intelligence solutions using Microsoft SQL Server technologies. It demonstrates expertise in data engineering, data warehousing, big data analytics, and business intelligence. This certification also covers topics such as cloud computing and machine learning.

To get the MCSE: DM&A certification, individuals must first pass two exams: Exam 70-767 Implementing a SQL Data Warehouse and Exam 70-768 Developing SQL Data Models. Both exams are available through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. The exams cost $165 each.

The total time it takes to get the MCSE: DM&A certification varies depending on the individual’s experience level and study habits. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from three months to one year to complete all of the necessary requirements for this certification. To prepare for these exams, individuals should have a good understanding of database concepts such as relational databases, query languages (T-SQL), data modeling techniques (dimensional models), ETL processes (SSIS), and reporting tools (Power BI). Additionally, they should be familiar with cloud computing concepts such as Azure Storage Services and Azure Databricks.

Overall, obtaining the MCSE: DM&A certification requires dedication and hard work but can open up many opportunities for those looking to advance their career in data management and analytics.

8. JMP Certified Specialist

JMP Certified Specialist is a certification program offered by SAS Institute Inc. It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in using JMP software for data analysis. The certification requires the successful completion of an online exam, which tests the candidate's knowledge and skills in using JMP for data analysis.

The exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete. The exam covers topics such as data manipulation, graphics, scripting, modeling, and reporting. Candidates must score at least 75% on the exam in order to pass and become certified.

To become certified, candidates must first register with SAS Institute Inc., purchase the JMP Certified Specialist Exam voucher, and then schedule their exam appointment with Pearson VUE. The cost of the exam voucher is $150 USD.

Once candidates have successfully passed the exam, they will receive an email from SAS Institute Inc. confirming their certification status and providing them with access to their digital badge and certificate. They can also access their digital badge through their SAS account profile page or via a link provided on the confirmation email.

9. R Programming Certification

R Programming Certification is a certification program that demonstrates proficiency in the R programming language. It is designed to help individuals become proficient in using the language and its associated tools for data analysis, visualization, and statistical computing. The certification is offered by the R Consortium, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the use of R.

The certification program consists of two parts: an online exam and a hands-on project. The online exam tests knowledge of basic concepts such as data types, functions, and packages. The hands-on project requires applicants to complete a real-world data analysis task using the R programming language.

The certification process typically takes about 6 months from start to finish. To get certified, applicants must first register for the program on the R Consortium website. After registering, applicants will be given access to study materials and practice exams to help them prepare for the online exam. Once they have passed the online exam, they can then submit their hands-on project for review by an expert panel who will evaluate their work based on criteria such as accuracy, clarity, and efficiency.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on where you live and how you choose to take the exams (online or in person). Generally speaking, it costs around $200 USD for both parts of the certification process (exam + project).

10. Tableau Desktop Qualified Associate

Tableau Desktop Qualified Associate is a certification program offered by Tableau, a leading data visualization software provider. It is designed to help individuals demonstrate their proficiency in using Tableau Desktop, the company’s flagship product. The certification is a great way to prove your skills and show employers that you are qualified to work with their data.

The exam takes approximately 90 minutes and consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as connecting to data sources, building visualizations, creating dashboards, and more. To become certified, you must score at least 70% on the exam.

To get the certification, you must register for an online proctored exam through the Tableau website. You will need to pay a fee of $250 USD for the exam. Once you have registered and paid for the exam, you will receive an email from Tableau with instructions on how to access the exam platform and take your test.

Once you have successfully completed the exam, Tableau will send you an email confirming that you have passed and earned your certification. Your certificate will be valid for two years from the date of issue.

11. Predictive Modeler Using SAS Enterprise Miner

SAS Enterprise Miner is a predictive modeling application that enables users to build and deploy sophisticated predictive models quickly and easily. It is used by organizations to analyze data, identify patterns, and make predictions about future outcomes. SAS Enterprise Miner helps businesses understand customer behavior, predict market trends, optimize marketing campaigns, and more.

SAS Enterprise Miner is available as part of the SAS Viya platform. To get started with SAS Enterprise Miner, you will need to purchase a subscription to the SAS Viya platform. The cost of the subscription depends on your specific needs and requirements.

Once you have purchased a subscription to the SAS Viya platform, you can begin using SAS Enterprise Miner right away. It takes only minutes to set up an account and start building models with the drag-and-drop interface of the software. You can also access tutorials and other resources within the platform to help you get started quickly.

Overall, SAS Enterprise Miner is an easy-to-use tool for creating powerful predictive models in no time at all. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and comprehensive tutorials, it’s perfect for both experienced data scientists and those just getting started with predictive modeling.

Do You Really Need a Statistician Certificate?

A statistician certificate can be an incredibly useful tool for those looking to break into the field of data science. Many employers require a minimum level of expertise in order to hire a statistician, and having a certification from a respected organization can make potential candidates much more attractive hires.

However, it is important to note that having a statistician certificate does not guarantee success in the field. A successful statistician must possess strong analytical skills as well as an understanding of data analysis techniques and software. Furthermore, many employers prefer to hire experienced professionals with years of experience in their respective fields. Therefore, a certificate may be beneficial for entry-level positions but may not be essential for higher-level roles.

In addition to technical skills, employers look for candidates who are able to think critically and communicate effectively with others. They need people who can understand complex datasets and develop meaningful insights from them. Having knowledge of specific statistical techniques may be helpful, but it should not be the only focus when seeking employment as a statistician.

Ultimately, whether or not someone needs a statistician certificate depends on their individual goals and circumstances. For some individuals, obtaining such a certification could provide an edge over other applicants and open up new opportunities; however, one should consider all factors before making the decision to pursue certification in this area.

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FAQs About Statistician Certifications

Q1. What is a Statistician Certification?

A1. A statistician certification is an industry-recognized credential that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in the field of statistics and data analysis. The certification demonstrates a commitment to the profession, as well as proficiency in specific areas such as data collection, data analysis, report writing, and communication of results.

Q2. Who should consider getting a Statistician Certification?

A2. Professionals who are seeking to advance their career or increase their earning potential may benefit from obtaining a statistician certification. This includes anyone working with large datasets, statistical software applications, or conducting research using statistical methods.

Q3. How do I become certified as a Statistician?

A3. To become certified as a statistician, you must typically meet certain educational requirements and pass an exam administered by a professional organization such as the American Statistical Association (ASA). You can also become certified through programs offered by universities and other institutions.

Q4. What types of Statistician Certifications are available?

A4. There are several types of statistician certifications available depending on your level of experience and specialty area within the profession. These include Certified Statistical Analyst (CSA), Certified Professional Statistician (CPS), Certified Data Scientist (CDS), and Professional Statistician (PStat).

Q5. How long does it take to get my Statistician Certification?

A5: It depends on the type of certification you are seeking but typically requires anywhere from 6 months to 2 years for completion depending on your prior education experience and current workload commitments