How certification works

01

Read the discipline

Every certification examines a discipline in the CBA Standards: its assessment domains, the share of the paper each accounts for, and the learning objectives within each.

• The domains and their weightings state what the paper draws on and in what proportion; the objectives state what each domain requires.
• The pass mark for each discipline is set by a panel of subject-matter experts working from the questions themselves.
• The certification page states the level, and therefore what is required beyond the examination.

02

Choose how you prepare

However you prepare, you sit the same examination and are assessed identically.

• Self-paced: CBA’s study material, mapped domain by domain to the blueprint, with the examination.
• Exam only: the examination without the study material, for candidates who have prepared elsewhere.
• At Practitioner and Professional level the assessed workbooks are part of the assessment, so the examination alone does not lead to an award at either level.

03

Get your voucher

Enrolling for an examination issues you a voucher: a single code that entitles you to one attempt.

• Valid for twelve months from issue.
• One voucher, one attempt. A re-sit needs a new voucher.

04

Sit the exam

Redeem the voucher when you are ready. Each paper is assembled at random from the certification’s item bank, to the published weightings.

• No two candidates should see the same paper.
• Each certification page states how its examination is supervised.

05

Get your result, and your record

Results are issued on completion. At Certificate level the pass itself creates the register entry, immediately. At Practitioner and Professional level the examination is one of the things assessed, and the entry follows when the rest is complete.

• Certificate: the examination is the assessment, so the credential is issued the moment you pass.
• Practitioner: the assessed workbooks must also be passed. Whichever you finish last is what issues the credential.
• Professional: experience confirmed by a named referee is required as well, and that is settled with the referee rather than by you. Your pass is recorded and does not expire while it is outstanding.
• You receive a certificate carrying a unique credential ID, which resolves to a public verification page showing holder, certification, level, issue date, expiry and status.
• The register is the source of truth; the certificate document is a printout of it.

06

Keep it current

A credential is valid for three years and is renewed against sixty hours of evidenced continuing professional development.

• CBA writes to every holder before expiry.
• The CPD record is reviewed by CBA before the renewal fee shown on the certification page is charged.
• An expired credential remains in the register, marked Expired.