Best Business Certifications in 2024

Business professionals often change positions to improve their salary, benefits, and career prospects. Getting business certifications is a great way to facilitate this change.

Defining a “business certification” can be challenging. To narrow down our alternatives, we considered general business and management credentials, as well as certificates in customer resource management (CRM), supply chain, sales, and purchasing. Most of the certifications we chose are vendor-agnostic, meaning they are not tied to a specific system or application. We researched various credentials from companies like SAP, SAS, and similar ones that specialize in business applications.

Best Business Certifications

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

The Project Management Institute (PMI) has been helping business professionals develop their careers in project management since 1969, mainly through professional development and certifications.

The CAPM is designed for aspiring project managers. To qualify, you need to demonstrate proof of a high school diploma, GED, or global equivalent. The exam consists of 150 questions, costs $225 for PMI members or $300 for nonmembers, and is available through Pearson VUE. Before taking the exam, you must have completed 23 hours of project management education. The certification is valid for five years, after which you must retake the exam to maintain it.

PMI also offers other certifications for the business community, such as the Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA), Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP), Program Management Professional (PgMP), and PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP).

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

The CBAP, offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), is an advanced certification for managers and leaders with more than five years of business analysis experience. You need at least 7,500 hours of business analysis experience over the last decade, with 900 hours directly related to four of the six BABOK Guide knowledge areas. Additionally, you need at least 35 hours of professional development credits earned over the last four years, plus two references.

The CBAP exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions based on scenarios and case studies. It is available through PSI and costs $350 for IIBA members or $505 for nonmembers, with a $145 application fee. To maintain the CBAP, credential holders must complete at least 60 continuing development units within three years of certification.

The IIBA also offers related credentials, such as the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA), Certificate of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA), Agile Analysis Certification (IIBA-AAC), and Certification in Business Data Analytics (IIBA-CBDA).

Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

APICS focuses on supply chain management and offers the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) along with a few other certifications. The CSCP covers supply chain concepts and technology, as well as strategies for end-to-end operations, from supplier to company to consumer.

To obtain the CSCP, you must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, at least one previous authorised certification, and three years of relevant business experience. In addition, you must pass an exam that costs between $1,365 and $1,900, depending on your APICS membership status.

Project Management Professional (PMP)

The PMP certification from PMI is highly regarded in both business and IT industries. The requirements are rigorous. Option one requires a high school diploma, associate degree, or global equivalent; 60 months of experience leading projects; and 35 hours of project management education. Option two requires a four-year degree, 36 months of leading projects, and 35 hours of project management education.

To earn the PMP, you must pass a 180-question exam, which is available through Pearson VUE. The exam costs $405 for PMI members and $575 for nonmembers. To maintain the PMP certification, you need to earn 60 professional development units every three years.

SAP Certified Application Associate – CRM

The SAP Certified Application Associate – CRM recognizes a consultant’s skills in understanding and using SAP CRM software, including its integration with other SAP solutions like NetWeaver. SAP recommends that candidates have a combination of experience and training before taking the certification exam. Training courses are available if needed.

The exam consists of 80 questions and costs between $208 and $519, depending on the number of attempts you want. You can take the exam through the SAP Certification Hub.

Salesforce Certified Administrator

Salesforce is a leading CRM platform used by companies worldwide for managing business operations and customer relationships. The Salesforce Certified Administrator certification program is designed to enhance your knowledge of the platform at an administrative level. The program requires you to take several classes and workshops before completing a proctored credential exam. The classes and exam typically cost a few thousand dollars.

Salesforce suggests that candidates seeking this certification should already have a decent understanding of the platform, as the certification builds upon existing knowledge of features and functions. Upon completing this program, Salesforce also offers the Advanced Administrator certification to further enhance your platform knowledge.

HubSpot Inbound Marketing

HubSpot is a CRM platform that assists businesses in managing their marketing, sales, and help desk operations. While the platform offers various functionalities, the HubSpot Inbound Marketing certification focuses on teaching how to leverage content creation, social media, and other inbound marketing strategies effectively.

The certification course is free and comprises seven lessons, including 24 videos and seven quizzes, taking nearly five hours to complete.

Oracle Certified Professional (OCP)

Oracle is a prominent cloud database software company that helps businesses apply digital concepts to various functions. Over 2.2 million people have earned their OCP credentials, and our initial research indicates over 1,000 job openings for this designation.

Oracle offers numerous certification paths covering its cloud-based and on-premises software and hardware solutions. The company provides free learning courses across a wide range of specialties. Once you feel prepared for the exam, you can purchase a voucher at prices ranging from $95 to $245. These vouchers remain valid for six months, giving you ample time to refine your skills with the Oracle platform before taking the test.

Job Site Search Results

Based on a snapshot of job listings as of March 13, 2023, the table below shows the demand for various business-related certifications on SimplyHired and LinkedIn Jobs:

Please note that these numbers represent the total number of open positions that specifically mention each certification. It’s important to remember that this data provides a general overview and is not a comprehensive analysis of every job listing available.

Important: Business certificates can help you succeed in your profession regardless of your industry.

Other Business Certifications to Consider

American Purchasing Society Certifications

The American Purchasing Society offers several certifications, including the Certified Purchasing Professional (CPP), Certified Professional Purchasing Manager (CPPM), Certified Green Purchasing Professional (CGPP), Certified Professional in Distribution and Warehousing (CPDW), and Certified Professional Purchasing Consultant (CPPC) programs.

Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM) Certifications

For professionals dealing with business records, the Institute of Certified Records Managers offers certifications such as the Certified Records Analyst (CRA) and Certified Records Manager (CRM) programs.

Institute of Management Consultants Certification

On a global scale, the Institute of Management Consultants provides the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) certification.

NASBITE’s Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP)

NASBITE’s CGBP certification focuses on global business management, marketing, supply chain management, and trade finance.

Business Relationship Management Institute (BRMI) Certifications

The Business Relationship Management Institute offers two certifications: the Business Relationship Management Professional (BRMP) and Certified Business Relationship Manager (CBRM).

These certifications can enhance your skills and credibility in various business fields.

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