Certified Business Advisor® Program

The Certified Business Advisor® (CBA) is an on-demand, self-paced eLearning program specially designed for professionals who advise small business owners. 

Learn more about the program courses, guidelines, and resources. 

Quality Matters Program Design and Recognized Courses:

Quality Matters^TM (QM) Recognition via the peer review process means that the Certified Business Advisor® program and online courses have met rigorous, research-based standards for quality online course design. Kent State University proudly announces that the CBA has both QM Recognized Courses and QM Program Design.

For BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS, use the Individual Registration Form (PDF)

• Pay by credit card or by check/money order with the registration form above
• If eligible for a 10% military veterans discount, pay here
  • Use discount code: VETERAN10

For SBDC EMPLOYEES, use the SBDC Employee Registration Form (PDF)

• Pay by credit card or by check/money order with the registration form above
  • Use discount code: OTHERSBDC
• If eligible for a 10% military veterans discount, pay by credit here
  • Use discount code: VETERAN10

For EMPLOYEES OF SPECIFIC ORGANIZATIONS, use the Employees of Specific Organizations Registration Form (PDF)

• Specific organizations are defined as and are exclusively limited to: 
  • Export Assistance Network (EAN)
  • Entrepreneurial Services Provider Program (ESP)
  • Minority Business Assistance Program (MBAC)
  • Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
  • APEX (formerly the Procurement Technical Assistance Centers [PTAC])
  • Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC)
  • Women’s Business Center (WBC)
• Pay by credit card or by check/money order with the registration form above
  • Use discount code: CBAPARTNER
• If eligible for a 10% military veterans discount, pay by credit card here
  • Use discount code: VETERAN10

For registration questions and information on course veteran discounts, please contact 330-672-3100 or email Lifelonglearning@kent.edu. 

To maintain CBA certification, a minimum of 20 hours per calendar year of continuing education must be completed and documented. For more information on how to retain your certification, please contact Domini Hunt at domini.hunt@development.ohio.gov.

Cancellations and Refund Policy:
All cancellations and requests for refunds must be made, in writing, prior to the date on which an individual registrant’s access to CBA® courses begins; as stated in the confirmation letter. After this date, no cancellations or refunds will be processed. Substitutions are allowable only if the original registrant has not started the coursework. Requests should be sent to Lifelong Learning at Lifelonglearning@kent.edu. 
Mail: Lifelong Learning 
Lincoln Building, 120 N Lincoln St.
PO Box 5190
Kent, OH 44242-0001