[I]n this new era of ‘data science’ where any self-taught scripter can step into an analytics role, how do nontechnical business leaders build trust in the data? This is one reason why I sought to receive Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) designation from the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS).
Unlocking Personal and Professional Growth
For professionals in the realm of analytics and data science aiming to carve a niche in their careers, the Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) certification stands as an impartial validation of essential technical prowess and sought-after soft skills, esteemed by employers across diverse sectors.
Distinct from other credentials, CAP serves as a neutral acknowledgment of an analytics expert's exceptional proficiency in the seven realms of analytics, furnishing organizations with a reliable means to spot, recruit, and retain top-tier analytics talent.
Why Pursue Certification?
Contemplating an analytics or data science certification, but unsure of its value? While certifications vary in significance, those aspiring to showcase professional prowess or evoke a sense of credibility and prestige shouldn't undervalue the impact of certification.
Opting for a reputable certification can pave the way for increased job prospects, enhanced remuneration, and fortified job security. Why? Because organizations recognize the extra mile certified individuals traverse. Moreover, certifications can facilitate the acquisition of skills not typically gained through regular job roles. Given hiring managers' preference for versatile, diligent candidates, earning your CAP is bound to set you apart.
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Accolades
The Certified Analytics Professional certification has garnered acclaim from numerous publications, emerging as a leading choice for those pursuing professional advancement. CIO.com featured both CAP and aCAP on its 2019 roster of the “Top 11 Big Data and Data Analytics Certifications,” while Dataconomy and Analytics Insight hailed CAP as the premier option in their respective 2021 compilations of “Data Science Certifications That Offer an Edge” and “Top Data Science Certification Programs.”
CAP Preferred Employers
Certified Analytics Professionals hold positions at Fortune 100 conglomerates such as American Express, Apple, Boeing, Capital One, Coca-Cola, Comcast, DuPont, Humana, IBM, JPMorgan Chase, Lockheed Martin, Principal, UPS, among others.
In acknowledgment of the CAP program's extensive industry connections, CAP Preferred Employer (CPE) status is extended to firms, or pertinent divisions within firms, committed to prioritizing CAP/aCAP certified professionals when scouting for data science and analytics talent.
Aaron Burciaga, CAP, senior director of analytics and artificial intelligence at the latest CAP Preferred Employer, ECS, remarked, “This recognition underscores ECS's investment in its workforce. We eagerly anticipate witnessing the growth of our analytics professionals with CAP and bolstering our ranks with fresh CAP and aCAP recruits—all integral to our mission of delivering cutting-edge tech and even more impactful AI/ML solutions for our clientele.”
CAP serves as an independent attestation of your comprehensive understanding of the entire analytics continuum - from framing business problems and analytics challenges to data processing, methodology selection, model creation, deployment, and lifecycle management. CAP allows you to effortlessly demonstrate to others your mastery of the analytics spectrum.
Maintaining your CAP status means a perpetual commitment to honing your skills. This involves a blend of ongoing education, continuous employment in analytics, and the exchange of analytics insights and knowledge—all integral to the CAP renewal process every three years.
Every passing day sees more employers appending “CAP Preferred” to their analytics job listings because CAP offers a dependable framework for identifying, recruiting, and retaining top-tier analytics talent. Add “CAP” to your title to unlock doors to fresh prospects and professional advancement.
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Chief Analytics Officer
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Director of Operations
Director of Research
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Owner
Jessica Weaver, CAP
Assessment and Data Management Branch Chief, United States Department of Defense
Steven Harrod, CAP
Assistant Professor, Technical University of Denmark
Certification will be a great marketing tool if I ever decide to increase my consulting work, and it certainly makes me feel good about myself. In addition, it demonstrates my versatility beyond pure research. Certainly, it allows me to tell my students, ‘I have been there.’
K. Matthew Windham, CAP
Deputy Director of Federal Consulting, SAS
I chose to pursue the CAP to enhance my stature in the analytics community. All prior certifications in the field have been vendor-centric, and thus tied to specific software skills rather than deep analytics knowledge. Therefore, this level of independent, academically rigorous certification was desperately needed in the industry. So, when I learned of INFORMS’ effort to create the certification, I couldn’t wait to sit for the exam and demonstrate my expertise in analytics.
Scott Zelenka, CAP
Applied Data Science Architect, Cisco Systems, Inc.
CAP is not a narrowly focused certification, meaning those who earn the certification are well-rounded professionals capable of solving a variety of business challenges in the analytics space.
CAP has provided an independent third-party validation of the skillset obtained from working in the industry. With the certification, peers instinctively trust I understand data and how to utilize the surrounding skillsets across multiple disciplines.
Kendell Churchwell, CAP
Senior Marketing Data Analyst, Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance
I chose CAP over other certifications because I believed it would represent my problem-solving and statistical skills as opposed to representing my skill level in a software package or programming language. I also liked that it was backed by a well-established and prestigious organization such as INFORMS.
I was familiar with a few of the domains from a support perspective. For example, I was familiar with Data, Model Building, Deployment, and Model Life Cycle Management. However, the other three domains (Business and Analytics Problem Framing and Methodology Selection) showcase the skills of a more senior-level and experienced predictive modeler.
I love having my CAP designation because it provides credibility among my peers and gives me confidence in my work as a marketing data analyst.
Jessica Weaver, CAP
Assessment and Data Management Branch Chief, United States Department of Defense
[I]n this new era of ‘data science’ where any self-taught scripter can step into an analytics role, how do nontechnical business leaders build trust in the data? This is one reason why I sought to receive Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) designation from the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS).
Steven Harrod, CAP
Assistant Professor, Technical University of Denmark
Certification will be a great marketing tool if I ever decide to increase my consulting work, and it certainly makes me feel good about myself. In addition, it demonstrates my versatility beyond pure research. Certainly, it allows me to tell my students, ‘I have been there.’
K. Matthew Windham, CAP
Deputy Director of Federal Consulting, SAS
I chose to pursue the CAP to enhance my stature in the analytics community. All prior certifications in the field have been vendor-centric, and thus tied to specific software skills rather than deep analytics knowledge. Therefore, this level of independent, academically rigorous certification was desperately needed in the industry. So, when I learned of INFORMS’ effort to create the certification, I couldn’t wait to sit for the exam and demonstrate my expertise in analytics.
Scott Zelenka, CAP
Applied Data Science Architect, Cisco Systems, Inc.
CAP is not a narrowly focused certification, meaning those who earn the certification are well-rounded professionals capable of solving a variety of business challenges in the analytics space.
CAP has provided an independent third-party validation of the skillset obtained from working in the industry. With the certification, peers instinctively trust I understand data and how to utilize the surrounding skillsets across multiple disciplines.
Kendell Churchwell, CAP
Senior Marketing Data Analyst, Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance
I chose CAP over other certifications because I believed it would represent my problem-solving and statistical skills as opposed to representing my skill level in a software package or programming language. I also liked that it was backed by a well-established and prestigious organization such as INFORMS.
I was familiar with a few of the domains from a support perspective. For example, I was familiar with Data, Model Building, Deployment, and Model Life Cycle Management. However, the other three domains (Business and Analytics Problem Framing and Methodology Selection) showcase the skills of a more senior-level and experienced predictive modeler.
I love having my CAP designation because it provides credibility among my peers and gives me confidence in my work as a marketing data analyst.
Jessica Weaver, CAP
Assessment and Data Management Branch Chief, United States Department of Defense
[I]n this new era of ‘data science’ where any self-taught scripter can step into an analytics role, how do nontechnical business leaders build trust in the data? This is one reason why I sought to receive Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) designation from the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS).
How Do You Become Certified?
Your journey to becoming a top data analytics professional and the most valued leader in any organization starts with your experience and qualifications. What defines the analytics skills needed to be a CAP? It’s not just the mastery of how to assess complex problems and apply advanced analytics solutions but also the business acumen needed to lead award-winning analytics and data science teams. Start today by creating your account and submitting your credentials. Once approved, you can think about how to prepare to take the CAP exam. Training materials include the CAP Handbook, Job Task Analysis (JTA), and the CAP Study Guide. Additional supplements and exam preparation are available in the INFORMS CAP Prep Online courses designed to help orient analytics professionals to the seven domains of analytics knowledge.
Steps to Becoming Certified
1. Apply to Take the Exam
To get started earning your Certified Analytics Professional credential, create your CAP account and submit your qualifications today. Approved candidates will be notified about their eligibility to take the CAP exam.
Nonrefundable Application Fee:
$55
CAP Exam Fees:
$440 INFORMS Member
$640 Nonmember
aCAP Exam Fees:
$150 INFORMS Member
$245 Nonmember
2. Take the CAP Exam
Approved candidates are eligible to pay and schedule their exam for 12 months from their application approval date. After exam fees are paid, candidates will be sent information to schedule their exam through Kryterion/Webassessorwhere candidates will be guided through the selection of an appropriate testing option.
3. Maintain your Certification
CAPs can maintain their active certification status by earning the required Professional Development Units (PDUs). These formal and informal learning options ensure that CAPs are at the cutting edge of industry and academia, and the most sought-after analytics professionals.
How to Stay Current
Continuing Education Options
Upload your PDUs
Start Your Journey to Certification!
Completing your online application is the first step to becoming CAP certified. Once your application has been submitted, reviewed, and accepted, you will be eligible to take the Certified Analytics Professional exam at one of Kryterion's computer-based testing centers around the world or via an online-proctored session in your own home. Completed applications are typically processed within seven business days.