7 Data Analytics Certification Options (With Benefits)

Updated 18 November 2023

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A woman works on graphs using a desktop computer next to a list with the title "In-demand data analytics certifications" and these credentials:

• CompTIA Data+
• Cloudera Certified Associate (CCA) Data Analyst
• Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate
• SAS Certified Data Scientist
• Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)

If you're considering studying a course to become data analytics certified, there are currently a range of options to choose from. Being a data analyst can be a rewarding career that may offer you the opportunity to work in a variety of industries, using data to help shape strategies, create products, target customers and measure success. A data analytics certification can help to demonstrate your skills at using specific software, which may be attractive to employers.

In this article, we review some standard data analytics certifications available online, highlight some benefits of gaining certification and explain some areas to consider when choosing a course.

7 data analytics certification options

There are several options you can explore for data analytics certification. Companies tend to hold more data than ever in today's digital world, with businesses often relying heavily on data analysts to help make sense of data. Obtaining certification in data analytics can showcase your expertise, which can help advance your career. Having a data analytics certification can also provide potential employers with an understanding of your specialised skills and knowledge.

Many companies offering certification courses are in the United States, although most offer online opportunities for completing the certification. Some local training organisations can provide support at an additional cost to the certification price. Depending on where you live, it may be worth considering what support you require to help you become certified. Below you can find some common certifications for data analytics that may help you advance your career:

1. DataCamp

DataCamp is a site available in over 180 countries, providing a range of data analyst certifications, from basic to in-depth case studies. It offers courses for all levels allows you to self-select based on your requirements, so you can learn at your own pace. DataCamp has certifications that may be suitable for data analysts working in a range of industries and specialisations. Some certifications available include:

Intermediate SQL
Statistical Techniques in Tableau
Data Analysis in Spreadsheets
Exploratory Data Analysis in Python
Bayesian Data Analysis in Python

DataCamp offers free access to some of its content, which can allow you to try out the first chapter of all its available courses and skills assessments before deciding to purchase. DataCamp currently has no set eligibility requirements. The site can help guide you through the platform based on how you progress through the various courses available.

2. CompTIA Data+

CompTIA Data+ certification is a course specifically designed for those who are beginning their careers in data analytics. The certification can teach you about the data analysis process, dataset reporting, data quality standards, data mining, visualisation and data concepts. This course may also help you identify what data skills are important to have as an analyst and how you may be able to improve them. The exam usually lasts 90 minutes with a combination of performance-based and multiple-choice questions.

While there are no formal prerequisites to studying the course, CompTIA recommends gaining 18-24 months of experience in a report/business analyst job role. Additionally, candidates undertaking the certification can gain exposure to databases and analytical tools and a basic understanding of statistics to succeed on the exam.

3. Certified Analytics Professional

The Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) credential helps to validate your expertise in data analytics. This certification needs renewal every three years. It's currently open to anyone around the world, with the exam available online. Applicants require a bachelor's degree in an analytics related field with five years of professional analytics experience or a master's degree with three years of experience to apply. If you don't have an analytics-related degree, you are likely to require a minimum of a bachelor's degree with seven years of analytics experience.

To obtain this certification, you can complete and pass the CAP exam and adhere to the CAP Code of Ethics. The exam features seven areas of responsibility: business problem framing, analytics problem framing, data, methodology selection, model building, deployment and lifecycle management.

4. SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional Using SAS9

The SAS Certified Advanced Analytics Professional Using SAS 9 credential is a specialised course designed for anyone wanting to analyse big data. This course can provide access to various statistical analysis tools and predictive modelling techniques. The certification can help you understand how to manipulate and gain insights from big data using various SAS and open-source tools. It also offers business recommendations with intricate learning models.

To apply, candidates can earn the SAS Certified Specialist: Advanced Predictive Modeling Using SAS 9.4 credential, the SAS Certified Specialist: SAS Text Analytics, Time Series, Experimentation and Optimisation Using SAS 9.4 and the SAS Certified Predictive Modeller Using SAS Enterprise Miner 7,13 or 14.

5. Cloudera Certified Associate (CCA) Data Analyst

A CCA data analyst credential may be suitable for SQL developers. Upon completion, it can demonstrate that you can prepare, structure and analyse data in Cloudera's CDH environment. The exam aims to measure how you work effectively with Hadoop data and generate reports in a CDH environment with the help of Hive and Impala.

Cloudera offers four days of full training designed to help prepare you for the exam and cover the entire course material. The exam typically includes eight to 12 customer problems with a uniquely large data set and a time limit of 120 minutes. If you're already comfortable with SQL, Hadoop and Linux, you may choose to sit the exam without doing the training course. Completing the exam is generally the only requirement to obtain certification.

6. EMC Proven Professional Data Scientist Associate (EMCDSA)

The EMC Data Science Associate (EMCDSA) certification helps establish your ability to contribute to big data and data analytics projects. You can deploy the data analytics lifecycle, apply analytic techniques appropriately and use tools such as R and RStudio.

Having a strong quantitative background, experience with SQL and Java, Perl, or Python (or R) is usually necessary for undertaking the certificate.

7. Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate

A Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate certification can provide the skills needed for cleaning and transforming data. The certification aims to show that you are proficient in data preparation, data modelling, data visualisation and data analysis in the context of Power BI. The certification may be suitable for data professionals and business intelligence professionals, who ideally have a working knowledge of and experience with Power BI.

The exam measures your ability to undertake a variety of technical tasks including preparing data, modelling data, visualising data, analysing data and deploying and maintaining deliverables. Having a good understanding of the technical skills required in these areas can help you with exam preparation.

The benefits of data analysis certification

Becoming certified is often a consideration for data analysts who have a few years of experience working with data. This can help you show potential employers that you have the necessary skills to pass the certification process. Certification may prove you have the required skills for being a data analyst. This can give you an advantage when applying for roles over candidates who are not certified. It can also help with salary negotiations.

When you receive a formal certificate from a leading certification company (SAS, Microsoft or Amazon), it can endorse your specific technical skills. This validation can be crucial, as it may be challenging to communicate your skills to individuals who aren't familiar with the intricacies of data analysis.

Things to consider when choosing your certification

For the certification to be relevant to you, it can be a good idea to focus on a tool that you have experience using or that's widely used in your industry. It can also be a good strategy to focus on the skills you don't frequently use in your current role. You can consider acquiring advanced skills that can help with your career progression.

To ensure you're knowledgeable of the latest technology, learning new tools and acquiring new skills can be an excellent way to show your commitment to data analytics. A data analyst certification may be worthwhile if you want to pursue a data analytics career and the certification fits your interests.

Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.