Top 10 Advertising Consultant Certifications

Certifications are important for advertising consultants in the job market for several reasons. First, certifications can demonstrate to employers that a consultant has the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in the role. Additionally, certifications can provide recognition by industry experts that an individual is qualified and experienced in the field. Furthermore, certifications often come with continuing education opportunities, which can help consultants stay up-to-date on new trends and best practices in the industry. Finally, certifications can give consultants an edge when competing against other job applicants as they demonstrate a commitment to professional development and mastery of specific areas of expertise.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Advertising Consultants, and explains how they can contribute to an advertising consultant's career.

What are Advertising Consultant Certifications?

Advertising consultant certification is a professional certification that shows an individual has the skills and knowledge needed to work as a successful advertising consultant. This certification typically involves completing a series of courses, workshops, and exams on topics related to advertising. By earning this certification, an individual can demonstrate their expertise in the field of advertising and show potential employers that they are qualified to provide valuable services.

The benefits of becoming certified in advertising consulting include gaining credibility among peers and potential employers, increasing one's earning potential, and expanding one's professional network. Certification also serves as evidence that the individual has the necessary skills to develop effective marketing strategies for clients. With this certification, individuals can establish themselves as experts in their field and be able to provide quality advice on how to best reach target markets. Additionally, having this certification may open up new job opportunities in the industry since it serves as proof of one's ability to understand complex marketing concepts.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the credentials of any advertising consultant certification program you are considering. Look for programs that have been approved by a reputable organization such as the Advertising Research Foundation, and also be sure to check for any customer reviews or feedback about the program.

Related: What does an Advertising Consultant do?

Top 10 Advertising Consultant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Advertising Consultants today.

1. Certified Advertising Professional (CAP)

Certified Advertising Professional (CAP) is a professional certification program offered by the American Advertising Federation (AAF). It is designed to recognize professionals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of advertising. CAP certification is awarded to individuals who demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in the core areas of advertising, including media planning, creative development, research, and account management.

It typically takes approximately six months to become certified as a CAP. To get certified, applicants must first complete an online application and pass an exam that covers topics such as media planning, creative development, research, and account management. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and can be taken either online or at a proctored testing center. After passing the exam, applicants must submit proof of their work experience in the field of advertising. Once all requirements are met, applicants will receive their certification from AAF.

The cost for becoming a Certified Advertising Professional varies depending on where you take the exam and whether you opt for additional training materials or not. Generally speaking, it costs around $200 to take the exam plus any additional fees associated with training materials or other services.

2. Certified Digital Advertising Professional (CDAP)

Certified Digital Advertising Professional (CDAP) is a certification program that provides professionals in the digital advertising industry with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their field. The program is designed to help individuals understand the fundamentals of digital advertising, including targeting, optimization, analytics, and more. It also covers topics such as creative development, campaign management, and budgeting.

The CDAP certification requires a minimum of 40 hours of training and can be completed online or through an accredited institution. The program consists of four modules: Digital Advertising Fundamentals, Targeting & Optimization Strategies, Analytics & Reporting, and Creative Development & Campaign Management. Each module includes lectures, case studies, quizzes, and other activities to help learners develop a comprehensive understanding of digital advertising.

The cost for the CDAP certification varies depending on where you take the course. Generally speaking, it costs around $400-$500 USD for the entire program.

In order to obtain your CDAP certification you must pass all four modules with a score of 70% or higher. Once you have successfully completed all four modules you will receive your certificate from the Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA). This certificate will serve as proof that you are certified in digital advertising and can be used to demonstrate your expertise when applying for jobs or seeking promotions within the industry.

3. Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is a professional body for marketing and business development professionals. It was founded in 1911 and is the world’s largest professional marketing body, with over 40,000 members in more than 150 countries.

The CIM offers qualifications at different levels to help marketing professionals develop their knowledge and skills. The qualifications range from introductory certificates to postgraduate diplomas and Masters degrees. They are designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the theory and practice of modern marketing, as well as the tools and techniques used in the industry.

It typically takes between one to three years to complete a CIM qualification, depending on the level you are studying at. You can study via distance learning or through an accredited training provider.

The cost of studying for a CIM qualification varies depending on which course you choose and how you decide to study it. Distance learning courses usually cost around £1,500-£2,500 per year, while attending classes with an accredited training provider will typically be more expensive.

To get started with the CIM, you must first register as a student member by completing an online application form. Once registered, you will be able to access resources such as textbooks, webinars and online tutorials that will help support your studies.

4. Google Ads Certification

Google Ads Certification is a professional accreditation that Google offers to individuals who demonstrate proficiency in basic and advanced aspects of Google Ads. It is an industry-recognized certification that shows potential employers and clients that you have the skills needed to successfully manage Google Ads campaigns.

To get certified, you must pass two exams: the Google Ads Fundamentals Exam and one of the five additional advanced exams (Search Advertising, Display Advertising, Video Advertising, Shopping Advertising, and Mobile Advertising). The exams are multiple choice and take about 90 minutes each to complete.

You can take the exams online for free at any time. However, if you want to receive your official certificate from Google, you must pay a one-time fee of $50 USD per exam. Once you pass both exams, you will be officially certified as an individual or company by Google.

The certification process typically takes 1-2 weeks after passing both exams. After that, your certificate will be available in your account on the Academy for Ads website.

5. Facebook Blueprint Certification

Facebook Blueprint Certification is a program designed to help marketers and businesses learn the best practices for leveraging Facebook products, such as Ads Manager, Audience Insights, and Business Manager. It consists of online courses, exams, and certifications that are designed to help marketers understand how to effectively use Facebook’s tools to reach their marketing goals.

The certification process typically takes anywhere from one to three months depending on the individual’s learning style and availability. The program consists of two levels: Level 1 (Foundation) and Level 2 (Advanced). Level 1 requires candidates to complete four courses and pass an exam in order to become certified. Level 2 requires candidates to complete six additional courses and pass a more advanced exam in order to become certified.

To get started with the certification process, you must first register for a free account on the Facebook Blueprint website. Once registered, you can access all of the available courses and exams in order to begin your journey towards becoming certified.

The cost of the program varies depending on which level you choose; Level 1 costs $150 USD while Level 2 costs $250 USD.

6. Bing Ads Accredited Professional

Bing Ads Accredited Professional is a certification program offered by Microsoft that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in managing and optimizing Bing Ads campaigns. This certification is designed to demonstrate an individual’s ability to create and manage effective online advertising campaigns using the Bing Ads platform.

To become a Bing Ads Accredited Professional, you must pass two exams: the Bing Ads Fundamentals exam and either the Search Advertising or Display Advertising exam. The exams are administered online and consist of multiple-choice questions. Each exam takes approximately one hour to complete, and you must score at least 80% on each exam to pass.

The cost of taking the exams is $99 USD each, for a total cost of $198 USD. After passing both exams, you will be awarded the Bing Ads Accredited Professional badge which can be displayed on your website or other professional profiles such as LinkedIn. The badge will also appear in your Microsoft account profile page.

Once certified, you will have access to exclusive resources from Microsoft including industry insights, best practices, and case studies. You will also receive invitations to special events hosted by Microsoft such as webinars and workshops that provide additional training opportunities for accredited professionals.

7. Twitter Flight School Certification

Twitter Flight School Certification is a certification program offered by Twitter to help marketers and advertisers learn how to effectively use the platform for their business. It provides an in-depth understanding of how to create, manage, and measure campaigns on Twitter. The program covers topics such as setting up campaigns, targeting users, optimizing content, and more.

The certification consists of five courses that are each between 1-3 hours long. The courses cover topics such as creative best practices, campaign management, measurement & optimization, and more. To get certified you must complete all five courses and pass the final exam with a score of 80% or higher.

The cost of the certification is free of charge. However, some courses may require payment if you would like additional materials or resources.

Overall it should take about 10-15 hours to complete the certification depending on your learning style and existing knowledge level.

8. Adobe Advertising Cloud Certification

Adobe Advertising Cloud Certification is a professional certification program that helps digital marketers demonstrate their expertise in using Adobe Advertising Cloud, the world’s leading digital advertising platform. This certification validates your knowledge of how to use the platform to create, manage, and measure successful digital ad campaigns.

The certification consists of two exams: the Adobe Advertising Cloud Fundamentals Exam and the Adobe Advertising Cloud Advanced Exam. The Fundamentals exam covers topics such as campaign setup, targeting, optimization, reporting, and troubleshooting. The Advanced exam covers more advanced topics such as audience segmentation and multi-channel campaign management.

It typically takes about 6-8 weeks to complete both exams. To get started, you will need to purchase an exam voucher from Adobe. The cost of the voucher varies depending on the type of exam you are taking; however, it typically costs around $150 USD for both exams combined.

Once you have purchased your voucher, you can register for the exams online at Adobe’s website. You will then receive instructions on how to access the exam portal and take each exam. After successfully completing both exams, you will be awarded with an official Adobe Advertising Cloud Certification badge that you can display on your resume or website.

9. Amazon Advertising Certification

Amazon Advertising Certification is a program designed to help Amazon marketers understand and use the full range of Amazon advertising tools. It is an online course that covers topics such as creating campaigns, setting budgets, optimizing performance, and more. The certification consists of four modules: Fundamentals, Search Ads, Display Ads, and Video Ads.

The certification takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete and can be completed at your own pace. To get certified you must first create an Amazon Advertising account and then register for the certification course. Once registered, you will have access to the course materials which include videos, articles, quizzes and practice tests. After completing all four modules you will take a final exam which you must pass in order to receive your certification.

The cost of the certification is free but there are additional costs associated with setting up an Amazon Advertising account. These costs vary depending on the type of ad campaign you are running but typically range from $50-$500 USD per month.

10. LinkedIn Ads Certification

LinkedIn Ads Certification is a program offered by LinkedIn that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to create and manage successful LinkedIn Ads campaigns. This certification is designed to help marketers understand how to effectively use LinkedIn Ads to reach their target audience.

The certification consists of two parts: an online course and a practical assessment. The online course covers topics such as setting up campaigns, creating ad copy, targeting audiences, optimizing campaigns, and measuring results. It takes approximately eight hours to complete the online course.

To get certified, you must pass the practical assessment with a score of 80 percent or higher. The assessment consists of 50 multiple-choice questions that cover topics from the online course. You will have 90 minutes to complete the assessment.

The cost of the LinkedIn Ads Certification is $99 USD per person.

Do You Really Need a Advertising Consultant Certificate?

Advertising consultants are professionals who help businesses create effective advertising campaigns. As an advertising consultant, you could help businesses develop strategies to reach their target audiences and maximize the effectiveness of their ads. While many people in the industry are self-taught and have accrued a wealth of knowledge and experience through years of working on campaigns, getting an advertising consultant certificate can be beneficial for those looking to further their career or gain access to more advanced roles.

Having a certification in advertising consulting shows employers that you have taken the time to learn the skills necessary to become a successful professional in this field. It also demonstrates your commitment to staying up-to-date with industry trends and techniques, which is essential for success in marketing. A certification can also provide access to additional resources such as conferences, seminars, and networking opportunities that can help you stay ahead of the competition.

An advertising consultant certificate is not required for most jobs, but it can be beneficial if you're looking to move up in the industry or pursue higher-level roles. Employers often look favorably upon potential candidates who have taken the time and effort to get certified because it indicates that they are committed to their profession and willing to go above and beyond what is expected of them. Additionally, having a certification may make you more attractive when applying for jobs since it shows potential employers that you have already acquired some key knowledge about the field.

In conclusion, while an advertising consultant certificate isn’t necessary for all positions in this field, it can be beneficial if you’re looking for higher-level roles or want to make yourself more attractive when applying for jobs. A certification provides evidence of your commitment to stay on top of industry trends as well as access to additional resources that can help you stand out from other applicants.

Related: Advertising Consultant Resume Examples

FAQs About Advertising Consultant Certifications

Q1. What is an Advertising Consultant Certification?

A1. An Advertising Consultant Certification is a credential that demonstrates expertise in the field of advertising, including market research, strategy development, and campaign execution. It is earned by completing a program of study or an exam administered by a recognized organization or institution.

Q2. What are the benefits of getting an Advertising Consultant Certification?

A2. An Advertising Consultant Certification can help you stand out from the competition when applying for jobs and promotions, as it gives employers confidence that you possess the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in the field. Additionally, having a certification can open up new opportunities for career advancement and networking with other professionals in the industry.

Q3. How do I become certified?

A3. Depending on which certifying body you choose to pursue your certification through, requirements may vary. Generally speaking, most certifications require completion of coursework or exams to demonstrate mastery of the material covered by the program or test.

Q4. Are there any prerequisites for getting certified?

A4: Generally speaking, there are no specific prerequisites for earning an Advertising Consultant Certification; however, some organizations may require applicants to have experience in related fields such as marketing or communications before they can apply for certification programs.

Q5: How long does it take to get certified?

A5: The amount of time it takes to get certified depends on several factors including which certifying body you choose and which type of certification you are pursuing (e.g., generalist vs specialist). Generally speaking, certification programs typically take anywhere from several months to one year from start to finish depending on how quickly you complete coursework or exams required for your chosen program/test.