Become a Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

The Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) designation is a professional certification offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), a non-profit professional association focused on supporting the field of business analysis. Professionals who have worked in the field for some time might consider obtaining a certification in business analysis to showcase their professional qualifications and experience to potential employers. 

Certification can be a stepping stone to a new position. In this article, you’ll learn what exactly the CBAP is, what its benefits are, how it stacks up to alternatives, and the steps you need to take to obtain it. If you're ready to start preparing for the CBAP certification exam yourself, consider enrolling in Starweaver's Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP®) Specialization. You’ll have the opportunity to understand key knowledge areas and techniques from the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) Guide with case studies, examples, and practical applications in as little as four months. By the end, you’ll have not only earned a career certificate for your resume but also earned 35 IIBA development units for certification or recertification.

What is the CBAP certification? CBAP certification explained

CBAP recipients are experienced professionals who have worked in the field for at least 7,500 hours over the last 10 years, met specific experience requirements, and passed the 120-question CBAP exam.

CBAP benefits 

Becoming a CBAP can have a positive impact on a professional’s overall job prospects, salary expectations, and career standing. Some of the most common benefits include: 

• Stand out to potential employers: In a crowded and competitive applicant pool, having the CBAP designation could help you stand out from other job applicants and land your next job. In fact, according to research by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, professionals with a certification or license faced significantly lower unemployment rates than those without either in 2024 (2 percent versus 4.7 percent) [1]. 

• Demonstrate your skill set, knowledge, and experience: To qualify for the CBAP, you must have at least 7,500 hours of related work experience and pass a certification exam, which consists of 120 questions covering everything from business analysis planning and monitoring to solution evaluation. 

• Potentially increase your pay: According to research conducted by the IIBA for its Annual Business Analysis Survey, BA professionals with the certification earn 13 percent more on average than uncertified professionals [2].

How to become a Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP): Step-by-step guide

The path to becoming an IIBA CBAP is defined by a dedication to the study and practice of business analysis. Here’s what you’ll need to do to get started: 

1. Complete the exam requirements.

To qualify for the Certified Business Analysis Professional exam, you’ll need to complete some key requirements first. According to the IIBA, applicants must [2]: 

• Complete at least 7,500 hours of work experience in business analysis within the last 10 years.

• Of those 7,500 hours, at least 3,600 must fall within four of the six BABOK areas. The applicant must complete at least 900 hours for each of the four areas their work falls within. 

• Over the last four years, the applicant must have completed at least 35 hours of professional development. 

Who can become a CBAP? 

While the CBAP is primarily geared toward senior business analysts, it’s also suitable for other professionals who use BA in their daily work, including project managers, product managers, quality assurance professionals, consultants, and testers.

Read more: What Is a QA Tester? Skills, Requirements, and Jobs

2. Register for the exam.

Once you've gained the required experience to qualify for the exam, you can then register for it. In order to register, you’ll need to submit two professional references who can vouch for your qualifications, agree to the IIBA’s Code of Conduct and Terms and Conditions, and pay the $145 application fee [3]. Note that the application fee is separate from the exam fee, which is $350 for IIBA members and $505 for non-members [3].

3. Study for the test. 

Before taking the CBAP test, make sure to schedule time for exam prep. The CBAP test includes 120 exam questions covering a variety of different subjects. According to the IIBA, here’s what you can expect from the exam: 

• Business analysis planning and monitoring: 14 percent 

• Elicitation and collaboration: 12 percent

• Requirements life cycle management: 15 percent

• Strategy analysis: 15 percent

• Requirements analysis and design definition: 30 percent

• Solution evaluation: 14 percent

Rather than just relying on your experience to ace the exam, use the time before it to study and prepare yourself with practice exams. While you've likely addressed many of these subjects in your day-to-day work and throughout your business analysis career, testing environments differ considerably from the workplace. 

4. Take (and pass) the CPAB exam. 

You can take the CPAB exam in two ways: in person at a PSI test center or online through remote proctoring. When registering, pick the environment that works best for you to ensure that you do your best on the test. Whatever approach you choose, you'll have 3.5 hours to complete the 120 exam questions. 

5. Show off your credentials. 

Once you’ve passed the CBAP exam, you'll officially be an IIBA-certified BA professional. Congratulations! You can show off your credentials on your resume, LinkedIn, and other professional materials. This is a big accomplishment that demonstrates all the hard work you've put into your career, advancing your skills to stay relevant– and competitive– in the workplace.

Just starting out?

Prepare for a career in business analysis with the IBM Business Analyst Professional Certificate. Through this beginner-friendly program, you'll develop hands-on, practical skills that align with the BABOK guide and explore fundamental concepts, tools, and techniques used in the field.

Alternative certifications: CBAP vs. PMI-PBA

The CBAP isn’t the only certification for professionals looking to show off their business analyst abilities. The Project Management Institute’s (PMI) Professional in Business Analysis (PBA) certification is also popular among industry professionals. 

The certification you choose will likely depend on your own preferences. While PMI has been around longer than IIBA, the CBAP has been around longer than the PBA, meaning that some employers might be more familiar with one organization or certification over the other. Nonetheless, both certifications are highly rated. In 2025, for example, notable career growth platform Teal named the CBAP and PBA as two of the top 10 business analyst certifications [4]. 

At a glance, here are some key differences between the two certifications to help you decide which better suits your goals: 

Navigate your next career move with confidence

Discover fresh insights and expert advice by joining our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat! If you’re looking for more direction on what career path to take or whether a business analyst role is right for you, check out our free resources:

• Find the right career for you: What Career is Right for Me Quiz?

• Watch on YouTube: Career Spotlight: Business Analyst

• Hear from a pro: 6 Questions with a Microsoft Data Analytics Leader

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