Certified Business Analysis

TM TM
Professional (CBAP )
Handbook
 Table of Contents
1.0 About this Handbook ..........................................................................................................................3
1.1 Purpose........................................................................................................................................3
1.2 Omissions from this Version ........................................................................................................3
2.0 About the International Institute of Business Analysis TM ...................................................................3
2.1 IIBATM Vision Statement...............................................................................................................4
2.2 IIBATM Mission Statement ............................................................................................................4
2.3 Fair & Equitable Policy.................................................................................................................4
3.0 IIBATM Business Analysis Body of Knowledge Overview ...................................................................4
4.0 About the Certified Business Analysis Professional TM (CBAPTM) Certification..................................5
4.1 What is Certification? ...................................................................................................................5
4.2 CBAPTM Certification Program Overview.....................................................................................5
4.3 Benefits of CBAPTM Certification..................................................................................................5
4.4 Definition of a Business Analysis Professional............................................................................6
4.5 Maintenance of the CBAPTM Certification ....................................................................................6
4.6 Confidentiality of Information .......................................................................................................6
5.0 CBAPTM Certification Requirements...................................................................................................7
5.1 Work Experience Requirement....................................................................................................7
5.2 Knowledge Areas Requirement ...................................................................................................7
5.3 Education Requirement ...............................................................................................................8
5.4 Professional Development Requirement .....................................................................................8
5.5 References...................................................................................................................................8
6.0 Overall CBAPTM Certification Process................................................................................................8
6.1 Application Process Notes...........................................................................................................9
6.2 Application Instructions ................................................................................................................9
6.2.1 Personal Information Section ................................................................................................10
6.2.2 Organization Information Section ..........................................................................................10
6.2.3 Work Experience Section ......................................................................................................10
6.2.4 Knowledge Areas Section .....................................................................................................10
6.2.5 Education Section..................................................................................................................10
6.2.6 Professional Development Section .......................................................................................10
6.2.7 6.2.7 Exam Registration Section ...........................................................................................11
6.2.8 Reference Form.....................................................................................................................11
6.3 Suggestions for Exam Preparation ............................................................................................11
6.4 Exam Day Process ....................................................................................................................11
6.5 Exam Results.............................................................................................................................11
6.6 CBAP Certificate ........................................................................................................................12
6.7 Public Recognition of CBAP TM ..................................................................................................12
6.8 Maintaining CBAPTM Certification ..............................................................................................12
6.9 Suspending or Withdrawing CBAPTM Certification ....................................................................12
6.10 Audit of Candidate & CBAPTM Information.................................................................................12
6.11 Resolution of Appeals & Complaints .........................................................................................13
7.0 Responsibilities to the Profession ....................................................................................................13
7.1 Compliance with all Organizational Rules and Policies.............................................................13
7.2 Professional Practice .................................................................................................................13
7.3 Advancement of the Profession.................................................................................................13
7.4 Responsibilities to the Client and the Public..............................................................................14
7.4.1 Qualifications, Experience and Performance of Professional Duties ....................................14
7.4.2 Conflict of Interest Situations and Other Prohibited Professional Situations ........................14
8.0 Appendix A – Forms and Information Located on the Website........................................................14

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1.0 About this Handbook

1.1 Purpose
The purpose of this handbook is to provide Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAPTM)
candidates the information needed to understand the International Institute of Business Analysis TM
(IIBATM) organization and the application process to become certified.

1.2 Omissions from this Version

The details on maintenance and recertification for Certified Business Analysis Professionals TM will be
finalized and included in 2007.

2.0 About the International Institute of Business Analysis TM

The International Institute of Business Analysis TM (IIBATM) is an independent non-profit professional
association serving the growing field of Business Analysis. The IIBATM mission includes the
development and maintenance of standards for the practice of Business Analysis and for the certification
and recognition of its practitioners. IIBATM is the first organization to offer the formal certification for
Business Analysis Professionals.

To facilitate the public recognition and certification of qualified practitioners, the Institute is responsible
for:
• Creating and developing awareness and recognition of the value and contribution of the Business
Analyst.
• Defining and maintaining the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge TM (BABOKTM).
• Identifying the required skills and competencies of a qualified practitioner of Business Analysis.
• Defining training and professional development standards.
• Identifying and endorsing education providers.
• Publicly recognizing and certifying qualified Business Analysts.

The Institute also provides all members with the benefits of:
• Networking opportunities with fellow Business Analysis professionals.
• Opportunities to influence and contribute to the profession and service of Business Analysis.
• Access to forums for sharing your expertise, expressing your professional opinion, and building a
reputation within the industry.

The formation of the IIBATM started in October of 2003, and was formalized at the organization's first
Annual General Meeting in March 2004. The IIBATM is headquartered in Toronto, Canada and maintains
a web site at www.theiiba.org.

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 2.1 IIBATM Vision Statement
To be the world’s leading association for business analysis professionals.

2.2 IIBATM Mission Statement

We develop and maintain standards for the practice of business analysis and for the certification of
practitioners.

2.3 Fair & Equitable Policy

IIBA TM’s policies and procedures contribute to the development, oversight, evaluation and maintenance
of fair and equitable certification and assessment. IIBATM complies with all applicable laws and
regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.

3.0 IIBATM Business Analysis Body of Knowledge Overview

The Business Analysis Body of Knowledge TM (BABOKTM) is the collection of knowledge within the
profession of Business Analysis and reflects current generally accepted practice. The BABOKTM is
defined and enhanced by the Business Analysis professionals who apply it in their daily lives. The
BABOKTM describes Business Analysis areas of knowledge, their associated activities and tasks and the
skills necessary to be effective in their execution.
Since the BABOKTM is growing and evolving, each release must be considered a move toward the
complete body of knowledge. Additions will be made periodically based on feedback and changes to
generally accepted practices. While specific business analysis techniques may be referenced in the
BABOKTM, the criteria for including information in the guide are that it is proven, generally accepted and
widely applied. The BABOKTM is a reference for professional knowledge for Business Analysis and
provides the basis for the CBAPTM Certification.
The Business Analysis Body of Knowledge TM is composed of six knowledge areas plus underlying
fundamentals.
The knowledge areas are:
• Enterprise Analysis
• Requirements Planning & Management
• Requirements Elicitation
• Requirements Analysis & Documentation
• Requirements Communication
• Solution Assessment and Validation

The underlying fundamentals include:

• Communication Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Problem Solving Skills

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 • Business Knowledge
• Information Technology Knowledge

4.0 About the Certified Business Analysis Professional TM

(CBAPTM) Certification

4.1 What is Certification?

There are wide ranges of definitions of professional certification, but the general meaning involves the
concept of a certifying organization approving the knowledge, experience, skills, and expertise of the
certified individual.
Certification involves formal recognition of achievement after proving competency through an actual
demonstration of a designated set of skills and/or knowledge.
Business Analysis professional certification is of growing importance within Business and Information
Technology Projects as the range and depth of required professional knowledge continues to expand.
The CBAPTM certification process includes demonstrating the required knowledge and competencies of a
qualified practitioner of Business Analysis according to requirements designated by the IIBATM.

4.2 CBAPTM Certification Program Overview

A Certified Business Analysis Professional TM (CBAPTM) is a recognized expert in identifying the
business needs of an organization in order to determine business solutions. CBAPTM’s are acknowledged
as competent individuals performing a role that is increasingly recognized as a vital component of any
successful project.
This program has been carefully designed to be in compliance with the International Standards
Organization (ISO) 17204 standard for certifying the competence of personnel. It is also intended to
achieve American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approval.
Certification candidates are not required to be an IIBATM member in order to take the certification
examination. This initial certification is targeted for senior Business Analysts only. A secondary
certification is under consideration for the future to meet the needs of less senior Business Analysts.
Initially, the certification examination will only be offered in the English language, but other languages
are to be included in the future.

4.3 Benefits of CBAPTM Certification

Benefits to the individual from acquiring and maintaining CBAPTM certification may include:
• Demonstrated knowledge of the skills necessary to be an effective Business Analyst.
• Validation of your professional level of competence in the principles and practices of business
analysis.
• Participation in a recognized professional group.

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• Recognition of professional competence by professional peers and management.
• Advanced career potential by creating a separate and distinct career path within the information
technology industry and business community.
• Demonstrated dedication to the Business Analysis profession.

Benefits to the organization resulting from employees acquiring CBAPTM certification may include:
• Certified Business Analysis Professionals TM are acknowledged as competent individuals performing
a role which is increasingly recognized as a vital component of any successful project.
• Certified Business Analysis Professionals TM can be identified as individuals with an advanced level
of knowledge and qualifications.
• Certified Business Analysis Professionals TM follow established standards as outlined in the IIBATM
Business Analysis Body of Knowledge TM.
• Certified Business Analysis Professionals TM produce reliable, quality results with increased
efficiency and consistency.

4.4 Definition of a Business Analysis Professional

The Business Analysis Professional is responsible for identifying the business needs of their clients and
stakeholders to help determine solutions to business problems.
The Business Analysis Professional is responsible for requirements development and requirements
management. Specifically, the Business Analysis Professional elicits, analyzes, validates and documents
business, organizational and/or operational requirements. Solutions are not predetermined by the Business
Analysis Professional, but are driven solely by the requirements of the business. Solutions often include a
systems development component, but may also consist of process improvement or organizational change.
The Business Analysis Professional is a key facilitator within an organization, acting as a bridge between
the client, stakeholders and the solution team. Business Analysis is distinct from financial analysis,
project management, quality assurance, organizational development, testing, training, and documentation
development. However, depending on the organization, a Business Analysis Professional may perform
some or all of these related functions.

4.5 Maintenance of the CBAPTM Certification

Requirements for maintaining CBAPTM certification and for re-certifying will be completed in 2007.

4.6 Confidentiality of Information

Your CBAPTM application form, exam result and all other CBAPTM certification program-related
materials will be kept private and confidential. This information will not be disclosed to anyone other
than the candidate without the candidate’s consent.
To request the release of an exam result to a third party, provide IIBATM with a written request identifying
which exam result may be disclosed and the person or organization to whom the result should be
disclosed. Any violation of the IIBATM Confidentiality Policy will be subject to disciplinary action(s) as
described in the IIBATM Constitution.

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Please send your request to:
The IIBA
P.O. Box 42001
550 King Street North
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 6K5
Canada

5.0 CBAPTM Certification Requirements

Each Certified Business Analysis Professional TM (CBAPTM) candidate must meet the following
requirements to be eligible to sit for the examination:

5.1 Work Experience Requirement

Five (5) years (7,500 hours) business analysis work experience in the last ten (10) years engaged in tasks
specifically related to the knowledge areas as defined within the BABOKTM.
BA-related work is defined as activities where you apply, or directly help others apply, the BABOKTM
knowledge areas. Acceptable activities include:
• Hands-on business analysis activities (e.g. requirements gathering, writing requirements
documentation, etc.)
• Coaching or mentoring of business analysts with respect to business analysis activities (e.g.
planning the requirements gathering process with the BA, reviewing requirements documents,
etc.)
• Development of an organization’s business analysis methodology and/or best practices
• Development of business analysis training materials

Activities that do not apply include:

• Management of business analysts (e.g. resource management, status reporting, performance
management, etc.)
• Teaching of business analysis training courses
• Selling requirement gathering tools/software
• Project management of non business analysis activities
• Testing (e.g. creating and executing test scripts, reporting on testing status)
• Programming

Neither list is a comprehensive. The lists are shown as a guideline only. Each candidate’s work
experience will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

5.2 Knowledge Areas Requirement

Demonstrated experience and expertise in at least four of the six knowledge areas.

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 5.3 Education Requirement
High school or equivalent education. This is the minimum educational requirement. Note: there will be no
reduction in work experience for post secondary education.

5.4 Professional Development Requirement

21 hours of professional development in the last four years. The professional development content must
be directly related to business analysis or the underlying fundamentals.

5.5 References
Two references from a career manager, business partner, client or Certified Business Analysis
Professional TM are required.

6.0 Overall CBAPTM Certification Process

To be eligible for CBAP TM Certification, you, the candidate must:
1 Meet the above candidate requirements (see Section 5.0).
2 Complete the CBAPTM Certified Business Analysis Professional TM Application Form (located at
www.theiiba.org)
3 Obtain two professional references that indicate you are a suitable candidate for the Certified
Business Analysis Professional TM (CBAPTM) certification. Each reference must complete a
CBAP TM Application Reference Form (located at www.theiiba.org) and provide you with the
reference in a sealed envelope that is signed by the reference across the seal.
4 Agree to adhere to the CBAP TM Certified Business Analysis Professional TM Code of Conduct
Agreement (located at www.theiiba.org).
5 Indicate on the CBAP TM Application form the date and location at which the candidate requests
to take the CBAP TM exam.
6 Make a copy of the application package for your records.
7 Submit:
1 The completed CBAP TM Application Form
2 The two completed sealed CBAP TM Application Reference Forms

3 The signed CBAPTM Certified Business Analysis Professional TM Code of Conduct

Agreement.
4 The CBAP TM Exam Special Accommodations Form (if required)
5 The fees. The application fee is $450 USD (for IIBA TM members) or $575 USD
(for non-members) payable by check or international money order to the
International Institute of Business Analysis TM. The fee pays for the application
processing and the initial exam sitting. The package can be mailed to:
Certification Manager

8 1/5/2007
 C/O The IIBA
P.O. Box 42001
550 King Street North
Waterloo, ON N2L 6K5
Canada

8 Upon receipt of your application package, the IIBA TM will notify you that your application
package has been received.
9 The IIBA TM will assess the application for completeness and fulfillment of the CBAP TM
certification requirements.
10 You will be notified via email of the results of this assessment.
11 Upon receiving approval to take the exam, you have a maximum of one (1) year from the date of
your exam eligibility letter to successfully pass the exam. Your approval letter will indicate the
location, date and time of the exam for which you have been registered. If you wish to
reschedule your exam you must notify the IIBA TM.
12 If your application is not successful, you will be notified as to the reason, and your application
fees, less an administrative fee of $125 USD, will be returned to you. You may reapply for
CBAP TM certification after three (3) months and you have remedied the reasons for rejection
13 Pass a comprehensive final examination based on the IIBA TM Business Analysis Body of
Knowledge TM that is designed to objectively assess and measure your Business Analysis
knowledge. After you pass the exam and gain certification, you may use the designation of
“Certified Business Analysis Professional TM (CBAPTM)”.
14 If you do not pass the exam, you are allowed to retake the exam once within the one-year period
from the date of your exam eligibility letter. However, you must wait 3 months from the date of
your last exam before retaking the exam. The fee to retake the exam is $250 USD (for IIBA TM
members) or $375 (for non-members) and must be paid prior to the sitting. If you do not pass
the exam within the one-year period you must reapply (and pay full application fees).

6.1 Application Process Notes

All documents submitted to the IIBATM as part of the application process will not be returned and become
the property of the IIBATM.
If a candidate’s application is audited, the candidate must provide validation documentation as requested
by the IIBATM.

6.2 Application Instructions

Ensure that you use blue or black ink and print all information. All information must be provided in
English and must be completed accurately and fully.

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6.2.1 Personal Information Section
Provide your current personal information to ensure that IIBA can contact you regarding your application.
Ensure that the name you provide is the name that you wish to be referred as on any correspondence or on
the Certified Business Analysis Professional TM certificate from the IIBATM.
If you are an IIBATM member, ensure that you provide your membership number. If you do not have
your IIBATM membership number you can send an email to info@theiiba.org to obtain the number.

6.2.2 Organization Information Section

Ensure that you provide information about your current employer. If you are self-employed please
indicate that in the Current Employer/Organization Name field.

6.2.3 Work Experience Section

You must document at least 7,500 hours of BA related work in the last ten years to meet the application
requirement. Complete one set of forms per project (2 pages/project). Make additional copies as needed
of the work experience forms to include with your application. Resumes are not accepted to complete this
requirement. For each project, on each page, identify the project number and the total number of projects
(e.g. if you have 5 projects, and are working on the project 3, at the top of the page, identify the pages as
Project 3 of 5).

6.2.4 Knowledge Areas Section

Please choose four of the six knowledge areas and answer all questions for those four areas, using the
guide below:
Never: You have never performed this task
Seldom: You have rarely performed this task
Sometimes: You have performed this task 5-10 times within the past 10 years
Frequently: You have performed this task 11 or more times within the past 10 years
This information will be used to verify that you meet the Knowledge Areas requirement of having
experience and expertise in 4 of the 6 knowledge areas. Please refer to the BABOK TM for more
information on the knowledge areas.

6.2.5 Education Section

Provide the highest level of education that you have completed along with the education provider
information. If your application is audited, the education provider will be requested to provide copies of
transcripts.

6.2.6 Professional Development Section

Provide professional development activities that are directly related to business analysis or the underlying
fundamentals. You must meet the requirement of 21 hours in the last four years.
Professional development activities generally refer to courses and seminars.

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6.2.7 6.2.7 Exam Registration Section
1) Review the certification exam schedule at www.theiiba.org.
2) Indicate on your CBAP TM Application form the date and location you wish to take the exam. Exam
dates and locations requested on the CBAP TM Application form cannot be guaranteed and are subject
to availability. Upon receiving approval to take the exam, the date and time of the exam will be
confirmed. If you wish to reschedule your exam you must notify the IIBA TM.
3) You may request a modification to the IIBATM exam administration procedure due to disability,
handicap or other condition that may affect your ability to sit for the exam. Special exam
accommodation requests should be reasonable and not compromise the validity and reliability of the
exam. Please indicate this on the CBAP TM Application form and complete the Special
Accommodations Form.

6.2.8 Reference Form

Using the CBAP TM Application Reference Form, include one current contact and at least one contact that
have known you for at least 6 months. Appropriate reference contacts include a career manager, client,
business partner, or Certified Business Analysis Professional TM (CBAPTM). Each reference must
complete the CBAP TM Application Reference Form located on www.theiiba.org and provide you with the
reference in a sealed envelope that is signed by the reference across the seal.

6.3 Suggestions for Exam Preparation

• Review IIBA TM Business Analysis Body of Knowledge TM.
• Attend training, as needed.
• Find opportunities in your day-to-day work to practice tasks by following the BABOKTM.
• Find a Business Analysis mentor.
• Join a study group.
• Network on the IIBA TM forum and/or attend local Chapter meetings.

6.4 Exam Day Process

Ensure that you have two forms of proof of identification (one photo ID such as driver’s license
information or passport information is required) that will be verified when arriving for the exam. Your
primary ID must be a valid driver’s license or passport. Secondary ID may be one of the following: a
credit card in the candidate’s name, a social security card, insurance number, military ID, or birth
certificate.
Bring proof of identification to the exam site
• Arrive at Testing Center at least 30 minutes early.

6.5 Exam Results

Candidates will be notified by email of their exam results by the IIBATM Certification Body.

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Successful candidates may start to use the Certified Business Analysis Professional TM (CBAPTM)
designation immediately.
Candidates who do not successfully pass the exam will be provided some guidance as to areas that require
attention.

6.6 CBAP Certificate

Upon successful completion of the Certified Business Analysis Professional TM certification, you will
receive a formal letter recognizing your achievement, and an IIBATM Certified Business Analysis
Professional TM Certificate and wallet card.

6.7 Public Recognition of CBAP TM

A list of Certified Business Analysis Professional TM names and email addresses will be posted on the
website. This list will not include candidates who have specifically requested not to list their names and
email addresses.

6.8 Maintaining CBAPTM Certification

All Certified Business Analysis Professionals TM are required to meet continuing proficiency requirements
in order to maintain their designation. Continuing proficiency is one of the important benchmarks of a
quality certification program.
You will need to apply to have your CBAP TM certification renewed every three years. At this point, we
know that any BA related professional development or professional contribution activities will qualify for
the renewal process. As well, the Certified Business Analysis Professional TM will be expected to
document their ongoing activities to maintain their certification. More specific details on maintaining
CBAP TM’s certification will be provided in 2007.

6.9 Suspending or Withdrawing CBAPTM Certification

The IIBATM Certification Body reserves the right to revoke an IIBATM Certified Business Analysis
Professional TM certification at anytime after review of a reported professional misconduct or for a misuse
of the IIBATM CBAP logo. The Body also reserves the right to conduct random post-certification audits.
All fees paid shall be forfeited in the event of a revoked or suspended certification. A candidate whose
IIBATM CBAP Certification is revoked will not be allowed to reapply for IIBATM CBAP Certification for
a period of time.

6.10 Audit of Candidate & CBAPTM Information

Candidates and CBAP TM’s may receive a request from the IIBA TM Certification Body to validate any
information on their application form. It is the candidate’s/CBAP TM’s responsibility to obtain and provide
verification of any statements made within their application package.

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 6.11 Resolution of Appeals & Complaints
CBAP ’s and candidates for CBAP TM certification may request a review of an adverse IIBATM
TM

Certification Body action, decision or determination. The request can be made to info@theiiba.org. The
IIBATM will investigate your appeal or complaint and notify you of their resolution.

7.0 Responsibilities to the Profession

Certified Business Analysis Professionals TM have the following responsibilities to the Business Analysis
profession.

7.1 Compliance with all Organizational Rules and Policies

• Responsibility to provide accurate and truthful representations concerning all information directly
or indirectly related to all aspects of the CBAPTM Certification Program, including but not limited
to the following: examination applications, test item banks, examinations, answer sheets,
candidate information and CBAPTM Continuing Certification Requirements Program reporting
forms.
• Upon a reasonable and clear factual basis, responsibility to report possible violations of the
IIBATM Certified Business Analysis Professional TM Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics by
individuals in the field of Business Analysis.
• Responsibility to cooperate with IIBATM concerning ethics violations and the collection of related
information.
• Responsibility to disclose to clients, customers, owners or contractors, significant circumstances
that could be construed as a conflict of interest or an appearance of impropriety.

7.2 Professional Practice

• Responsibility to provide accurate, truthful advertising and representations concerning qualifications,
experience, and performance of services.
• Responsibility to render only those services for which you are fully competent and qualified.
• Responsibility to comply with laws, regulations and ethical standards governing professional practice
in the state/province and/or country when providing Business Analysis services.
• Responsibility to respect the trust and privileges granted to you.

7.3 Advancement of the Profession

• Responsibility to recognize and respect intellectual property developed or owned by others and to act
in an accurate, truthful, and complete manner in relation to all professional work and research
activities.
• Responsibility to report and disseminate the IIBATM Certified Business Analysis Professional TM Code
of Conduct and Ethics to other CBAP TM’s.
• Responsibility to sponsor for professional advancement the best qualified Business Analysis
Professionals. All other things being equal, give preferences to those who are certified and who

13 1/5/2007
 adhere to these principles. Avoid professional association with those whose practices or reputation
might diminish the Business Analysis profession.
• Responsibility to take care not to injure the reputation of other professionals through malice or
indifference.
• Responsibility to maintain your competence; keep your skills and knowledge current.
• Responsibility to give generously of your time and knowledge in training others.

7.4 Responsibilities to the Client and the Public

7.4.1 Qualifications, Experience and Performance of Professional Duties
• Responsibility to act honorably and legally to provide accurate and truthful representations to the
public in advertising, public statements, and in the preparation of estimates concerning costs,
services, and expected results.
• Responsibility to render only those services for which you are fully competent and qualified.
• Responsibility to maintain and satisfy the scope and objectives of professional service.
• Responsibility to maintain and respect the confidentiality of sensitive information obtained in the
course of professional activities or otherwise where a clear obligation exists.
• Responsibility to preserve the value of their systems, applications and information.
• Responsibility to respect their trust and the privileges granted with that trust.

7.4.2 Conflict of Interest Situations and Other Prohibited Professional

Situations
• Responsibility to ensure that a conflict of interest does not compromise legitimate interests of a
client or a customer, or influence/interfere with professional judgments.
• Responsibility to refrain from offering or accepting inappropriate payments, gifts or other forms
of compensation for personal gain unless in conformity with applicable laws or customs of the
country where business analysis services are being provided.

8.0 Appendix A – Forms and Information Located on the

Website
1. IIBA TM Certified Business Analysis Professional TM (CBAPTM) Application Form
2. CBAP TM Application Reference Form
3. IIBA TM Certified Business Analysis Professional TM Code of Conduct Agreement
4. Certification Exam Schedule

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