Top 10 Assistant Store Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for assistant store managers in the job market because they demonstrate to potential employers that the individual has the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in the position. Additionally, certifications can provide tangible proof of an individual’s commitment to professional development and staying up-to-date on industry trends and best practices. Certifications also help demonstrate that an individual is a well-rounded, knowledgeable professional who can bring value to a business. Finally, certifications can give an assistant store manager an advantage over other applicants when it comes to being hired for certain positions or promotions.

The purpose of this article is to discuss the value of certifications for assistant store managers and how they can help accelerate their career development.

What are Assistant Store Manager Certifications?

Assistant Store Manager Certification is a program designed to help current and aspiring store managers learn the skills necessary for successful store management. This certification helps to equip store managers with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to effectively manage a retail organization. It covers topics such as customer service, sales, inventory control, merchandising, human resources management, financial management, and much more. The certification also provides store managers with an understanding of the principles of leadership and how to apply them in the retail environment. By providing store managers with this knowledge and experience, it can help them lead their teams more effectively and improve overall performance within the organization. Additionally, having this certification on their resume can give assistant store managers an edge when applying for promotions or seeking new job opportunities.

Pro Tip: When looking for assistant store manager certification, make sure to check the requirements of the certifying body and consider any additional training that may be required to complete the certification. Additionally, research any applicable industry standards or regulations that may apply to the position.

Related: What does an Assistant Store Manager do?

Top 10 Assistant Store Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Assistant Store Managers today.

1. Certified Retail Store Manager (CRSM)

Certified Retail Store Manager (CRSM) is a professional certification program offered by the National Retail Federation (NRF). It is designed to recognize and reward retail professionals who demonstrate excellence in their field. The CRSM program provides a comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of store management, including customer service, operations, merchandising, finance, and human resources.

The CRSM program consists of four levels: Associate, Professional, Senior Professional and Master Professional. Each level requires the successful completion of a series of courses and exams. The Associate level takes approximately one year to complete; the Professional and Senior Professional levels take two years each; and the Master Professional level takes three years to complete.

To get Certified Retail Store Manager (CRSM) certification, you must first meet the eligibility requirements set by the NRF. These include having at least two years of retail experience in an executive or managerial position. You must also pass an exam for each level of certification you are seeking. The cost for taking the exam varies depending on which level you are seeking; however, it typically ranges from $200-$400 per exam.

2. Certified Professional Retail Store Manager (CPRSM)

Certified Professional Retail Store Manager (CPRSM) is a certification program offered by the National Retail Federation (NRF). It is designed to recognize retail store managers who demonstrate excellence in their field. The certification requires that candidates have at least three years of experience as a retail store manager and pass an exam.

The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as customer service, operations, merchandising, and financial management. Candidates must also complete a project demonstrating their knowledge and skills in retail management.

It typically takes about four months to complete all requirements for the CPRSM certification. To get started, interested individuals should review the NRF's eligibility criteria and then register for the exam online or by mail. The cost of the exam is $395 for NRF members and $495 for non-members.

3. Certified Associate Store Manager (CASM)

Certified Associate Store Manager (CASM) is a certification program from the National Retail Federation (NRF) that provides store managers with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their roles. The certification is designed for those who are new to store management or who have been in the role for less than two years. It covers topics such as customer service, merchandising, operations, and analytics.

The CASM certification takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete and can be done online at your own pace. The cost of the program is $199 USD, which includes access to all course materials and an exam voucher. Upon successful completion of the exam, you will receive a certificate of completion and a digital badge that can be shared on social media platforms.

4. Certified Retail Store Leader (CRSTL)

Certified Retail Store Leader (CRSTL) is a certification program designed to develop and recognize retail store leaders who have the necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities to successfully lead their store. The CRSTL program is offered through the National Retail Federation (NRF). It is an online-based program that consists of four modules: Leadership & Communication, Operations & Processes, Financial Management, and Customer Experience.

The CRSTL certification can be obtained in as little as six months. To get certified, you must complete all four modules of the coursework with a passing grade of 70% or higher. You will also need to submit a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates your mastery of the material. Once you have completed these requirements, you will receive your certificate from the NRF.

The cost for the CRSTL certification varies depending on where you purchase it from. Generally speaking, it costs around $500-$600 USD for the entire program.

5. Certified Retail Supervisor (CRS)

Certified Retail Supervisor (CRS) is a professional certification program designed to help retail professionals advance their careers and become successful supervisors. The CRS program is offered by the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), an international trade association representing the world’s leading retailers.

The CRS program consists of three levels: Associate, Professional, and Executive. Each level requires completion of specific coursework and assessments in order to be certified. The coursework covers topics such as customer service, sales, operations, management, and human resources.

The Associate level takes approximately 6 months to complete and costs $1,000. The Professional level takes 12-18 months to complete and costs $2,500. The Executive level takes 24-36 months to complete and costs $5,000. All levels require passing a comprehensive exam at the end of the coursework in order to receive certification.

To get started with the CRS program, you must first register with RILA online or by mail. Once registered, you will receive access to all of the necessary materials for each level of certification including course materials, practice exams, online videos, webinars and more. After completing all required coursework and passing the final exam for each level of certification you will receive your official CRS certificate from RILA.

6. Certified Retail Business Manager (CRBM)

Certified Retail Business Manager (CRBM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the retail industry. The CRBM program was created by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and is recognized as a benchmark of excellence within the retail industry.

The CRBM program consists of three levels: Certified Retail Business Manager (CRBM), Certified Professional Retailer (CPR) and Certified Executive Retailer (CER). To become certified, individuals must demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in areas such as customer service, store operations, marketing, merchandising, finance and human resources.

The CRBM program takes approximately six months to complete. To obtain the certification, applicants must first complete an online application form and submit it to the NRF for review. Once approved, applicants will be required to pass an exam covering topics such as store operations, customer service, marketing and merchandising. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their certification from the NRF.

The cost of obtaining a CRBM certification varies depending on where you take the exam and other factors such as whether you are taking additional courses or seminars related to retail business management. Generally speaking, however, it can cost anywhere from $500-$1,000 USD for all materials needed to obtain your CRBM certification.

7. Certified Assistant Store Manager (CASM)

Certified Assistant Store Manager (CASM) is a certification program offered by the National Retail Federation (NRF). It is designed to provide retail professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to become successful assistant store managers. The certification is valid for three years, and it requires applicants to pass an online exam.

The CASM exam covers topics such as customer service, merchandising, operations, human resources, financial management, and safety. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes about two hours to complete. Applicants must have at least one year of retail experience in order to be eligible for the certification.

The cost of the certification is $395 USD. This fee includes access to the online course material, practice exams, and the official exam. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their CASM certificate and a digital badge that can be used on their resumes or professional profiles.

8. National Retail Federation’s Professional Certification Program (NRFPCP)

The National Retail Federation’s Professional Certification Program (NRFPCP) is a comprehensive program designed to help retail professionals gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the industry. The program is divided into three levels: Associate, Professional, and Executive. Each level requires different levels of experience and education, as well as passing an exam.

Associate Level: This level is intended for those with 0-2 years of retail experience. It requires a minimum of 30 hours of coursework and passing an online exam. The cost for the Associate Level certification is $195 USD.

Professional Level: This level is intended for those with 2-5 years of retail experience. It requires a minimum of 60 hours of coursework and passing an online exam. The cost for the Professional Level certification is $295 USD.

Executive Level: This level is intended for those with 5+ years of retail experience. It requires a minimum of 120 hours of coursework and passing an online exam. The cost for the Executive Level certification is $395 USD.

Overall, it can take anywhere from 1-6 months to complete each level depending on how much time you have available to dedicate to studying and taking exams. To get started, you will need to register on the NRFPCP website and pay the appropriate fee associated with each level you are interested in pursuing. Once registered, you will be able to access all necessary materials such as study guides, practice tests, and other resources that will help you prepare for your exams.

9. American Management Association’s Certificate in Retail Management

The American Management Association’s Certificate in Retail Management is a comprehensive program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the retail industry. The program consists of three courses: Introduction to Retail Management, Merchandising and Store Operations, and Customer Service. Each course is self-paced and can be completed in approximately 12 weeks.

To get the certificate, students must complete all three courses with a passing grade. All course materials are available online for students to access anytime, anywhere. Additionally, AMA offers webinars and other resources to help students stay on track with their studies. Upon successful completion of all three courses, students will receive an official certificate from AMA that can be used as proof of their expertise in retail management.

The cost for the Certificate in Retail Management varies depending on whether you are an AMA member or non-member. For members, it costs $1,295; for non-members, it costs $1,495.

10. International Council of Shopping Centers’ Certificate in Shopping Center Management

The International Council of Shopping Centers’ (ICSC) Certificate in Shopping Center Management is an international certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and expertise of shopping center professionals. The certificate is intended to provide a comprehensive understanding of the industry, from leasing and marketing to operations and finance.

The program consists of three courses, each lasting two days: Foundations of Shopping Center Management, Leasing & Marketing Strategies, and Operations & Financial Analysis. Each course includes lectures, case studies, group discussions, and other interactive activities. Upon completion of all three courses, participants are eligible to receive their ICSC Certificate in Shopping Center Management.

In order to get the certificate, participants must attend all three courses within a two-year period. The courses can be taken online or in person at ICSC conferences around the world. The cost for the entire program is $1,500 USD for members and $2,000 USD for non-members.

The certificate is valid for five years from the date of completion and can be renewed by attending additional courses or participating in professional development activities approved by ICSC.

Do You Really Need a Assistant Store Manager Certificate?

No, you do not need an assistant store manager certificate in order to be an assistant store manager. While having a certificate may provide some credentials that could be helpful in obtaining a job, the most important factor is experience and knowledge. Employers want to know that their assistant store managers understand the business operations of a retail environment and can effectively manage personnel.

Having prior experience as an assistant store manager or other relevant positions can indicate that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the role. Similarly, having a degree in business or related field can demonstrate your competency in managing a retail environment.

Overall, while an assistant store manager certificate may be beneficial, it is not necessary for success as an assistant store manager. Having relevant experience and qualifications will prove far more valuable when applying for the job.

Related: Assistant Store Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Assistant Store Manager Certifications

1. What qualifications do I need to become an Assistant Store Manager?

Answer: To become an Assistant Store Manager, you should have a high school diploma or equivalent, plus experience in customer service, retail sales, and/or management. In some cases, additional training or certification may be required.

2. Is the Assistant Store Manager Certification worth it?

Answer: Yes! The Assistant Store Manager Certification is beneficial for anyone looking to advance their career in retail management and can help you stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs. Additionally, having this certification may give you access to higher salary opportunities and more job security.

3. How long does it take to earn an Assistant Store Manager Certification?

Answer: It typically takes about 6-12 months to complete the requirements for the certification depending on how quickly you are able to complete coursework and receive on-the-job training hours.

4. What topics are covered in the certification program?

Answer: The topics covered in most programs include customer service, store operations, merchandising strategies, inventory control, budgeting and financial management, employee relations and development, marketing strategies, human resource management and leadership skills.

5. Is there a cost associated with getting certified as an Assistant Store Manager?

Answer: Yes – the cost of certification can vary depending on the program provider but typically ranges between $500 - $1,000 USD before any discounts or scholarships are applied.