If you’re a business analyst aiming to validate your skills and advance your career, you’ve likely come across multiple certification options. Among them, the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) is one of the most respected—but how does it compare to other options like CCBA, ECBA or PMI-PBA?
In this post, we’ll break down the key differences between popular business analysis certifications so you can decide which one fits your current stage and career goals.
CBAP – Certified Business Analysis Professional
- Offered by: IIBA (International Institute of Business Analysis)
- Experience required:
- Minimum of 7,500 hours (5 years) of BA work experience in the last 10 years
- At least 900 hours in 4 of the 6 BABOK® knowledge areas
- Best for: Senior or lead business analysts
- Exam format: 120 multiple-choice scenario-based questions (3.5 hours)
- Why choose it?
- Globally recognized
- Ideal for professionals seeking leadership roles or consulting opportunities
- Signals deep understanding of business analysis based on the BABOK Guide
CCBA – Certification of Capability in Business Analysis
- Offered by: IIBA
- Experience required:
- 3,750 hours of BA work in the last 7 years
- 900 hours in 2 knowledge areas or 500 hours in 4 knowledge areas
- Best for: Mid-level analysts with 2–3 years of experience
- Exam format: 130 multiple-choice questions (3 hours)
- Why choose it?
- A stepping stone to CBAP
- Demonstrates growing competency and dedication to the profession
ECBA – Entry Certificate in Business Analysis
- Offered by: IIBA
- Experience required: None (ideal for beginners)
- Training requirement: 21 hours of professional development
- Best for: Entry-level analysts or career changers
- Exam format: 50 multiple-choice questions (1 hour)
- Why choose it?
- Great introduction to BA principles and terminology
- Helps new professionals stand out in job applications
PMI-PBA – Professional in Business Analysis
- Offered by: PMI (Project Management Institute)
- Experience required:
- 4,500 to 7,500 hours of BA experience depending on education level
- 35 hours of business analysis education
- Best for: Project managers or BAs working closely with project teams
- Exam format: 200 multiple-choice questions (4 hours)
- Why choose it?
- Strong focus on business analysis within the project context
- Especially useful if you’re already PMP-certified or work in hybrid roles
So, Which Certification Should You Choose?
| Certification | Best For | Experience Level | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBAP | Senior BAs, consultants, BA leads | 5+ years | Deep, enterprise-level BA |
| CCBA | Mid-level BAs, growing professionals | 2–3 years | Intermediate BA competency |
| ECBA | Beginners, students, career changers | 0–1 year | Foundational knowledge |
| PMI-PBA | PM/BA hybrids, PMP holders | 3–5 years | BA within project management |