In today’s business world, being a Certified Business Analyst Professional is proof that you have reached the height of your professional business career. CBAP is a certification in business analysis and is aimed at professionals who have built up years of practical experience within the business world. The program was first introduced in 2006 and has since gained wide recognition among business industry professionals. The program has reached over thirty countries with more than a thousand CBAP certified individuals, internationally.
The CBAP certification is awarded by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) after completion of the CBAP exam. The most sought-after candidates for a CBAP certification are those who already specialize in business analysis and systems analysis. With the fast rise in professionals who are attaining CBAP certificates and the wide range of countries that the program has reached, it’s evident that this certification has gained global recognition.
The benefits of obtaining a CBAP certificate are clear.
• CBAP is a globally recognized certification that is approved and awarded by the IIBA.
• It allows members to become part of an elite and professional group.
• The certification greatly improves the understanding of the practices and principles of business analytics.
• By specializing in a particular sector of the business industry, a career path can more easily be defined.
• Certificate holders will have access to higher tier job opportunities.
Professionals who have obtained their CBAP will have a distinct advantage over analysts who have not further developed their skills and knowledge. The average salary of an analyst who holds a CBAP certification is $90,000 per annum, compared to $79,000 for an analyst who doesn’t hold a CBAP certification.
To gain access to the CBAP exam, an assessment exam must first be passed, that is governed by the International Institute of Business Analysis. The qualifying exam consists of 150 questions and needs to be completed within three and a half hours. The questions are based on the BABOK Guide, A Guide to Business Analysis Body of Knowledge. Once passed, access will be granted to attempt the CBAP exam, either on an electronic platform or in a paper-based form.
Before an individual will be granted access to the IIBA qualifying examination, eligibility will also be checked. To be eligible for the aforementioned exam, the following milestones will need to have been achieved:
• A minimum of 7,500 hours of work experience in a business analysis role in the last 10 years.
• Within this experience, a minimum of 900 hours needs to be completed in 4 out of the 6 BABOK Guide Knowledge Areas.
• Complete a minimum of 35 hours of Professional Development in the last 4 years
• Provide two valid references.
