Top 11 Advertising Coordinator Certifications

Certifications are important for an advertising coordinator in the job market for a number of reasons. First, certifications demonstrate to employers that the individual has taken the initiative to gain additional knowledge and skills in order to become a more effective, knowledgeable worker. This can be seen as an asset to any employer looking for someone who is motivated and willing to learn. Furthermore, certifications can also provide advertising coordinators with recognition from industry-specific organizations that demonstrate expertise and experience in their field. This can help give them a competitive edge when applying for jobs or promotions within their current organization. Finally, certifications may offer additional professional development opportunities that may not be available without holding a certification. These opportunities can help keep coordinators up-to-date on relevant trends and topics within the world of advertising, helping them stay ahead of the curve.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the most beneficial certifications for Advertising Coordinators and explain how they can help to advance an advertising coordinator's career.

What are Advertising Coordinator Certifications?

Advertising coordinator certification is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have knowledge and experience in the advertising industry. It is awarded by professional organizations and educational institutions, such as the American Advertising Federation (AAF). This certification demonstrates that an individual has the skills to coordinate and manage advertising campaigns for a variety of clients.

The certification provides job seekers with additional credentials that can be used to stand out from other applicants in the competitive advertising field. It also proves that an individual has knowledge about current trends, techniques, and strategies in advertising. Additionally, it can help individuals demonstrate their commitment to developing their skills in this field.

For those already employed in the advertising industry, certification can provide them with opportunities for advancement or leadership roles within their organization. Certification also shows employers that an individual has taken the initiative to stay up-to-date on best practices and technologies in the industry. Furthermore, it may help employers understand that an individual has a strong understanding of how to effectively plan and execute successful campaigns. Finally, having this type of certification could open doors for new job opportunities outside of one's current organization or geographic area.

Pro Tip: When considering advertising coordinator certification, make sure to research the various certifications available and choose one that best matches your job responsibilities and career goals. Additionally, be sure to check with potential employers to ensure that the certification you are pursuing is accepted in their industry.

Related: What does an Advertising Coordinator do?

Top 11 Advertising Coordinator Certifications

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

1. Certified Advertising Professional (CAP)

Certified Advertising Professional (CAP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and reward individuals who have demonstrated a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of advertising. The CAP program is administered by the American Advertising Federation (AAF).

The CAP program consists of three levels: Certified Advertising Professional (CAP), Advanced Certified Advertising Professional (ACAP), and Master Certified Advertising Professional (MCAP). Each level requires a different amount of study, testing, and experience.

To become a Certified Advertising Professional, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as media planning, creative strategy, research methods, legal/regulatory issues, and marketing communications. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes about two hours to complete. It costs $225 for AAF members or $325 for non-members.

To become an Advanced Certified Advertising Professional or Master Certified Advertising Professional, applicants must have at least three years of experience in the field of advertising and pass additional exams that cover more advanced topics such as digital media strategies, global marketing strategies, and brand management. These exams take about four hours to complete and cost $375 for AAF members or $475 for non-members.

Once certified at any level, individuals must maintain their certification status by completing continuing education courses every two years in order to stay up-to-date on industry changes.

2. Certified Advertising Manager (CAM)

Certified Advertising Manager (CAM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize marketing professionals with the highest level of expertise and experience in the field. The CAM credential is awarded by the American Marketing Association (AMA), a global non-profit organization dedicated to advancing marketing knowledge, practice, and education.

The CAM program is designed for experienced marketing professionals who have at least five years of practical experience in the field. It includes an online assessment, which tests knowledge and understanding of key concepts in advertising management. The assessment must be completed within six months of applying for the certification.

To become a Certified Advertising Manager, applicants must pass the AMA’s online assessment and pay a fee of $225 USD. This fee covers the cost of materials, administration, and processing fees associated with obtaining the certification. Once certified, individuals are eligible to use the “CAM” designation after their name on business cards and resumes.

The Certified Advertising Manager program provides recognition for those who have achieved a high level of expertise in advertising management. It also serves as an incentive for marketers to stay current on industry developments and trends.

3. Certified Digital Advertising Coordinator (CDAC)

Certified Digital Advertising Coordinator (CDAC) is a certification designed to help professionals gain the skills and knowledge necessary to manage digital advertising campaigns. It provides a comprehensive overview of the principles and practices of digital advertising, including search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, display advertising, and more.

The CDAC program is offered by the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI). To get certified, you must complete a course that covers all aspects of digital marketing, including SEO, PPC, display advertising, social media marketing, analytics and reporting. The course takes approximately 16 hours to complete and includes video lectures, quizzes and hands-on projects.

To get certified as a CDAC professional, you must pass an exam administered by DMI. The exam consists of multiple choice questions covering topics such as keyword research, ad copywriting and optimization techniques. You must also demonstrate your understanding of digital marketing concepts through a series of practical exercises.

The cost for the CDAC certification program varies depending on the package you choose. A basic package costs $499 USD while an advanced package costs $799 USD. Both packages include access to the online course material and practice exams as well as one attempt at the certification exam.

4. Certified Media Planning and Buying Professional (CMPBP)

Certified Media Planning and Buying Professional (CMPBP) is a certification program offered by the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4A's). It is designed to recognize and reward individuals who demonstrate a high level of knowledge, skill and proficiency in media planning and buying.

The CMPBP program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as media planning, research, strategy, budgeting, negotiation, placement, evaluation and reporting. The course takes approximately 12 hours to complete. After completing the course, individuals must pass a comprehensive exam to earn their certification.

To get certified as a CMPBP, you must be at least 21 years old and have at least two years of experience in media planning or buying. You must also pay a fee of $395 for the online course and $295 for the exam.

Once you have completed the course and passed the exam, you will receive your official CMPBP certificate from 4A's. This certificate will serve as proof that you are qualified to work in media planning and buying roles within advertising agencies or other organizations.

5. Certified Social Media Marketing Professional (CSMMP)

Certified Social Media Marketing Professional (CSMMP) is a certification program offered by the Digital Marketing Institute. It is designed to help professionals develop their skills and knowledge in the areas of social media marketing, management, and strategy.

The CSMMP certification program consists of two modules: Social Media Strategy & Planning and Social Media Management & Optimization. These modules are designed to provide an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of social media marketing, as well as best practices for managing and optimizing campaigns. The program also covers topics such as content creation, analytics, and customer engagement.

It typically takes around 20 hours to complete the coursework and pass the final exam. Upon successful completion of the coursework and exam, participants will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Digital Marketing Institute.

The cost for this certification program varies depending on your location and whether you choose to take it online or in person. However, most courses cost between $1,000-$2,000 USD.

To get certified, you must first register with the Digital Marketing Institute website and then complete all course requirements within six months. Once you have completed all course requirements successfully, you will be eligible to take the final exam which will determine if you have met all criteria necessary to receive your CSMMP certification.

6. Certified Search Engine Marketing Professional (CSEMP)

Certified Search Engine Marketing Professional (CSEMP) is a certification program offered by the Search Engine Marketing Professional Organization (SEMPO). It is designed to recognize professionals who have achieved a high level of expertise in search engine marketing. The CSEMP designation is awarded to individuals who demonstrate mastery of the principles and techniques of search engine marketing, including keyword research, content optimization, link building, and analytics.

The program consists of three levels: Associate, Professional, and Master. To become certified at any level, applicants must pass an online exam that covers topics such as SEO fundamentals, paid search management, analytics & reporting, and more. The exam can be taken at any time from anywhere with an internet connection.

The cost for taking the exam varies depending on which level you are attempting to achieve. For the Associate level exam it costs $99 USD; for the Professional level it costs $199 USD; and for the Master level it costs $299 USD.

It typically takes between two to four weeks to receive your results after taking the exam. Once you have passed the exam you will be issued a digital certificate that you can use to demonstrate your expertise in search engine marketing.

7. Certified Online Advertising Coordinator (COAC)

Certified Online Advertising Coordinator (COAC) is a certification program designed to help individuals become more knowledgeable and proficient in the field of online advertising. It is an online program offered by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), a trade organization for digital media and marketing professionals.

The COAC program consists of two parts: a self-paced online course and an exam. The course covers topics such as search engine optimization, display advertising, mobile marketing, social media marketing, content marketing, analytics, and other related topics. The exam tests your knowledge on these topics and is administered through the IAB’s website.

The COAC program takes approximately 8 weeks to complete but can be completed faster depending on how much time you have available to dedicate to it. To get certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 75% or higher.

The cost of the COAC program varies depending on where you take it from but typically ranges between $300-$400 USD.

8. Certified Programmatic Advertising Coordinator (CPAC)

Certified Programmatic Advertising Coordinator (CPAC) is a certification program designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage programmatic advertising campaigns. The CPAC certification is offered by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), a non-profit organization that sets standards for digital media and marketing.

The CPAC certification program consists of two parts: an online course and an online exam. The online course covers topics such as programmatic fundamentals, ad operations, data management, targeting strategies, optimization techniques, and more. The online exam tests your knowledge of these topics and requires you to demonstrate your ability to apply them in real-world scenarios.

To get the CPAC certification, you must first complete the online course and pass the online exam with a score of 80% or higher. The entire process typically takes about 20 hours to complete.

The cost of the CPAC certification is $399 USD for IAB members or $599 USD for non-members. This fee includes access to the online course materials and one attempt at the online exam.

9. Certified Ad Operations Specialist (CAOS)

Certified Ad Operations Specialist (CAOS) is a certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of professionals working in the field of online advertising operations. The program is offered by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), an industry organization dedicated to promoting standards for digital media, marketing, and advertising.

The CAOS certification requires candidates to demonstrate their understanding of ad operations fundamentals such as trafficking, optimization, reporting, and analytics. The program also covers topics such as campaign management, data analysis, and troubleshooting.

To become certified, candidates must pass an exam that consists of multiple-choice questions covering all aspects of ad operations. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and costs $150 USD. Candidates must also have at least one year of experience in ad operations or related fields in order to be eligible for the certification.

Once certified, individuals can use the CAOS designation on their resumes and other professional materials. They will also gain access to exclusive resources from IAB such as webinars, whitepapers, job postings, and more.

10. Google Ads Certification

Google Ads Certification is a free program that allows individuals to demonstrate their proficiency in Google Ads. It is designed to help individuals build their knowledge of the platform and demonstrate their expertise to employers, colleagues, and clients.

The certification consists of two exams: the Fundamentals exam and one of the advanced exams. The Fundamentals exam covers topics such as account setup, targeting, reporting, optimization, and more. The advanced exams cover topics such as search advertising, display advertising, video advertising, shopping ads, mobile app advertising, and more.

It typically takes about two hours to complete both exams. To get certified you must pass both exams with a score of 80% or higher. There is no cost associated with taking the exams but you must have an active Google Ads account in order to take them.

Once you have passed both exams you will receive your Google Ads Certification badge which can be shared on social media or added to your resume or portfolio. Your certification will remain valid for 12 months after which time you will need to retake and pass both exams in order to maintain your certification status.

11. Bing Ads Accredited Professional

Bing Ads Accredited Professional is a certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in using Bing Ads to create and manage successful search engine marketing campaigns. The program is designed to help marketers increase their knowledge of the Bing Ads platform, as well as gain recognition for their achievements.

The certification process takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete, depending on the individual's level of experience with the platform. To become certified, individuals must pass an online exam that covers topics such as campaign setup, targeting, ad copywriting, optimization, and reporting. The exam can be taken at any time and costs $50 USD.

Once an individual passes the exam and becomes certified, they will receive an official certificate from Microsoft Advertising and will be listed in the Bing Ads Accredited Professional directory. They will also have access to exclusive resources such as webinars and whitepapers related to Bing Ads best practices.

Do You Really Need a Advertising Coordinator Certificate?

Whether or not you need an Advertising Coordinator Certificate depends on your career goals. If you are looking to work in the field of advertising, having a certificate can be beneficial because it shows employers that you have a certain level of knowledge and experience in the field. It also provides you with additional credentials that can help you stand out from other job applicants.

However, if your goal is to simply gain more knowledge and experience in the field of advertising, then there may not be a need for an Advertising Coordinator Certificate. You may be able to learn enough through on-the-job training and research to do well in the industry without having a certificate. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if obtaining a certificate would benefit your career path or not.

Related: Advertising Coordinator Resume Examples

FAQs About Advertising Coordinator Certifications

1. What are the requirements for Advertising Coordinator Certifications?

Answer: The requirements to obtain an Advertising Coordinator Certification typically include a high school diploma or equivalent, completion of an accredited advertising program, and successful completion of the certification exam.

2. How long does it take to complete an Advertising Coordinator Certification?

Answer: The length of time required to complete an Advertising Coordinator Certification depends on the specific program chosen, but generally takes anywhere from 6 months to 2 years.

3. What type of job opportunities can I find with an Advertising Coordinator Certification?

Answer: With an Advertising Coordinator Certification, you may qualify for a variety of job opportunities in marketing and advertising roles such as advertising coordinator, digital marketing specialist, media planner/buyer, creative director, and more.

4. How much do professionals with an Advertising Coordinator Certification earn?

Answer: Salaries vary depending on experience and location; however, according to PayScale the median salary for professionals with an Advertising Coordinator Certification is approximately $50,000 per year.

5. Are there any online courses available for obtaining an Advertising Coordinator Certification?

Answer: Yes! There are a variety of online courses available that offer comprehensive training in the principles and practices of advertising coordination leading up to certifications.