Analytics professionals excel at solving complex problems, but technical skills alone aren't enough to advance. Success requires proving you can align analytics with business strategy and lead high-impact initiatives.
Our new certification framework, anchored by the CAP-Expert (CAP-X) designation, validates your ability to see beyond the technical – showing employers you can connect analytics to organizational success at every step in your career.
Three Levels of Professional Recognition
The analytics profession requires different skills and responsibilities at every career stage. Each certification level recognizes excellence in specific capabilities:
Each certification marks a clear milestone in your analytics journey, with CAP-Expert representing the highest level of professional achievement.
The pinnacle certification for senior professionals who lead teams, shape strategy, and drive organizational success through analytics.Analytics leaders need both deep technical expertise and broad business acumen to drive organizational success. The new CAP-Expert (CAP-X) certification validates your ability to strategically apply analytics across the entire problem-solving lifecycle while making high-stakes decisions about methodologies, resource allocation, and solution implementation.
The Certified Analytics Professional (CAP®) program is expanding to create a comprehensive certification framework that supports analytics professionals throughout their careers. The new CAP-X certification builds on the rigorous standards of the established CAP program while providing even more guidance on the knowledge and skills required to lead advanced analytics initiatives.
The updated certification maintains our trusted framework and provides significant enhancements:
Detailed Blueprint
Enhanced Focus
Refreshed Content
Qualified analytics professionals can now participate in beta testing for the CAP-X certification at a special reduced rate. Beta testing offers:
Expert Beta testing runs January 27–March 2, 2025, with results released the week of March 17. Testing center options will be available after the beta period concludes.
The CAP-X certification is designed for experienced analytics professionals who:
If you currently hold a CAP certification:
Take the first step toward becoming a recognized leader in analytics.
Analytics professionals grow through distinct career stages, each requiring different skills and knowledge. CAP-Expert recognizes senior leadership capabilities, and two new certification levels will help you demonstrate your expertise earlier in your career journey:
NEW! CAP-Essentials (CAP-E) - Coming 2025
For early-career professionals who want to show they understand more than just technical tools. Validates your grasp of the complete analytics process and your ability to meaningfully contribute to business solutions.
NEW! CAP-Professional (CAP-P) - Coming 2025
For mid-career practitioners ready to prove they can manage projects and guide analytics initiatives. Demonstrates your ability to execute complex work and drive business value.
You can enter at any level that matches your current experience and expertise. Each certification helps employers recognize your specific capabilities while providing clear pathways for continued growth.
Be the first to know about CAP-Essentials and CAP-Professional as they launch.
How is the new CAP-X different from the current CAP?
The core knowledge domains remain the same, but the blueprint now provides much more detailed guidance on specific skills and competencies. The exam emphasizes strategic decision-making and leadership capabilities.
What makes the beta different from the regular CAP-Expert exam?
The beta is an essential part of validating the CAP-Expert exam. As a beta participant, your responses help INFORMS collect data and assess the statistical performance of exam items to ensure fairness and accuracy.
Although the beta tests the same knowledge and judgment areas as the final version, it also includes additional questions for data-gathering purposes. These extra items are for statistical validation only and will not count toward your score.
Results will be released only after detailed statistical analysis is complete. Beta testers will receive their results during the week of March 17, 2025.
Take advantage of exclusive beta pricing:
This limited-time beta pricing makes now the perfect time to participate.
If I already hold a CAP certification, what happens to it?
Your current CAP, earned and maintained prior to January 27, 2025, will automatically transition to CAP-Expert in March 2025. You won’t need to retest, and your recertification cycle (30 PDUs every three years) will remain the same.
What kind of support is available for preparing for the beta?
Candidates can prepare through:
CAP-Expert Beta Exam Resources
Self practice with strategic decision-making scenarios
Why do beta participants have to wait for their results?
Beta results require statistical analysis to ensure the exam is valid and reliable. All participants will receive results the week of March 17.
What are the benefits of the three-tier certification system?
The new system offers clear career milestones, helping professionals grow from foundational skills (CAP-Essentials) to mid-level expertise (CAP-Pro) and advanced analytics leadership (CAP-Expert). It also helps employers better identify and hire analytics talent at the right skill levels.
When will CAP-Essentials and CAP-Pro certifications launch?
CAP-Essentials launches in Spring 2025. CAP-Pro launches late 2025. You can join the mailing list to stay updated.
Do I need to take CAP-Essentials and CAP-Pro to qualify for CAP-Expert?
No. The system is flexible – you can directly apply for the certification that matches your experience and career stage.
What types of professionals would benefit from CAP-Essentials or CAP-Pro?
Will study resources be available for CAP-Essentials and CAP-Pro?
Yes, study guides and other resources will be available closer to their respective launch dates.
How will employers benefit from the three-tier system?
The tiered structure helps employers identify the right certification level for their needs, whether hiring entry-level practitioners, mid-level project managers, or senior strategic leaders.
Each certification validates that professionals have the analytics skills and business understanding needed to meaningfully contribute to organizational success from day one.