Empowering Your Career with Business Intelligence Certification

Business intelligence (BI) is the process of collecting and storing data for operational purposes within a business. When you work in business intelligence, your goal is to enhance productivity, improve customer experiences, and promote efficient work practices using the data you analyze.

Roles that focus on business intelligence continue to grow in the United States. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the job outlook for management analysts, a role that requires the use of business intelligence, will likely expand much faster than average compared to other occupations over the next decade, with an expected growth rate of 11 percent [1]. 

Learn about popular business intelligence certifications to advance your career, and explore job roles where you can benefit from earning a business intelligence certification.

What is a business intelligence certification?

A business intelligence certification is a professional credential that shows employers you have specialized knowledge and experience with business intelligence practices and tools. Advancing your business intelligence education after earning a degree may make employers more likely to hire you, and it allows you to continually refine your skills and learn new things about business intelligence.

4 popular business intelligence certifications

BI certifications range from general business intelligence credentials to platform-specific options and can enhance your career, whether you're just starting out or looking to specialize in tools like Tableau and Power BI. As you explore the following four popular certifications, use the details about requirements, costs, and what you can expect during the certification process to help determine which certification best fits your career path and goals.

1. Business Intelligence and Data Analyst (BIDA) Certification 

Requirements: Completion of 15 out of 29 courses to take the certification exam; computer access and internet connection

Cost: Individual program costs range from $497 to $847 annually [2]

The Business Intelligence and Data Analyst (BIDA) certification, offered by Corporate Finance Institute, offers 29 courses for data professionals to build their skills in topics such as visualization, coding, and predictive analysis. After completing 15 courses of your choice and passing each individual assessment, you’ll take a final exam testing your knowledge of business intelligence. 

This certification may be a good fit for you if you’re pursuing a role as a data analyst, business analyst, data scientist, or business intelligence developer.

2. Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP)

Requirements: Transforming Data with Intelligence™ (TDWI) recommends a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related major as well as two or more years of professional experience in areas like data analytics, app development, or statistics.

Cost: Ranges from $275 to $3,999 annually (TDWI membership fees) [3]

The Certified Business Intelligence Professional (CBIP) certification from TDWI focuses on in-depth knowledge and understanding of data analytics. To qualify for this certification, you must pass three exams, one of which must be foundations in data examination. You’ll choose between business and information systems for the other two exams, and a specialty exam as your final test.

Your certification level will depend on how well you perform on your examinations. If you score 50 percent or higher, you’ll earn the Practitioner level certification, and a score of 70 percent or higher on all three exams earns you the Mastery level title. After the first four years of holding this certification, you must begin renewing your certification every three years.

3. Tableau Certified Data Analyst

Requirements: Tableau recommends that those ready to take the exam have at least six months of professional experience working with data and analytics.

Cost: $250 (cost of exam) [4]

The Tableau Certified Data Analyst certification helps aspiring and current data analysts refine their skills as well as learn how to use Tableau to transform data and manage content.

The exam consists of two parts, one of which is knowledge-based and the other performance-based. You have 120 minutes to complete the exam and must score 750 or higher to earn the certification. Your certification will remain valid for two years after you pass the examination, and once it expires, you must retake it with a passing score.

4. Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate

Requirements: Knowledge and experience using Power Query and Data Analysis Expressions (DAX)

Cost: $165 (cost of exam) [5]

The Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate certification from Microsoft prepares Power BI analysts to model, visualize, analyze, and manage data effectively. To prepare for the final examination, you’ll train by taking the Microsoft Power BI Analyst course, which covers various data analytics topics. 

When you’re ready, you’ll take the proctored certification exam. If you don’t pass on the first try, you may retake it. Your certification expires six months after you pass the exam. To renew your credential, sign up to take a renewal examination.

Who uses business intelligence certification?

Professionals who work directly with business intelligence include business intelligence analysts and data scientists. If you want to pursue a role in business intelligence, consider enhancing your knowledge by earning a business intelligence certification.

Explore additional roles that may benefit from earning a business intelligence certification, their requirements, and their annual average salaries: 

Business intelligence analyst

Average annual US salary (Glassdoor): $105,500

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in a major related to computer science, business management, statistics, or information technology

Business intelligence analysts, also known as BI analysts, analyze data to improve business efficiency. One of your main responsibilities as a BI analyst is spotting data and developing strategies to promote productivity and operational success within a company.

Data analyst

Average annual US salary: $88,000

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field of study

As a data analyst, you collect and analyze data so that company leaders can make informed decisions about their business. You may work in many different industries, such as health care or finance, assisting clients in understanding their collected data.

Market research analyst

Average annual US salary: $112,000

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in marketing or communications

Market research analysts collect data via outlets such as surveys and questionnaires for a company to help it market it more effectively to consumers. This data may include consumer preferences, demographic information about consumers, and trends in purchasing history.

Operations manager

Average annual US salary: $79,500

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in business

As an operations manager, you create strategies that promote the efficiency of a business to ensure that your company reaches its goals. Your other responsibilities may include managing inventory and finances, and reporting on the assets you manage.

Data scientist

Average annual US salary: $122,500

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in computer science, statistics, mathematics, or business, though some employers may prefer candidates with a master’s degree or higher

Data scientists may have many tasks and responsibilities, from collecting data to visually presenting their findings. Part of a data scientist’s responsibility of handling raw data involves cleaning it, which makes it more accessible and digestible for the software that holds it.

Financial analyst

Average annual US salary: $81,000

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in finance; some states may require licensure

As a financial analyst, you work with clients, many of whom may be businesses or public entities, to make financial decisions that will benefit them. Your financial recommendations typically involve some type of investment, such as stocks or hedge funds.

Information technology (IT) manager

Average annual US salary: $113,500

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in IT management

IT managers typically play a large role in ensuring that a company’s technology systems run smoothly. Your responsibilities may include leading a team of other professionals, taking on big company projects, and computer programming.

Product manager

Average annual US salary: $130,000

Requirements: Background in business; bachelor’s degree in business or a related major

As a product manager, you take consumer feedback on a product and make business decisions based on your findings. You may analyze the purchasing trends of consumers as well as their personal perceptions of the product. The data you receive may either prolong or shorten the life of a product or lead to improvements and newer versions of a product.

*All annual base salary data is sourced from Glassdoor as of October 2024 and does not include additional pay, such as commission and benefits.

Getting started in business intelligence with Coursera

Earning your business intelligence certification may help you qualify for more roles in the business intelligence sector, such as senior positions like senior BI analyst and BI manager.

To begin your business intelligence career, build your knowledge with Professional Certificates and courses available on Coursera. Explore the Google Business Intelligence Professional Certificate to learn more about data modeling and data visualizations. You may also consider the Business Intelligence (BI) Essentials course from IBM to gain a better understanding of the basics of business intelligence.