The Best Business Certifications to Boost Your Career in 2025

The best business certifications

Defining the best “business certification” can be difficult. To narrow the field, we reviewed general business and management credentials, customer resource management (CRM), supply chain, sales and purchasing certifications. 

Most of the certifications we selected as “best” are vendor-agnostic — not tied to a specific system or application — and we researched several credentials from SAP, SAS and similar companies that specialize in business applications.

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

The Project Management Institute (PMI) has been around since 1969, helping business workers develop careers in project management, mainly through professional development and certifications.

The CAPM is ideal for up-and-coming project managers. You need to show proof of a high school diploma, GED or global equivalent. The single exam has 150 questions, costs $225 for PMI members or $300 for nonmembers and is available through Pearson VUE. By the time you take the exam, you need to have attained 23 hours of project management education. The certification is valid for five years and you must retake the exam to maintain the credential.

PMI has other certifications aimed at the business community, such as the Project Management-related credentials: Professional, PMI Professional in Business Analysis, Portfolio Management Professional, Program Management Professional and PMI Scheduling Professional.

>> Get Started: Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

If you’re interested in analyzing business needs and coming up with solutions, take a look at the CBAP by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). The CBAP is an advanced certification aimed at managers and leaders with more than five years of business analysis experience. More precisely, you need at least 7,500 hours of business analysis experience over the last decade and 900 of those hours must directly relate to four of the six BABOK Guide knowledge areas. On top of that, you need at least 35 hours of professional development credits (earned over the last four years), plus two references.

The CBAP exam has 120 multiple-choice questions, based on scenarios and case studies and is available through PSI. The exam costs $350 for IIBA members or $505 for nonmembers and a $145 application fee is required. To maintain the CBAP, credential holders must earn at least 60 continuing development units within three years of achieving certification.

The IIBA offers related credentials, such as the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis, Certificate of Capability in Business Analysis, Agile Analysis Certification and Certification in Business Data Analytics.

>> Get Started: Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

The American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) is all about understanding the supply chain. As part of its goal to develop qualified operators, supervisors and leaders, it offers the Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) and a few other certifications. The CSCP covers supply chain concepts and technology, plus strategies for end-to-end operations, from supplier to company to consumer.

To earn the CSCP, you need a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, at least one other approved certification and at least three years of related business experience. You also need to pass an exam that costs $1,420 to $1,975, depending on your APICS membership status.

>> Get Started: Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)

Project Management Professional (PMP)

The PMP from PMI is among the most recognized and sought-after certifications for both business and information technology. The requirements are stiff. Option one requires a high school diploma, associate degree or global equivalent; 60 months experience leading projects; and 35 hours of project management education. Option two is a four-year degree, 36 months leading projects and 35 hours of project management education.

You must pass a 180-question exam to earn the PMP, which is available through Pearson VUE. The exam costs $425 for PMI members and $675 for nonmembers. You maintain the PMP certification by earning 60 professional development units every three years. 

>> Get Started: Project Management Professional (PMP)

SAP Certified Application Associate ─ CRM

Are you SAP savvy? SAP, a European multinational software program, stands for “systems, applications and products.” The software is used by companies around the world to manage business operations and customer relationships across several lines of business, including human resources, marketing, sales, manufacturing and supply chain.

The SAP Certified Application Associate – CRM recognizes a consultant’s skills in understanding and using SAP CRM software, including how it integrates with other SAP solutions like NetWeaver. SAP recommends that candidates have a combination of experience and training before sitting for the certification exam; training courses are available if needed. The exam has 80 questions and costs $560 in the United States. You can take the exam through the SAP Certification Hub.

>> Get Started: SAP Certified Application Associate – CRM

Salesforce Certified Administrator

If you’ve ever worked with or considered using a CRM platform, you’ve likely heard of Salesforce. From help desk and lead management to sales and customer service, Salesforce is an all-in-one CRM platform that scales with a business’ needs as it grows. The platform has become so popular since its launch in 1999 that it’s considered an industry leader and one of the best CRM solutions available. 

If you’re looking to leverage the platform at an administrative level, Salesforce offers a certification program to increase your knowledge of the platform. The program requires you to take several classes and workshops before completing a proctored credential exam. The exam typically costs $200.

Salesforce suggests that anyone seeking this certification should already have a decent handle on the platform since the certification seeks to build upon their understanding of existing features and functions. Once you complete this program, the company also offers the Advanced Administrator certification to further your knowledge of the platform.

>> Get Started: Salesforce Certified Administrator

HubSpot Inbound Marketing

HubSpot is a CRM platform that helps businesses handle their marketing, sales and help desk needs. While the platform covers various specialties, the HubSpot Inbound Marketing certification teaches how to use content creation, social media and other inbound marketing methods to your advantage.

This is a free certification course consisting of nine lessons, complete with 24 videos and seven quizzes, which takes almost five hours to complete.  

>> Get Started: HubSpot Inbound Marketing

Oracle Certified Professional (OCP)

Oracle is a leading cloud database software company that helps apply the nebulous digital concept to numerous business functions. More than 2.2 million people have earned their OCP credentials and our initial research found more than 1,000 job openings for the designation.

With numerous certification paths spanning the platform’s cloud-based and on-premises software and hardware solutions, Oracle offers free learning courses in a wide range of specialties. Once you’re ready for an exam, you must purchase a voucher at prices ranging from $95 to $245. These vouchers are good for six months, giving you enough time to hone your skills with the Oracle platform before committing to a test.

>> Get Started: Oracle Certified Professional (OCP)