PMI-PBAPMI Professional in Business Analysis
PMI's credential for business analysts working with project teams
Details last reviewed January 2026. Fees and exam formats change — always confirm on the official page.
About this certification
The PMI-PBA validates expertise in business analysis within project and program environments — requirements elicitation, stakeholder analysis, solution evaluation, and needs assessment. Designed for business analysts who work closely with project managers, product owners, and stakeholders to define and shape project scope.
What you'll validate
- ✓Requirements elicitation and analysis
- ✓Stakeholder identification and engagement
- ✓Needs assessment and business case development
- ✓Solution evaluation and validation
- ✓Traceability and monitoring
- ✓Agile and waterfall BA approaches
- ✓Business process modeling
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +PMI brand recognition
- +Covers both agile and predictive BA approaches
- +Good complement to PMP for project-focused BAs
Disadvantages
- −Less recognized than CBAP (IIBA's primary BA credential)
- −High experience requirements
- −Expensive exam and ongoing PDU maintenance
Who it's for
Best for
- →Business analysts who work in project or program environments
- →PMP holders wanting to add BA specialization
- →IT BAs bridging requirements and project delivery
Not ideal for
- ×Entry-level analysts without the experience requirements
- ×Product managers seeking a product-focused credential
Career paths this unlocks
PMI-PBA: quick answers
- How much does the PMI-PBA exam cost?
- The listed exam fee is $555 (USD). PMI member price $405; non-member $555 Fees vary by region and change over time — confirm on the official page before you buy.
- How long does it take to prepare for PMI-PBA?
- We estimate roughly 130 hours of study for most candidates; your time depends on prior experience.
- How long is the PMI-PBA exam?
- The exam is 230 minutes with about 200 questions.
- How long is the PMI-PBA credential valid?
- 3 years. 60 PDUs required every 3 years
Study Resources
Contains affiliate linksTop picks for PMI-PBA
Register for the exam
Apply and pay at PMI.org — PMI member pricing saves $150 on PMP exam fee
More places to study
Self-paced video courses from independent instructors
Courses and certificates from universities and companies
Practice tests and hands-on labs for IT certifications
Printed and Kindle exam guides
Subscription video courses
Links marked “Affiliate” may earn MyCertPath a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Other links are unpaid. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and ratings change often, so we don't list them — check the provider's page. Disclosure
Jobs for PMI-PBA holders
Pay depends on role, location, and experience more than on any single credential. Check current postings below for real ranges in your market.
Job links open external sites. Search results are live and not curated by MyCertPath.
Quick Facts
- Exam Cost
- $555 (PMI member price $405; non-member $555)
- Exam Duration
- 230 minutes
- Questions
- ~200
- Passing Score
- Proficient across all task domains (no published cutoff)
- Exam Format
- Multiple Choice
- Study Time
- ~130 hours
- Validity
- 3 years
- Salary Impact
- Moderate (editorial rating)
- Last Reviewed
- January 2026
Prerequisites
- !Secondary degree + 7,500 hours business analysis experience
- !OR bachelor's degree + 4,500 hours business analysis experience
- !35 hours of BA education
Provider
Project Management Institute
The world leader in project management certification
Actyra Training
Custom eLearning built on the science of how people actually learn
Actyra designs and builds cert-prep training programs for enterprise teams — custom courseware grounded in cognitive science.
Talk to a training expert →