Top 11 Concierge Certifications

Certifications for a concierge are important in the job market, as they demonstrate that the individual has the skills and knowledge necessary to provide quality services to customers. A concierge who holds a certification is seen as having an edge over their non-certified peers in terms of their professionalism and competence. In addition, certifications can also help build trust with clients, as they will be more confident that the concierge can handle any situation appropriately. Finally, certifications can also open up more career opportunities for a concierge, as employers may be more likely to hire someone with the credentials necessary to do the job properly.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications available for Concierges and explain how they can help concierge professionals advance their careers.

What are Concierge Certifications?

Concierge certification is a type of professional certification that recognizes individuals who have achieved an advanced level of knowledge and experience in providing exceptional customer service. It is typically awarded by organizations such as the International Concierge Association (ICA) or the Professional Concierge Society (PCS).

The purpose of concierge certification is to ensure that those working in the field possess the necessary skills and knowledge to provide clients with a superior level of service. By having a certified concierge on staff, businesses can demonstrate a commitment to quality and professionalism. Additionally, it gives customers peace of mind knowing that their needs will be handled by someone with the proper training and expertise.

For clients, concierge certification means they can expect reliable, informed assistance when they need it most. Certified concierges are knowledgeable about local attractions, restaurants, transportation options, and other services that may be helpful to travelers or businesspeople. They also understand how to make reservations quickly and efficiently, so clients don't have to spend time researching on their own. Finally, certified concierges are trained in conflict resolution techniques so they can handle difficult situations calmly and professionally.

In summary, having a certified concierge on staff can benefit both businesses and customers alike by providing assurance that their needs will be attended to with competence and courtesy.

Pro Tip: When considering concierge certification, look for programs that offer a comprehensive curriculum covering a variety of topics such as customer service, hospitality management, and communication skills. Also, make sure to research the instructor's qualifications and experience in order to ensure you receive the best possible education.

Related: What does a Concierge do?

Top 11 Concierge Certifications

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

1. Certified Concierge Professional (CCP)

Certified Concierge Professional (CCP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved the highest level of excellence in the concierge profession. It is the only professional certification program for concierges, and it is offered by the International Concierge and Hospitality Association (ICHA).

To become a Certified Concierge Professional, applicants must have a minimum of two years of experience as a concierge or in a related field, such as hospitality management. They must also pass an online exam that covers topics such as customer service, problem-solving skills, communication skills, and knowledge of local attractions and services.

The certification process typically takes three to six months to complete. Applicants must first submit their application materials to ICHA for review. Once approved, they will receive access to the online exam. After passing the exam with a score of 70% or higher, applicants will be awarded their CCP designation.

The cost for obtaining the CCP designation varies depending on whether you are an ICHA member or not. For non-members, the fee is $395 USD; for members, it is $295 USD.

2. Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS)

Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge and skills of hospitality supervisors. The CHS certification is administered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI).

The CHS program consists of three courses: Introduction to Supervision in the Hospitality Industry, Managing People in the Hospitality Industry, and Leadership in the Hospitality Industry. Each course is offered online or through a traditional classroom setting. The total program takes approximately 20 hours to complete.

To become certified, individuals must successfully complete all three courses and pass an exam with a score of 75% or higher. After passing the exam, individuals will receive their official CHS certificate from AHLEI.

The cost for the entire CHS program is $595 USD. This fee covers all three courses and the exam fee.

3. Certified Hotel Concierge (CHC)

Certified Hotel Concierge (CHC) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of hotel concierges. The CHC certification is awarded by the International Hotel Concierge Association (IHCA) after an individual has completed a comprehensive training program and passed a rigorous examination.

To become certified, applicants must complete an approved training program that covers topics such as customer service, hospitality management, safety and security protocols, problem-solving techniques, communication strategies, cultural awareness, and more. Once the training program is successfully completed, applicants must pass a written exam administered by IHCA.

The process of becoming certified typically takes several months to complete. It can take up to six weeks to receive the results of the certification exam. The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the type of training program chosen; however, most programs range from $500 to $2,000 USD.

4. Certified Guest Services Professional (CGSP)

Certified Guest Services Professional (CGSP) is a certification program developed by the International Association of Professional Hospitality Managers (IAPHM). It is designed to recognize hospitality professionals who have demonstrated a commitment to providing exceptional guest service. The program focuses on developing and improving customer service, communication, problem solving, and conflict resolution skills.

The CGSP certification program consists of three courses: Introduction to Guest Service, Advanced Guest Service, and Customer Relations Management. Each course takes approximately four hours to complete online. After completing all three courses, participants must pass an online exam in order to receive their CGSP certification.

To obtain the CGSP certification, individuals must first register with IAPHM and pay a fee of $99 USD. Once registered, individuals will be able to access the online courses and take the exam when they are ready. Upon passing the exam, individuals will receive their CGSP certificate and badge from IAPHM.

The CGSP certification is valid for two years and can be renewed by taking a refresher course or re-taking the original three courses and passing the exam again.

5. Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA)

Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) is a program designed to recognize and reward individuals who are knowledgeable about their local area and passionate about promoting tourism. It is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates a commitment to providing excellent customer service and promoting the destination as a whole.

The CTA program consists of two components: an online course, which includes an exam, and a practical assessment. The online course provides an overview of the hospitality industry, customer service techniques, and destination marketing strategies. The practical assessment requires candidates to demonstrate their knowledge of the local area by completing tasks such as conducting tours or giving presentations.

It typically takes between 3-6 months to complete the CTA program, depending on how quickly you can complete the course material and assessments.

To get certified as a CTA, you must first register for the program through your local tourism board or other approved provider. Once registered, you will be provided with access to the online course material and instructions on how to complete it. Upon successful completion of both the online course and practical assessment, you will receive your CTA certification.

The cost of becoming a Certified Tourism Ambassador varies depending on where you are located and which provider you use; however, most programs cost between $50-$200 USD for registration fees plus any additional costs for materials or travel expenses associated with completing the practical assessment.

6. Certified Meeting Planner (CMP)

Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) is a professional certification program offered by the Convention Industry Council (CIC). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of meeting professionals who plan, organize, and manage meetings and events. The CMP credential is recognized internationally as the standard for excellence in meeting management.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain criteria including having at least three years of full-time experience in the meetings industry, completing an online application with supporting documentation, passing a written exam, and agreeing to uphold the CMP Code of Ethics. It typically takes 6-9 months to complete all requirements for certification.

The cost to apply for CMP certification varies depending on whether or not you are a member of the CIC. Non-members pay $575 USD while members pay $475 USD. There is also an annual renewal fee of $75 USD after you are certified.

7. International Association of Professional Concierges (IAPC) Certification

The International Association of Professional Concierges (IAPC) is a professional organization that provides certification for concierge professionals. The IAPC Certification is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of experienced concierges who have demonstrated excellence in the field.

The certification process typically takes between 6-12 months to complete, depending on the individual’s experience and dedication to the program. To become certified, applicants must first meet certain eligibility requirements, such as having at least two years of full-time work experience in a concierge role or related field. Applicants must also pass an online exam which covers topics such as customer service, hospitality industry knowledge, and problem solving.

In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements, applicants must pay a fee of $300 USD to take the exam. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their IAPC Certification which is valid for three years before renewal is required.

By obtaining IAPC Certification, individuals demonstrate their commitment to excellence in the field of concierge services and gain recognition from employers and peers alike.

8. Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII) Certification

Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII) Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize and reward the knowledge, skills and abilities of innkeepers in the hospitality industry. The program is designed to provide innkeepers with the tools and resources needed to ensure successful operations and customer satisfaction.

The PAII Certification Program consists of three levels: Certified Innkeeper, Advanced Innkeeper, and Master Innkeeper. To achieve each level, candidates must complete a series of courses, exams, and practical experiences.

It typically takes between two to four years to complete all three levels of certification depending on how much time an individual dedicates to studying for their exams.

To get started, individuals must first join PAII as a member. Membership fees vary based on type of membership desired. After joining PAII, individuals can then purchase course materials from the association’s website or through other approved vendors. Course materials include textbooks, online classes, webinars, workshops and more. Once course material has been purchased, individuals can begin studying for their exams at their own pace.

After completing all required courses and exams for each level of certification, individuals will need to submit an application form along with proof that they have successfully completed all requirements for that level in order to receive their certificate.

The cost of obtaining PAII Certification varies depending on the type of membership chosen as well as the amount of course material purchased by the individual candidate. Generally speaking however, it costs anywhere from $500 - $1,000 USD in total to become certified at all three levels by PAII.

9. National Concierge Association (NCA) Certification

The National Concierge Association (NCA) Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize excellence in the field of concierge services. It is the only nationally recognized and accredited certification program for concierges in the United States.

The NCA Certification Program is a comprehensive learning and assessment system that includes both online and on-site training, as well as an examination process. The program takes approximately 8-12 weeks to complete and requires a minimum of 200 hours of study, including classroom instruction and practical experience.

To become certified, applicants must pass an exam administered by the NCA. The exam consists of three parts: written questions, practical skills tests, and customer service scenarios. Applicants must also demonstrate knowledge of local attractions, restaurants, transportation options, and other services commonly requested by guests.

The cost of the NCA Certification Program varies depending on location but typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,500 USD. This fee covers the cost of materials such as textbooks and study guides, as well as administrative costs associated with taking the exam.

10. American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute's Guest Service Gold Certification

The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute’s Guest Service Gold Certification is a comprehensive program designed to help hospitality professionals develop the skills and knowledge needed to provide outstanding service to their guests. The certification program consists of four courses: Introduction to Hospitality, Customer Service Excellence, Conflict Resolution in the Workplace, and Professionalism and Leadership. Each course takes approximately two hours to complete and can be taken online or through a self-paced study guide.

To receive the Guest Service Gold Certification, individuals must successfully complete all four courses within one year of enrollment. Upon completion of the courses, participants will receive a certificate from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute that serves as proof of their achievement.

The cost for the entire certification program is $250 USD.

11. International Customer Service Association's Customer Service Representative Certification

The International Customer Service Association's (ICSA) Customer Service Representative Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize customer service representatives who demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the field. The certification verifies that a customer service representative has the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to provide excellent customer service.

The ICSA Customer Service Representative Certification is a self-paced program that typically takes 8-10 weeks to complete. It consists of two parts: an online course and an assessment exam. The online course covers topics such as communication skills, problem solving, customer service strategies, and product knowledge. Upon completion of the course, students must pass the assessment exam with a score of 80% or higher to receive their certification.

To get certified, individuals must first register for the ICSA Customer Service Representative Certification program on the ICSA website. Registration costs $99 USD and includes access to both the online course and assessment exam. After registering, individuals can begin their studies at any time and have up to six months to complete the program. Once they have passed their assessment exam with a score of 80% or higher, they will receive their official ICSA Customer Service Representative Certification certificate in the mail within 10 business days.

Do You Really Need a Concierge Certificate?

When considering whether you need a Concierge Certificate, it is important to consider the job responsibilities of a Concierge. A Concierge is responsible for providing personalized services to guests of hotels, resorts, and other hospitality establishments. These services can include recommending local attractions, making reservations for dining and entertainment, coordinating transportation services, providing information about local events and activities, and more.

The requirements for becoming a Concierge vary by employer; however, most employers prefer candidates who have completed specialized training in customer service or hospitality management. A Concierge Certificate is one way to demonstrate that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in this field.

A Concierge Certificate can also provide an advantage when applying for jobs. Employers may look more favorably upon applicants who have formal education or training in the field of hospitality management. Additionally, having a certificate can show employers that you are committed to providing exceptional customer service and that you understand the importance of treating customers with respect and professionalism.

In addition to helping you stand out from other applicants, completing a Concierge Certificate program can also help expand your career opportunities. Employers may be willing to pay higher salaries for experienced professionals who have obtained specialized certifications in the field of hospitality management or customer service. Furthermore, having a certificate may open up additional job opportunities at larger organizations or within different industries such as tourism or event planning.

Overall, obtaining a Concierge Certificate can be beneficial if you are interested in pursuing a career as a professional Concierge. Having formal education or training in this field will demonstrate your commitment to providing excellent customer service while also increasing your chances of securing employment with organizations that value these skillset.

Related: Concierge Resume Examples

FAQs About Concierge Certifications

1. What is a Concierge Certification?

Answer: A Concierge Certification is an accreditation that certifies individuals with the skills and knowledge required to provide excellent customer service in the hospitality industry.

2. How long does it take to get certified?

Answer: Depending on the type of certification, it can take anywhere from 4 weeks to 1 year to complete all of the necessary requirements for certification.

3. What are the benefits of getting certified?

Answer: Benefits of getting certified include increased job opportunities, higher salary potential, enhanced customer service skills, and credibility within the industry.

4. Are there any prerequisites for taking a Concierge Certification course?

Answer: Generally speaking, no prerequisites are required to take a Concierge Certification course; however, some courses may require certain educational or experience qualifications in order to be eligible for enrollment.

5. What types of exams are included in a Concierge Certification program?

Answer: Exams typically include topics such as hospitality law, customer service techniques, problem solving strategies, communication skills, and more.