3 Levels of IIBA Core Certifications - ECBA, CCBA and CBAP

Below are some of the common questions we come across very frequently after IIBA has released the new multi-level Business Analysis certification scheme in the second half of 2016;

  • What’s the difference between ECBA, CCBA, and CBAP Certification?
  • Which certification should I pursue ECBA, CCBA, or CBAP?
  • How do I know which certification is right/suited for me?
  • There are so many certifications I am completely confused about which one to pursue?
  • Can you please guide me on which certification should I go for?

The four certification levels are designed to suit the needs of business analysis professionals at various different levels.

Primarily aimed at beginners to senior and seasoned business analysis professionals these certifications test the Business Analyst knowledge and skill of professionals at varying levels.

Here’s a snapshot of the IIBA Certification Overview presented in a high-level comparative manner:

200 IIBA Mock Questions Cover Page 3D

IIBA Certification Overview

IIBA Certifications Overview - This post will give an overview of various IIBA certifications like work experience requirements, eligibility, examination pattern, fees, training, reference, question patterns.

Full-Form

ECBA

Entry Certificate in Business Analysis 

CCBA

Certification of Capability in Business Analysis

CBAP

Certified Business Analysis Professional

Caters to

ECBA

Recognizes individuals entering the field of business analysis

CCBA

Recognizes BA professionals who have 2-3 years of BA experience

CBAP

Recognizes BA professionals who lead and have over 5 years of BA experience

Target Audience

ECBA

Individuals entering the BA profession New graduates Professionals aiming to switch over to a BA career

CCBA

BA professionals having 2/3 years of experience Developing BAs, Hybrid BAs - PMs, Testers, QA, Change Manager, Tech Lead

CBAP

Aimed towards BA professionals having 5 years of experience Seasoned BAs, BA Consultants, Trainers, Business analysis, Systems analysis, Requirements analysis or management, Process management, Consulting

Eligibility

ECBA

  • No Work Experience required
  • No Knowledge Area expertise
  • Minimum 21 hours of Professional Development Training in the past four years

CCBA

  • Minimum 3750 hours of BA work experience aligned with the BABOK® Guide in the last 7 years
  • Minimum 900 hours in each of two of the six knowledge areas or minimum 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® recipient

CBAP

  • Minimum 7500 hours of BA work experience aligned with the BABOK® Guide in the last 10 years
  • Minimum 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® recipient

PD Hours

ECBA

21 in the last 4 years

CCBA

21 in the last 4 years

CBAP

35 in the last 4 years

References

ECBA

Not needed

CCBA

2 from a career manager, client, or CBAP® recipient

CBAP

2 from a career manager, client, or CBAP® recipient

Focuses on

ECBA

  • Requirements Analysis and Design Definition -25%
  • Requirements Life Cycle Management – 20%
  • Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring – 5%
  • Elicitation & Collaboration - 20%
  • Techniques -17.5%
  • Underlying Competencies – 5%
  • Business Analysis Key Concepts – 5%
  • Business Analysis & the BA Professional- 2.5%

CCBA

  • Requirements Analysis and Design Definition – 32%
  • Elicitation and Collaboration – 20%
  • Requirements Life Cycle Management – 18%
  • Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring – 12%
  • Strategy Analysis – 12%
  • Solution Evaluation – 6%

CBAP

  • Requirements Analysis and Design Definition -30%
  • Strategy Analysis -15%
  • Requirements Life Cycle Management – 15%
  • Solution Evaluation -14%
  •  Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring – 14%
  • Elicitation and Collaboration – 12%

Exam Pattern

ECBA

  • 1 hour long
  • 50 multiple-choice questions
  • Basic multiple choice that tests the candidate’s knowledge and understanding
  • Details on ECBA Exam Pattern

CCBA

  • 3 hours long
  • 130 multiple-choice questions.
  • The questions are scenario-based (i.e. the candidate must do a bit of analysis to arrive at the answer)
  • Details on CCBA Exam Pattern

CBAP

  • 3.5 hours long
  • 120 multiple-choice questions.
  • The questions are longer cases (1 to 1.5 pages of information)
  • Multiple questions about the case.
  • Details on CBAP Exam Pattern

Rewrite

ECBA

Twice within one year of approval with no wait time

CCBA

Twice within one year of approval with no wait time

CBAP

Twice within one year of approval with no wait time

Rewrite/Retake Fees

ECBA

  • 95 USD – Members
  • 250 USD – Non-Members

CCBA

  • 195 USD – Members
  • 350 USD – Non-Members

CBAP

  • 295 USD – Members
  • 450 USD – Non-Members

Application Fee

CCBA

145 USD

CBAP

145 USD

Certification Fee

ECBA

  • 150 USD for Members
  • 305 USD for Non-Members

CCBA

  • 250 USD for Members
  • 405 USD for Non-Members

CBAP

  • 350 USD for Members
  • 505 USD for Non-Members

Membership Fees for all 3 Certifications

  • Region 1 – 139 USD – USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK.
  • Region 2 – 89 USD – Malaysia, Algeria, Argentina, Brazil.
  • Region 3 – 55 USD – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Tanzania.
 

 

I sincerely hope this will help you in giving a good snapshot of the IIBA multi-level certifications overview.

Using this IIBA Certification Overview you can decide what would be the right Business Analysis certification for you.

In case you are a business analyst with 5/6+ years of business analysis experience and thinking of CBAP then take a look at this post on how to prepare for CBAP and CBAP on BABoKV3.

In case you are a mid-level business analyst with 3+ years of business analysis experience, then CCBA may be the right Business Analysis certification for you.

If you are a beginner business analyst with no or 1+ years of business analysis experience then ECBA may be the right certification for you, then take a look at this Chicken and Egg, Certification or experience in Business Analysis and also this beautiful video on Introduction to ECBA certification.

Take a look at the sample learning video on the BA planning approach from the collection of 95+ learning videos as part of our BABoK V3 study content.

Happy reading and please share it in your network if you like my writing and the post.

200 IIBA Mock Questions Cover Page 3D

 

 

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