Thinking about getting a data governance certification? You’re probably wondering which one actually matters to employers and which ones are just resume padding. Having hired data governance professionals and built data governance teams, I’ll break down exactly what each certification offers and who should consider it.
Quick Answer: Which Certification Should You Get?
The CDMP (Certified Data Management Professional) from DAMA International is the gold standard for data governance certifications. It’s recognized globally, covers a broad curriculum aligned with the DMBOK framework, and employers actually know what it is. If you can only get one certification, get the CDMP.
That said, the right certification depends on your career goals and current experience level. Let’s break down all the major options.
CDMP (Certified Data Management Professional)
What It Is
The CDMP is offered by DAMA International, the professional association for data management. It’s based on the Data Management Body of Knowledge (DMBOK), which covers 11 knowledge areas including data governance, data quality, data architecture, and metadata management.
Certification Levels
- Associate: Score 400-499 on the exam. Entry level, requires no prerequisites.
- Practitioner: Score 500-599 plus 2 years experience or education in data management.
- Master: Score 600-699 plus additional criteria including specialist exam.
- Fellow: Highest level. Score 700+ plus 10 years experience and significant contributions to the field.
Exam Details
The exam is 100 questions in 90 minutes. It’s open book, which sounds easy until you realize that looking things up eats your time. The questions are scenario-based, so you need to actually understand the material, not just memorize definitions.
Cost
Exam fee: $411 USD (DAMA members get a discount). You’ll also want the DMBOK book ($125) and potentially study materials. Budget around $600-800 total.
Who Should Get It
Anyone serious about a data governance career. This is the certification that hiring managers recognize. If you’re a data analyst wanting to move into governance, a data steward looking to formalize your skills, or an aspiring Chief Data Officer, the CDMP should be on your list.
DGSP (Data Governance and Stewardship Professional)
What It Is
The DGSP is offered by ICCP (Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals). It focuses specifically on data governance and stewardship, rather than the broader data management field covered by CDMP.
Key Focus Areas
- Data availability and integrity
- Data usability and consistency
- Data security and compliance
- Stewardship frameworks and processes
Cost
Approximately $500 USD including exam and certification fees.
Who Should Get It
Professionals who specifically focus on data stewardship roles. If your job is less about data architecture and more about data quality, business glossaries, and working with data owners, the DGSP’s narrower focus might be more relevant than the broader CDMP.
Informatica Data Governance Certifications
What It Is
Informatica offers several certifications around their data governance and catalog tools. These are vendor-specific certifications tied to the Informatica platform.
Available Certifications
- Informatica Cloud Data Governance and Catalog certification
- MDM (Master Data Management) certifications
- Data Quality certifications
Who Should Get It
Only if you work with Informatica tools or are applying to companies that use them. Vendor certifications show tool proficiency but don’t replace broader framework certifications like CDMP. Think of these as supplements, not foundations.
Collibra Certifications
What It Is
Collibra is one of the leading data governance platforms, and they offer certifications for their tools. Similar to Informatica, these are vendor-specific.
Who Should Get It
If you’re implementing or administering Collibra, these certifications prove your tool expertise. Many enterprises use Collibra for their data catalogs and governance workflows, so this certification can be valuable in the right context.
CIPP (Certified Information Privacy Professional)
What It Is
Offered by IAPP (International Association of Privacy Professionals), the CIPP certifications focus on data privacy regulations. There are regional variants: CIPP/US, CIPP/E (Europe), CIPP/C (Canada), and CIPP/A (Asia).
Who Should Get It
Data governance professionals who work heavily with privacy compliance, GDPR, CCPA, and similar regulations. This pairs well with CDMP. If your role involves managing personal data, consent management, or privacy impact assessments, CIPP is highly relevant.
How Certifications Compare
| Certification | Best For | Recognition | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDMP | All data management professionals | High (global standard) | $600-800 |
| DGSP | Data stewardship specialists | Medium | ~$500 |
| Informatica/Collibra | Tool-specific roles | Tool-dependent | $200-400 |
| CIPP | Privacy-focused roles | High (in privacy circles) | $550+ |
My Recommendation: Build a Certification Stack
Don’t think of these as either/or choices. The strongest data governance professionals I’ve worked with typically have:
- Foundation: CDMP (Practitioner level or higher)
- Specialization: CIPP if privacy-focused, vendor cert if tool-focused
- Leadership: Executive education if moving toward CDO track
If you’re aspiring to lead a data governance function or eventually become a Chief Data Officer, combining CDMP with executive education programs can accelerate your path. Many professionals pursue programs like the Kellogg CDO Program to build strategic leadership skills alongside technical certifications.
Do Certifications Actually Matter?
Yes and no. Certifications won’t replace experience. A CDMP without real data governance project experience is just a piece of paper. However, certifications can:
- Get your resume past HR filters (many job postings list CDMP as preferred)
- Provide a structured learning path for the field
- Signal commitment to the profession
- Offer a common vocabulary with other professionals
The DMBOK framework that CDMP is based on is genuinely useful. Even if you never take the exam, reading the DMBOK will make you a better data governance professional.
How to Prepare for CDMP
Since CDMP is the main certification most people should pursue, here’s how to approach it:
- Get the DMBOK2 book. This is the official guide and your primary study material.
- Focus on the 14 knowledge areas. The exam weights each area differently, with data governance, data quality, and data modeling typically being emphasized.
- Take practice exams. DAMA offers sample questions, and third-party providers offer full practice exams.
- Join a DAMA local chapter. Networking with other professionals and attending study groups helps.
- Plan for 2-3 months of study. If you have data governance experience, you might need less time. If you’re new to the field, budget more.
FAQ
Is CDMP worth it for career advancement?
Yes, particularly if you’re applying to enterprise companies or consulting firms. Many job postings for senior data governance roles list CDMP as preferred or required. It’s the most recognized certification in the field.
How long does it take to get CDMP certified?
Most people spend 2-3 months preparing while working full-time. The exam itself is 90 minutes. Once you pass, you receive your certification level based on your score.
Can I get certified without data governance experience?
Yes, for Associate level CDMP. You just need to pass the exam. Higher levels require documented experience in data management roles.
Do vendor certifications (Informatica, Collibra) replace CDMP?
No. Vendor certifications prove tool proficiency, while CDMP proves framework knowledge. Think of vendor certs as showing you can use a specific hammer, while CDMP shows you understand construction principles.
What’s the difference between CDMP and DGSP?
CDMP covers the full data management spectrum (11 knowledge areas), while DGSP focuses specifically on data governance and stewardship. CDMP has broader recognition, but DGSP may be more relevant for purely stewardship-focused roles.
Next Steps
If you’re committed to a data governance career, start with the CDMP. Get the DMBOK, join your local DAMA chapter, and begin studying. The investment in time and money is modest compared to the career benefits.
For those looking to move beyond certifications into executive data leadership roles, explore our guides to the best CDO programs and executive data courses.
Ben is a full-time data leadership professional and a part-time blogger.
When he’s not writing articles for Data Driven Daily, Ben is a Head of Data Strategy at a large financial institution.
He has over 14 years’ experience in Banking and Financial Services, during which he has led large data engineering and business intelligence teams, managed cloud migration programs, and spearheaded regulatory change initiatives.