Top 11 Box Office Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for a box office manager in the job market because they demonstrate their knowledge and skills, as well as their commitment to professional development. Certifications can help box office managers stand out from other candidates by showing that they have the necessary qualifications to excel in the role. They also show employers that the individual is up-to-date on the latest industry trends and developments, which can be invaluable in a competitive job market. A certification can also lead to increased job opportunities, higher salaries, and better benefits.

This article reviews some of the best certifications for Box Office Managers and explains how they can help to advance a box office manager's career.

What are Box Office Manager Certifications?

Box office manager certification is a program designed to help individuals become successful in the box office management field. It provides comprehensive training for people who want to work in the entertainment industry as a box office manager. The program covers topics such as customer service, ticket sales, event planning and marketing, financial management and accounting, as well as industry-specific laws and regulations. It also provides an introduction to the latest technology used in the box office, such as ticketing systems and point-of-sale software.

By completing this certification, individuals will be better equipped to handle the daily tasks of a box office manager. This includes setting up events, managing staff members and customers, resolving conflicts, ensuring tickets are sold properly, creating reports on sales trends and more. They will also gain knowledge on how to use software programs that help them manage their job duties efficiently. Having this certification can open up new opportunities for advancement in the entertainment industry by demonstrating knowledge of best practices and current trends in the field.

Pro Tip: When considering a box office manager certification, look for programs that offer hands-on experience and include courses in customer service, ticketing systems, accounting principles, and marketing. This will ensure you have the necessary skills to effectively manage a box office.

Related: What does a Box Office Manager do?

Top 11 Box Office Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Box Office Managers today.

1. Certified Box Office Manager (CBOM)

Certified Box Office Manager (CBOM) is a professional certification program designed to help box office managers improve their skills and knowledge of the entertainment industry. CBOM is administered by the International Association of Professional Box Office Managers (IAPBOM). The certification requires successful completion of a comprehensive exam, and is valid for three years.

To become certified, applicants must first complete an application form and submit it to IAPBOM. Once approved, applicants will receive an email with instructions on how to take the online CBOM exam. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as ticketing systems, customer service, venue management, marketing and promotion, financial management, event planning and more. Applicants have up to two hours to complete the exam.

The cost for the CBOM exam is $195 USD for members of IAPBOM or $245 USD for non-members. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive a certificate from IAPBOM verifying their status as a Certified Box Office Manager.

2. Certified Ticketing Professional (CTP)

Certified Ticketing Professional (CTP) is an industry-recognized certification program offered by the International Ticketing Association (INTIX). It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate a high level of knowledge and expertise in the ticketing industry. The CTP certification program is open to anyone, regardless of experience or job title.

The CTP certification process consists of two parts: a written exam and an oral interview. The written exam covers topics such as ticketing operations, customer service, sales and marketing, finance and accounting, technology, legal issues, and ethics. To pass the written exam, applicants must score at least 70%. After passing the written exam, applicants must complete an oral interview with INTIX staff members. This interview focuses on the applicant’s knowledge of the ticketing industry and their ability to apply that knowledge in a professional setting.

The CTP certification process typically takes between three to six months to complete. However, this timeline can vary depending on how quickly applicants are able to submit all necessary documentation and take the written exam.

The cost of obtaining a CTP certification varies depending on whether you are an INTIX member or non-member. For INTIX members, the cost is $400 USD; for non-members it is $500 USD. This fee includes access to study materials, registration for both parts of the certification process (written exam and oral interview), and one year of membership in INTIX after successful completion of the program.

3. Certified Box Office Supervisor (CBOS)

Certified Box Office Supervisor (CBOS) is a certification program offered by the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM). It is designed to provide box office supervisors with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage a box office. The certification program consists of four courses: Box Office Management, Ticketing Systems, Financial Analysis, and Customer Service.

The CBOS certification requires completion of all four courses, which can be taken online or in-person. Each course takes approximately 8 hours to complete and must be completed within 12 months of enrollment. Upon successful completion of all four courses, candidates are awarded a CBOS certificate.

The cost for the CBOS certification varies depending on the type of course taken and whether it is taken online or in-person. Online courses typically range from $250-$500 per course while in-person courses range from $500-$1000 per course.

4. Certified Box Office Administrator (CBOA)

Certified Box Office Administrator (CBOA) is a certification program offered by Ticketmaster, the world’s largest ticketing company. The CBOA certification is designed to provide box office professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to effectively manage their box office operations.

The CBOA certification consists of two parts: an online course and a final exam. The online course covers topics such as ticketing systems, customer service, event marketing, and financial management. It takes approximately 8 hours to complete the online course.

Once you have completed the online course, you will be able to take the final exam. This exam is administered by Ticketmaster and consists of multiple-choice questions about box office operations. You must pass this exam in order to become certified as a CBOA.

The cost of the CBOA certification varies depending on where you take it. In most cases, it costs around $200-$250 for both the online course and final exam.

5. Certified Venue Manager (CVM)

Certified Venue Manager (CVM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to manage a venue. The CVM certification is administered by the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the success of public assembly venues worldwide.

The CVM program consists of two parts: an online course and an in-person exam. The online course covers topics such as financial management, marketing and sales, customer service, operations and risk management, event planning and production, legal issues, and technology. The course takes approximately 20 hours to complete.

To become certified as a CVM, individuals must successfully complete the online course and pass the in-person exam with a score of 80% or higher. The exam is offered at various locations throughout the year.

The cost for the CVM program varies depending on whether you are an IAVM member or nonmember. For members, the cost is $350; for nonmembers it is $450.

6. Certified Event Planner (CEP)

Certified Event Planner (CEP) is a professional certification program offered by the International Live Events Association (ILEA). It is designed to recognize event planners who have achieved a high level of knowledge, skills and experience in the field. The CEP is an internationally recognized designation that demonstrates a commitment to excellence and professionalism.

The CEP program consists of three components: an online exam, a practical application project and an interview with an ILEA-approved panel of experts. The online exam tests knowledge in areas such as event planning, budgeting, marketing and customer service. The practical application project requires applicants to create and execute a detailed event plan that meets all requirements set forth by ILEA. Finally, the interview process allows applicants to demonstrate their understanding of the industry and their ability to apply their knowledge in real-world situations.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete all three components of the CEP program. Applicants must pass each component before they can become certified.

The cost for the CEP program varies depending on whether you are already an ILEA member or not. Non-members must pay a $250 fee for access to the course materials, while members receive discounted rates based on their membership level. In addition, there may be additional fees for taking the online exam or attending any required events or interviews associated with the program.

Overall, becoming a Certified Event Planner is an excellent way for event professionals to demonstrate their expertise in this growing field and gain recognition from peers and potential employers alike.

7. Certified Ticket Seller (CTS)

Certified Ticket Seller (CTS) is a certification program developed by the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB). The program is designed to ensure that ticket sellers are knowledgeable and ethical in their practices.

To become a Certified Ticket Seller, applicants must first complete an online application and pass a background check. Once approved, they must then take an online course that covers topics such as ticketing laws and regulations, consumer protection, industry best practices, and ethics. Upon successful completion of the course, applicants will receive their CTS certification.

The entire process typically takes about two weeks from start to finish.

The cost for the CTS certification is $295 USD. This fee covers the cost of the online course, background check, and certification materials.

8. Certified Ticket Broker (CTB)

A Certified Ticket Broker (CTB) is a professional ticket broker who has been certified by the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB). The certification process is designed to ensure that ticket brokers are knowledgeable about their industry and abide by ethical standards.

The CTB certification process consists of an online application, a background check, and a written exam. The application must be completed before taking the exam. Applicants must have at least two years of experience in the ticket industry and demonstrate knowledge of the NATB Code of Ethics.

The written exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as ticket pricing, customer service, legal issues, and marketing. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and can be taken at any Prometric testing center.

The cost for the CTB certification is $250 plus any applicable taxes or fees. Once certified, CTBs must renew their certification every two years by completing continuing education courses and paying an annual fee of $100 plus taxes/fees.

9. Certified Ticket Reseller (CTR)

A Certified Ticket Reseller (CTR) is a company that has been certified by the National Association of Ticket Brokers (NATB) to sell tickets to events. CTRs are required to adhere to a strict code of ethics and have specific safeguards in place to protect consumers from fraud and other unethical practices.

It can take up to six months for a company to become certified as a CTR. Companies must submit an application to the NATB, which includes documentation such as financial statements, business plans, and proof of insurance. The NATB then reviews the application and may require additional information or documents before making a decision on certification.

Once approved, companies must pay an annual fee in order to maintain their certification status. The fee varies depending on the size of the company but typically ranges from $500-$1,500 per year.

In addition, companies must also abide by certain rules set forth by the NATB in order to maintain their certification status. These include providing accurate ticket information, using secure payment methods, offering refunds when applicable, and more.

Overall, becoming a Certified Ticket Reseller is an important step for any company looking to enter into the ticket reselling industry. It provides customers with peace of mind that they are dealing with a legitimate business that follows industry best practices and safeguards them from potential fraud or other unethical practices.

10. Certified Salesforce Administrator (CSA)

A Certified Salesforce Administrator (CSA) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in administering and managing Salesforce applications. The CSA credential is awarded by Salesforce, the world’s leading provider of customer relationship management (CRM) software.

The CSA exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. To qualify for the exam, candidates must have at least 6 months of experience working with Salesforce applications.

In order to become certified, candidates must register for the exam through the Salesforce website and pay a fee of $200 USD. Once registered, they can then take the exam at a testing center or online via ProctorU.

Once the exam has been completed, results are usually available within 24 hours. Candidates who pass will receive their CSA certificate in the mail within 4-6 weeks.

11. Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Customer Service Certification

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Customer Service Certification is a professional certification program designed to help individuals demonstrate their expertise in the use of Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Customer Service. This certification validates an individual’s ability to configure, implement, and manage customer service solutions using Microsoft Dynamics 365.

The certification exam consists of 40-60 questions and takes about two hours to complete. To earn the certification, you must pass one exam: MB2-717 Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Customer Service. The exam costs $165 USD.

To get the certification, you need to have a minimum of three months of hands-on experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Customer Service or equivalent knowledge. You can prepare for the exam by taking instructor-led training courses or self-study courses offered by Microsoft or its partners. Once you are ready to take the exam, you can register and schedule it through Pearson VUE, an authorized testing center.

Do You Really Need a Box Office Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their goals. A box office manager certificate is not a requirement for most entry-level positions in the entertainment industry. However, some organizations may require a certificate or other type of professional development training in order to be considered for higher-level roles.

For those who are serious about pursuing a career as a box office manager, obtaining a certificate can be beneficial. It can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to manage complex ticketing operations, as well as offer insight into the latest trends and technologies used in the industry. Additionally, having a certificate could make you more competitive in the job market when compared to those who do not possess one.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a box office manager certificate will depend on your individual goals and aspirations within the entertainment industry. If you feel that obtaining certification would help you reach your desired job role or level of proficiency faster, then it may be worth considering.

Related: Box Office Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Box Office Manager Certifications

1. What are the benefits of obtaining a Box Office Manager Certification?

Answer: A Box Office Manager Certification can provide an individual with important skills and knowledge to manage a box office, including the ability to use ticketing systems, understand financial processes and regulations, develop customer service strategies, manage inventory, and more. It can also help individuals stand out from other job applicants when applying for box office positions.

2. How long does it take to complete a Box Office Manager Certification?

Answer: The amount of time required to complete a Box Office Manager Certification will vary depending on the program or institution offering the certification. Generally speaking, most programs require between 6-12 months of coursework or study in order to complete the certification.

3. What courses are included in a typical Box Office Manager Certification program?

Answer: Typical courses included in a Box Office Manager Certification program include Ticketing Systems, Financial Regulations & Processes, Customer Service Strategies & Practices, Inventory Management & Control, Marketing & Promotion Strategies, Human Resources Management & Leadership Development, and Event Planning & Coordination.

4. Are there any prerequisites for enrolling in a Box Office Manager Certification program?

Answer: Most programs require that students have prior experience working in the box office or related field before enrolling in their certification program. Additionally, some programs may require students to pass an entrance exam or submit official transcripts from previous educational institutions as part of their application process.

5. Is there an exam associated with obtaining a Box Office Manager Certification?

Answer: Yes - most programs require students to pass an exam after completing their coursework in order to receive their certification. The exam typically tests knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program related to managing box office operations and procedures.