Top 11 Center Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for center managers in the job market because they demonstrate a commitment to professional development, show expertise in the field, and provide evidence that the candidate is qualified for the position. Having certifications can make a center manager stand out from other applicants and give them an edge when competing for jobs. Certifications also open up new opportunities and demonstrate that the individual has met certain standards of excellence in their field. Lastly, having certifications can help center managers build credibility with employers, colleagues, and customers, helping them to establish trustworthiness and reliability.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Center Managers and explains how they can help to advance a center manager's career.

What are Center Manager Certifications?

Center Manager Certification is a program developed by the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC) to recognize and reward excellence in the management of conference centers. The certification program is based on a set of standards that define the best practices for managing a successful conference center. This includes areas such as customer satisfaction, staff training and development, financial management, facility safety, food and beverage quality, and more. By obtaining Center Manager Certification, conference center owners can demonstrate their commitment to providing top-notch service to their customers.

The certification program provides managers with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of the industry, as well as show potential clients that they are committed to providing the highest level of service. Obtaining certification also serves as a way for managers to differentiate themselves from competitors who may not have invested in professional development or training. Furthermore, it gives managers access to resources such as best practices and benchmarking data which can help them improve their operations and stay ahead of industry trends. Ultimately, Center Manager Certification helps ensure that conference centers provide an exemplary customer experience and remain competitive in today’s market.

Pro Tip: When obtaining a center manager certification, make sure to research the requirements and expectations of the program you are applying to. This will help ensure that you have an understanding of the specific qualifications needed for successful completion. Additionally, it is important to have a clear plan of what you need to do in order to achieve certification.

Related: What does a Center Manager do?

Top 11 Center Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP)

Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) is a professional certification program offered by the Association for Talent Development (ATD). It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated mastery of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to effectively design, develop, manage, and evaluate learning and performance initiatives.

To become CPLP certified, you must meet certain requirements. These include having at least three years of learning and performance experience in a professional role; completing at least nine hours of ATD-approved continuing education courses; passing an exam that covers topics such as instructional design, learning technologies, performance improvement strategies, project management principles, and evaluation methods; and agreeing to adhere to the ATD Code of Ethics.

The process typically takes six months or more depending on how quickly you can complete all the requirements. The cost for CPLP certification varies depending on your membership status with ATD. If you are not an ATD member, the cost is $1,495 USD. If you are an ATD member, the cost is $995 USD.

2. Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE)

Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE) is a professional certification program offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate knowledge and mastery of quality principles, practices, and tools. The certification requires a combination of education, experience, and examination.

To become certified as a CMQ/OE, an individual must have at least eight years of work experience in quality assurance or organizational excellence management, including at least three years in a leadership role. Additionally, applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or have completed an approved ASQ training course.

The cost of the CMQ/OE certification varies depending on the applicant’s country of residence and whether they are an ASQ member. In the United States, non-members can expect to pay $699 for the exam fee and $299 for the application fee. For members, the exam fee is reduced to $549 and the application fee is waived.

The CMQ/OE exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as quality management systems; process improvement; customer satisfaction; human resources management; project management; operations management; organizational performance measurement; financial analysis; strategic planning; risk management; and ethical practices. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

Once you have passed the exam and met all other requirements, you will receive your official certification from ASQ. This certification demonstrates your commitment to quality assurance and organizational excellence management principles, practices, and tools.

3. Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (CLSSBB)

Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (CLSSBB) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in the Lean Six Sigma methodology. It is designed to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead and manage successful process improvement initiatives. The certification is offered by many organizations, including the International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC).

The CLSSBB certification requires a minimum of two years of experience in leading or managing process improvement initiatives, as well as passing an examination. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as Lean principles, Six Sigma tools and techniques, project management, and statistical analysis.

In order to obtain the CLSSBB certification, individuals must first complete a training program. Training programs are typically offered by universities or other organizations that specialize in Lean Six Sigma training. These programs usually take between four and eight weeks to complete and can cost anywhere from $2,000-$3,000 USD depending on the provider. After completing the training program, individuals must then pass the IASSC Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Exam in order to receive their certification.

The cost of obtaining the CLSSBB certification varies depending on which provider you choose for your training program and exam preparation materials. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $2,500-$4,000 USD for both the training program and exam fees combined.

4. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is a globally recognized credential that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in project management. The PMP certification validates an individual’s ability to manage complex projects, lead teams, and deliver results on time and within budget.

It typically takes around 3-6 months to obtain the PMP certification. To be eligible for the PMP exam, individuals must have either a secondary degree (high school diploma, associate's degree or global equivalent) with at least 5 years of project management experience or a four-year degree with at least 3 years of project management experience.

To get the PMP certification, individuals must complete an application process and pass an exam that consists of 200 multiple choice questions. The exam covers five major areas: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling, and closing projects.

The cost of obtaining the PMP certification varies depending on whether you are already a member of PMI or not. For non-members, it costs $555 for the application fee + $405 for the exam fee = $960 total cost. For members of PMI, it costs $405 for the application fee + $375 for the exam fee = $780 total cost.

5. Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

Certified Scrum Master (CSM) is a professional certification program for people who wish to become proficient in the Scrum methodology. It is a two-day course that provides an introduction to the basics of Scrum and its application in the workplace. The course is designed to help participants understand and apply the principles, values, and practices of Scrum in their organization.

The CSM certification requires successful completion of a two-day training program offered by an accredited training provider. The cost for the training varies depending on the provider, but generally ranges from $1,000-$2,000 USD. After completing the training, participants must pass an online exam to receive their CSM certification. The exam fee is typically included in the cost of the training program.

To maintain their certification, CSMs must earn Continuing Education Credits (CECs) every two years by attending approved events or taking additional courses related to Scrum or Agile project management. CECs can be earned through a variety of activities including attending conferences, workshops, webinars, and other events related to Scrum and Agile project management.

6. Certified Agile Project Manager (CAPM)

Certified Agile Project Manager (CAPM) is a professional certification program offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The CAPM certification is designed to demonstrate an individual's knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of agile project management. It is intended for individuals who have a basic understanding of project management and are looking to gain more in-depth knowledge and skills in the area of agile project management.

The CAPM exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, which must be completed within 3 hours. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have either a secondary degree (high school diploma or equivalent) plus 1,500 hours of professional experience on a project team, or 23 hours of formal education in project management topics.

To get certified as a CAPM, you will need to pass the CAPM Exam. The cost for the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $225-$400 USD. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official PMI Certified Agile Project Manager (CAPM) certificate.

In addition to passing the exam, you must also meet PMI’s Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) every three years in order to maintain your certification status. This includes earning 60 Professional Development Units (PDUs) within that time period, attending training courses or workshops related to agile project management, participating in professional development activities such as mentoring or coaching others in agile project management topics, and engaging with other professionals through networking events or online forums.

7. ITIL Foundation Certification

ITIL Foundation Certification is a globally recognized certification that provides a comprehensive understanding of the ITIL framework. It is designed to help organizations improve their service delivery and customer experience. The certification covers the five core ITIL processes (Incident Management, Problem Management, Change Management, Service Level Management and Availability Management) as well as other related topics such as Service Design, Service Transition and Continual Service Improvement.

ITIL Foundation Certification typically takes two days to complete and requires passing an exam at the end of the course. The exam consists of 40 multiple-choice questions which must be completed within 60 minutes. To get certified, you need to attend an accredited training course or self-study using official ITIL materials.

The cost of ITIL Foundation Certification varies depending on where you take the course and what type of program you choose (e.g., instructor-led or online). Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $500-$1,000 USD for a two-day course.

8. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program that validates an individual's proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite of products. It tests an individual's knowledge and skills with the various programs within the suite, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.

The MOS certification is offered through Certiport, an authorized testing center for Microsoft certifications. The exam typically takes around 75 minutes to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. There are different levels of certification available depending on which version of Office you are using (Office 2019, 2016 or 2013).

To get certified in MOS, individuals must first register for the exam at Certiport's website. They will then need to purchase a voucher code from Certiport in order to take the exam. The cost of the voucher code varies depending on which version of Office you are taking the exam for and can range from $60-$100 USD.

Once registered and purchased a voucher code, individuals will be able to schedule their exam at a nearby testing center. After successfully completing the exam, individuals will receive their official MOS certificate via email within 2-4 weeks.

9. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ is a vendor-neutral certification that validates the skills and knowledge of IT professionals. It is an entry-level certification for those looking to enter the field of IT, or for those already in the field who want to demonstrate their expertise.

The CompTIA A+ certification consists of two exams: 220-1001 (Core 1) and 220-1002 (Core 2). The exams cover topics such as hardware, networking, mobile devices, troubleshooting, security, cloud computing, and operational procedures. The exams are designed to test your ability to install, configure, diagnose, repair and maintain computers and other related technologies.

It typically takes around six months of study to prepare for the CompTIA A+ certification exams. You can find a variety of online courses available that provide comprehensive preparation materials and practice tests. Additionally, there are many books available that can help you prepare for the exams.

To get certified you must pass both the Core 1 and Core 2 exams with a score of at least 675 out of 900 points on each exam. Once you have passed both exams you will be officially certified as a CompTIA A+ technician.

The cost of taking the CompTIA A+ certification exam varies depending on which country you are taking it in. Generally speaking it costs between $200-$300 USD per exam ($400 - $600 total).

10. Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) is a professional certification offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). It is designed to recognize business analysts who have achieved a level of excellence in their field. The CBAP certification requires that applicants demonstrate their knowledge and experience in business analysis, as well as their ability to apply best practices.

To qualify for the CBAP certification, applicants must meet certain requirements such as having 7500 hours of documented business analysis experience over the past 10 years. They must also have 21 hours of professional development in the past four years and pass an exam consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions.

The exam takes approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete, and it costs $325 USD for IIBA members or $450 USD for non-members. Once an applicant has passed the exam, they will receive their CBAP certification. This certification is valid for three years before it needs to be renewed.

11. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is an information security certification developed by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2). It is an independent, globally recognized standard of achievement that confirms a professional’s knowledge in the field of information security. The CISSP credential is designed to demonstrate an individual’s expertise in ten domains of information security, including access control, cryptography, network security and software development security.

It typically takes between six months to two years to obtain the CISSP certification. During this time, individuals must complete a minimum of five years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the ten domains of information security. After gaining the necessary experience, individuals can then apply for the exam and sit for it at a local testing center.

The cost for obtaining the CISSP certification varies depending on your country and region. Generally speaking, you will need to pay an application fee when applying for the exam as well as a fee for taking the exam itself. Additionally, you may need to purchase study materials or attend review courses in order to prepare for the exam.

Do You Really Need a Center Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual situation. If you are looking to work in a managerial role within the center, then it would be beneficial for you to obtain a Center Manager Certificate. This certificate will demonstrate that you have the necessary knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage a center. It will also show potential employers that you are committed to the field and have taken the time to further your education.

On the other hand, if you are already employed at a center and do not plan on pursuing a managerial position, then it may not be necessary for you to obtain this certification. However, if you are interested in expanding your career opportunities or taking on more responsibility within the company, then obtaining this certificate could be advantageous as it would show potential employers that you have taken steps to improve your qualifications and stay up-to-date with industry trends.

Ultimately, this is a decision that should be made based on your individual goals and needs. If obtaining a Center Manager Certificate would help advance your career or open up new opportunities, then it may be worth considering.

Related: Center Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Center Manager Certifications

Q1. What is the Center Manager Certification?

A1. The Center Manager Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate proficiency in managing center operations. It provides recognition for those who have met and maintained the standards of excellence required by industry-leading organizations, and is awarded by the International Association of Centers (IAC).

Q2. How do I become certified as a Center Manager?

A2. To become certified as a Center Manager, you must complete an approved training course, pass an examination administered by the IAC, and meet certain eligibility requirements such as having at least two years of experience in center management or related fields.

Q3. Is there a fee associated with becoming certified?

A3. Yes, there is a fee associated with becoming certified as a Center Manager. The fees cover the cost of materials, examination fees and administrative costs associated with maintaining your certification status.

Q4. What are the benefits of being certified?

A4. Being certified as a Center Manager demonstrates that you have achieved a level of expertise in managing center operations and provides recognition for your accomplishments. It also gives you access to exclusive resources such as continuing education courses and networking opportunities with other professionals in the field.

Q5. How long does my certification last?

A5: Your certification will remain valid for three years from the date it was issued provided that you maintain your eligibility requirements during this period. After three years, you will need to renew your certification by completing additional training courses or passing an updated examination administered by IAC