Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about CAP certification levels, eligibility, exams, fees, and maintaining your credential. For questions not answered here, contact the INFORMS certification team at [email protected].

About CAP Certification

What is CAP certification?

CAP (Certified Analytics Professional) is the only certification that validates end‑to‑end applied analytics capability—spanning business problem framing, analytics problem framing, data, methodology, model building, deployment, and lifecycle management. CAP focuses not on tools or code, but on how analytics is used to drive better decisions and measurable business outcomes. CAP certification comes in three levels (CAP-Essentials, CAP-Pro, and CAP-Expert), each designed for a different stage of an analytics career. All three are based on the INFORMS Analytics Framework and assessed through a rigorous exam.

What are the three levels of CAP certification?

CAP-Expert is for senior analytics leaders who set strategy and drive outcomes across an organization. CAP-Pro is for mid-career practitioners who lead or own analytics projects from problem framing to deployment. CAP-Essentials is for early-career professionals and those building or formalizing their foundational analytics knowledge.

See the full comparison of all three levels, including pricing and requirements, at certifiedanalytics.org/compare.

Which CAP level is right for me?

It depends on your experience and what you want your certification to communicate. CAP-Essentials signals that you can do the work. CAP-Pro signals that you can own the work. CAP-Expert signals that you can lead the work.

CAP-Essentials and CAP-Pro have no eligibility requirements. Anyone can sit for either exam. CAP-Expert requires meeting education and experience criteria and completing an application. Use the 'Find My Level' quiz at certifiedanalytics.org/compare if you want a guided recommendation.

Why should I get CAP certified?

CAP certification validates applied analytics expertise—ensuring professionals can translate data into decisions that drive business results.

For individuals, it signals readiness to solve real‑world problems using analytics.

For employers, it provides confidence that certified hires understand business needs and can contribute meaningfully to analytics success. Their skills often match job requirements and have been independently validated by passing a rigorous exam.

Is CAP certification recognized internationally?

Yes. CAP exams are available at Meazure Learning testing centers worldwide and via remote proctoring, and the certifications are recognized globally. CAP-Expert is accredited by ANAB (ANSI National Accreditation Board) under ISO/IEC 17024.

What happened to the aCAP certification?

The aCAP certification was offered through June 2025 as an alternative pathway for professionals who did not yet meet the requirements for CAP.

It has since been replaced by two new certification levels—CAP‑Essentials and CAP‑Pro—designed to better align with where professionals are in their analytics careers.

This updated structure provides clearer options:

• CAP‑Pro for experienced professionals applying analytics to drive business outcomes
• CAP‑Essentials for those building foundational applied analytics knowledge

Together, these certifications offer more flexibility and a clearer progression than aCAP, allowing individuals to choose the credential that best fits their experience and career goals.

If you hold an active aCAP certification, your credential remains valid through your current certification period. aCAP holders who passed the exam are eligible to transition to CAP-Expert before their certification expires. See certifiedanalytics.org/acap for full details on the transition path.

Eligibility and Requirements

Do I need to meet any requirements to take the CAP-Pro or CAP-Essentials exam?

No. CAP-Pro and CAP-Essentials have no eligibility requirements. You agree to the INFORMS Code of Ethics and pass the exam. No application, no prerequisites, no minimum experience.

What are the requirements for CAP-Expert?

CAP-Expert applicants must meet one of the following education and experience criteria:

• Advanced degree (master's or doctoral) with 2 years of analytics work experience; OR

• Bachelor's degree with 4 years of analytics work experience; OR

• No degree with 8 years of analytics work experience

Applicants must also have soft skills confirmed by a current or former employer or colleague, and pay a $55 nonrefundable application fee. See the CAP-Expert Candidate Handbook for details.

What soft skills does CAP-Expert require?

CAP-Expert applicants need a current or former employer or colleague to confirm competency in the following areas:

• Partnering with business clients

• Framing problems with stakeholders

• Working in project teams

• Interviewing subject matter experts

• Eliciting information from groups

• Communicating results to decision makers

• Delivering value

As part of the application, you identify a verifier and an email is sent to them with a link to the soft skills confirmation site. Self-employed consultants may request confirmation from a recent client.

How long does CAP-Expert application approval take?

Your application will be reviewed within seven business days after we receive confirmation of your soft skills. You will be notified of your application status via email.

The Exam

What is the exam based on?

All three CAP certification exams are based on the INFORMS Analytics Framework, which covers seven domains: business problem framing, analytics problem framing, data, methodology framing, analytics and model development, deployment, and analytics solution lifecycle management. Each exam level covers the tasks a professional at that level is expected to perform on the job. Download the blueprint that provides detailed tasks and subtasks that are tested for your level at certifiedanalytics.org/exam-resources.

How many questions are on the exam?

Each exam consists of 100 scored four-option multiple-choice questions, plus additional unscored pilot questions that INFORMS is testing for use on future exam forms.

How long is the exam?

All three exam levels are allotted three hours of exam time. This does not include time to connect and launch the exam. Plan for four hours at a testing center or four to five hours for a remote exam to allow for check-in, security checks, and any technical setup.

Where can I take the exam?

CAP certification exams are available on a continual basis at Meazure Learning computer-based testing centers worldwide and via remote proctoring. After exam payment, testing appointments must be scheduled via the Prolydian platform at least 24 hours in advance on a first-come, first-served basis. Do not wait until the end of your 12-month testing window to schedule, as appointments may not be available.

Is the exam open book?

No. No books, notes, or references of any kind are permitted for any level of CAP exam. The exam system includes an embedded calculator, notepad, and whiteboard for use during the exam.

Do I need to know a programming language?

No. The exams do not require writing code. All three exam levels are software and vendor neutral. The exams assess the analytics process as defined in the exam blueprints, not proficiency in any specific tool or language.

What languages are the exams offered in?

All three exam levels are offered in English only.

Are there sample questions?

Yes. The CAP study guide for each level will include some sample questions with rationale for both correct and incorrect answers. Download the study guide at certifiedanalytics.org/exam-resources.

Practice Exams are in development and are expected to be available in Q4 2026. Practice questions will not appear on any actual exam and performance on sample questions does not predict exam performance.

How can I arrange special accommodations?

INFORMS complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and will arrange special accommodations for those who require them. Complete the special accommodations form to make arrangements before scheduling your exam.

Registration and Fees

How do I register for CAP-Pro or CAP-Essentials?

CAP-Pro and CAP-Essentials candidates their exam at https://certifiedanalytics.org/purchase-exam to register and pay. Exam registration requires an INFORMS account that includes your full mailing address and phone number. No application is required. Once payment is confirmed, you will receive instructions for scheduling your exam. You have 12 months to take your test from the time you paid for the exam.

How do I apply for CAP-Expert?

To begin the CAP-Expert process:

1. Create your CAP account at app.prolydian.com/organizations/INFORMS.

2. Complete and submit the CAP-Expert Exam Application along with the $55 nonrefundable application fee.

3. Wait for notification of approval, typically within seven business days.

4. Once approved, pay the exam fee within your Prolydian profile under My Applications. You have 12 months to take your test from the date your application is approved.

5. You will receive an Authorization to Test email with instructions for scheduling your exam.

What are the exam fees?

INFORMS offers reduced fees for candidates residing in qualifying developing countries. See certifiedanalytics.org/compare for developing country pricing tiers or visit the INFORMS website for the full list of qualifying countries.

Can I get a refund?

Refunds, less a $100 processing fee, are available prior to your 12-month testing window expiration and within 90 days of exam payment. Candidates who cancel less than 48 hours before their scheduled exam will not receive a refund.

What is the rescheduling policy?

Candidates may reschedule through the exam vendor's site at least 48 hours before their scheduled exam date and time at no additional cost. Candidates who fail to reschedule or cancel within 48 hours, or who miss their exam, forfeit their exam attempt and fees.

Results and Retakes

How will I receive my exam results?

Each test taker receives an official digital score report within 48 hours of completing the exam. This is the only official score report provided and includes a performance indicator for each Domain within the exam. Scores are confidential. INFORMS will not disclose scores to anyone unless required by court order or subpoena.

If you pass the exam, you are awarded the certification. You are also issued a verifiable digital badge through BadgeCert that you can share on social media and add to your email signature. You may download your official certificate from BadgeCert.

What is the passing score?

INFORMS uses a criterion-referenced methodology to set passing scores. There is no grading on a curve and candidates are not competing with each other. The passing score is determined by subject matter experts using a modified Bookmark procedure supported by a modified Hofstee procedure.

How many times can I retake the exam?

Candidates may retake the exam up to two times within their 12-month testing window, with a minimum 30-day wait between attempts. Retake fees apply. See the fee table above.

What happens if I fail the exam?

You will receive your score report within 48 hours. If your score is below the passing threshold, you may retake the exam after a 30-day waiting period. You are allowed up to two retakes within your 12-month testing window. Retake fees apply. If you do not pass within your testing window, you will need to register and pay again to begin a new testing window.

Maintaining Certification

How long is CAP certification valid?

CAP-Expert certification is valid for three years. CAP-Pro and CAP-Essentials certifications are valid for five years.

How do I recertify my CAP-Expert certification?

CAP-Expert certificants must submit a minimum of 30 Professional Development Units (PDUs) over their three-year certification period. PDUs must be earned across at least three of the following five categories:

• Formal professional education courses

• Self-directed learning

• Creating new analytics knowledge or content

• Volunteer service

• Analytics professional work experience

In general, one hour of qualifying activity equals one PDU. Various thresholds and limits apply by category. See the CAP-Expert Candidate Handbook or certifiedanalytics.org/maintaining-your-certification for full details.

How do I recertify my CAP-Pro or CAP-Essentials certification?

CAP-Pro and CAP-Essentials certificants recertify every five years by retesting. Alternatively, you may upgrade to the next level of CAP certification: CAP-Pro holders can pursue CAP-Expert, and CAP-Essentials holders can pursue CAP-Pro or CAP-Expert.

Can I upgrade from one CAP level to a higher one?

Yes. There are no restrictions on pursuing a higher CAP level at any time. CAP-Essentials and CAP-Pro holders can apply for or register for a higher level whenever they are ready. Passing a higher-level exam does not automatically retire your current certification. Each credential stands independently until its expiration.

Appeals and Disciplinary Policies

What is the appeals process?

Applicants, candidates, or certificate holders wishing to appeal a decision must submit written documentation within 30 days of receiving the written decision from INFORMS. The documentation must specify the grounds for the appeal. A nonrefundable fee of $125 must be submitted with the appeal letter.

An Appeals Panel of one current INFORMS Board member and one current or former INFORMS Analytics Certification Board (ACB) member, neither of whom has any affiliation with the appellant, will render a written recommendation to the ACB within 60 business days. The ACB will finalize a resolution by vote. Appeals regarding compliance with published testing standards or program requirements are not accepted.

Send written appeals to: INFORMS, Attn: Certification Manager, 5521 Research Park Drive, Suite 200, Catonsville, MD 21228, or email [email protected].

What is the disciplinary process?

Certificants are required to comply with all existing and future rules, regulations, and administrative ethical standards for certification established by INFORMS. Certificants are responsible for demonstrating compliance, and failure to do so may lead to disciplinary actions, including but not limited to the denial of eligibility, non-renewal of a certification, revocation of certification, probation or suspension, issuance of a letter of censure, or issuance of a written reprimand. Individuals may report alleged violations of the INFORMS Code of Ethics and other grounds for potential disciplinary actions noted below in writing to INFORMS. Written documentation should include the identity of the individual involved in the alleged misconduct and the nature of the misconduct described in as much detail as possible, and the signature of the individual filing the complaint.

INFORMS has the authority to initiate disciplinary action without receiving a complaint or notification of inappropriate conduct. INFORMS also reserves the right to pursue any and all civil and legal remedies available under the law.

Grounds for disciplinary action include, but are not limited to, the following list:

• Unauthorized possession or distribution of INFORMS examination or testing materials.

• Obtaining or attempting to obtain certification or renewal by any fraudulent means.

• Engaging in, authorizing, or aiding or abetting fraud, deceit, misrepresentation of materials facts, provision of false or forged evidence, or bribery in connection with any application for a certificate or registration.

• Conviction of any felony involving moral turpitude.

• Violation of the CAP Code of Ethics.

• Conviction of any other criminal offense which reasonably calls into question the certificants ability to provide professional analytics services.

• False statements made in any initial or renewal application materials.

• Use of expired credentials or false or unauthorized use of any INFORMS credentials.

• Unauthorized use of any registered trademark of INFORMS.

To report a possible certification violation, contact: INFORMS, Attn: Certification Manager, 5521 Research Park Drive, Suite 200, Catonsville, MD 21228, or email [email protected].