ECBA vs CCBA vs CBAP: A Comparative Guide

The Business Analysis profession offers a spectrum of certifications created to validate the skills and expertise of professionals at different stages of their careers. Among the most recognised certifications are the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA), the Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA), and the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP).  

These certifications, offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), are designed to suit different levels of experience and expertise in business analysis.

This blog comprehensively compares ECBA vs CCBA vs CBAP certifications, exploring their eligibility requirements, exam formats, target audiences, and career advantages. You'll clearly understand which certification aligns best with your career goals and professional development needs by the end.

Table of Contents

1) ECBA Certification 

2) CCBA Certification 

3) CBAP Certification 

4) Key Differences Between ECBA vs CCBA vs CBAP Certifications 

5) What to choose between the three certifications? 

6) Conclusion 

ECBA Certification 

The Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) is an entry-level or level-one certification for business analysis offered by the IIBA. This certification is for individuals just starting their business analysis career. To qualify for the ECBA exam, you need not have any prior experience.   

ECBA certification focuses on the foundational knowledge of business analysis based on the Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK). This also helps in developing the basic skills required for the job.

 

 

CCBA Certification 

The Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA) is a level-two certification for business analysis professionals with some working experience. To apply for CCBA, an individual needs to have two to three years of experience. This focuses on slightly more advanced topics of business analysis based on the BABOK Guide. This certificate signifies that you can handle more complex projects and apply all the skills learned satisfactorily. 

CBAP Certification 

The Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) is a level-three certification for professionals with extensive experience in business analysis. CBAP certification validates that the individual is highly skilled. It also validates that the individual is a leading member of the business analysis community. CBAP focuses on advanced topics of business analysis based on the BABOK Guide. This certifies that you are capable of leading advanced and complex projects. 

Get the highest level of IIBA certification and get recognised as a leader in the industry with IIBA® Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP®) training and certification.

Key differences between ECBA vs CCBA vs CBAP certifications 

From the required experience and eligibility to the syllabus for the exam, here are some key differences between these three certifications. 

Who is it for? 

ECBA is for individuals who are just starting in the field of business analysis and may not necessarily have tangible experience in the industry. Getting this certification is a great way to start a career.  

CCBA is for individuals with some business analysis experience, around two to three years. It is also for people with work experience as project managers, tech leads, team leads or other hybrid business analysis experience.  

CBAP is for individuals with extensive business analysis experience of about four to five years. Individuals with ten years of hybrid business analysis experience in roles like trainers, requirement analysts, management and process management, etc. 

Eligibility 

To apply for these certifications, you need to fulfil certain criteria. The eligibility criteria for the three certificates are different and are as follows. 

Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA): To take this exam, you need to have some prerequisites prescribed by the IIBA. The eligibility criteria for the ECBA exam are as follow 

a) You must have a registered account with the IIBA.   

b) You must agree with the code of conduct.   

c) You must agree to the terms and conditions. 

Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA):  To take the CCBA exam, you must clear these eligibility criteria. 

a) 21 professional development hours 

b) 3,750 work history hours 

c) Two references 

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP): To take the CBAP exam, you must clear these eligibility criteria. 

a) 35 professional development hours 

b) 7,500 work history hours 

c) two references 

For references, you must provide references from two people who have known you for at least six months. They can be a CCBA/CBAP certified individual, a career manager or a client. The reference must provide the work email (not personal emails with Gmail or Yahoo mail).

Experience Required 

You can get the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) certification even if you do not have any prior experience.  

For CCBA, the individual must have 3,750 hours of work experience, roughly equal to two to three years. The work experience must align with the BABOK Guide’s knowledge areas and must include: 

a) Minimum of 900 hours in each of the two knowledge areas or; 

b) Minimum of 500 hours in each of the four knowledge areas. 

For CBAP, the individual must have 7,500 hours of work experience, roughly equal to five-six years. The work experience must align with the BABOK Guide’s knowledge areas and include a minimum of 900 hours that must be completed in each of the four knowledge areas amounting to 3600 hours. 

Professional Development Hours (PD) 

You can get the ECBA certification even if you do not have any previous professional development hours. For CCBA, the professional development hours must be within four years and align with the BABOK Guide Knowledge Areas. PD hours can be obtained from IIBA-accredited training courses or institutions.  

For CBAP, the professional development hours must be within four years and align with the BABOK Guide Knowledge Areas. You can obtain 35 hours of professional development from IIBA-accredited training courses or institutions. 

Area of focus/Syllabus 

For ECBA, the followings are the focus areas and the corresponding weightage.

1) Business Analysis Knowledge 

a) Business analysis and BA professional (2.5%)  

b) Business analysis key concepts (5%) 

c) Underlying competencies (5%) 

d) Techniques (17.5%) 

2) BABOK Guide knowledge Areas 

a) Business analysis planning and monitoring (5%) 

b) Elicitation and collaboration (20%) 

c) Requirements life cycle management (20%)  

d) Requirements analysis and design definition (25%) 

For CCBA, the followings are the focus areas and the corresponding weightage. 

a) Business analysis planning and monitoring (12%)  

b) Elicitation and collaboration (20%) 

c) Requirements life cycle management (18%)  

d) Strategy Analysis (12%)  

e) Requirements analysis and design definition (32%) 

f) Solution Evaluation (6%) 

For CBAP, the followings are the focus areas and the corresponding weightage. 

a) Business analysis planning and monitoring (14%)  

b) Elicitation and collaboration (12%) 

c) Requirements life cycle management (15%) 

d) Strategy Analysis (15%) 

e) Requirements analysis and design definition (30%)  

f) Solution Evaluation (14%) 

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Exam Pattern 

For ECBA, the exam will have a duration of 60 minutes and a total of 50 questions. The types of questions that will appear in the exam are Multiple Choice (MCQ) and knowledge-based questions. The type of questions will be competency-based and aimed at testing the candidate’s understanding of the subjects.  

For CCBA, the exam will be of three hours and contain a total of 130 questions. The type of questions that will appear in the exam are Multiple Choice (MCQ) and scenario-based questions. The type of questions will be competency-based to test the candidate’s ability to analyse a scenario and arrive at a solution.  

For CBAP, the exam will have a duration of three and a half hours and a total of 120 questions. The type of questions that will appear in the exam are Multiple Choice (MCQ), scenario-based questions and case studies. The questions will have long and extensive case studies based on which there will be multiple questions. 

Certification Fees 

For ECBA 

a) Member fee - £155  

b) Non-member fee - £278  

c) Corporate member fee - £119.20 

For CCBA 

a) Member fee - £198.60    

b) Non-member fee - £321.70 

c) Corporate member fee - £162.85 

For CBAP 

a) Meme fee - £278    

b) Non-member fee - £401.20 

c) Corporate member fee - £242.30 

Recertification/Exam Rewrite Fee 

For ECBA 

a) Member fee - £75.50 

b) Non-member fee - £198.60 

For CCBA 

a) Member fee - £154.90   

b) Non-Member fee - £278   

For CBAP 

a) Member fee - £234.40   

b) Non-Member fee - £357.50 

What to Choose Between the Three Certifications? 

In this case, there shouldn’t be a lot of confusion in choosing the right certification. There is a clear hierarchy for the certificates, and the one you select majorly depends on your current position in your career.  

If you are just starting out and have little to no experience, you must start with ECBA certification. Getting certified will help you grab better opportunities and earn higher salaries at the start of your career.  

If you are already working as a Business Analyst and want to get better opportunities, CCBA is an excellent choice. CCBA certification validates your business analysis skills and knowledge and shows you can handle more challenging projects.  

CBAP is the highest level of certification offered by the IIBA. If you are a senior in the industry, this certification will help you recognise yourself as a senior member of the business analysis community and a leader in your field.  

These IIBA Business Analysis certifications can take you to new heights in your career and help you achieve your goals and dreams. It is predicted that in the future, business analysis skills will be crucial for companies and will determine if a company achieves its targets. 

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Conclusion 

The difference between ECBA vs CCBA vs CBAP is mainly hierarchical more than anything. All three certifications give you immense benefits irrespective of what you choose. Even the entry-level ECBA certification gives you better opportunities and higher salaries than a non-certified business analyst. Getting IIBA certification gives recognition, provides better opportunities and increases credibility in the industry. 

Looking to become a certified Business Analysis Professional? Our IIBA® Business Analysis Training can help you advance your career.