Top 10 Communications Consultant Certifications

Certifications are important for communications consultants in the job market because they demonstrate a high level of expertise and commitment to the profession. Certifications show employers that the consultant is knowledgeable and experienced in their field, which can help them stand out from other applicants. They also provide proof of professional development, which is an attractive quality for potential employers. Additionally, certifications can open up opportunities for higher pay, as many organizations look to hire consultants with certifications when hiring. Finally, certifications can give consultants access to exclusive networking events and industry-specific resources that can help them stay up-to-date on trends and best practices in the communications field.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the best certifications for Communications Consultants and explain how they can help advance one's career.

What are Communications Consultant Certifications?

Communications consultant certification is a type of professional certification program that provides individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to become successful communications consultants. Communications consultants are professionals who provide advice and guidance on how best to communicate with specific audiences in order to achieve desired objectives. The certification usually requires completion of an educational program, such as a certificate or degree, and passing an exam.

Having a certified communications consultant can be beneficial for businesses or organizations that need assistance in communicating their message effectively. A certified communications consultant can help plan and implement comprehensive communication strategies that target the right audience, use appropriate language and channels, and deliver effective results. Additionally, certified consultants can provide insights into how particular messages may be received by different audiences, identify potential obstacles to success, and help develop solutions that will ensure successful outcomes. Having a certified professional on staff can also give organizations greater confidence in their communication efforts as they will have access to someone with expertise in the field who knows the latest industry trends and techniques.

Pro Tip: When considering certification as a communications consultant, make sure to research the requirements and options available in your area. It is important to understand what type of certification you need, as well as the process for obtaining it. Additionally, be sure to check out any continuing education or professional development opportunities associated with your certification. Doing so will help ensure that you are staying up-to-date on best practices and industry trends in order to provide the best service possible.

Related: What does a Communications Consultant do?

Top 10 Communications Consultant Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional in Public Relations (CPPR)

Certified Professional in Public Relations (CPPR) is a professional certification program offered by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) to recognize public relations professionals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and experience in the field. The CPPR credential is designed to demonstrate an individual’s mastery of the core competencies required for successful public relations practice.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CPPR certification process, depending on how quickly you can prepare and take the exam. To become certified, you must first meet the eligibility requirements, which include having at least five years of professional public relations experience, a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, and completion of at least 30 hours of continuing education credits in PR-related topics within the past three years. Once you've met these requirements, you can apply to take the exam.

The cost for taking the CPPR exam is $395 for members of PRSA and $495 for non-members. This fee includes access to study materials and online practice exams as well as one attempt at taking the actual exam. If you don't pass on your first try, there is an additional fee to retake it.

Once you've passed the exam, you will be awarded your Certified Professional in Public Relations credential and will be eligible to use it on your resume and other professional materials.

2. Certified Communications Professional (CCP)

Certified Communications Professional (CCP) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). The CCP program is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and implement successful communication strategies.

The CCP program consists of five core courses and an examination. The core courses cover topics such as communication strategy, public relations, writing for business, digital media, and visual communication. The exam tests your knowledge in each of these areas and requires you to demonstrate your ability to apply that knowledge in a real-world setting.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the CCP program depending on how much time you are able to dedicate to it. To get started, you must first become a member of IABC and then register for the CCP program. Once registered, you will receive access to course materials and be assigned an instructor who will guide you through the process.

The cost of the CCP program varies depending on whether or not you are an IABC member. For non-members, it costs $1,295 USD for all five courses plus the exam fee. For members, it costs $995 USD for all five courses plus the exam fee.

3. Certified Digital Marketing Strategist (CDMS)

Certified Digital Marketing Strategist (CDMS) is a professional certification program offered by the Digital Marketing Institute. It is designed to equip digital marketing professionals with the knowledge, skills, and tools to develop and execute effective digital marketing strategies.

The CDMS certification program consists of two modules: Module 1 focuses on the fundamentals of digital marketing strategy, while Module 2 covers advanced topics such as data-driven decision making, customer segmentation, and content optimization. The program also includes an online assessment that must be completed in order to receive certification.

It typically takes around 10-12 weeks to complete the CDMS program. During this time, students will learn about digital marketing principles, strategies, and tactics; gain hands-on experience in creating and executing successful campaigns; and develop an understanding of how to measure success.

To get certified as a CDMS, you must first complete both modules of the program. You can either take the course online or attend a live training session at one of DMI’s locations around the world. Once you have completed both modules, you must pass an online assessment in order to receive your certification.

The cost for the CDMS program varies depending on whether you choose to take it online or attend a live training session. The online version costs €795 (approx $920 USD), while attending a live session will cost €1,495 (approx $1,740 USD).

4. Certified Social Media Strategist (CSMS)

A Certified Social Media Strategist (CSMS) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated advanced knowledge and skills in social media strategy. This certification is designed to help professionals understand the best practices for developing, managing and optimizing social media campaigns.

The CSMS certification requires applicants to pass an exam that tests their knowledge of the fundamentals of social media strategy, including topics such as content creation, audience engagement, analytics and reporting. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and is offered by the Social Media Marketing Institute (SMMI). It takes approximately two hours to complete.

In order to become certified, applicants must have at least three years of experience in social media marketing or related fields. They must also submit proof of their professional experience and pass the CSMS exam with a score of 80% or higher.

The cost of the CSMS certification varies depending on the country where it’s taken; however, it typically ranges between $500-$1,000 USD.

5. Accredited Public Relations Practitioner (APRP)

Accredited Public Relations Practitioner (APRP) is a professional accreditation program offered by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). It is designed to recognize public relations professionals who have achieved a high level of knowledge, experience and expertise in the field. The APRP credential is awarded to PR professionals who demonstrate mastery of the core competencies required for successful public relations practice.

To become an Accredited Public Relations Practitioner, applicants must meet certain criteria and complete a comprehensive assessment process. This includes submitting an application, providing evidence of professional experience, passing an exam, and completing continuing education requirements. The application process typically takes several months to complete.

The cost to become an APRP varies depending on the applicant's membership status with PRSA. For non-members, the fee is $450; for members, it is $350. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam or other activities related to obtaining the credential.

Once approved, APRP certification must be renewed every three years by demonstrating continued professional development and adherence to PRSA’s Code of Ethics.

6. Certified Corporate Communications Professional (CCCP)

Certified Corporate Communications Professional (CCCP) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities to effectively manage corporate communications. The CCCP certification is offered by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

The CCCP certification process includes an online exam and a portfolio review. To be eligible for the CCCP, applicants must have at least five years of professional experience in corporate communications or related fields.

The online exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as organizational communication, strategic planning, media relations, public relations, crisis management and digital communications. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete.

The portfolio review requires applicants to submit a portfolio that demonstrates their knowledge and experience in corporate communications. This includes documents such as press releases, internal memos, marketing materials, social media posts and other relevant work samples. The portfolio should be reviewed by a panel of IABC members who will evaluate it based on criteria such as creativity, effectiveness and impact.

The cost for the CCCP certification is $400 USD for IABC members and $500 USD for non-members. Applicants must also pay an additional fee if they choose to take the online exam at an IABC testing center ($50 USD) or if they need to reschedule their exam date ($25 USD).

In total, it typically takes between three to six months to complete the entire CCCP certification process from start to finish.

7. Certified Internal Communications Professional (CICP)

Certified Internal Communications Professional (CICP) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the highest level of competency in the field of internal communications. The certification is offered by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC).

The CICP certification requires applicants to have at least three years of professional experience in internal communications or related fields, as well as a minimum of 10 hours of continuing education in internal communications. Applicants must also demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the principles and practices of effective internal communication through an online assessment.

It typically takes between three and six months to complete the application process for CICP certification. This includes completing the online assessment, submitting all required documentation, and attending an interview with a panel of IABC-certified professionals.

The cost for CICP certification varies depending on whether you are an IABC member or not. For non-members, the cost is $495 USD; for members, it is $395 USD.

8. Accredited Crisis Communications Specialist (ACCS)

Accredited Crisis Communications Specialist (ACCS) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM). It is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively communicate during times of crisis. The ACCS program focuses on developing an understanding of effective communication strategies, techniques, and tools for successful crisis management.

The ACCS certification requires a minimum of 40 hours of training in topics such as risk communication, media relations, public information management, message development and delivery, social media, and legal considerations. Courses are available online or in person through IAEM-approved providers.

It takes approximately two months to complete the ACCS program depending on the individual's availability. To become certified as an ACCS, individuals must first complete the required courses and then pass a final exam administered by IAEM.

The cost for the ACCS program varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 USD. This cost includes all course materials and access to online resources.

9. Certified Media Relations Professional (CMRP)

Certified Media Relations Professional (CMRP) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute for Public Relations (IPR). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and expertise in the field of media relations. The CMRP credential demonstrates that an individual has met rigorous standards of excellence in the areas of media relations, communication strategy, and public relations.

The CMRP program consists of two components: an online course and an exam. The online course is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of media relations, including topics such as writing press releases, pitching stories to reporters, working with influencers, and managing crises. The exam tests the applicant’s knowledge of these topics and their ability to apply them in real-world situations.

To become certified as a CMRP, applicants must successfully complete both the online course and the exam. The online course typically takes about 8-10 hours to complete; however, this may vary depending on the applicant’s prior experience with media relations. The exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions based on material covered in the online course.

The cost for becoming certified as a CMRP is $395 USD (as of 2021). This fee includes access to the online course materials as well as one attempt at taking the exam. Additional attempts at taking the exam are available for an additional fee.

10. Certified Public Affairs Specialist (CPAS)

Certified Public Affairs Specialist (CPAS) is a professional certification program designed to recognize public affairs professionals who demonstrate the highest levels of knowledge, skill, and experience in the field. The CPAS program is administered by the National Association of Public Affairs Professionals (NAPAP).

The CPAS credential requires candidates to complete a comprehensive exam that covers topics related to public affairs including policy analysis, strategic communications, media relations, and organizational management. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within three hours.

To become certified as a CPAS, applicants must have at least five years of professional experience in public affairs or a related field. Applicants are also required to submit a resume and two letters of recommendation from colleagues or supervisors who can attest to their work experience.

The cost for the CPAS exam is $395 for NAPAP members and $495 for non-members. After passing the exam, there is an additional fee of $100 for certification maintenance every two years.

Do You Really Need a Communications Consultant Certificate?

The short answer is no. A Communications Consultant Certificate is not a requirement for becoming a successful communications consultant. However, it may be beneficial to pursue one depending on your goals and the type of work you plan to do.

For those who are considering a career as a communications consultant, it can be helpful to have some formal training in the field. Courses in communications theory and practice, public relations, media relations, strategic communication planning, and other areas related to the profession can give you an edge when competing for jobs or contracts. A certificate program in communications consulting can also demonstrate to potential employers that you have a good understanding of the field and are committed to developing your skills in this area.

Additionally, having a certificate may provide access to more job opportunities or higher pay rates than those who don’t possess the certification. It could also open doors for networking with other professionals in the industry and create new opportunities for business development or expansion.

Ultimately, whether or not you decide to pursue a Communications Consultant Certificate depends on your individual goals and objectives. If you feel that obtaining one will help advance your career prospects and enhance your professional reputation, then it might be worth investing in the time and money necessary to complete this type of program.

Related: Communications Consultant Resume Examples

FAQs About Communications Consultant Certifications

1. What is a Communications Consultant Certification?

Answer: A Communications Consultant Certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in the field of communications. The certification covers topics such as public relations, media relations, strategic planning, crisis management, and digital marketing.

2. What are the Benefits of Having a Communications Consultant Certification?

Answer: Having a Communications Consultant Certification provides you with an edge in the job market and can help you demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers. It also provides you with access to resources and networking opportunities within the industry.

3. How Do I Become Certified as a Communications Consultant?

Answer: To become certified as a Communications Consultant, you typically need to complete an accredited training program or coursework related to the field of communications. In addition, many certifying organizations may require you to pass an exam or submit proof of professional experience in order to receive certification.

4. Is There an Expiration Date for My Communications Consultant Certification?

Answer: Yes, most certifications have expiration dates ranging from one to three years depending on the organization offering the certification and the type of certification earned. To maintain your certification status, you may need to complete continuing education credits or renew your certification prior to its expiration date.

5. Are There Any Prerequisites for Obtaining a Communications Consultant Certification?

Answer: Depending on the certifying organization and type of certification sought, there may be certain prerequisites required in order to obtain a Communications Consultant Certification. These prerequisites typically include having a certain amount of professional experience in communications or completing certain courses related to communications prior to applying for certification.