As data and analytics become the beating heart of the enterprise, it’s increasingly critical for the business to have access to consistent, high-quality data assets. Master data management (MDM) is required to ensure the enterprise’s data is consistent, accurate, and controlled.

MDM is a set of disciplines, processes, and technologies used to master an organization’s master data, or data about business entities or objects around which business is conducted.

Customer relationship management (CRM), supply chain management (SCM), and compliance all have one thing in common: they rely on an integrated, single view of quality data. That’s where MDM comes in to help create a single version of truth across all copies of master data to ensure data values are aligned.

If you’re looking for a way to get an edge, MDM certification is a great option. Certifications measure your knowledge and skills against industry- and vendor-specific benchmarks to prove to employers you have the right skillset.

Top 10 master data management certifications

• The Art of Service Master Data Management Certification
• DAMA Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP)
• Data Governance and Stewardship Professional (DGSP)
• eLearningCurve Certified Information Management Professional (CIMP) Master Data Management
• eLearningCurve CIMP Ex Master Data Management
• Identity Management Institute Certified in Data Protection (CDP)
• Informatica Master Data Management 10 Administrator, Professional Certification
• Informatica Master Data Management 10.3 Developer, Professional Certification
• Mastering Data Management and Technology
• SAP Certified Application Associate – SAP Master Data Governance

The Art of Service Master Data Management Certification

The Art of Service Master Data Management Complete Certification Kit validates the candidate’s knowledge of specific methods, models, and tools in MDM. It consists of 90 days access to an online training course, a master data management workbook, and certification exam. The course is intended as an introductory guide that covers the tools, methods, strategies, and processes of MDM. The Art of Service says professionals with this certification can help businesses reduce operational costs by implementing an effective data management strategy.

Organization: The Art of Service

Price: $64.95, or $95.00 for 180 days access. The certification exam is included, and additional exam sittings may be purchased for $45 each.

How to prepare: The fee includes an online training program and PDF textbook. The Art of Service recommends candidates spend a minimum of 18 hours on the course to pass the certification test.

DAMA Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP)

The Data Management Association International (DAMA) Certified Data Management Professional certification program seeks to give data management professionals the opportunity to show professional growth in their field. It consists of three separate, 90-minute exams: the Information Systems (IS) Core exam, the Data Management Core exam, and the Specialty exam. Each tests capabilities and knowledge ranging from project management and data management processes to business intelligence and IT compliance. The certificate comes in associate, practitioner, master, and fellow tiers based on experience and exam scores. CDMP Associate requires between six months and five years industry experience and passing the Data Management Fundamentals exam with a minimum score of 60%. CDMP Practitioner requires two to 10 years of industry experience, passing the Data Management Fundamentals exam with a minimum score of 70%, and passing two specialist exams. CDMP Master requires a minimum of 10 years of industry experience, passing the fundamentals exam with a minimum score of 80%, and passing two specialist exams. CDMP Fellow is available to CDMP Masters with at least 25 years of industry experience and is nominated by the DAMA membership.

Organization: DAMA

Price: $300 per exam, each of which requires a proctor, and online proctored exams have an $11 proctor fee. CDMP Master requires a master experience assessment of $50.

How to prepare: CDMP materials and training are available.

Data Governance and Stewardship Professional (DGSP)

The Data Governance and Stewardship Professional (DGSP) certificate from the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP) is a multi-tiered credential that validates the candidate’s knowledge of data governance, with a focus on availability, usability, consistency, data integrity, and data security. The credential is available at the executive management, principal, mastery, associate practitioner, and foundation assistant data governance professional levels. The executive management level requires a four-day workshop and written assessment. The principal level requires a two-day mentoring workshop, significant contributions to the industry, and passing a 90-minute exam at 70% or higher. Master requires passing a 90-minute exam at 70% or higher. Associate practitioner requires passing a 90-minute exam at 50% or higher. The foundation level requires passing a 60-minute exam at 50% or higher. All levels require adherence to the ICCP Code of Ethics.

Organization: ICCP

Price: The cost of certification varies based on the credentials sought, number of examinations taken, and study materials required. The costs range from $250 at the assistant level to $897 for a master-level exam. There are also annual membership and certification renewal fees.

How to prepare: The certification requires relevant technical experience and/or academic degrees based on the certification level sought.

eLearningCurve Certified Information Management Professional (CIMP) Master Data Management

eLearningCurve’s CIMP Master Data Management designation is intended to show the candidate’s in-depth knowledge and comprehensive understanding of MDM. The certification requires passing five exams from eLearningCurve’s MDM curriculum. Candidates are allowed three attempts to pass each exam. The organization offers 10 MDM courses, ranging from architecture and implementation to data profiling and data quality assessment.

Organization: eLearningCurve

Price: $2,095

How to prepare: The program includes five instructor-led online courses, consisting of a total of 20 hours of education.

eLearningCurve CIMP Ex Master Data Management

eLearningCurve’s CIMP Ex Master Data Management designation is intended to certify a candidate has achieved the highest level of certification in the MDM track. The certification requires passing five exams from eLearningCurve’s “core” master data management course offerings, and candidates are allowed three attempts to pass each exam. In addition, the candidate must take two elective courses from the MDM curriculum and a final course from any course in eLearningCurve’s catalog.

Organization: eLearningCurve

Price: $3,155

How to prepare: The program includes eight instructor-led online courses, consisting of a total of 35 hours of education.

Identity Management Institute Certified in Data Protection (CDP)

Certified in Data Protection (CDP) is a global training and certification program that teaches and validates a candidate’s knowledge of data protection practices throughout the data lifecycle. Candidates must be members of the Identity Management Institute, apply to receive the CDP study guide, and pass the online exam to become certified. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions.

Organization: Identity Management Institute

Price: $395, which includes the study guide and online examination

How to prepare: All candidates receive a study guide, and The Identity Management Institute also provides a short video course about data protection.

Informatica Master Data Management 10 Administrator, Professional Certification

The Informatica Master Data Management 10 Administrator, Professional Certification validates competency as a member of an MDM administration team. It tests skills and capabilities on installation and upgrade (both test and user environments), performance tuning, where to find information, troubleshooting, batch processes, managing metadata, upgrade process, and security.

Organization: Informatica

Price: $340 registration fee for exam (includes a no-cost second attempt)

How to prepare: For instructor-led preparation, Informatica recommends completing the Multidomain MDM Administration and Installation and MDM: Multidomain and Hierarchy Configuration courses. Informatica also offers on-demand versions: Multidomain MDM for Administrators and MDM: Multidomain Edition Configuration.

Informatica Master Data Management 10.3 Developer, Professional Certification

The Informatica Master Data Management 10.3 Developer, Professional Certification measures the candidate’s competency as a member of a project implementation team. Individuals with the certification should be able to explain and identify the MDM product architecture, and to configure its main components, including cleanse engine, match server, data governance tools, and workflows.

Organization: Informatica

Price: $340 registration fee for exam (includes a no-cost second attempt)

How to prepare: Informatica recommends completing the on-demand MDM: Multidomain Edition Configuration or the instructor-led MDM: Multidomain and Hierarchy Configuration courses. It also recommends the Multidomain MDM Entity 360 for Developers course, available in an instructor-led version and an on-demand version. 

Mastering Data Management and Technology

The eight-week Mastering Data Management and Technology certificate course from Villanova University covers data modeling, securing business intelligence content, reporting, and performance management. Candidates will study MDM best practices, benefits, team creation, and scope. Villanova says the certificate course is ideal for strategic decision-makers, project managers, business analysts, market researchers, or IT professionals.

Organization: Villanova University

Price: $2,295, though flexible payment options are available, and discounts are available for active-duty military, veterans, spouses, and dependents.

How to prepare: The curriculum consists of an eight-week course at 10 hours per week.

SAP Certified Application Associate – SAP Master Data Governance

The SAP Certified Application Associate – SAP Master Data Governance certification is an entry-level qualification that validates a candidate’s competency to participate as a member of a project team in a mentored role. The exam covers topics including master data governance, data quality and analytics, data replication and key mapping, and more.

Organization: SAP

Price: $217 for the online exam, one attempt; $543 for the online exam, six attempts.

How to prepare: SAP recommends a combination of education courses and hands-on experience to train for the exam.