Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)

Certification Overview

The Certified Analytics Professional (CAP®) is a vendor-neutral, globally respected credential awarded by the INFORMS (Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences). It certifies your end-to-end knowledge and application of the analytics process — from business problem framing to model deployment and lifecycle management.

Unlike tool-specific certifications (e.g., Power BI or AWS), CAP focuses on strategic analytics thinking, making it highly valued for senior analysts, data leaders, consultants, and decision scientists.

Who It’s For

• Mid- to senior-level data and analytics professionals

• Business analysts, data scientists, data engineers, and analytics managers

• Consultants working on data-driven solutions

• Professionals seeking roles in analytics leadership, strategy, or data governance

Domains Covered

1. Business Problem Framing

• Identify stakeholder needs

• Define business problems in analytical terms

• Scope and prioritize analytics projects

2. Analytics Problem Framing

• Translate business needs into analytics objectives

• Identify data sources and methods

• Formulate hypotheses and select performance metrics

3. Data

• Assess data needs and availability

• Collect, clean, and preprocess data

• Address data quality and ethical considerations

4. Methodology Selection

• Select appropriate statistical, machine learning, or optimization methods

• Understand assumptions and limitations of methods

5. Model Building

• Build models using appropriate tools

• Test and validate models

• Ensure transparency and reproducibility

6. Deployment

• Translate results into business insights

• Recommend actions based on analytics

• Communicate findings to non-technical stakeholders

7. Model Lifecycle Management

• Monitor model performance

• Retrain or retire models as needed

• Document and manage change

Exam Details

• Format: Computer-based

• Questions: 100 multiple-choice questions

• Duration: 3 hours

• Passing Score: Scaled score ≥ 700

• Cost:

  • $695 USD (non-members)

  • $495 USD (INFORMS members)

  • $300 USD (academic/retired rate)

Prerequisites

• Education + Experience requirements:

  • Master’s degree + 3 years experience in analytics OR

  • Bachelor’s degree + 5 years experience

  • Optional: Associate CAP for early-career professionals

• Adherence to the CAP Code of Ethics

• Completion of the application review process before exam eligibility

Validity & Renewal

• Valid for 3 years

• Requires 30 professional development units (PDUs) for renewal

• Renewal fee: ~$100 (as of 2025)

Benefits of the CAP Certification

• Respected across industries: Government, finance, healthcare, consulting, manufacturing

• Tool-independent credential focused on analytics methodology and impact

• Enhances your resume and credibility as a well-rounded analytics leader

• Demonstrates business acumen, ethical responsibility, and communication skills

• Adds weight to consulting proposals, executive presentations, and leadership roles

Complementary Certifications

• Microsoft PL-300 (for Power BI practitioners)

• AWS or Azure Data Analytics Specialty (for cloud tools)

• Data Science Council of America (DASCA) credentials (more technical)

• INFORMS Associate CAP (for beginners)

Resources for Preparation

• CAP Candidate Handbook (PDF)

• INFORMS CAP Exam Prep Guide

• CAP Prep Courses (offered by INFORMS and approved training providers)

• Practice exams and workshops (optional, paid)