Benefits & Application Process for CBAP® Certification Training offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP®) is a reputed designation in the business analysis community awarded to those individuals who are able to successfully qualify for the CBAP® exam.
Individuals holding the CBAP certification have extensive business analysis (BA) experience are senior members of the BA community worldwide. The CBAP certification program is an advanced level certification in BA (Business Analysis), not created for beginners, and is ideal for already working professionals who have experience and knowledge in the business analysis domain.
By achieving the CBAP qualification, professionals can demonstrate their exceptional talent in understanding business needs and providing effective solutions to fulfill those needs. Though it is not quite easy to get the CBAP® certification, IIBA administers the CBAP® certification and this organization ensures that only the cream of the top professionals gets the certification.
In this article, we will discuss everything there is to know about the CBAP certification. Let’s jump straight into it.
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Benefits of Achieving CBAP® Certification
Here are a few of the benefits you get after achieving the CBAP® certification.
- CBAP is a globally recognized professional credential and is well respected in the BA community, as IIBA awards this certification only to deserving candidates. Hence the certification makes you stand out to your employers and peers.
- The certification demonstrates your dedication and passion for the profession of business analysis
- The certification provides the professionals with a prospect of getting into the leading group of Business Analysts worldwide.
- The professionals also gain exceptional skills in business analysis by joining the CBAP certification program.
- Professionals get chances to develop exceptional talent in understanding business needs and providing effective solutions to fulfill those needs while preparing for this certification.
- Due to the certification, professionals can seek much better and well-paying job opportunities virtually anywhere around the globe.
- CBAP-certified professionals earn 14% more in their annual remuneration, as compared to non-CBAP-certified professionals.
Who Should Participate in the CBAP® Certification Training?
As mentioned earlier, the certification program is created for already working professionals. The certification helps these professionals to get better job opportunities and more respect in the corporate world. The professionals who must participate in the certification program are –
- IT professionals
- Business Architects
- Business Systems Analysts
- Data Analysts
- Enterprise Analysts
- Management Consultants
- Process Analysts
- Product Managers
- Product Owners
- Requirements Engineers
- Systems Analysts
Certified Business Analysis Professionals (CBAP) Program Structure
To achieve the CBAP ® certification, the participants have to clear the CBAP examination. The CBAP® exam is governed by IIBA and is a three & half-hour long examination.
But before you appear in this examination and clear it in the first go, you will be required to pass the first process of screening in order to take the CBAP examination. After you pass this screening test and the IIBA examines your prerequisites for the CBAP exam, you will be able to schedule an exam date with the exam conducting authority. They will, then, notify you regarding the exam date over the provided email address with the instruction once IIBA approves your candidature for the exam.
The participating professionals are required to pay $125 as the application fees and $325 to $450 as the examination fees ($325 for members of IIBA and $450 for non-members). The professionals have 1 whole year to clear the examination with 3 tries to pass the examination in that year.
Application Process for Acquiring CBAP Certificate
Here is the step-by-step guide to applying for the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) examination.
Step 1 – Become a member of the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA).
Becoming a member of the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) is an optional step. You can skip this step freely if you want to, but there will be some benefits in the later stage if you don’t skip this step. It costs you $125 to become a member of the IIBA.
By purchasing the Membership of IIBA, you will get a discount on the CBAP examination fees. To learn more about the benefits provided by the membership of IIBA, please visit IIBA.org.
Step 2 – Enroll in a CBAP certification training course.
You can take a CBAP certification training course to better prepare for the CBAP examination. These training courses will help the applicant satisfy the required 35 Professional Development Hours (PD Hours).
Step 3 – Enter your work experience and PD hours in the IIBA Portal and pay the due application fee.
To fill out the application form for the CBAP examination, you need to first enter your work experience/history and the PD hours into your IIBA account.
After you have filled in all the necessary details into your account, you will be required to pay the application fee of $125.
Step 4 – Submit the Application Form and Wait.
After paying the fee, submit your application. You will be notified via the provided email address if your application is approved or approved pending an audit.
Once the application is approved you will get the invitation link to schedule your examination dates.
Step 5 – Schedule Your Exam
After your application is approved, you will be able to schedule the CBAP examination at your convenience. You have to pay the exam fees before scheduling the exam. If you are a member of IIBA, you have to pay $325 as the exam fees. Non-members have to pay $450 as exam fees. You only have 1 year to clear the exam, once your application is approved.
Step 6 – Take and Pass the CBAP Exam
The last step is to clear the examination and get your CBAP certification. The exam consists of a total of 120 multiple-choice questions, with 3.5 hours of the time limit.
The moment you pass the examination, you will be certified for a 3-year cycle. At the end of every 3-year cycle, you have to report 60 Continuing Development Units (CDUs) for renewing your CBAP certification.
Conclusion
For any professional who wants to grow to a leadership position in the business world, CBAP certification will be the way to go. With CBAP® professional certification, you will be a leading senior member of the BA community worldwide.