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Tableau is a data visualization tool that has gained a lot of popularity in the world of data science. More than that, it provides Tableau Certifications for experienced individuals.
But the main questions are, should you get it? Is it worth your time? What benefits can you get if you get a Tableau Desktop Certified Professional status? In this post, we will discuss all these things.
Quick Summary
In this article, we will discuss the following things:
- What is Tableau? How does it work?
- What is a Tableau Certification? How to get it?
- Benefits and Application of Tableau Certifications.
- Frequently Asked Question.
Without further ado, let’s get into it.
Tableau Data Analytics
Data gathering has been a part of human experience as far as we can remember. Data is a key element when it comes to a comprehensive understanding of a certain topic.
But over time, this science has grown into the foundational knowledge of growth and success. People are actively pursuing to become either a Data Analyst or a Data Scientist due to the vastness of this field.
How does Tableau link to Data Science?
Tableau has developed software to help qualified professionals test and polish their skills in an interactive dashboard.
You can use the Tableau platform for business intelligence and performance tests for your products or marketing techniques.
At its core, Tableau allows you to determine the performance of anything based on data collection and the analytical values around it.
Why is data analyzing so important?
Data analyzing is considered a highly valuable technical skill because you can turn random data and numbers into something far more useful.
For example, you have a sheet of numbers with sales of the past year. On the surface, it looks like any other balance sheet. Some numbers and some dates, right?
But for a data scientist, it is much more than that. A person with formal training in data analytics can derive a pattern from this data.
You might be thinking, what sort of pattern can one person possibly derive from this?
A certified professional can look at these numbers and judge which part of the year used most funds. Then he/she can determine what products cost the most.
Based on this judgment, they can then find an alternative to lower this cost and ultimately save money for their business.
How does Tableau help in this process?
A Tableau desktop specialist can use the advanced features in the software to create a visual representation of data.
This can be done in the form of charts, trends, and simple numbers. This multiple response tool then enables you to predict with real-time examples.
Tableau Certifications
Tableau certification is a way to represent that you are a Tableau desktop certified professional. There is a Tableau certified professional exam for all the certifications available on their website.
Their certification is accepted globally and is widely promoted in the Tableau community. The type of certification you complete shows the extent of your ability and your skills in finding solutions.
How many Tableau certifications are there?
There are three main levels of Tableau Certification. Each level represents the ability and experience related to Tableau. These three Tableau desktop certifications are given below.
- Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification.
- Tableau Desktop Certified Associate.
- Tableau Desktop Certified Professional.
Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification
Tableau desktop specialist is the basic level of certification that is made for beginners. It is designed for people with at least 3 months of Tableau experience.
However, in order to achieve this certification, you have to clear a certified professional exam. This desktop specialist exam contains 30 questions and is 1 hour long.
What is the form of this certification exam?
The desktop specialist exam is in the form of multiple-choice questions that require you to do hands-on work in a timely manner. You have to use the Tableau software to answer the questions.
Although it is a multiple-choice question exam, it is not related to nitty-gritty terminology. The exam is solution-oriented around your Tableau skills which means that there is more than 1 correct answer.
Is there any cost for the Tableau Desktop Specialist exam?
The Tableau Desktop Certified exam is completely original and varies from year to year. This is why you have to pay $100 to take the Tableau Desktop Certified exam.
Furthermore, this certification is good for a lifetime. You don’t have to renew it or retake the exam.
Tableau Desktop Certified Associate
Tableau Certified Associate Certification describes your ability to work around a Tableau Server and focus on problem-solving. It also represents that the users have at least 6 months of experience.
A Tableau Desktop Certified Associate can easily guide a Tableau conference with their valuable skills and understanding of Tableau tools.
Do I have to take an exam to be a Tableau Desktop Certified Associate?
Tableau recommends that you pass the Qualified Associate exam as soon as you hit the 6-month mark. You can learn from their Tableau course or use an online training platform.
To be a Qualified Associate you have to answer the sample questions in your paper with hands-on work in Tableau itself. It mainly revolves around a Tableau server.
What’s the fee for this exam?
The fee for taking this is $200 and it is valid for up to 2 years. After that, you have to retake the exam in order to renew the certification.
Tableau Desktop Certified Professional
This certification is the last level of expertise in Tableau. It is designed for people that have been actively training themselves in Tableau for over a year.
It is the high point of problem solving and understanding of a Tableau server. Tableau recommends that you hone your skills as an associate before appearing for this exam.
What are the requirements for this certification?
In order to appear in this exam, you have to be an active associate for at least 6 months and a 1-year collective experience of Tableau.
The certification is valid for up to 3 years and the fee for this exam is $600 due to its complexity. Moreover, the exam is evaluated by members of a professional committee.
Benefits of Tableau Certifications

Following are some of the main benefits you can get by being a certified Tableau professional.
- Tableau experts have high demand in the business market.
- Higher wages due to the demand-supply factor.
- Large organizations always prefer Tableau professionals with certifications.
- You can choose from a vast variety of organizational roles.
Conclusion
After analyzing every aspect related to Tableau certifications, we have concluded that they are absolutely worth it.
These certifications not only allow you to seek better opportunities but also help you grow your technical skills. Due to the high availability of jobs in this sector, you should get a Tableau certification as soon as possible. It is costly but the benefits greatly overshadow the cost.
This brings us to the end of our review on Tableau Certifications.
Do let us know in the comments what you think about data analysis as a science.