Iasa Gives You the Power To Achieve the Recognition You Deserve

Which certification is right for you?

Iasa certifications are the first global industry architect certifications that are completely vendor independent and run only by practicing architects. Iasa provides four levels of certification which describe the major milestones in an architect’s career.

Regardless of where you are in your career Iasa Global has a certification for you. The Iasa Certification Program delineates a four-tier certification path designed to level-set architects based on a combination of criteria including education, experience and test-based examination of professional knowledge of architectural skills and management.

Certification highlights:

  • Written by architects – vendor agnostic
  • Knowledge and experience based
  • Multiple levels – Foundation through Professional
  • Exams deployed online and onsite
  • Multiple review board options

Certification overviews:

All certified individuals are required to maintain their certification by submitting Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) as well as be a full member.

(Click on titles for more info)

Certified IT Architect – Foundation (CITA-F)
Certified individuals will demonstrate awareness of the Foundation ITABoK through a multiple choice exam.

Certified IT Architect – Associate (CITA-A)
Certified individuals will demonstrate practical application of Associate ITABoK and their Specialization ITABoK through multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, short answer and design challenge questions.

Certified IT Architect – Professional (CITA-P)
Certified individuals will demonstrate synthesis and industry leadership in the the Skills Taxonomy, their primary Specialization, depth in a particular Domain or Sub-Specialization, as well as significant contribution to industry through research, mentoring and other contributions. This will be demonstrated through experience documentation, presentation, contribution description and verification and panel interviews.

 

Need to re-take a certification exam?
Click on an option below:

CITA-F Re-Take
  
CITA-A Re-Take

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CITA-F CERTIFICATION

Certified Information Technology Architect – Foundation Level

Overview

Earning the CITA-Foundation certification provides recognition of your awareness level knowledge in IT Architecture.  The certification is an industry standard, and the only certification that leads to a structured process for gaining the skills you need as a practicing architect.

Developing your skills as an architect is difficult without a clear pathway and defined baseline. The CITA-F will demonstrate to employers that you are on this path and are taking the steps necessary to become a fully qualified architect.

Pre-requisites

In order to pass the exam for certification, a thorough and complete understanding of the Business Technology Architecture Body of Knowledge (BTABoK) is necessary.

  • Module 1: Who is Iasa?
  • Module 2: Business Technology Strategy
  • Module 3: Human Dynamics
  • Module 4: IT Environment
  • Module 5: Quality Attributes
  • Module 6: Design
  • Module 7: Engagement

How to obtain the BTABoK?

Full members receive the BTABoK via e-book for free as part of their membership. Non-members or Free Basic Members can purchase the BTABoK here or become a Full Member here.

The Architect Core course prepares students for the CITA-Foundation level exam.

Exam Specifics

The CITA-F credential is awarded by achieving a 70% or higher on the CITA-F examination. The exam consists of 75 multiple-choice/true/false questions.

The exam is deployed online via Iasa’s Learning Management System. If attending an onsite course, the exam is proctored on the last day. If attending an online course, access is given on the last day of the course as well. Students will be given 2.5 hours each to complete the exam. A passing grade is 70%.

Cost

Option 1 – Included in Core course (online & onsite offerings)
Option 2 – Purchase the exam only = $300

If you fail the CITA-F on the first attempt, you can re-take the CITA-F exam for a cost of $100 at your convenience.

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FAQ

Iasa is the only organization with tiered training and test based certifications for our entry level programs. Our members believe that training architecture is possible and the CITA-F is an indication of your level of knowledge.

Send a request to education@iasaglobal.org

As local chapters have more and more architects go through certification, the Iasa community will be able to translate in local languages globally. This will also help limit the cost of travel.

$300

Yes, full membership is required to maintain your certification.

Typically, successful candidates have between 1-3 years of experience in IT and have studied the ITABoK in depth.

The easiest way to receive CEUs is through your local chapter events. Iasa also holds global conferences, e-summits and webinars. Iasa has also accredited many industry training and community events.
CITA-F individuals will be required to take 10 CEUs per year. You can track and submit your CEUs on your membership profile.

You will be granted access to the online community, and have the option to request an electronic and/or printed version of your a certificate. You will also have access to the CITA-F Logo to include on business cards and email signature.

Many times candidates that do not pass find the process invaluable to their personal and professional growth. You will be eligible to re-attempt your certification in 24 hours after your original attempt and will have up to a year to re-take the exam. The additional cost for a re-take a CITA – F exam is $100.

CITA-A CERTIFICATION

Certified Information Technology Architect – Associate Level

Overview

The CITA-Associate certification is a specialization based credential based on the knowledge obtained from Iasa’s specialization courses and 3-5 years of architecture experience.

Pre-requisites

Business Technology Strategy  curriculum (included with course registration) is the pre-work for all Associate Level courses.

Exam Specifics

Although exam consists of 100 multiple choice and true/false questions , they will require utilizing the knowledge acquired in the associate course and BTS material to find solutions to posed scenarios. It is therefore advisable to use a paper and pen to work out answers during the exam.

The exam is deployed online via Iasa’s Learning Management System. If attending an onsite course, the exam is proctored on the last day. If attending an online course, access is given on the last day of the course as well. Students will be given 2.5 hours each to complete the exam. A passing grade is 70%.

Cost

Option 1: Included in associate level courses

Option 2: Purchased separately: $600 

Retake fee: $300

If a passing grade of 70% is not obtained on any exam, you are allowed to re-take the exam. There is no waiting period to re-take the exam but it is suggested to wait 30 days to allow enough time to review the material again. You will have up to one year from the original exam date to re-take the exam.

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FAQ

Send a request to education@iasaglobal.org

If you require additional time to be added to the exam due to ESL, we will happily comply. As local chapters have more and more architects go through certification, the Iasa community will be able to translate in local languages globally. This will also help limit the cost of travel.

Yes, full membership is required to maintain your certification.

Typically, successful candidates have between 3-5 years of experience in IT and have studied the BTS materials and have taken an Iasa associate level course.

The easiest way to receive CEUs is through your local chapter events. Iasa also holds global conferences, e-summits and webinars. Iasa has also accredited many industry training and community events.
CITA-F individuals will be required to take 10 CEUs per year. You can track and submit your CEUs on your membership profile.

You will be granted access to the online community, and have the option to request an electronic and/or printed version of your a certificate. You will also have access to the CITA-A Logo to include on business cards and email signature.

Many times candidates that do not pass find the process invaluable to their personal and professional growth. You will be eligible to re-attempt your certification in 24 hours after your original attempt and will have up to a year to re-take the exam. The additional cost for a re-take is $300.

CITA-P CERTIFICATION

Certified Information Technology Architect – Professional Level

Overview

The biggest distinguishing factor for the CITA-Professional certification is that it is validated by the community of practicing architects in the form of a professional association, rather than companies, vendors, or governments.  This method of certification has historically been the only successful process for professionalization, as can be documented by other professions, Doctors, Lawyers, Building Architects, etc.

This CITA-P certification will enhance the credibility and capability of successful candidates and provide assurance to employers that CITA-Professionals are able to practice and lead large multimillion dollar projects and programs. 

Pre-requisites

  • A minimum of 10 years in the industry as a practicing architect
  • Completion of the CITA-P documentation set (see overview manual)
  • 3-6 months of coach/mentoring sessions recommended (Iasa provided upon registration if one not already procured)
  • CITA-Associate level certification in specialization recommended

Overview Manual & Mock Board

To download the required documentation set, click here to download the overview manual.

Exam Specifics

The CITA-P credential is achieved by passing a board of your peers who have obtained the CITA-P level or higher already. The actual board logistics follow this deployment:

2.5 hour review board session (scheduled after documentation and mentor assessment received)

a. 30 minute presentation given by candidate

b. 40 minute Q&A Session

c. 10 minute break

d. 40 minute final Q&A session

Board results conveyed within 48 hours of review board by Iasa.

Cost

$2,000

Re-take cost is $1,000 and must be purchased within 12 month of the original review board.

Register Now

FAQ

The biggest distinguishing factor for the CITA-P Certification is that it is validated by the community of practicing architects in the form of a professional association, rather than companies, vendors, or governments. This method of certification has historically been the only successful process for professionalization, as can be documented by other professions (i.e. doctors, lawyers, building architects, etc.).

An online profile will be created as part of the CITA-P Community.

As local chapters have more and more architects go through certification, the Iasa community will be able to translate in local languages globally. This will also help limit the cost of travel.

$2,000

Typically, successful candidates have between 6-10 years of practical experience in the role of Architect.

The easiest way to receive CEUs is through your local chapter events. Iasa also holds global conferences, e-summits and webinars. Iasa has also accredited many industry training and community events.

CITA-P will be required to take 20 CEUs per year. You can track and submit your CEUs here.

You will be granted access to the online community, and will receive a framed certificate. You will also have access to the CITA-P Logo to include on business cards and email signature.

Many times candidates that do not pass find the process invaluable to their personal and professional growth. The board members will document the skills and experience that you will need to garner in order to pass in the future that can help lay out career path goals. You will be eligible to re-attempt your boards in 12 months or the next TechReady event.

“All things considered, adding CITA-P to my resume has been a red-letter achievement in my career — a headline, years in the making, requiring hard work and mental gymnastics to look at what I thought I knew in different ways.”
– Wayne Anderson, Avanade

(Read the full article here on Certification Magazine)