If you do not see answers to your questions below, please review the Candidate Certification Handbook and the pages on the Certification section of the WAA web site. If you are unable to find an answer to your question after reviewing this material, please email the .
What are the eligibility requirements for the certification?
In order to become a Certified Web Analyst™, web analysts must meet WAA’s examination, education and experience requirements. Individuals can meet the eligibility requirements by fulfilling either of the following two options:
- High-school diploma (or global equivalent) and five years of online business experience, with at least three of those years focused on web analytics experience within the range of topics described in the Knowledge Required for Certification document.
- Four year degree (bachelor’s or global equivalent) and three years of web analytics experience within the range of topics described in the Knowledge Required for Certification document.
Please refer to the Candidate Certification Handbook for substitutions that are allowed for individuals that do not meet the above requirements.
Where can I take the exam?
WAA certification exams are administered during an eMetrics Marketing Optimization Summit, the Official Summit of the WAA and at other special exam sessions arranged by WAA. Computerized testing locations are available around the globe. Listings of scheduled exam sessions and computerized testing locations are posted on the Apply for Certification page. Individuals do not have to register for eMetrics in order to take the WAA Certification Exam.
Can I take the exam as a walk-in?
No. Your application must be approved prior to taking the exam. You will receive an exam registration notice from WAA when your application has been approved. You will not be able to take the exam without this notice.
Do I need to take any courses in order to take the exam?
No. The certification examination is administered independently of any training. Taking a course is optional.
How should I prepare for the exam?
Details about the content and format of the exam can be found in the Candidate Certification Handbook and the Knowledge Required for Certification.
Are practice questions available?
Yes. You can also review sample questions that are similar to the type of questions covered on the exam. While these questions aren’t duplicated on any exam, sample questions allow you to familiarize yourself with the exam format.
When will I find out if I passed? Can I find out over the phone?
Candidates will be notified by email within three weeks after the exam. Examination results will not be discussed over phone.
After I pass the certification exam, when will I become certified?
Your WAA Web Analyst Certification is effective on the date you pass the examination. You will receive your certificate within 30 days of taking the exam.
What do I do if my name or address has changed?
Please email the to report any changes. It is critical that WAA has your current contact information in order to ensure you receive certification notices.
Where did the idea for Certification come from?
The WAA is a member-driven organization; we listen to the membership and try to accomplish what they would like us to accomplish. We heard from hiring folks and managers that “web analysts today know a lot of the buzz words and can follow instructions as far as reporting goes, but what we’d be willing to pay a premium for is web analysts who discover things on their own, who add value in areas we don’t already know about.”
So that’s where WAA Certification came from. It addresses a specific need identified by members, what came to be known internally as the “Book Smart versus Sherlock Holmes” problem. Sure, you can read a ton of books or blogs and be a good web analyst by following best practices. But so can a lot of other people. What you need to pass the Certification Test is different; you have to be able to turn data into insight and recommend a best action given the scenario presented.
Because the tool vendors own that focus, and by definition they have the resources to be much better at tool education / certification than the WAA, so why would be want to compete with the tool vendors?
Better to add value on the business side, where there is demand we can fill and a lack of trusted resources. And if you think about it, this approach simply expands the overall WA opportunity. People who want to become experts on the tool side have a path through the vendors and people who want to become experts on the analysis / business side also have a path through the WAA.
No; you need to be able to communicate effectively with tool experts to pass the test. That means you will need to know the basics of how the web works, how the tools accomplish their mission, and what all the web analytics terms mean. Example: To pass the certification exam, you don’t need to know how to write a tag, but you do need to know when a custom tag is required and how to communicate your need effectively.
Should marketing people apply for the certification? eCommerce managers? Usability people? Media buyers? Et cetera?
Absolutely, if they are good at transforming the data generated by web analytics tools into business insight AND have broad knowledge across the entire scope of web analytics.
Group discounts are available. For more information contact .
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