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Certifcation Introduction
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INTRODUCTION

Greetings and welcome to the BEX® Certification Handbook. This comprehensive guide outlines the step-by-step process for achieving your core Business Excellence certification levels. In instances where the required information is available on our website, we will provide you with key links that direct you to the relevant pages. It is important that you review all provided links in order to fully understand the process.

 

The BEX® multi-level competency-based Business Excellence certification program is designed to recognize your knowledge and skills in the field of business excellence, while also supporting your professional growth and development throughout your career. Each certification level has its own specific eligibility requirements and is assessed through a competency-based exam that is aligned with the BEX® Guide. This ensures that our certifications remain relevant and up to date with industry standards and practices.

Certifcation Table

Certification Table

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Fair and Equitable Policy  

BEX® certification programs adhere to the standards set by the International Standards Organization (ISO), specifically the ISO/IEC 17024 conformity assessment, which outlines the standards for certifying the competence of personnel. This means that BEX® certification holders can be assured that they have met rigorous standards in their knowledge and skills in the field of business excellence.

Individuals who hold the CEBE™, CEQA™, and CBPA™ designations are required to demonstrate an ongoing commitment to the profession and meet recertification requirements every three years. This ensures that certification holders stay up to date with changes in the field and continue to possess the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their job effectively. The recertification process is outlined in the Recertification Handbook, which provides detailed information on the requirements and process for renewing the certification.

It is important to note that the CBEA™, which is an entry-level certification, does not require recertification. However, as individuals progress through the certification levels, it becomes increasingly important to maintain their certification through ongoing professional development and recertification.
 

BEX® values fairness and equity in all aspects of its certification and assessment processes. Its policies and procedures are designed to promote these values by ensuring that all candidates are evaluated based on their knowledge and skills, regardless of their background or circumstances. BEX® adheres to all applicable laws and regulations, including those that govern access for people with disabilities.

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Certifcation Fair & Equitabl
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Certifcation Process
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Certification Process 

The certification process is clearly outlined in the CBEA™ Application Process and CEBE™, CEQA™, and CBPA™ Application Process documents. These documents provide step-by-step instructions on how to apply for each certification level, including eligibility requirements, competency-based assessments (i.e., exams), and professional development requirements. Candidates are advised to review these documents carefully and follow the instructions closely to ensure a smooth and successful application process.


Step 1 - Log into your BEX® Account

Login with your BEX® credentials or create an account.


Step 2 – Pay Application Fee

From the Certification Summary Page, select your certification and pay the application fee. 


It is important to note that the application fee for the BEX® certification program is non-refundable and non-transferable. Therefore, it is important to carefully review all eligibility requirements and ensure that you have met them before submitting your application and paying the fee. Once the fee is paid, you will have access to the certification requirements and be able to track your progress towards achieving them.

Additionally, it is possible to log your professional development hours in the BEX® Development Log before or after paying the application fee. However, if you choose to do so before paying the fee, you will not be able to see your progress on the Certification Summary page until the fee is paid. It is recommended to pay the application fee first to have access to all the necessary information and track your progress effectively.
 

Certifcation Account Sign In
Certifcation Step 2
Certifcation Development Log
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Step 3 - Log Your Hours in the BEX® Development Log


To be considered for BEX® certification, all applicants must enter their professional development and work history hours into the BEX® Development Log. This log is a tool for applicants to keep track of their progress and ensure they meet the minimum requirements for their desired certification level.

The certification requirements for each level differ, with CBEA™ being an entry-level certificate and CEBE™, CEQA™, and CBPA™ being more advanced. CBEA™ only requires professional development hours, whereas CEBE™, CEQA™, and CBPA™ require a combination of professional development and work history hours.

For CBEA™ certification, applicants must complete a minimum of 25 hours of professional development within the last two years in any of the following categories: 

  • classroom courses (including those provided by BEX® Learning Network Endorsed Providers), 

  • chapter events, chapter study groups, 

  • conferences, 

  • self-directed learning, and online courses.

 

The professional development activities must align with the BEX® Guide v1.0.

 

For CEBE™ and CEQA™ certification, applicants must have a minimum of 60 hours of professional development within the last two years. For CBPA™ certification, applicants must have a minimum of 35 hours of professional development within the last year. All professional development activities must align with the BEX® Guide v1.0 and be in any of the categories listed above.

 

Additionally, CEBE™, CEQA™, and CBPA™ applicants must have work history hours that align with the BEX® Guide v1.0. CBEA™ does not require work history hours.

It is important to note that all professional development and work history hours must be entered into the BEX® Development Log to be considered for certification.

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To meet the professional development requirements, it is essential that the course content aligns directly with the BEX® Guide v1.0 and is structured formally. A presentation on a topic is not enough to qualify for professional development hours. The content must meet specific criteria to ensure that it is effective and useful for business analysts.

The course content should be moderated or facilitated, similar to a formal course. There must be a moderator for the session, or a facilitator/instructor who leads the group/individual through the material. Additionally, the content must have measurable learning objectives that are directly applicable to the role of the business analyst. 
Certifcation Course Content
The courses should also provide the opportunity for students to interact with the material. This means that they should be able to ask questions and make the learning meaningful. Furthermore, the courses must offer opportunities to practice the task or objective being presented and be assessed by the facilitator/moderator.Courses that are part of our BEX® Learning Network Endorsed Provider, “LNEP” (LNEP™) program automatically qualify towards the professional development requirements. This is because they have already been assessed and validated by BEX® to ensure that they meet the above criteria.
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Certifcation WorkHistory
Certifcation Complete & Submit

For CBPA®, CEQA®, and CEBE® certifications, work history is an essential requirement in addition to professional development hours. Applicants must have a minimum amount of business excellence work experience within a specific timeframe that aligns with the BEX® Guide.

For CBPA® Work History, a minimum of 4,000 hours or 3 years of work experience in business excellence within the last 4 years is required. This experience should align with the BEX® Guide and must include a minimum of 1,000 hours each in all four applicable Knowledge Areas, or a minimum of 400 hours each in any ten Competency Areas.

 

For CEQA® Work History, a minimum of 6,000 hours or 4.5 years of work experience in business excellence within the last 5 years is required. This experience should align with the BEX® Guide and must include a minimum of 2,500 hours each in all four Knowledge Areas, or a minimum of 300 hours each in each of 20 Competency Areas.

 

For CEBE® Work History, a minimum of 8,000 hours or 6 years of work experience in business excellence within the last 6 years is required. This experience should align with the BEX® Guide and must include a minimum of 1,000 hours each in each of 7 Knowledge Areas, totaling at least 7,000 of the required 8,000 total, with the remaining 1,000 hours in any of the competencies.

Applicants must also provide references for their work experience. References can be a BEX® Certification recipient, a career manager, or a client, either internal or external. Ideally, at least one of the two references should have known the applicant for at least 6 months.

It is important to note that meeting the work history requirement alone does not qualify an applicant for certification. They must also fulfill the professional development hours requirement and pass the competency-based assessment.

 

Step 4 – Complete and Submit Application

To become a certified business analyst, you need to complete all the necessary requirements or goals for your specific certification level. Once you have done so, you can submit your application online. The application process includes filling out a form with your personal information and uploading the required documents, such as proof of your education and work experience, as well as evidence of your professional development activities.

 

In addition to these requirements, you will also need to agree to the Terms and Conditions and Code of Conduct before submitting your application. The Terms and Conditions outline the policies and procedures of the certification program and your responsibilities as a certified business analyst. The Code of Conduct outlines ethical principles and standards of behavior that you must follow as a certified business analyst.

 

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email indicating whether your application has been approved or is pending audit. If your application is approved, you will receive a digital certificate and be added to the BEX® directory of certified professionals. If your application is pending audit, it means that your application is being evaluated further to ensure that you have met all the certification requirements. The audit process includes verifying your education and work experience, as well as your professional development activities.

 

It is important to carefully review the certification requirements and complete them before submitting your application. Additionally, you must agree to abide by the Terms and Conditions and Code of Conduct. Finally, be prepared for a potential audit of your application, as this is a routine part of the certification process.

Work History

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Certifcation Pay Exam Fee
Certifcation Schedule & Take Exam

After your application is approved, you will receive a confirmation email from BEX®. It is important to note that you have one year from the date of the approval email to take your certification exam. It is your responsibility to ensure that your application does not expire, as it may result in additional fees and verification of requirements.

If your application lapses, you will need to reapply, pay the application fee again, and verify that you still meet the eligibility requirements. Additionally, you will need to pay the exam fee again to take the certification exam.

However, if you encounter an extenuating circumstance that may prevent you from taking the exam within one year, you may request an application extension from BEX®. The request will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and you will need to provide supporting documentation.

Please note that obtaining an extension does not guarantee that your application will remain active beyond the original expiration date. It is still your responsibility to complete the certification process within the allotted timeframe.

 

Step 6 – Schedule and Take Exam 


It is highly recommended to schedule your exam as soon as possible to secure your preferred date and time. In addition, having extra time can allow you to retake the exam if you are unsuccessful on your first attempt.

For comprehensive information regarding the exam process, including scheduling and identification requirements, refer to the Exam Information page. Within the 1-year application period, you are allowed to take the exam up to three times. If you have taken the exam three times already and still did not pass, you must wait until your application expires before reapplying to take the exam again.

Keep in mind that once your application has been approved, you have one year from the approval date to take the exam. It is crucial to be aware of this deadline and to take the exam before the expiration date. If you fail to take the exam before the expiration date, you will need to pay the application fee again, reverify that you meet the requirements, and pay the exam fee again.

Related Information

The BEX® Guide to Online Proctored Exams

Certification Fees

Cancellation and Reschedule Policy  

Certification FAQs

Step 5 – Pay Exam Fee 

Certifcation Related Information
Certifcation Audit
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Certifcation Appeal Process

If your BEX® certification application is "approved pending audit", this means that your application has been randomly selected for an audit to ensure that the information provided in your application is accurate and complete. During the audit, you will need to obtain and provide verification of any information in the application, such as proof of education or work experience.

 

It is important to note that it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide all necessary documentation and information during the audit process. Failure to do so may result in the application not being approved, and all fees paid will be forfeited.

 

If your audit is successful, your application will be approved, and you will receive an email confirming your approval and instructing you to proceed to pay your exam fee. However, if your audit does not pass, BEX® will provide further details on the reason via email, and your application will not be approved.

 

In this case, you may reapply after you have remedied the reasons for the audit not passing. You may also appeal the decision by contacting BEX® at certification@bex.org. It is important to note that all appeal decisions are final.

 

Appeal Process

If an applicant's application audit fails, they have the option to appeal the decision by sending an email to certification@bex.org. Upon receiving the appeal, BEX® will conduct a thorough review of the case within 90 days and make a binding decision regarding the validity of the application. During the review process, the applicant may be contacted by BEX® for further information and clarification necessary to validate the information provided in their application. The final decision will be communicated to the applicant via email.

 

The appeals process is designed to ensure fairness and transparency in the certification process. If an applicant feels that their application audit was not conducted properly or that there was a mistake in the audit decision, they may request an appeal. BEX® will review the appeal and make a decision based on the evidence presented. It is important to note that the decision made by BEX® is final and binding, and there is no further appeals process available.

Suspending or Withdrawing Certification

BEX® has established policies and procedures to ensure the integrity of its certification programs. These policies are in place to protect the credibility of the BEX® brand, the certification holders, and the public. BEX® reserves the right to suspend or withdraw certification at any time, following a review of reported professional misconduct or for a misuse of the CEBE™, CEQA™, CBPA™, and CBEA™ logos or trademarks.

 

In addition, BEX® may conduct random post-certification audits to ensure that certification holders are meeting the recertification requirements and complying with the BEX® Code of Conduct. Any violations or discrepancies identified during the audit process may result in the suspension or revocation of certification.

 

If a certification is suspended or revoked, all fees paid will be forfeited, and the certification holder will not be allowed to reapply for the CEBE™, CEQA™, CBPA™, and CBEA™ for a period of time to be decided at the discretion of BEX®.

 

It is important for certification holders to understand that BEX® takes its policies and procedures seriously and will not tolerate any professional misconduct or misuse of its trademarks. By maintaining the integrity of the certification programs, BEX® ensures that its certification holders are highly skilled and qualified professionals in the field of business excellence.

Audits

Certifcation Suspension

MEMBERSHIP

How to Become a Member

Individual Memership

Membership Benefit

Corporate Program

Academic Program

Membership Pricing

Member Login

CERTIFICATION

Certified Executive In Business Excellence-CEBE™ Certified Excellence Quality Administrator - CEQA™ Certified Business Performance Advisor - CBPA™

Certified Business Excellence Analyst - CBEA™

INDUSTRY THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

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Research

BEX® Insight

Contact

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Tel: +1-302.319.4719

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