Top 11 Visual Information Specialist Certifications

Certifications are important for visual information specialists in the job market because they demonstrate to potential employers that the individual has a specific level of knowledge and skill related to the field. Certifications can also provide proof of continuing education, which is important in an ever-changing industry. Having certifications can also show potential employers that a visual information specialist has the necessary qualifications to complete tasks, as well as an understanding of key concepts related to the field. In addition, certifications may open up opportunities for advancement within a company or organization. Finally, certifications can provide evidence to prospective clients that a visual information specialist is knowledgeable and experienced in their field.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Visual Information Specialists and explains how they can help to further their careers.

What are Visual Information Specialist Certifications?

Visual Information Specialist Certification is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in creating, organizing, and managing visual information. Visual information includes any type of media used to communicate a message or convey information, such as images, diagrams, charts, maps, videos, animations, and presentations. This certification is offered by the Association for Information and Image Management (AIIM) and requires successful completion of an exam.

Having Visual Information Specialist Certification can help professionals demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the field of visual communication. It can also provide them with a competitive edge when applying for jobs or seeking promotions. The certification is useful for anyone working in any industry where visual communication is important, such as marketing, advertising, education, healthcare, finance, engineering and more. With this certification, professionals can gain the skills they need to create effective visuals that are clear and easy to understand while still being visually appealing. They will also be able to use the latest technologies to ensure their visuals meet industry standards and best practices. Additionally, having this certification may open up new career opportunities in areas such as data visualization or multimedia design.

Pro Tip: When considering a visual information specialist certification, be sure to check for the accreditation of the program. Accreditation is essential for ensuring that your certification is valid and recognized by employers.

Related: What does a Visual Information Specialist do?

Top 11 Visual Information Specialist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Visual Information Specialists today.

1. Certified Information Visualization Specialist (CIVS)

Certified Information Visualization Specialist (CIVS) is a professional certification awarded by the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT). It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated expertise in using visual analytics and data visualization techniques to solve complex business problems. The certification validates the skills of professionals who can create effective visualizations that enable decision makers to quickly identify patterns, trends, and outliers in large datasets.

The CIVS certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in data visualization principles, methods, and tools. To become certified, applicants must complete a series of online courses and exams covering topics such as data analysis, data visualization design principles, and best practices for creating effective visualizations. Once the coursework has been completed, applicants must pass a final exam administered by IIIT.

The CIVS certification process typically takes between three to six months from start to finish. The cost of the program varies depending on the number of courses taken and the exam fees associated with each course. In general, the total cost ranges from $500-$1000 USD.

2. Certified Professional in Visual Analytics (CPVA)

Certified Professional in Visual Analytics (CPVA) is an industry-recognized certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate proficiency in the field of visual analytics. CPVA is a professional certification for those who have mastered the skills and techniques used to create, analyze, and interpret data visualizations. The CPVA exam covers topics such as data visualization principles, data exploration techniques, visualization design best practices, and tools for creating effective visualizations.

The CPVA exam consists of two parts: a written test and a practical assessment. The written test consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics related to visual analytics, while the practical assessment requires candidates to complete a series of tasks using a variety of software tools. Candidates must pass both parts of the exam in order to receive their certification.

The CPVA certification typically takes between 6-12 months to complete depending on the individual’s experience level and availability for study time. To get started, interested individuals should review the CPVA curriculum and register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric Testing Centers.

The cost of taking the CPVA exam varies by country but generally ranges from $400-$600 USD per person.

3. Certified Data Visualization Professional (CDVP)

Certified Data Visualization Professional (CDVP) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated expertise in the field of data visualization. The CDVP certification is offered by the International Institute for Analytics (IIA), a professional organization dedicated to advancing analytics and data science.

The CDVP certification program consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical project. The written exam covers topics such as data visualization principles, design best practices, and software tools. The practical project requires applicants to create an interactive visual representation of their own data set.

It typically takes between three and six months to complete the CDVP certification process, depending on the applicant’s experience level. To get started, applicants must first register with IIA and pay the registration fee. Once registered, they must complete the written exam and submit their practical project for review by IIA’s panel of experts. Upon successful completion of both parts, applicants will receive their official CDVP certificate.

The cost of registering for the CDVP certification program varies depending on individual circumstances; however, it typically ranges from $500 to $1,000 USD.

4. Certified Business Intelligence Analyst (CBIA)

Certified Business Intelligence Analyst (CBIA) is a professional certification program designed to help business intelligence professionals advance their careers. It is administered by the International Institute for Business Analysis (IIBA).

The CBIA certification requires that applicants have a minimum of two years of experience in business analysis, data analysis, or related fields. Applicants must also pass an exam that covers topics such as data modeling, data warehousing, and reporting. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

To become certified, applicants must submit an application form along with proof of their experience and pay the associated fee. The fee depends on the applicant’s country of residence but typically ranges from $800 to $1,000 USD. Once the application is approved and the fee is paid, applicants can schedule their exam with Pearson VUE. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their CBIA certificate via email within two weeks.

Overall, it typically takes about three months to become a Certified Business Intelligence Analyst (CBIA).

5. Tableau Desktop Qualified Associate Certification

Tableau Desktop Qualified Associate Certification is a professional certification program offered by Tableau Software, Inc. It is designed to validate an individual's knowledge and skills in using the Tableau Desktop software.

The certification covers topics such as creating visualizations, connecting to data sources, and manipulating data. It also includes an understanding of basic analytics concepts such as measures, calculations, and parameters. The certification provides proof that an individual has the skills necessary to work with Tableau Desktop effectively.

It typically takes around two weeks to complete the certification process. To get certified, you must first register for the exam on the Tableau website and pay the fee associated with it. You will then be given access to a practice exam which you can take to prepare for the real exam. Once you have completed the practice exam, you can schedule your actual exam date with Pearson VUE or Kryterion Testing Centers.

The cost of taking the Tableau Desktop Qualified Associate Certification exam varies depending on where you are taking it from but typically ranges from $250 - $300 USD.

6. Microsoft Power BI Desktop Specialist Certification

Microsoft Power BI Desktop Specialist Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates your expertise in using the Microsoft Power BI Desktop software. It is an official, industry-recognized credential that validates your skills and knowledge in creating and managing business intelligence solutions with the Power BI Desktop application.

It takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete the certification exam, depending on your experience level. To get certified, you must pass the Microsoft Power BI Desktop Specialist Exam (MB-200). This exam covers topics such as data modeling, visualizations, report creation, and data analysis.

The cost of the certification exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $150 USD to take the exam at a testing center or online through Pearson VUE.

To prepare for the exam, you can use Microsoft’s official training materials or third-party resources such as books and online courses. Additionally, there are practice exams available to help you prepare for the real thing.

7. SAS Certified Visual Analytics Designer

SAS Certified Visual Analytics Designer is a certification program offered by SAS that recognizes professionals who have the skills to design and deliver effective visual analytics solutions. This certification is designed for data analysts, business analysts, and other professionals who need to create interactive visualizations and dashboards using SAS Visual Analytics software.

The exam for this certification consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. Candidates must answer at least 50% of the questions correctly in order to pass the exam.

In order to become certified as a SAS Certified Visual Analytics Designer, candidates must first register for the exam on the SAS website. The cost of the exam is $180 USD. Once registered, candidates can take the exam at any Pearson VUE testing center or online from home or work.

Once a candidate has successfully passed their exam, they will receive their official SAS Certified Visual Analytics Designer certificate via email within 7-10 business days.

8. Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Implementation Specialist Certification

Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Implementation Specialist Certification is a professional certification designed to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to install, configure, and administer Oracle BI Foundation Suite 11g. This certification is intended for experienced professionals who have experience in data warehousing and business intelligence.

The Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Implementation Specialist exam (1Z0-591) consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as installation, configuration, administration, security, performance tuning, and troubleshooting. The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

To become certified as an Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Implementation Specialist, you must pass the 1Z0-591 exam with a score of at least 75%. You can register for the exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric Testing Centers. The cost of the exam is $245 USD.

Once you have passed the 1Z0-591 exam, you will receive your official Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Implementation Specialist certification from Oracle University. This certification is valid for three years from the date of completion.

9. QlikView Developer Certification

QlikView Developer Certification is a certification program offered by Qlik, the leading provider of business intelligence (BI) software. The certification is designed to validate an individual’s knowledge and skills in designing and developing QlikView applications.

The certification consists of two exams: the QlikView Developer Exam and the QlikView Design Exam. The first exam tests the candidate’s ability to develop a data model, create expressions, set up calculations, build visualizations, and deploy applications. The second exam tests the candidate’s ability to design a solution that meets user requirements while optimizing performance.

The certification process typically takes four to six weeks to complete. To get certified, candidates must register for an online account with Qlik and purchase a voucher code for their chosen exam. They then need to schedule an appointment with Pearson VUE, the testing center where they will take their exams. Once they have completed both exams successfully, they will receive their official certificate from Qlik within four weeks of passing both exams.

The cost of the certification depends on which country you are taking it in as well as which version of the exam you are taking (standard or extended). Generally speaking, it costs around $200 USD per exam plus any applicable taxes or fees.

10. IBM Cognos Analytics Author V11 Certification

IBM Cognos Analytics Author V11 Certification is a professional certification program offered by IBM. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge of professionals who use the IBM Cognos Analytics suite of products to create, manage, and deliver business intelligence solutions.

The certification exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that must be completed in 90 minutes. The exam covers topics such as creating reports, dashboards, and data visualizations; managing data sources; and using advanced analytics features. To pass the exam, you must score at least 70%.

To get certified, you must first register for the exam through IBM's website. You will then need to take an online training course or attend an instructor-led training session to prepare for the exam. After completing the training course or attending a training session, you can schedule your exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers.

The cost of the certification exam varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $200-$250 USD.

11. Google Data Studio Fundamentals Certification

Google Data Studio Fundamentals Certification is a free online certification program that helps you learn the basics of data visualization and analysis. It is designed to help you understand how to use Google Data Studio to create meaningful visualizations, analyze data, and communicate insights. The course covers topics such as creating data sources, building custom charts and dashboards, connecting to external data sources, and more.

The certification consists of two parts: a self-paced online course and an assessment. The online course takes approximately 4 hours to complete and can be done at your own pace. Once you have completed the course, you will be able to take the assessment which consists of multiple-choice questions about the material covered in the course. Upon successful completion of the assessment, you will receive your Google Data Studio Fundamentals Certificate.

There is no cost associated with taking this certification program; however, there may be some fees associated with accessing certain external data sources or additional courses related to Google Data Studio.

Overall, Google Data Studio Fundamentals Certification is an excellent way for professionals looking to get started in data visualization and analysis to gain a better understanding of how Google Data Studio works and how it can be used in their workflows.

Do You Really Need a Visual Information Specialist Certificate?

The short answer is no, you don't necessarily need a Visual Information Specialist Certificate in order to work as a visual information specialist. However, having such a certificate may be beneficial for those looking to break into the field or advance their career.

A Visual Information Specialist Certificate can provide individuals with the formal education and training necessary to understand the technical aspects of visual communication and design. The coursework typically covers topics such as typography, color theory, image manipulation, digital design, animation, multimedia production and more. This type of training can be invaluable for someone who wants to specialize in visual communications and has an interest in technology.

Having a Visual Information Specialist Certificate can also open up opportunities that may not have been available without it. For example, some employers may require candidates to have this type of certification when applying for certain positions or promotions. It could also give employers confidence that the person they are hiring is knowledgeable about the latest trends in visual communication and design.

Overall, there are many benefits associated with obtaining a Visual Information Specialist Certificate. It could give you an edge over other applicants when it comes to finding employment or moving up within your current job role. Additionally, it could provide you with the skills necessary to stay ahead of the curve in this competitive field.

Related: Visual Information Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Visual Information Specialist Certifications

Q1. What is a Visual Information Specialist Certification?

A1. A Visual Information Specialist Certification is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the area of visual communication and are knowledgeable about the principles, techniques, and tools used to create effective visual presentations.

Q2. What types of jobs can I get with a Visual Information Specialist Certification?

A2. With a Visual Information Specialist Certification, you can work as an information designer, graphic designer, multimedia specialist, web designer, or marketing specialist.

Q3. How do I become certified?

A3. To become certified as a Visual Information Specialist, you must complete an accredited program and demonstrate proficiency in areas such as design principles, imaging technologies, and user experience design. You must also pass an exam administered by an approved certifying body.

Q4. How long does it take to obtain certification?

A4. The length of time required to obtain certification will vary depending on the individual's prior experience and educational background. Generally speaking, it takes approximately one year to complete all requirements for certification.

Q5. What are the benefits of being certified?

A5: Being certified as a Visual Information Specialist allows you to gain credibility in your field and demonstrate expertise in visual communication and design principles that employers value highly when hiring for these positions