GUIDE TO THE

CCBA & CBAP

CERTIFICATIONS

GUIDE TO THE CCBA AND CBAP CERTIFICATIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Why get a certification in Business Analytics .................................................. 03
2. Business Analysis Practitioner roles and responsibilities ........................ 03
3. About the IIBA ...........................................................................................................04
4. About the BABOK .....................................................................................................04
5. Overview of CCBA and CBAP why the two go hand in hand .................04
6. The CCBA Certification............................................................................................ 05
7. The CBAP Certification ............................................................................................ 08
8. CCBA vs CBAP: A Comparison ................................................................................11

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GUIDE TO THE CCBA AND CBAP CERTIFICATIONS

WHY THE EMPHASIS ON A BUSINESS ANALYSIS CERTIFICATION?

Attaining a certification gives you a formal recognition of
achievement and accomplishment, after you have proved your
capability through a thorough demonstration of the necessary
skill set or knowhow.
A certification in Business Analysis has almost become a necessity for various
positions in business and IT. The certification carries tremendous value, since
the process of acquiring the certification calls for the specialist to demonstrate
requisite experience, competencies, and suitable, up-to-date knowledge of
latest industry trends and developments that is up to the standards expected by
the IIBA.

WHAT ARE THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A BUSINESS

ANALYSIS PRACTITIONER?
With a Business Analysis Credential, your position will entail roles and responsibilities like:
Identifying business needs of clients determining solutions to their problems.
Responsibility for Requirements Development and Requirements Management processes.
Eliciting, evaluating, validating and documenting business, organizational and operational
requirements.
Deriving solutions that are driven solely by the needs of the organization like system
development solutions, process improvements, organizational change.
Key facilitator in an organization bridge between the client, stakeholder, and the
solution teams.

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GUIDE TO THE CCBA AND CBAP CERTIFICATIONS

THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BUSINESS ANALYSIS (IIBA)

An independent, nonprofit association, the IIBA is the global authority for Business Analysis
professionals. The IIBA supports the recognition of the profession, and works to maintain
standards for Business Analysis practice and certification. The IIBA was one of the first
organizations to offer a BA certification, and is also responsible for maintaining and defining
the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) and defining the training and professional
development standards.

THE BUSINESS ANALYSIS BODY OF KNOWLEDGE (BABOK)

The BABOK is a guide that serves as a repository of knowledge gathered from across the
Business Analytics industry, and reflects the state of currently accepted best practices in the
domain. The BABOK also offers an exhaustive treatment of the various knowledge areas in BA,
the tasks and responsibilities of a BA professional, and the necessary skills utilized in their
execution. The BABOK is updated regularly with input from practicing Business Analysts.

AN OVERVIEW: CBAP AND CCBA

CBAPs and CCBAs are industry recognized, credentialed experts. They are called on for the
most significant and important projects, and show commitment to this profession, which is a
compelling factor with recruiters.
If you meet the experience requirement for the CBAP examination, it is recommended that you
opt for the CBAP certification. If your interest lies in Business Analysis, but you dont have the
required experience level yet, then opt for the CCBA certification.
Whichever of the certifications you choose, it is important to remember that both are
well-reputed, and have the potential to land in you high-paying positions!

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GUIDE TO THE CCBA AND CBAP CERTIFICATIONS

CERTIFICATION OF COMPETENCY IN BUSINESS ANALYSIS (CCBA)

What is the CCBA?

The CCBA is a professional certification for business
analysis practitioners who want to be known for their
knowledge and skills in the field, and want a badge of
recognition to show for their expertise. Business Analysis
skills are expected to be acquired through a minimum of
3750 hours of hands-on work experience in the industry,
making the CCBA an ideal choice for intermediate and
senior business analysts.
This certification program has been carefully designed to be in compliance with the
International Standards Organization (ISO) 17024 standard for certifying the competence of
personnel.

Recognized roles you should have worked in prior to

applying for the CCBA certification
As a CCBA aspirant, you will be recognized for the amount of
time, effort, and experience you would have gained from
working in the Business Analysis industry in such roles as:
Business analysis

Process improvement

Systems analysis

Consulting

Requirements analysis
or management

What benefits do you stand to gain from a CCBA certification?

As a trained and certified CCBA, you will have
Attained the required capability and competence in the practices and principles of
business analysis
Greater recognition at your organization for having demonstrated the commitment to
validate your skillset.

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GUIDE TO THE CCBA AND CBAP CERTIFICATIONS

Greater career potential and reach since business analytics professionals help businesses
of all sizes and types grow by providing insights into scope identification, translating
technical needs of clients into business objectives, certified BAs are in-demand across
segments.
The opportunity to participate in globally-recognized professional groups, associations,
and international seminars, as a member of the IIBA.
The chance to continually sharpen your skills and keep them updated the IIBA supports
members by offering support and guidance for certification renewal and advancement.

Requirements to attain a certification in CCBA

If you wish to acquire a CCBA credential, you will first need to meet the requirements specified
by the IIBA to be eligible for the exam, which are as follows:
Work Experience: Minimum of 3750 hours aligned with the BABOK
Guide in the last 7 years
21 hours of Professional Development (as PDUs) in the last four years
2 references from a career manager, client, or CBAP recipient
Signed Code of Conduct
A minimum of 900 hours in 2 of the 6 knowledge areas
OR
A minimum of 500 hours in 4 of the 6 knowledge areas.

Exam fee
It is recommended that you become a member of the IIBA before taking the exam, but you
can also take the exam without becoming a member. The exam is currently offered only in
English.

FOR NON-MEMBERS:

FOR MEMBERS:

Application Fee - $125

Application Fee - $125

Exam fee - $450

Exam Fee - $325

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GUIDE TO THE CCBA AND CBAP CERTIFICATIONS

Exam Format
The exam format for the CCBA exam is as follows:
Duration:
3.5 hours

Type: 150 multiple choice

questions four possible
answers to choose from

Questions are based

on comprehension and
situational analysis

Based on v2.0 of the BABOK Guide, the blueprint of the exam is as follows:
Business Analysis
Planning and
Monitoring
Enterprise
Analysis

20%
15%

Elicitation
Requirements
Analysis

14%
20%

Requirements
Management and
Communication

16%

Solution Assessment
and Validation

15%

Renewal and Maintenance

Recipients of CCBA have to meet the proficiency requirements to maintain their
designation. The CCBA certificate must be renewed every three years.

Salary
Indeed.com indicates that the median salary for a CCBA professional is $82,000.
CCBA professionals receive 8% higher salaries than non-certified Business Analysts.

What Simplilearn offers

Simplilearn offers the CCBA course in Online Self Learning Training mode. Get
9.5 hours of high quality eLearning content, 24 PD hours, 9 chapter end quizzes,
4 CCBA Simulation Exams, 3 business case studies, downloadable eBooks, 24
PDUs and a course completion certificate.
For more information on our course offerings, please visit our
course pages here: CCBA & CBAP.

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GUIDE TO THE CCBA AND CBAP CERTIFICATIONS

CERTIFIED BUSINESS ANALYSIS PROFESSIONAL (CBAP)

What is the CBAP certification?

For professionals who have extensive Business Analysis
experience, a CBAP certification is the way to go. With
more than 7500 hours of Business Analysis experience
behind them, CBAP professionals make up the senior-most
elite of the BA community. This certification is ideal for
business analysts with extensive experience.

This certification program has been carefully designed to be in compliance with the
International Standards Organization (ISO) 17024 standard for certifying the competence of
personnel.

Roles you should have worked in:

To be eligible to take the CBAP certification exam, a professional should have prior experience
in one of the following roles:
Business analysis
Systems analysis
Requirements analysis or management
Process improvement
Consulting

What benefits would you derive from acquiring a CBAP certification?

The benefits you will acquire from this certification are similar to what you might reap from a
CCBA certification, but at a more advanced level. When you have been trained as a CBAP
professional, you will have:
Attained the required capability and competence in the practices and principles of
business analysis
Broader scope for professional advancement, since CBAP certified employees bring more
experience to the table than do CCBAs.

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GUIDE TO THE CCBA AND CBAP CERTIFICATIONS

Greater career potential and reach since business analytics professionals help businesses
of all sizes and types grow by providing insights into scope identification, translating
technical needs of clients into business objectives, certified BAs are in-demand across
segments.
The opportunity to participate in globally-recognized professional groups, associations,
and international seminars, as a member of the IIBA.
Greater recognition at your organization for having demonstrated the commitment to
validate your skillset.
The chance to continually sharpen your skills and keep them updated the IIBA supports
members by offering support and guidance for certification renewal and advancement.

Certification Requirements
Prior to registering for the examination, CBAP aspirants must ensure if they meet the IIBAs
eligibility requirements:
Work experience: a minimum of 7500 hours aligned with the BABOK
guide in the last 10 years
Experience by knowledge area: 900 hours in four of the six
knowledge areas
21 hours of Professional Development (as PDUs) in the last four years
2 references from a career manager, client or a CBAP recipient
Signed Code of Conduct

Exam fee
It is recommended that you become a member of the IIBA before you take up the exam, but it
is not compulsory. The exam is offered in three languages, viz., English, Japanese, and German.

FOR NON-MEMBERS:

FOR MEMBERS:

Application Fee - $125

Application Fee - $125

Exam fee
English and Japanese - $450
German - $880

Exam fee
English and Japanese - $325
German - $770

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GUIDE TO THE CCBA AND CBAP CERTIFICATIONS

Exam Format
The exam format of the CBAP exam is as follows
Type: 150 multiple choice
questions four possible
answers to select from

Duration:
3.5 hours

A few questions are

based on comprehension
and the rest are based
on situational analysis

Based on the v2.0 of the BABOK Guide, the blueprint of the exam is as follows
Business Analysis
Planning and
Monitoring
Enterprise
Analysis

20%
15%

Elicitation
Requirements
Analysis

14%
20%

Requirements
Management and
Communication

16%

Solution Assessment
and Validation

15%

Renewal and Maintenance

CBAP professionals are required to meet the proficiency requirements to maintain
their designation. The certification from the IIBA needs to be renewed every three
years.

Salary
An IIBA shows that CBAP professionals earn 10% more than non-CBAP business
analytics professionals. Indeed.com indicates that the median salary of a CBAP
professional is $87,000. CBAP professionals also receive 13% higher salaries than
Business Analysts.

CBAP certified with the Simplilearn advantage

Simplilearn offers the CBAP course in a Classroom Training and Online Self Learning
Training mode. Get 9 hours of high quality eLearning content, 21 PD hours
certificate, 7 chapter end quizzes, 4 CBAP Simulation exams, downloadable eBooks,
21 PDUs, and courseware that is approved by IIBA to help you with your learning.

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GUIDE TO THE CCBA AND CBAP CERTIFICATIONS

Appendix I
TABLE COMPARING THE CCBA AND CBAP CERTIFICATIONS

CCBA

CBAP
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Work Experience: Minimum of 3750 hours

aligned with the BABOK Guide in the last
7 years

Work Experience: a Minimum of 7500

hours aligned with the BABOK guide in the
last 10 years

Minimum of 900 hours in 2 of the 6

knowledge areas, or 500 hours in 4 of
the 6 knowledge areas.

900 hours in four of the six knowledge

areas
21 hours of Professional Development in
the last four years

21 hours of Professional Development in

the last four years

2 references from a career manager, client

or a CBAP recipient

2 references from a career manager, client

or CBAP recipient

Signed Code of Conduct

Signed Code of Conduct

EXAM FEE
Non-members

Members

Application Fee

$125

$125

Exam fee

$450

$325

Non-members

Members

Application Fee

$125

$125

Exam fee
English and Japanese
German

$450
$880

$325
$770

EXAM FORMAT
3.5 hours

3.5 hours

150 multiple choice questions four

possible answers to choose from

150 multiple choice questions four possible

answers to choose from

Questions are based on comprehension

and situational analysis

A few questions are based on comprehension

and the rest are based on situational analysis

QUESTION PAPER FORMAT

Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring 20% | Elicitation 14% | Requirements
Management and Communication 16% | Enterprise Analysis 15% | Requirements Analysis 20%
| Solution Assessment and Validation 15%

SALARY
Median salary for CCBA professionals:

Median salary for CBAP professionals:

$82,000

$87,000
RENEWAL

The certification from the IIBA needs to be renewed every three years.

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