Certified Professional Data Analyst CPDA

The professional standard for data analysts. CPDA certifies competence in data analysis, statistics, visualisation and data reduction. It is built on a published specification and issued by the Data Science Institute on independent examination.

Level: Professional
Assessment: Two examinations
Scheduling: On demand
Certification fee: €850
Membership: First year included
Pathway: CPDS, Postgraduate Diploma, Master's

Who it's for Competencies Assessment How to prepare After certification FAQs Register

Who it's for

Built for working professionals

CPDA suits professionals at different points in their careers. It is for anyone whose work depends on sound analysis of data.

Data analysts

Professionals in data management and analysis: statistical inference, distributions and predictive modelling.

Business professionals

Managers, consultants and decision-makers who want data-driven insight to improve operations and support growth.

Technical professionals

Technical professionals who use analytical methods such as statistical tests and visualisation.

Domain specialists

Professionals in healthcare, finance, marketing and beyond who pair domain expertise with analytics.

Entrepreneurs and leaders

Leaders who want data-driven strategies for performance and planning.

Students and early-career

Students and early-career professionals who add demonstrated skills in statistics and modelling to their formal study.

What CPDA certifies

The CPDA Syllabus

Set out in the published CPDA Certification Specification and approved by the Certifications Board.

Data Analytics Foundation

Core Python-based data management and statistics: importing, cleaning, merging and analysing datasets, with descriptive and inferential statistics.

Data Visualisation

Convert complex datasets into clear visuals with Python-based tools. Charts show trends and support decisions.

Data Reduction

Reduce large or complex datasets to their essential structure through aggregation, summarisation and dimensionality reduction.

Predictive Analytics

Regression and classification methods, with proper model validation.

Assessment structure

Candidates take a test of knowledge and a practical assessment. Exam A must be passed before Exam B.

EXAM A

Exam A: Test of Knowledge

Assesses your grasp of essential data analytics concepts through multiple-choice, multi-select and true/false questions covering theory and real-world application.

120 minutesPass: 50%On demand

EXAM B

Exam B: Practical Assessment

A practical exam using business scenarios and datasets, covering the full analytical workflow from data preparation to insight and reporting.

180 minutesPass: 50%On demand

How to prepare

Preparing for CPDA

You can prepare for CPDA through a DSI partner institution, or directly with the Data Science Institute.

ROUTE 1

Through a partner institution

Study with a DSI partner institution delivering the CPDA learning programme. Partners are active delivery partners for CPDA.

Enquire about a partner in your area

ROUTE 2

Directly with DSI

Take the CPDA learning programme on the DSI Certifications Platform.

Find out more

In both routes, learning runs through the Certifications Platform: structured materials, applied practice, knowledge checks, unit practices, practice examinations and masterclass or tutor support. The award is made on passing both examinations.

Certification benefits

Membership, verification and progression

Membership included

Your first year of DSI membership is included when you register. The CPD scheme helps keep your skills, and your certification, up to date.

Membership & CPD

Progression to CPDS

CPDA leads onward to CPDS. Under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) arrangement, CPDA holders are eligible for admission and credit exemptions toward DSI's Woolf-accredited MSc and Postgraduate Diploma programmes.

Compare the certifications

A verifiable credential

CPDA comes with a digital badge that any employer can verify: the certification, the holder, the issue date and its current status.

Verify a credential

Earning credit as you certify

Your study on the DSI platform is tracked and recorded as you work through it, and that record evidences the study behind your certification. Under the Recognition of Prior Learning arrangement, CPDA holders are eligible for admission and credit exemptions toward DSI's Woolf-accredited postgraduate programmes.

How accreditation works

Questions

FAQs

What is the CPDA certification?

CPDA (Certified Professional Data Analyst) is a professional certification issued by the Data Science Institute. It certifies competence in data analysis, statistics, visualisation and data reduction, against a published specification and by independent examination.

Who should consider CPDA?

Working professionals whose roles depend on analysing data: data analysts, business professionals, engineers, domain specialists, and students or early-career analysts.

Are there prerequisites?

There are no formal prerequisites. The certification suits people with some working familiarity with data; the specification sets out what is assessed.

How is the assessment structured?

Two examinations. Exam A is a 120-minute objective test of knowledge; Exam B is a 180-minute practical assessment using datasets and scenarios. Both are on demand, with a 50% pass mark, and Exam A must be passed before Exam B.

How do I prepare?

Three routes: a partner-institution course, the DSI CPDA course, or self-study from the specification and the Online Learning Hub (included with registration).

What if I want to advance beyond CPDA?

CPDA leads to CPDS, and makes holders eligible for admission and credit exemptions toward the Woolf-accredited MSc and Postgraduate Diploma programmes under the RPL arrangement.

How do I register, and when are exams offered?

Register for CPDA

Registration includes the Online Learning Hub and your first year of DSI membership. Exams are taken on demand.

Certified Professional Data Analyst CPDA®