ENTRY CERTIFICATE IN BUSINESS ANALYSIS™

ECBA™ HANDBOOK
APRIL 2023

ENTRY CERTIFICATE IN BUSINESS ANALYSIS: ECBA HANDBOOK | APRIL 2023 1

© 2023 International Institute of Business Analysis.
Contents

1.0 Introduction.......................................................................................................................... 3
2.0 Six-Steps to Certification ....................................................................................................... 4
1. Purchase the Exam ................................................................................................................................... 4
2. Agree to the Attestations .......................................................................................................................... 4
3. Study and Prepare for the Exam ............................................................................................................... 5
4. Review Exam Information ......................................................................................................................... 6
5. Schedule Your Exam ................................................................................................................................. 7
6. Get Certified .............................................................................................................................................. 7

ENTRY CERTIFICATE IN BUSINESS ANALYSIS: ECBA HANDBOOK | APRIL 2023 2

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

ECBA is the globally recognized entry certificate to the

business analysis profession. It demonstrates that you
have the foundational knowledge and understanding of
how to approach business analysis according to the
Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK®
Guide). There are no pre-requisites for ECBA.

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). Please contact certification@iiba.org to discuss and
request any testing accommodation you may need.

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

ENTRY CERTIFICATE IN BUSINESS ANALYSIS: ECBA HANDBOOK | APRIL 2023 3

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

1. Purchase the Exam

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

From your profile page, open the Certification menu.

Select My Certifications, ECBA and click: Get Started

Purchase your exam and go to the next step.

From the day IIBA receives payment for your exam, you will have
12 months to schedule and take your exam. It is only within that time that
you can request a refund.

A $50 administrative fee will be applied to the 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.

2. Agree to the Attestations

Login with your IIBA® credentials.

From your profile page open the Certification menu.

Select My Certifications, ECBA and click: Submit my Attestations

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

ENTRY CERTIFICATE IN BUSINESS ANALYSIS: ECBA HANDBOOK | APRIL 2023 4

© 2023 International Institute of Business Analysis.
 3. Study and Prepare for the Exam

Exam Structure
Duration: 60 minutes
Questions: 50 multiple-choice, knowledge-based questions
Format: Online remote proctored
Type: Competency-based

Knowledge Areas
The exam covers 5 Knowledge Areas 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.

ECBA Exam Blueprint

Knowledge Areas (KA) % of Questions
per KA
1. Business analysis planning and monitoring 5%
2. Elicitation and collaboration 20%
3. Requirements life cycle management 20%
4. Requirements analysis and design definition 25%
5. Business analysis knowledge 30%
- Business analysis and the BA professional 2.5%
- Business analysis key concepts 5%
- Underlying competencies 5%
- Techniques 17.5%

Study and Learning Options

 IIBA Endorsed Education and Training: Endorsed Education
Providers and Academic Members offer a variety of learning
options. You can search this data base for ‘ECBA’ and filter for
location, virtual, in class, etc. EEP Exam Prep & Study Groups:
Exam Prep Courses provide preparation and group study.

 Self-Directed Learning: The Business Analysis Body of

Knowledge® (BABOK®) Guide is the global standard for business
analysis concepts, practices, and techniques. IIBA’s Knowledge
Hub provides online, searchable access to the BABOK® Guide
along with thousands of supporting materials to boost your
study. IIBA Members have free access to these materials.

 IIBA Chapter Study Groups: IIBA Members can participate in

Study Groups offered by various Chapters globally. Review
Chapter Events and search for “Study Groups”.

ENTRY CERTIFICATE IN BUSINESS ANALYSIS: ECBA HANDBOOK | APRIL 2023 5

© 2023 International Institute of Business Analysis.
 4. Review Exam Information

The ECBA exam is offered as an online remote proctored exam

experience taken from the security and comfort of your home. 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. PSI® is the exam vendor that provides the remote proctoring
services on behalf of IIBA.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they have the correct ID,

technology, workspace set up, and reliable internet to successfully write
the remote proctored exam. If you do not meet the requirements on your
exam day, you will not be able to take the exam and will forfeit your exam
fee.

You Must Have:

1. Correct ID: Government-issued Photo Identification 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. Only IIBA can make the required
update for you. Read the IIBA Exam Information.

2. Required technology and system set up: You will need a compatible
personal computer/laptop, microphone, camera and operating
system. Read the IIBA Guide to Online Proctored Exams.

3. Proper room and workspace set up: This includes full knowledge of
the rules for what is allowed and not allowed during your exam.
Read the IIBA Guide to Online Proctored Exams.

4. Reliable Internet Connection:

Read the IIBA Guide to Online Proctored Exams.

A careful review of all these documents will provide the details you need.
• IIBA Exam Information
• IIBA Guide to Online Proctored Exams
• PSI Online Proctoring Experience video outlining exam day.
• Certification FAQs for refunds, reschedules, and requests for exam
accommodation

ENTRY CERTIFICATE IN BUSINESS ANALYSIS: ECBA HANDBOOK | APRIL 2023 6

© 2023 International Institute of Business Analysis.
 5. 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.

1. Login with your IIBA® credentials.

2. From your profile page, open the Certification menu.
3. Select My Certifications, ECBA and click: Schedule and Pass Exam
4. You will be redirected to the PSI Scheduling Page.
5. Select “Schedule Exam”.
6. Select date and time and complete the scheduling process.
7. When done, read “View Details”.

6. Get Certified

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

1. Login with your IIBA® credentials.

2. From your profile page, open the Certification menu.
3. Select My Certifications, ECBA and click: Schedule and Pass Exam
4. You will be redirected to the PSI Scheduling Page.
5. Select “Launch Exam”.
6. Follow the check-in procedure and connect with your proctor.
7. Complete the exam.

When your exam is completed, 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.

Once you have successfully passed the exam, your name will appear
within the Certification Badge & Registry, unless you have opted out.

Your Certificate and Badge

To access your Certificate and badge, please go to Access My Accredible
Certificate. Login to view your Accredible page and click on PDF or Badge
to download a copy or share in LinkedIn.

ENTRY CERTIFICATE IN BUSINESS ANALYSIS: ECBA HANDBOOK | APRIL 2023 7

© 2023 International Institute of Business Analysis.