Certifications might help you get a job or a raise by demonstrating your expertise in Tableau software.

To manage their businesses, firms all across the world depend on clever data analysis, and no data analytics technology compares to Tableau. One of the most popular and frequently used data analytics and business intelligence applications is Tableau, which allows users to explore, analyze, and apply data to better decision-making. While even novices can learn Tableau, hiring managers and company executives want to ensure that potential candidates are qualified and capable of utilizing the software. Tableau certification comes into play here.

Overview of Tableau Certification

Tableau provides certifications for users with a variety of backgrounds and objectives. Each certificate verifies that the user possesses a range of data analysis abilities as well as a working knowledge of the program.

Tableau Desktop, Tableau’s primary tool for analyzing data and producing visualizations and dashboards, has three certification levels, while Tableau Server, the version that allows enterprises to host Tableau to deliver analytics capabilities to workers, has two certification levels. Users must pass a Tableau-administered test to get the certification. Tableau certification is an industry-recognized indicator of your proficiency with the software.

Levels of Tableau Certification

Tableau provides five different types of certifications. Business analytics professionals that use Tableau for data analysis and visualization will benefit from those for Tableau Desktop. Tableau Server certifications are for IT professionals who are responsible for system management and Tableau deployment in an enterprise context.

The entry-level Desktop Specialist, intermediate Desktop Certified Associate, and advanced Desktop Certified Professional certifications are available for Tableau Desktop. There are two levels of Tableau Server certification: Server Certified Associate and Server Certified Professional.

Prerequisites exist for the highest-level professional qualifications. To test for the Desktop Certified Professional certification, for example, you must be an active Desktop Certified Associate.

Tableau also provides two certifications for resellers and consultants that work with the company. These certificates are for people who need to demonstrate technical expertise beyond what is contained in conventional certifications, and they are not meant for the general public or the ordinary user. You don’t qualify unless you’re already a Tableau partner.

Desktop Specialist Certification

The Tableau Desktop Specialist certification is for people who have a basic grasp of Tableau Desktop and data analytics, as well as basic abilities with it. Tableau recommended that users have at least three months of Desktop experience before taking the exam, however, you can get that experience while studying for the exam. Connecting to data sources, preparing data, studying and analyzing data, sharing insights, and timeliness are all abilities that this certification verifies.

For the Desktop Specialist test, there are no prerequisites. The one-hour test comprises 30 multiple-choice, multiple-response, and hands-on questions and is offered in seven languages. You may take the exam from anywhere, and it will be scored immediately.

The Desktop Specialist Certification, unlike other Tableau certifications, has no expiration date.

Desktop Certified Association Certification

Tableau Desktop Certified Associate is the next level up, which is for individuals who have a thorough grasp of Tableau Desktop’s capability and at least five months of experience with the application. Users are tested on data connectivity, data organization, simplification, field, and chart kinds, calculations, mapping, analytics, including trends and forecasts, dashboard creation and usage, and timeliness.

Although the exam has a two-hour time restriction, you should allow additional time to prepare. The 36-question test, which includes multiple-choice, multiple-response, true/false, and hands-on questions, requires a passing score of 75%. It’s offered in seven languages, much as the Desktop Specialist test. You may take the exam from anywhere, and it will be graded instantly.

There are no prerequisites for this exam, however, the certification will expire in two years, at which point you will need to retake it.

Desktop Certified Professional Certification

The Tableau Desktop Certified Professional certification is for individuals who have extensive expertise in Tableau Desktop. To take this test, you must have a current Desktop Certified Associate credential.

This exam assesses users’ visual best practices, narrative, and advanced technical abilities such as complex computations, data restructuring, and linking numerous data sources. The test is lengthier, with a three-hour time restriction, due to the more difficult material. A committee of many graders grades it pass/fail. The test is only available in English.

Before taking the test, Tableau recommends that users have at least a year of familiarity with the product. The title has a three-year validity period.

Server Certified Associate Certification

The first of two Tableau Server credentials, Server Certified Associate, may be of interest to system administrators and consultants who work with Tableau. This certification is for IT professionals who have a thorough knowledge of Tableau Server in a single-machine environment. Before obtaining this degree, Tableau recommends that customers have four to six months of experience.

The exam covers minimum hardware and software requirements, licensing, server procedures, data source identification, network architecture, best practices for installation, server configurations, security, server management, and troubleshooting. The examination has a 90-minute time restriction and includes 80 multiple-choice, multiple-response, and true/false questions that are automatically scored, just like the Desktop certificate tests. The test is available in seven languages and can be completed remotely.

If you get at least a 75% on the exam, you’ll be given a two-year certificate.

Server Certified Professional Certification

The Server Certified Professional certification is for Tableau Server users who are more advanced. It’s aimed at system administrators, system architects, IT professionals, and consultants who are familiar with Servers in both single-machine and enterprise settings. Before taking this test, Tableau recommends that you have at least nine months of experience.

The Server Certified Professional exam verifies knowledge of data source identification, best practices for installation, security, system design, scalability, and hardware migrations, among other topics.

The Server Certified Professional exam is seven hours long, which is much longer than the other certifications exams. To take this test, you must be a current Server Certified Associate. The test comprises practical and short essay questions, and it is graded as pass/fail using a rubric and best practices by a committee. This exam, unlike the others, may only be taken in person at a testing center and is only offered in English. Tableau is not currently giving this test due to COVID-19 safety requirements.

What are the Benefits of a Tableau Certification?

According to Ryan Sleeper, founder and principal of visual-analytics consulting business Playfair Data and author of Practical Tableau, obtaining certification has several benefits. Passing the exam demonstrates your knowledge of business analytics best practices and acts as a resume differentiator, which might help you gain a job or a raise, according to Sleeper.

Because Tableau is significant in the domains of analytics and business intelligence, and because its basic capabilities and interface have not changed much over the years, certification can have long-term advantages.

The aim is to pass the exam, but studying also means you’ll be focused on practicing and learning, which is beneficial in and of itself. That approach is likely to introduce you to subjects and talents you were unfamiliar with previously.

Tableau Certification FAQs

How Much Does Tableau Certification Cost?

The cost of a Tableau certification test varies between $100 to $800. One try at the test is included in the pricing, which is exclusively available via Tableau. You’ll have to pay for another exam if you fail and wish to retake it. Here’s how much each exam will set you back:

• Desktop Specialist: $100
• Desktop Certified Associate: $250
• Desktop Certified Professional: $600
• Server Certified Associate: $250
• Server Certified Professional: $800

If you want to use a Tableau certification as a selling point on your CV, you’ll almost certainly have to pay for it yourself. Employers may cover or subsidize it for people currently working in the data and business analytics industries. Other things to consider include the cost of training sessions, books you might find valuable, and any prep courses you wish to attend.

How will Certification Improve my Salary?

According to a poll of IT workers conducted by training provider Global Knowledge in 2020, the majority of those who obtained certificates improved their job performance and received greater pay. While the research did not specifically mention Tableau, it did find that people with credentials in data, analytics, and business intelligence made more money than those who did not.

According to PayScale polls, a data analyst with Tableau expertise earns a median income of $66,000, about $5,000 more than the ordinary data analyst. A business intelligence analyst with Tableau software expertise earns $72,000 on average, compared to $69,000 for an ordinary business intelligence analyst. According to PayScale, the average pay for Tableau Desktop Associate certification holders is $80,000.

Is it Worth It to Get a Tableau Certification?

The advantages of Tableau certification may exceed the price, depending on the type of certification you want and the job or raise you to want. According to Rajeev Pandey, a senior data specialist at AirAsia and Tableau expert who runs VizArtPandey, a blog dedicated to data visualization and Tableau, the more advanced certifications are quite expensive, but you can still see benefits by opting for the $250 Desktop Certified Associate certification or the $100 Desktop Specialist certification.

“When you consider the possible wage increase, these qualifications aren’t that expensive,” Pandey adds. “You can add a substantial income bump if you match them with the correct abilities.”

Other than the time required to prepare for and take the exam if your company is prepared to pay or lend for it, there is little expense. Certifications, however, are not entirely required, according to Pandey.

“Certification allows you to see where you stand and what you still need to study. But it’s good and perfectly reasonable if someone doesn’t want to spend money on certification,” Pandey adds. “I think that’s enough if you’re strong with data analysis and can construct smart and relevant dashboards,” he says, but he adds, “If you’re working as a data analyst, everyone (should) pursue at least one Tableau certification.”

Is there a High Demand for Data Analysis and Data Visualization Skills?

According to the World Economic Forum’s October 2020 Future of Positions Report, data analysts and scientists are the No. 1 function most likely to experience increased demand across industries, and data science jobs are predicted to be among those expected to see greater demand shortly. The No. 3 most in-demand position was identified as a big data professional.

U.S. Data scientist is ranked No. 8 among the 100 top careers in News’ 2021 Best Jobs rankings, No. 2 among best technology professions, and No. 6 among best STEM jobs.

According to LinkedIn, as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, some firms may have relied more heavily on data scientists to help them navigate uncertainty. According to the LinkedIn data, hiring for these positions has increased by roughly 46% since 2019. That trend is expected to continue, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Will These Tableau Certifications Assist Me in Obtaining Employment?

Unless you already have a substantial body of work and related experience, you’ll most likely need to show a company that you’re proficient with Tableau to get employed. Certifications are one method to do this. They demonstrate that you have attained a minimum level of skill and that you were ready to go through the procedure to obtain the certification – that you put in the time and effort.

“It has a lot of value to a potential hiring manager,” adds Sleeper. “Having a Tableau certification on your CV is a huge differentiation when they look at the list of prospects.”

Having a good website, a blog, and insightful content available on Tableau Public, according to Daniel Murray, director of strategic innovations at InterWorks and author of Tableau Your Data, is helpful, but getting that certification, at least the first level, will help you get a job “without question.” Because a lot of major organizations want to recruit individuals who know Tableau, and any proof you can show that you know them already is a bonus.”

How to Start Preparing for Certification Exam?

Tableau has a “start your journey” website with free eLearning resources, tips, and instructional videos to help you get started. These lessons contain tutorials on how to navigate the Tableau interface and connect to data, as well as an introduction to data literacy. Tableau Public is also a free way to get your feet wet.

Each certification level comes with an exam study guide that covers the topics covered, as well as sample questions and other important information. For each certification level, Tableau also recommends instructor-led training. However, live Tableau training may be costly, with some sessions costing over $1,000 per person. Tableau does provide an alternate on-demand option in the form of an eLearning subscription, which costs $5 or $10 every month.

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