Top 10 Technical Business Analyst Certifications

Certifications are important for technical business analysts in the job market because they demonstrate a certain level of knowledge and expertise. Without certifications, employers may not be able to determine if a candidate is qualified for a position or not. Certifications also show that the analyst has gone through the necessary training and has achieved a certain level of competence. Additionally, certifications can provide proof of continuing education, allowing employers to know that the analyst is keeping up with industry trends and changes in technology. In short, certifications are an important way for technical business analysts to stand out in the job market and demonstrate their value to potential employers.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Technical Business Analysts and explains how they can help further a Technical Business Analyst's career.

What are Technical Business Analyst Certifications?

Technical Business Analyst Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and skills in the area of technical business analysis. This certification is designed to help professionals demonstrate their abilities as they apply to the fields of software development, project management, and IT operations. Technical Business Analysts are responsible for gathering, analyzing, and interpreting data to provide actionable insights that can be used to inform decisions about the development and implementation of technology solutions.

The Technical Business Analyst Certification provides individuals with an understanding of the principles of business analysis and how it applies to the development of technology solutions. This certification also covers topics such as requirements gathering, process mapping, risk assessment, quality assurance, solution architecture design, testing strategies, and other related areas. With this certification, individuals can gain a comprehensive understanding of how technology solutions are created and implemented in order to improve business efficiency and effectiveness.

Having a Technical Business Analyst Certification can help individuals stand out among their peers in the field by providing them with an edge when applying for jobs or promotions within their organization. The certification is also beneficial for those looking to break into the field or advance their career within it by demonstrating their knowledge and expertise in technical business analysis. This can help employers make more informed hiring decisions when selecting candidates for job openings or promotion opportunities.

Pro Tip: Before committing to a technical business analyst certification, make sure you research the certification and its requirements. Ensure that the certification is appropriate for your current skillset and that it will help you reach your career goals.

Related: What does a Technical Business Analyst do?

Top 10 Technical Business Analyst Certifications

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

1. Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) is a professional certification program offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). This certification is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate knowledge and experience in the field of business analysis.

The CBAP exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover six knowledge areas: Business Analysis Planning & Monitoring, Elicitation & Collaboration, Requirements Life Cycle Management, Strategy Analysis, Requirements Analysis & Design Definition, and Solution Evaluation. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

To become certified as a CBAP, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having at least 7500 hours of documented business analysis experience over the past 10 years and completing 21 hours of professional development activities within the last four years. You must also pass the CBAP exam with a score of at least 700 out of 1000.

The cost for taking the CBAP exam is $325 USD for IIBA members and $450 USD for non-members.

2. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is an entry-level certification for project managers, and it demonstrates knowledge of the fundamental principles of project management.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the CAPM exam. This includes studying the PMBOK Guide, attending training courses, and taking practice tests.

To get certified as a CAPM you must pass an exam administered by PMI. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within three hours. You must also have at least 1500 hours of project experience or 23 hours of formal project management education before you can take the exam.

The cost to take the CAPM exam is $225 for PMI members and $300 for non-members. In addition, there may be additional costs associated with study materials and/or training courses.

3. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Certified Scrum Master (CSM) is a professional certification program for individuals who have a deep understanding of the Scrum framework and its application. The CSM certification is offered through the Scrum Alliance, an organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the use of Scrum in software development.

The CSM certification is designed to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge and mastery of the principles and practices of Scrum. It involves completing a two-day course that covers topics such as team dynamics, product backlogs, sprint planning, and retrospectives. At the end of the course, participants must pass an exam to earn their certification.

The cost for taking the CSM course varies depending on where you take it, but typically ranges from $800-$1,500 USD.

In order to become certified as a CSM, you must first attend an approved training course and then pass the exam at the end of it. The exam consists of 50 multiple choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official Certified Scrum Master (CSM) certificate from the Scrum Alliance.

Once certified as a CSM, you will need to maintain your certification by completing continuing education activities every two years in order to keep your credential active.

4. PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize professionals who have an advanced level of knowledge and experience in agile principles, practices, tools and techniques. The PMI-ACP certification demonstrates an individual’s expertise in leading agile teams and managing agile projects.

It typically takes between two to three months to prepare for the PMI-ACP exam. To get certified, you must meet the following eligibility requirements: Have 2,000 hours of general project experience within the last five years; 1,500 hours of agile project experience within the last three years; 21 contact hours of training in agile methods.

The cost for the PMI-ACP certification varies depending on your country/region. Generally speaking, it costs around $435 for members of PMI and $495 for non-members. Additionally, there are other fees associated with taking the exam such as registration fees and retake fees if needed.

To obtain the PMI-ACP certification you must pass a multiple choice exam that consists of 120 questions which must be completed within 3 hours. The passing score is determined by PMI and changes from time to time but generally sits around 65%.

5. IIBA Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA)

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA) is an internationally recognized certification for business analysts. It is designed to recognize the skills and knowledge required to be a successful business analyst. The CCBA recognizes individuals who have achieved a certain level of competency in the field of business analysis and provides them with a certification that can be used to demonstrate their expertise.

The CCBA requires applicants to have at least three years of experience in the field of business analysis, as well as a minimum of 900 hours spent on tasks related to business analysis within the last five years. Applicants must also pass an exam that covers topics such as requirements gathering, stakeholder management, process modeling, and more.

It typically takes six months or more to prepare for the CCBA exam, depending on one's experience level and study habits. To get started, applicants should review the IIBA's Body of Knowledge (BOK), which outlines all topics covered by the exam. Additionally, applicants should consider taking an online course or attending training sessions offered by IIBA-approved education providers.

The cost for taking the CCBA exam is $325 USD for members and $450 USD for non-members. There are also additional fees associated with becoming a member of IIBA ($125 USD/year). Once certified, there is an annual maintenance fee of $100 USD per year to maintain your certification status.

6. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to lead Lean Six Sigma projects within their organization. The certification is designed to help individuals improve processes, reduce waste and increase efficiency within their organization.

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification program typically takes 4-6 weeks to complete depending on the provider. Most providers offer online courses, which can be completed at your own pace. The course covers topics such as process improvement, problem solving, data analysis and project management. Upon completion of the course, candidates must pass an exam in order to become certified.

In order to get certified, you must first register for a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification program with an accredited provider. The cost of the program varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $500-$2000 USD.

Once registered for a program, you will need to complete all required coursework and pass the final exam in order to receive your certification. After receiving your certification, you will need to maintain it by completing continuing education credits every three years in order to remain certified.

7. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is an entry-level certification that provides a comprehensive understanding of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework. It is designed for individuals who want to gain a basic understanding of ITIL and its best practices for service management. The certification is awarded by Axelos, the organization responsible for managing and developing ITIL.

The ITIL Foundation Certification covers topics such as service management principles, processes, functions, roles, and activities. It also covers how to apply the concepts of IT service management in different contexts. Additionally, it provides an overview of the ITIL lifecycle and how to use it to manage services effectively.

The certification exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and can be completed in 60 minutes or less. To pass the exam, you must score at least 65%.

To get certified, you must first take an accredited training course from an approved provider or study independently using online resources or books. Once you have completed your studies, you can register for the exam through an approved provider or directly with Axelos.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on where you take the training course and which provider you choose. Generally speaking, courses range from $200-$2,000 USD depending on your location and chosen provider. The exam itself costs around $250 USD if taken directly with Axelos or through an approved provider.

8. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is one of the most sought-after certifications in project management and is recognized globally. The PMP certification demonstrates a professional’s ability to manage projects successfully and efficiently.

It typically takes between six months to a year to prepare for the PMP exam. To be eligible, you must have at least three years of experience leading projects and 35 hours of project management education. You will also need to pass the four-hour PMP exam which consists of 200 multiple-choice questions.

The cost of taking the PMP exam varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of PMI. For members, it costs $405 for the first attempt and $275 for each subsequent attempt. For non-members, it costs $555 for the first attempt and $375 for each subsequent attempt.

In addition to passing the exam, you will also need to maintain your certification by earning 60 professional development units (PDUs) every three years. PDUs can be earned through attending seminars, conferences, online courses, or other training activities related to project management.

9. Certified Process Design Engineer (CPDE)

Certified Process Design Engineer (CPDE) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Process Engineers (IAPE). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of process design engineers.

The CPDE certification program consists of two parts: an online exam and a practical project. The online exam covers topics such as process engineering fundamentals, process design principles, process safety management, and project management. The practical project requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting.

It typically takes 3-6 months to complete the CPDE certification program. Candidates must first register for the program through IAPE’s website and pay the required fee. After registering, they will receive access to the online exam materials and instructions on how to complete the practical project. Once both parts have been completed successfully, candidates will be awarded their CPDE certification.

The cost of the CPDE certification program varies depending on whether or not you are an IAPE member. For non-members, it costs $750 USD; for members, it costs $500 USD.

10. TOGAF 9 Foundation

TOGAF 9 Foundation is a certification program created by The Open Group, an international consortium of technology and business professionals. It is designed to provide a comprehensive framework for enterprise architecture and IT governance. TOGAF 9 Foundation is the entry-level certification in the TOGAF 9 Certification Program. It provides a basic understanding of the TOGAF 9 standard, which is used by organizations to develop and maintain their enterprise architectures.

The TOGAF 9 Foundation certification exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and consists of 40 multiple choice questions. To be eligible for the exam, candidates must have at least two years of experience in the field of Enterprise Architecture or related disciplines.

Candidates can take the exam online through The Open Group’s website or at an authorized testing center. The cost of the exam varies depending on where it is taken but typically ranges from $250 - $400 USD.

Once a candidate has passed the exam they will receive their official TOGAF 9 Foundation certification, which is valid for three years before needing to be renewed.

Do You Really Need a Technical Business Analyst Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on where you are in your career and what your goals are. If you are a business analyst who is already established in the field and just wants to improve your skills, or if you want to stay up-to-date on industry trends, then a technical business analyst certificate might be beneficial. However, if you’re just starting out in the field and need a way to prove that you have the knowledge and skills required for the job, then a technical business analyst certificate may be necessary.

Having a certificate can give potential employers assurance that you have the knowledge and experience needed for the role. It also shows that you have taken initiative to learn more about the profession and demonstrate your commitment to it. Additionally, some employers may require certifications as part of their hiring process.

Overall, whether or not you need a technical business analyst certificate depends upon which stage of your career you’re at and your personal goals. If it is something that will help advance your career, then it may be worth investing in one.

Related: Technical Business Analyst Resume Examples

FAQs About Technical Business Analyst Certifications

Q1. What is a Technical Business Analyst Certification?

Answer: A Technical Business Analyst certification is a professional certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in the field of technical analysis. This certification is designed to demonstrate proficiency in analyzing complex business problems, developing and implementing solutions, and managing projects.

Q2. What are the benefits of becoming a Technical Business Analyst?

Answer: Becoming certified as a Technical Business Analyst can open up new career opportunities, provide greater job security and salary potential, and increase one’s credibility in the field. Additionally, it can help individuals stay current with industry trends, learn new skills, and broaden their understanding of the business environment.

Q3. What types of certifications are available for Technical Business Analysts?

Answer: There are several different certifications available for Technical Business Analysts depending on their experience level. These include Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Certified Project Manager (CPM) and Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP).

Q4. How do I become a Certified Technical Business Analyst?

Answer: To become certified as a Technical Business Analyst, you must pass an exam administered by an accredited organization such as the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). The exam covers topics such as project management techniques, requirements gathering techniques, process modeling techniques and technical tools used in analysis activities.

Q5. Is there any pre-requisite to take up the certification exams?

Answer: Yes, most certifying organizations require applicants to have at least two years of professional experience in the field before taking up the certification exam. Additionally, some organizations may also require applicants to complete certain courses or training prior to taking the exam.