What are the differences between ECBA, CCBA, and CBAP Certifications?

Differences Between ECBA, CCBA and CBAP

The Business Analysis field is a growing field in the business world of today. Business Analysis is defined as the practice of enabling change in an organization or an enterprise, by defining needs/opportunities and recommending solutions that deliver value to stakeholders.

So many institutes like IIBA® (International Institute of Business Analysis), PMI– (Project Management Institute) and BCS (British Computer Society) offer the business analysis certification but it seems the IIBA is more recognized as more people are certified from IIBA.

IIBA® is a non-profit professional association that dedicates itself to the Business Analysis field by acting as the voice of the business analysis community. IIBA supports the recognition of the Business Analysis profession and does its best to maintain the global standard for the certification and practices.

The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA’s) certifications are designed to suit the needs of business analysis professionals at various levels in their career. The differences between the ECBA, CCBA and CBAP explains this sentence better. This article will also answer questions like

Which certification should I pursue; ECBA, CCBA, or CBAP?

How do I know which certification is right/suited for me?

Can you please guide me on which certification should I go for?

The three certification levels follow a Business Analyst career path and are meant to be a guide.

Level 1 – ECBA – Entry certificate in business analysis

Level 2 – CCBA Certification of capability in business analysis

Level 3 – CBAP Certified business analysis professional

Essentially, you do not need to complete them in order. For example, if you already have the experience and requirements of a CBAP®, you do not need to complete the ECBA® or CCBA® first.

The differences between ECBA, CCBA and CBAP are highlighted in the subheadings below.

Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA)

– Overview:
The Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) level provides individuals with a certificate that demonstrates they have a solid understanding of the key fundamentals of business analysis. It is basically for people with no experience in Business Analysis.

– Prerequisite/Eligibility:
To sit for the examination does not require any prior Business Analysis experience. However, it is advisable that you take the training before sitting the exam.
Minimum 21 hours of Professional Development Training in the past four years and
Agree to the ECBA™ Code of Conduct.

– Target Audience:
The ECBA™ certificate is for:
. Individuals entering the BA profession:
. Students enrolled in BA academic programs
. New graduates
. Professionals transitioning careers
. Functional managers who are not Business Analysts but manage them.

– Exam Format
The ECBA™ exam is an online – proctored exam which consists of 50 multiple choice questions that test the candidate’s knowledge and understanding of the BABoK Guide. The exam lasts for 1 hour. The exam tests your knowledge in the following areas:
. Business Analysis Planning & Monitoring – 5 %
. Elicitation & Collaboration – 20%
. Requirements Lifecycle management – 20%
. Strategy Analysis – 5%
. Requirements Analysis and Design Definition – 24%
. Solution Evaluation – 1%

– Exam sitting process:
The exam is scheduled and written via PSI. The fees involved or required to register for this exam are:
. Application fee = $60
. Membership fee = $85.
. Exam fee for members = $110
. Exam fee for non-members = $235
You do not need to be an IIBA member to apply for the qualification. However, it is advisable that you register as a member as there are benefits for being a member. Visit our How to register for Business Analysis exam page to know more”

– Recertification Fees:
No re-certification is required.

– Rewrite and Retake Fees:
. Members = $85
. Non-Members = $195

– Why should you become ECBA certified?
. It is easy to enroll for the exam as it does not require a work experience
. Certification can help you get a role business analysis easily
. It shows your commitment to continuous learning and the business analysis profession

Certification of Capability In Business Analysis (CCBA)

– Overview:
The Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA) Certification is for Business Analysis practitioners who want recognition for their expertise and skills in the business analysis field. It is for individuals with 2-3 years of business analysis experience. It places emphasis on work experience, personal development, competencies and the knowledge of latest trends in the industry.

– Prerequisites/ Eligibility:
The CCBA certification is for individuals who have:
.Minimum 3750 hours of BA work experience aligned with the BABOK® Guide in the past seven years, including:

. A minimum of 900 hours in each of two of the six knowledge areas or a minimum of 500 hours in each of four of the six knowledge areas.

. Minimum 21 hours of Professional Development Training in the past four years.

. Two references from a career manager, client, or CBAP® recipients.

. Agree to the CCBA® Code of Conduct

– Target Audience:
This professional certification is for individuals with high-level Business Analysis experience. E.g.
. Developing BAs,
. Project Managers,
. Software Testers,
. Change Managers,
. Tech Leads

– Exam Format:
The CCBA exam is a CBT-based exam which consists of 130 multiple choice questions. The questions are scenario based which test the candidate’s practical application of the specific competencies. The exam last for 3 hours and tests your knowledge in the following knowledge areas:
. Business Analysis Planning & Monitoring -12 %
. Elicitation & Collaboration – 20%
. Requirements Lifecycle management – 18%
. Strategy Analysis – 12%
. Requirements Analysis and Design Definition – 32%
. Solution Evaluation – 6%

– Exam sitting process:
The CBAP exam is scheduled and written with a PSI Centre

. Application fee = $125
. Membership fee = $85.
. Exam fee for members = $325
. Exam fee for non-members = $450
You do not need to be an IIBA member to apply for the qualification. However, it is advisable that you register as a member as there are benefits for being a member. Visit our How to register for Business Analysis exam page to know more”

– Rewrite/Retake Fees:
. Members = $250
. Non-Members = $375

– Recertification Fees:
. Members = $85
. Non-Members = $120

– Why should you become CCBA certified?
There are numerous benefits you can obtain from getting a CCBA certification. Some of which include :

. Increase in salary
. Exposure to senior management positions within the organization
. Exposure to a better employment offer

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

– Overview:
The Certified Business Analysis Professional certification is for Business Analysis professionals who have managed and led with over 5 years of business analysis experience.

-Prerequisites/Eligibility: . Minimum 7500 hours of BA work experience aligned with the BABOK® Guide in the past ten years, including:

. A minimum of 900 hours in each of four of the six knowledge areas.

. Minimum of 35 hours of Professional Development Training in the past four years.

. Two references from a career manager, client, or CBAP® recipients.

. Agree to CBAP® Code of Conduct

– Target Audience:
This professional certification is for individuals with extensive Business Analysis experience.
. Consultants,
. Trainers,
. Business analysts,
. Systems analysts,
. Requirements analysts or managers,
. Process owners/Managers

– Exam Format:
The CBAP exam is a CBT exam which comprises of 120 multiple choice questions. The questions are case studies of information with different questions about the case and are based on competencies. Each question is about 1 to 1.5 Pages of information. The exam last for 3.5 hours and tests your knowledge in the following Knowledge areas:
. Business Analysis Planning & Monitoring -12 %
. Elicitation & Collaboration – 20%
. Requirements Lifecycle management – 18%
. Strategy Analysis – 12%
. Requirements Analysis and Design Definition – 32%
. Solution Evaluation – 6%

– Exam sitting process:
The CBAP exam is scheduled and written with a PSI Centre
. Application fee = $125
. Membership fee = $85.
. Exam fee for members = $325
. Exam fee for non-members = $450

– Rewrite/Retake Fees:
. Members = $250
. Non-Members = $375

– Recertification Fees:
. Members = $85
. Non-Members = $120

– Why should you become CBAP certified?
. You can get personal and professional recognition.
. It provides recognition of your skills and competency which enables you to justify your career experience.
. It shows you are committed to the business analysis field.
Using this information above on the differences between ECBA, CCBA and CBAP, you can decide which certification is best for you or which level is the best fit for you.

Ready to make a move in pursuing a Business Analysis certification?

HARRYBAKER Training Institute can help! We offer numerous resources, to help you prepare for your Business Analysis exam.