Top 10 Community Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for a community manager in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and commitment to the profession. They show potential employers that the community manager is knowledgeable about industry best practices, has experience with specific tools and platforms, and can effectively manage communities. Additionally, certifications serve as a way to validate an individual’s skillset and experience, making them more attractive to employers. They also allow community managers to stand out from other applicants by highlighting their commitment to learning and professional development. Ultimately, having certifications can give a community manager an edge in the competitive job market.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Community Managers and explains how they can contribute to a community manager's career by providing valuable knowledge and skills.

What are Community Manager Certifications?

Community Manager Certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge, skills and abilities in the area of community management. The certification provides a comprehensive understanding of the necessary tools, processes and strategies for building, managing and leading successful online communities. Community Manager Certification is offered by several organizations, including the Community Management Association (CMA) and the International Association of Online Community Managers (IAOCM).

The certification helps to demonstrate an individual’s commitment to their profession and provides employers with assurance that they have a qualified candidate with the right skillset to manage their online community. It also provides individuals with recognition for their expertise in this field and can help them stand out in a competitive job market. It gives them access to a network of peers who can offer support, advice and resources as well as providing additional career opportunities. Finally, it shows potential employers that they are up-to-date on industry best practices and have the necessary knowledge to effectively manage online communities.

Pro Tip: Before investing in a community manager certification program, research the program's curriculum and accreditation. Ensure that the program covers the essential skills needed to be an effective community manager and that it is recognized by reputable organizations.

Related: What does a Community Manager do?

Top 10 Community Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Community Manager (CCM)

Certified Community Manager (CCM) is a professional certification program offered by the Community Management Association (CMA). It is designed to recognize and validate the skills, knowledge and experience of individuals who are responsible for managing and leading online communities. The CCM program provides an opportunity for community managers to demonstrate their commitment to the profession and their ability to effectively manage an online community.

The CCM program consists of four levels: Foundation, Practitioner, Expert, and Master. Each level requires a certain amount of coursework and experience in order to qualify. To become certified at any level, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics related to community management such as social media strategy, content moderation, analytics, customer service, and more.

The Foundation level is designed for individuals who have some experience managing online communities but may not yet have the necessary skills or knowledge required for higher levels of certification. The Practitioner level is geared towards experienced professionals with a solid understanding of community management principles. The Expert level is intended for those with extensive experience in the field who are looking to take their skillset to the next level. Finally, the Master level is reserved for those who have achieved a high degree of expertise in all aspects of community management.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to complete the CCM program depending on how quickly you can complete each step. The cost varies depending on which level you are pursuing but generally ranges from $500-$1000 USD per exam plus any additional fees associated with courses or materials needed for study purposes.

2. Certified Social Media Manager (CSMM)

Certified Social Media Manager (CSMM) is a certification program that provides comprehensive training and education on the use of social media to help businesses grow. It is designed for professionals who want to become experts in the field of social media marketing, management, and strategy. The program covers topics such as content creation, analytics, customer service, advertising, influencer marketing, and more.

The CSMM certification can be completed in as little as three months by taking online courses and completing assignments. The cost of the program depends on which package you choose; however, the basic package starts at $599 USD. To get certified, applicants must pass an exam which consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics from the course material.

3. Certified Online Community Professional (COCP)

Certified Online Community Professional (COCP) is a certification program offered by the Online Community Research Network (OCRN). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in online community management and development. The COCP certification is based on the OCRN's "Online Community Principles," which are a set of standards that define the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage an online community.

The COCP certification process consists of three parts: an online application, a competency assessment, and a final exam. The application requires applicants to provide information about their experience with online communities, including how long they have been managing one, what types of communities they have managed, and any relevant certifications or training they have received.

The competency assessment consists of multiple-choice questions related to the Online Community Principles. This assessment must be completed within two weeks of submitting the application.

The final exam consists of four sections: community management, technology & infrastructure, marketing & promotion, and analytics & metrics. Applicants must score at least 70% on each section in order to pass the exam and receive their certification.

It typically takes 2-3 months from start to finish for applicants to complete all three parts of the COCP certification process.

The cost for the COCP certification program is $350 USD.

4. Certified Digital Community Strategist (CDCS)

A Certified Digital Community Strategist (CDCS) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of digital community strategy. The CDCS certification is offered by the Digital Community Strategy Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing best practices in digital community strategy.

The CDCS certification requires applicants to pass an online exam that covers topics such as community building, engagement, analytics, content marketing, and social media management. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete. To obtain the CDCS certification, applicants must achieve a score of 70% or higher on the exam.

The cost for the CDCS certification is $199 USD. This fee covers the cost of taking the online exam and receiving your certificate upon successful completion. Additionally, there are no prerequisites required to take the exam; however, it is recommended that applicants have at least one year of experience working in digital community strategy prior to taking the exam.

5. Certified Social Media Strategist (CSMS)

A Certified Social Media Strategist (CSMS) is a professional designation that recognizes the individual’s ability to develop and execute effective social media strategies. The certification is offered by the Social Media Institute, an organization dedicated to providing education and resources to social media professionals.

The CSMS certification requires applicants to have a minimum of two years of experience in the field of social media marketing or related fields, as well as demonstrate their knowledge in areas such as content creation, analytics, and customer service. In addition, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam that tests their understanding of social media strategy and tactics.

The certification process takes approximately six weeks from start to finish. During this time, applicants must complete an application form, submit proof of experience, and take the online exam. Upon successful completion of the exam and all other requirements, applicants are awarded their CSMS certificate.

The cost for the CSMS certification is $299 USD. This fee covers the application fee, exam fee, and any additional materials needed for certification.

6. Certified Social Media Marketer (CSMM)

Certified Social Media Marketer (CSMM) is a certification program offered by the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI). It is designed to provide professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage social media campaigns. The program covers topics such as content creation, analytics, strategy development, and more.

The CSMM certification takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete. It consists of an online course that can be taken at your own pace. The course includes lectures, readings, quizzes, and a final exam.

To get the CSMM certification, you must first register for the DMI's online course. Once registered, you will have access to all of the course materials and can begin studying for the exam. You will also need to pass a final exam in order to receive the certification.

The cost of the CSMM certification varies depending on which package you choose; however, it typically ranges from $99-$299 USD.

7. Certified Content Marketing Strategist (CCMS)

A Certified Content Marketing Strategist (CCMS) is a professional certification program designed to help content marketers develop and execute effective strategies for creating, distributing, and measuring the success of their content. The program is offered by the Content Marketing Institute (CMI), an organization dedicated to helping professionals learn and practice content marketing.

The CCMS program consists of four courses that cover topics such as content strategy, content creation, distribution, and measurement. Each course is approximately four weeks long and requires approximately 10-12 hours of work per week. The cost of the program varies depending on the package chosen but typically ranges from $1,500-$2,500 USD.

To become certified as a CCMS, candidates must complete all four courses within six months and pass an online exam with a score of 80% or higher. Upon successful completion of the program and passing the exam, candidates will receive their official CCMS certificate from CMI.

8. Certified Digital Engagement Professional (CDEP)

The Certified Digital Engagement Professional (CDEP) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a high level of expertise in the use of digital technologies and strategies to engage customers, prospects, and stakeholders. The certification program is designed to help professionals develop their digital engagement skills, knowledge, and experience.

The CDEP certification program is administered by the Digital Engagement Association (DEA), an international organization dedicated to advancing the practice of digital engagement. To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as customer experience design, content marketing, social media marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), email marketing, analytics and reporting.

The exam typically takes about two hours to complete and costs $250 USD for members of the DEA or $400 USD for non-members. Candidates must also submit a portfolio demonstrating their experience in digital engagement before they can be certified. Once all requirements are met, candidates will receive their certificate within 4-6 weeks.

9. Certified Online Moderator (COM)

Certified Online Moderator (COM) is a certification program designed to provide professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively moderate online communities. The program is offered by the International Association of Online Moderators (IAOM), an organization dedicated to setting standards for online moderation.

The COM certification consists of a series of courses, each focusing on different aspects of online moderation. Topics include understanding the dynamics of online communities, creating effective policies and procedures, managing difficult conversations, and monitoring content. The program also covers legal issues related to moderating online forums and social media sites.

The entire certification process takes approximately three months to complete. It begins with a self-assessment that helps determine whether or not the candidate has the necessary skills and experience to become certified. After passing this assessment, candidates must complete four courses: Introduction to Online Moderation, Advanced Online Moderation Techniques, Community Management Strategies, and Legal Issues in Online Moderation. Upon successful completion of these courses, candidates will be awarded their COM certification.

The cost of the COM certification varies depending on which package you choose. The basic package costs $599 USD and includes access to all four courses as well as a certificate upon completion. The premium package costs $999 USD and includes access to all four courses plus additional resources such as webinars and one-on-one coaching sessions with experts in the field.

Overall, obtaining the Certified Online Moderator (COM) certification can be an invaluable asset for anyone looking to work in the field of online moderation or community management. It provides valuable insight into best practices for moderating online communities while also giving professionals a way to demonstrate their expertise in this area.

10. Certified Online Reputation Management Specialist (CORMS).

A Certified Online Reputation Management Specialist (CORMS) is a professional who specializes in managing and improving the online reputation of businesses and individuals. They use various techniques such as search engine optimization, social media marketing, content creation, and customer service to help their clients maintain a positive presence on the web.

It takes approximately one year to become a CORMS. The process involves completing an online certification program that covers topics such as digital marketing, public relations, customer service, and crisis management. The program also includes hands-on experience with actual clients.

To get certified as a CORMS, you must first complete the required coursework and pass the final exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your certificate from an accredited institution. You can then apply for CORMS certification through the Online Reputation Management Association (ORMA). This organization provides certification for individuals who meet certain criteria including having at least two years of experience in online reputation management or related fields.

The cost of becoming a CORMS varies depending on the institution offering the certification program. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $500 to $2,000 USD depending on the provider.

Do You Really Need a Community Manager Certificate?

The short answer to this question is no, you do not need a community manager certificate to be a successful community manager. However, there are some advantages to having such a certificate. A community manager certificate can demonstrate that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage and engage with an online community. It can also provide you with additional credibility and recognition from peers, employers, and other professionals in the field.

Having a community manager certificate may also help you stand out from other applicants for jobs in the field. Many companies look for candidates who have specialized training or certifications related to their job responsibilities. Having a community manager certificate could give you an edge over other candidates without one.

Additionally, having a community manager certification may provide access to more career opportunities than would otherwise be available without it. For example, many organizations require their managers to possess special certifications or qualifications in order to lead their teams effectively. Having such a certification could open up doors for employment that might not have been available otherwise.

Overall, while having a community manager certification is not required for success as a community manager, it does offer several advantages that can help you further your career in the field. If you are looking to get ahead of the competition or gain access to new opportunities, then obtaining a certification may be worth considering.

Related: Community Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Community Manager Certifications

Q1: What is a community manager certification?

A1: A community manager certification is a credential that demonstrates the holder's knowledge and experience in managing an online community or social media platform. The certification typically requires the completion of a set of courses or exams, which can vary depending on the provider and program.

Q2: How do I become certified as a community manager?

A2: To become certified as a community manager, you will need to complete the necessary requirements, such as taking courses or exams. Different providers offer different certifications, so it's important to research options to find the best fit for your needs and goals.

Q3: What are the benefits of becoming certified as a community manager?

A3: Becoming certified as a community manager can help you gain credibility in the industry, demonstrate your expertise and experience to employers, and open up new career opportunities. It can also help you stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.

Q4: How long does it take to get certified as a community manager?

A4: The amount of time it takes to get certified as a community manager will depend on which certification program you choose and how quickly you complete the coursework or exams required for certification. Generally speaking, most programs can be completed within six months' time.

Q5: Is there an annual renewal process for my community manager certification?

A5: Yes, many certifications require an annual renewal process where holders must demonstrate their ongoing commitment to maintaining their skillset by completing continuing education requirements or other activities.