Certified Business Analysis Professional credential artwork

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

Validates knowledge of business analysis planning, elicitation, requirements management, strategy analysis, design definition and solution evaluation.

Summary

CBAP is IIBA's senior business analysis certification, for experienced analysts who work across the full range of BA practice. It is based on the six knowledge areas of the BABOK Guide and tests your judgment through a case-study exam.

Good fit if

  • You have about five years of business analysis experience
  • You want a senior BA, consultant or BA manager credential
  • Roles you target list CBAP as preferred

Look elsewhere if

  • You are new to business analysis: ECBA
  • You are moving into project management: PMP
  • Your work is mainly agile delivery: PMI-ACP

Salary & jobs

Prerequisites

Required before you can buy the exam

7,500 hours of business analysis work

Required

About five years in the last 10 years, aligned with the BABOK Guide. At least 900 hours must be in each of four of the six knowledge areas.

35 hours of professional development

Required

Completed in the last four years, aligned with the BABOK Guide, with a facilitator, learning objectives and assessed practice. Courses from IIBA Training and Academic Partners qualify automatically.

Two references

Required

People who have known you for at least six months, such as a CBAP or CCBA holder, a manager or a client. They must use a work email.

Enter your hours and references in IIBA’s BA Development Log and submit the application within a year of buying it. Some applications are audited before approval.

Cost

USD · Non-member pricing (first year of IIBA membership included)
$145
$505
The $505 exam fee includes a year of IIBA membership; current members pay $350. A rewrite costs $295 for members or $450 for non-members. If you already have 35 qualifying hours, set the course to $0.

What holders say

Certification path

IIBA’s core certifications run Foundational (ECBA), Experienced (CCBA) and Advanced (CBAP).

Entry Certificate in Business Analysis credential artwork
ECBAFoundational entry certificate
This certification
Certified Business Analysis Professional credential artwork
CBAPAdvanced level, 5+ years

Renewal

CBAP is valid for three years. Renew it with continuing development units.

Validity
3 years
Renewal requirement
60 CDUs per cycle
Recertification fee
$85 member / $120 non-member

Record CDUs in more than one category, such as training, business analysis work, volunteering and self-directed learning. Up to 20 extra CDUs can carry into the next cycle. A one-year grace period applies if you miss the date.

IIBA recertification ↗

Alternatives

Entry Certificate in Business Analysis credential artwork
ECBA$395 required · Entry

IIBA’s entry certificate, with no experience requirement.

Project Management Professional credential artwork
PMP$695 required · Advanced

Project management leadership rather than business analysis.

PMI Agile Certified Practitioner credential artwork
PMI-ACP$525 required · Intermediate

Agile delivery practices and mindset.

FAQ

What are the CBAP requirements?

7,500 hours of business analysis work in the last 10 years, with at least 900 hours in four of the six BABOK knowledge areas, 35 hours of professional development in the last four years and two references.

How much does CBAP cost?

A $145 application fee plus a $505 exam fee that includes your first year of IIBA membership: $650. Current members pay $350 for the exam. Budget extra for the 35 hours of training if you do not already have them.

How many questions are on the CBAP exam?

120 multiple-choice questions in 3.5 hours, based on case studies and scenarios.

What is the CBAP passing score?

IIBA does not publish one. You get a pass or fail result on screen at the end.

How do I renew CBAP?

Earn 60 CDUs every three years and pay $85 as a member or $120 as a non-member.

CBAP or CCBA?

CBAP needs about five years and 7,500 hours. CCBA is IIBA’s middle level, for about two to three years of experience.

Last updated October 2026