CERTIFIED BUSINESS ANALYSIS

PROFESSIONAL™

CBAP® HANDBOOK
APRIL 2023

65
CERTIFIED BUSINESS ANALYSIS PROFESSIONAL: CBAP® HANDBOOK | APRIL 2023 1
© 2023 International Institute of Business Analysis.
Contents

1.0 Introduction.......................................................................................................................... 3
2.0 Nine-Steps to Certification .................................................................................................... 4
1. Fulfill Your Eligibility Requirements.......................................................................................................... 4
2. Purchase the CBAP Application ................................................................................................................ 5
3. Enter Your Eligibility Details into the BA Development Log ...................................................................... 5
4. Review the Exam Blueprint ....................................................................................................................... 6
5. Submit your Application and Agree to the Attestations............................................................................ 7
6. Review Exam Rules and System Requirements ........................................................................................ 7
7. Purchase the CBAP Exam.......................................................................................................................... 8
8. Schedule Your Exam ................................................................................................................................. 9
9. Get Certified .............................................................................................................................................. 9

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© 2023 International Institute of Business Analysis.
1.0 Introduction
This document provides the necessary information for candidates pursuing the Certified Business
Analysis Professional ™ (CBAP®). Where information is already on our website, it will direct you to
review the specific webpage through links.

CBAP is the globally recognized credential for business

analysis professionals with extensive business analysis
experience who lead the way to identify and achieve
better business outcomes.

CBAP® recipients demonstrate their ongoing professional commitment to the business analysis
profession by maintaining their credential and satisfying recertification requirements to renew their
credential every three years. See Recertification Handbook for details.

Review this handbook in full detail and then review the CBAP Step-by-Step Application Process
Guide.

IIBA is committed to providing full access to its credentialing products and services and complying
with applicable laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Accessibility
for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Refer to the Certification FAQs on testing accommodation and contact [email protected] to

discuss and request the accommodation you need.

IIBAs credentialing policies and practices are guided by the International Standards Organization,
ISO/IEC 17024, and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

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© 2023 International Institute of Business Analysis.
2.0 Nine-Steps to Certification

1. Fulfill Your Eligibility Requirements

CBAP is for business analysis professionals with 5+ years experience in business

analysis. To be eligible for this certification, you must have completed the following
requirements:

 35 professional development hours (within the last 4 years)

 7,500 work history hours (within the last 10 years)
 2 references

Professional Development
▪ The 35 hours must align with the BABOK® Guide Knowledge Areas and follow
education and training standards that enable the transfer of learning and
assessment.

▪ IIBA Endorsed Education Providers and Academic Members offer a variety of

learning options. You can search this data base for ‘CBAP’ and filter for location,
virtual, in class, etc. These courses have been assessed and validated by IIBA
and automatically qualify towards the professional development requirements.

▪ EEP Exam Prep & Study Groups: Exam Prep Courses provide preparation and
group study.

▪ IIBA Chapter Study Groups: IIBA Members can participate in Study Groups
offered by various Chapters globally. Review Chapter Events and search for
“Study Groups”.

Supplemental Resources: The Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK®)

Guide, the Business Analysis Standard and IIBA’s Knowledge Hub offer online,
searchable access to additional learning to boost your study. IIBA Members have
free access to these materials

Work History
The 7,500 hours of work experience is 5+ years of business analysis work that must
align with the BABOK® Guide Knowledge Areas and include:

A minimum of 900 hours completed in 4 of the 6 Knowledge Areas , for a total of at

least 3,600 of the required 7,500 total.

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 References
The two references required should know you for at least 6 months. They can be a
credentialed CCBA®/ CBAP®, a career manager, or an internal or external client.
References must provide a work email, not Gmail, Hotmail etc.

Not Eligible?
You may qualify for the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis™ (ECBA™)
or the Certification of Capability in Business Analysis™ (CCBA®).

2. Purchase the CBAP Application

Login with your IIBA® credentials or create a new account.

▪ From your profile page open the Certification menu
▪ Select My Certifications
▪ Choose your certification
▪ Select the "Get Started" Button

Note: The application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Once your application is approved, you will receive an email confirming this. You
have 1 year from the date on your approval email to take your exam. It is your
responsibility to ensure you do not let your application lapse. If your application
lapses, you will need to repay the application fee, re-verify that you meet the
requirements, and pay the exam fee.

You may request for an application extension if you have an extenuating

circumstance.

3. Enter Your Eligibility Details into the BA Development Log

Review the CBAP Step-by-Step Application Process Guide for detailed steps on
how to enter your information into IIBAs BA Development Log. The guide will take
you through the details to track your hours.

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© 2023 International Institute of Business Analysis.
 4. Review the Exam Blueprint

Exam Structure
Duration: 3.5 hours
Questions: 120 multiple-choice, case-study and scenario-based questions
Format 1) A computer-based exam taken Online Remote Proctored
Options: or
2) A computer-based exam taken at a PSI Test Center

Type: Competency-based

Knowledge Areas
The exam covers 6 Knowledge Areas (KAs) that align to the Business Analysis Body
of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide). They are further categorized into competencies and
proficiency levels. Study the BABOK® Guide and the Competency & Proficiency
Levels for details.

CBAP Exam Blueprint

Knowledge Areas (KA) % of Questions
per KA
1. Business analysis planning and monitoring 14%
2. Elicitation and collaboration 12%
3. Requirements life cycle management 15%
4. Strategy Analysis 15%
5. Requirements analysis and design definition 30%
6. Solution Evaluation 14%

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© 2023 International Institute of Business Analysis.
 5. Submit your Application and Agree to the Attestations

Complete this step when your application is ready.

Login with your IIBA® credentials.

▪ From your profile page open the Certification menu
▪ Select My Certifications
▪ Choose your certification
▪ Select the "Get Started" Button

You will be asked to agree to abide by the Code of Ethical Conduct and Professional
Standards and the Certification Terms and Conditions.

Upon submission, should your application be "approved pending audit", you must
complete the audit process. You will be required to submit your Professional
Development documents for validation, and your personal and work history
references will be contacted.

When your audit passes, you will receive an email confirming the approval and next
steps on how to purchase the exam.

6. Review Exam Rules and System Requirements

PSI® is the exam vendor that offers the exam services on behalf of IIBA.

The CBAP exam is offered in two ways:

1. As an Online Remote Proctored exam experience taken from the security
and comfort of your home;
2. Or from PSI Test Centers around the world.

As work environments and company computers may have firewalls or other

restrictions, DO NOT use your work office or computer to sit for your exam.

It is your responsibility to prepare in detail for your exam logistics whether you take
your exam in the Online Remote Proctored format or from a PSI Test Center.

You must meet the requirements on your exam day, or you will not be able to take
the exam and will forfeit your exam fee.

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© 2023 International Institute of Business Analysis.
 Prepare the Correct Identification
Government-issued Photo Identification is required. It must be the original
document, be current, signed and in western characters. You must ensure the first
name and last name that you used to register with IIBA, is the same first name and
last name on your identification. There can be no differences.

If there are any differences, contact [email protected] at least 1 week before

you take your exam. Only IIBA can make the required update for you. Read the
IIBA Exam Information for details.

A careful review of the following information will provide the details you need to
prepare your technology and internet, system and room set-up, and rules for the
exam. It will also provide details about the security check and what is allowed and
not allowed during the exam.

For Online Remote Proctored Exams

▪ IIBA Guide to Online Proctored Exams
▪ IIBA Exam Information
▪ PSI Online Proctoring Experience video outlining exam day protocol
▪ Certification FAQs for refunds, reschedules, and requests for exam
accommodation

For PSI Test Centres

▪ IIBA Exam Information
▪ PSI Test Center Experience
▪ Certification FAQs for refunds, reschedules, and requests for exam
accommodation

7. Purchase the CBAP Exam

Login with your IIBA® credentials.

▪ From your profile page open the Certification menu
▪ Select My Certifications
▪ Choose your certification
▪ Select the "Get Started" Button

From the day IIBA receives payment for your exam, you will have 12 months to
schedule and take your exam or request any refund. There will be no refunds after
12 months and you will forfeit the exam fee payment. There is a fee associated with
each exam attempt. The exam rewrite fees are not included with the initial exam
fee.

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© 2023 International Institute of Business Analysis.
 8. Schedule Your Exam

The “Schedule and Pass Exam” goal allows you to Schedule, Reschedule, Cancel,
and Launch your exam. PSI requires 48 hours to schedule, reschedule or cancel.
Use this to schedule for your Online Remote Proctored Exam or for scheduling the
exam at a PSI Testing Center.

Login with your IIBA® credentials.

▪ From your profile page open the Certification menu
▪ Select My Certifications
▪ Choose your certification
▪ Select the "Get Started" Button beside the goal Schedule and Pass Exam

You will be redirected to the PSI Scheduling page.

▪ Select “Schedule Exam”
▪ Select date and time and complete the scheduling process
▪ When done, read “View Details”

9. Get Certified

For Online Remote Proctored Exams

The “Schedule and Pass Exam” goal is where you will launch your exam on your
scheduled exam date and time. You can log in half an hour early.

Login with your IIBA® credentials.

▪ From your profile page open the Certification menu
▪ Select My Certifications
▪ Choose your certification
▪ Select the "Get Started" Button beside the goal Schedule and Pass Exam

You will be redirected to the PSI Scheduling page.

▪ Select “Launch Exam”
▪ Follow the check-in procedure and connect with your proctor.
▪ Complete the exam

For PSI Test Centres

Arrive at the PSI Testing Center you registered with, at least half an hour early.

The Test Center supervisor will check your identification, do a security check, guide
you through the process and help you launch the exam.

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© 2023 International Institute of Business Analysis.
 Exam Completion
When you complete your exam, you will receive a pass or fail result on your screen.
A confirmation of your results will be emailed to you from IIBA within 48 hours.

When you have successfully passed the exam, your name will appear in the IIBA
Directory (unless you have opted out).

Your Certificate and Badge

View the Accredible page to access your Certificate and Badge.

To download a copy or share on LinkedIn, go to the Accredible login page. Login to

view your Accredible page and click on PDF or Badge to download or share.

Set up a password here, if you have not yet set one up. Use the same email address
as registered with IIBA.

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© 2023 International Institute of Business Analysis.