CBAP - Certified Business Analyst Certification

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is dedicated to the development and maintenance of standards for the practice of Business Analysis, and for the certification and recognition of practitioners. They were the first organization to offer formal certification for Business Analysis Professionals.

The IIBA has created the Certified Business Analysis Professional™ (CBAP™), a designation awarded to candidates who have successfully demonstrated their expertise in this field. This is done by detailing hands-on work experience in business analysis through the CBAP application process, and passing the IIBA CBAP examination.

Certified Business Analysis Professionals are experts in identifying the business needs of an organization in order to determine the best solutions, a role that is increasingly seen as a vital component of any successful project. More and more companies are recognizing the CBAP designation and the value and expertise that these professionals bring to their organizations.

If you are working in the role of business analysis, systems analysis, requirements analysis or management, project management, consulting or process improvement, and have an advanced level of knowledge and experience, you will want to consider the many professional benefits of earning the CBAP designation.

Facts about IIBA Certification

• Certification candidates are not required to be IIBA members in order to take the certification examination. 
• Currently, the certification examination is offered in English, but other languages will be included in the future. 
• This program has been carefully designed to be in compliance with the
• International Standards Organization (ISO) 17204 standard for certifying the competence of personnel. The IIBA will be seeking ISO 17204 approval. \
• In addition to the CBAP designation, the IIBA will consider offering additional certification programs in the future based on demand.

Benefits
 
Benefits of the IIBA Certification Program:
 
The Certified Business Analysis ProfessionalTM (CBAPTM) designation offers many benefits, both to practitioners earning the certification and to the organizations that employ them.

Benefits to the individual from acquiring and maintaining CBAP certification may include:

• Demonstrated knowledge of the skills necessary to be an effective Business Analyst. 
• A proven level of competence in the principles and practices of business analysis. 
• Participation in a recognized professional group. 
• Recognition of professional competence by professional peers and management. 
• Advanced career potential due to recognition as a professional Business Analysis practitioner.

Benefits to the organization resulting from employees acquiring CBAP certification may include:

• Establishment and implementation of Business Analysis best practices as outlined in the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK®) by individuals acknowledged as knowledgeable and skilled.
  More reliable, higher quality results produced with increased efficiency and consistency. 
• Identification of professional Business Analysts to clients and business partners. 
• Professional development and recognition for experienced Business Analysts. 
• Demonstrated commitment to the field of Business Analysis, increasingly recognized as a vital component of any successful project.

Certification Process
 

The Certified Business Analysis Professional™ (CBAP™) designation is awarded to business analysis practitioners with at least five years of experience who have successfully demonstrated their understanding and expertise in the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge.

For full details on applying for CBAP Certification, please review The Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) Handbook. You may also want to use the most current version of the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK®) as a resource when completing your application.

To be eligible for CBAP Certification, you must:

1. Meet the following five requirements:

Work Experience Requirement
7,500 hours (i.e. five (5) years) business analysis work experience in the last ten (10) years engaged in tasks specifically related to the knowledge areas as defined within the BABOK. The ten (10) year timeframe is based on the application date.

Knowledge Areas Requirement
Demonstrate experience and expertise in at least four of the six knowledge areas.

Education Requirement
The minimum education requirement is high school or equivalent. Note: there will be no reduction in work experience for post secondary education.

Professional Development Requirement
21 hours of professional development in the last four years. The professional development content must be directly related to business analysis or its underlying fundamentals and must be completed by the application date.

Reference Requirement
Two references from a career manager, client (internal or external) or Certified Business Analysis Professional are required. These references must indicate that you are a suitable candidate for the CBAP certification. Each reference must complete a CBAP Candidate Reference Form and provide you with the completed reference form in a sealed envelope that is signed by the reference across the seal.

2. Complete the CBAP Application Form

Indicate on the CBAP Application Form the exam date and location you are interested in and include the application fee. You can also include the exam fee with your application or you can wait until you receive the results of the assessment of your application and send in your exam fee separately. The exam fee must be received 60 days prior to the exam date in order to be registered for that exam. If the fee is not received 60 days prior to the exam date, there is no guarantee you will be registered for that exam.

3. Agree to adhere to CBAP Code of Ethics by completing and signing the CBAP Code of Ethical Conduct & Professional Standards Form.

4. Complete the CBAP Exam Special Accommodation Form, if required.

5. Make a copy of the application package for your records. All documents submitted to the IIBA as part of the application process will not be returned and become the property of the IIBA.

6. Submit the following as part of your application package:

• The completed CBAP Application Form
• The two completed sealed CBAP Candidate Reference Forms
• The signed and dated CBAP Code of Ethical Conduct & Professional Standards Form
• The CBAP Exam Special Accommodation Form (if required)