Top 11 Content Editor Certifications

Certifications for a content editor are important in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge. By obtaining certifications, content editors are able to prove their qualifications and show employers that they have mastered certain skills related to their field. Certifications can also help content editors stand out from other applicants, allowing them to demonstrate their commitment to the profession and their willingness to go the extra mile. In addition, certifications may provide access to exclusive job postings or other opportunities that would not be available without them.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Content Editors and explains how they can help to advance a content editor's career.

What are Content Editor Certifications?

Content Editor Certification is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the use of content editing tools and processes. Content Editors are responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining content standards, editing content for accuracy and readability, and ensuring that all published information meets brand guidelines. Content Editor Certification validates an individual's expertise in these areas, as well as their ability to assess potential risks associated with publishing content.

Content Editor Certification can be beneficial in many ways. It can help employers identify qualified candidates for open positions, demonstrate mastery of the skills needed to succeed on the job, and provide evidence of professional competency. Certified Content Editors can also expect to receive higher salaries and greater recognition from potential employers. Additionally, earning this certification provides professionals with the opportunity to stay up-to-date on industry best practices and trends in content editing. Finally, having this certification may also make it easier to find new clients or contract work.

Pro Tip: When considering a content editor certification, make sure to research the course material and requirements to ensure that the program is up-to-date and comprehensive. Additionally, look for programs that provide hands-on training and support so you can gain the necessary skills to become a successful content editor.

Related: What does a Content Editor do?

Top 11 Content Editor Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Content Editor (CPC-E)

Certified Professional Content Editor (CPC-E) is a certification program offered by the Content Marketing Institute (CMI). It is designed to recognize individuals who have mastered the skills necessary to create, edit, and manage content for digital marketing. The CPC-E certification is based on CMI’s Content Marketing Framework, which provides a comprehensive set of best practices for content creation and management.

The CPC-E certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as content strategy, editorial processes, content production, optimization techniques, analytics and measurement, and legal considerations. The exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete and consists of 60 multiple-choice questions.

To qualify for the CPC-E certification, applicants must have at least two years of professional experience in content marketing or related fields. Additionally, applicants must have completed at least one CMI course or webinar within the last 12 months.

The cost of the CPC-E certification exam is $399 USD. This fee includes access to study materials and practice exams.

2. Certified Digital Content Editor (CDCE)

Certified Digital Content Editor (CDCE) is a professional certification program designed to help content professionals develop the skills needed to create, manage and optimize digital content. The certification program is offered by the Content Marketing Institute (CMI).

The CDCE program consists of four courses: Introduction to Digital Content Strategy, Advanced Digital Content Strategy, Digital Content Optimization, and Social Media for Digital Content. Each course requires eight hours of instruction and an assessment. Upon successful completion of all four courses, participants receive the Certified Digital Content Editor designation.

It typically takes between two and three months to complete the CDCE program depending on how quickly you can complete the courses. You can take the courses online at your own pace or in person at a CMI-sponsored event.

The cost for the CDCE program varies depending on whether you take the courses online or in person. The online version costs $995 USD while attending an in-person event will cost approximately $1,495 USD.

3. Certified Copy Editing Professional (CCEP)

Certified Copy Editing Professional (CCEP) is a certification program offered by the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS). It is designed to recognize and reward professional copy editors who demonstrate advanced knowledge, experience, and skill in the field of copy editing.

The CCEP certification is a two-part process that includes an online exam and an optional portfolio review. The online exam covers topics such as grammar, punctuation, usage, style, formatting, and other aspects of copy editing. The portfolio review assesses applicants’ experience and skills in copy editing through a review of samples of their work.

It typically takes about four weeks to complete the entire CCEP certification process. To get certified, applicants must first register for the CCEP exam online at BELS' website. Once registered, they will receive a link to take the online exam within three business days. After passing the exam with a score of 70% or higher, applicants may then submit their portfolios for review if they choose to do so.

The cost for taking the CCEP exam is $200 USD ($250 USD for international applicants). If you choose to submit your portfolio for review after passing the exam, there is an additional fee of $50 USD ($75 USD for international applicants).

4. Certified Content Strategist (CCS)

Certified Content Strategist (CCS) is a professional certification offered by the Content Strategy Alliance (CSA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated their knowledge and expertise in content strategy.

The CCS certification requires applicants to pass an online exam that tests their understanding of core content strategy concepts, including content research, planning, creation, governance, optimization, and measurement. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 2 hours to complete.

To become certified as a CCS, applicants must have at least two years of experience in content strategy or related fields. Applicants must also demonstrate knowledge of best practices in content strategy and provide evidence of their work through case studies or other documents.

The cost for the CCS certification is $499 USD. This fee covers the cost of the exam and all associated materials.

5. Certified Technical Writer (CTW)

Certified Technical Writer (CTW) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in technical writing. The certification is offered by the Society for Technical Communication (STC), an international organization of professionals who specialize in technical communication.

To get certified, applicants must pass an exam that tests their knowledge and skills in areas such as grammar, punctuation, style, document design, and content development. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes about two hours to complete. Applicants must also submit a portfolio of their work for review by STC staff.

The cost of the CTW certification program depends on the individual's membership status with STC. For non-members, the cost is $425 USD; for members, it is $325 USD. In addition to the application fee, there are additional costs associated with taking the exam and submitting a portfolio.

Overall, it typically takes several weeks or months to complete all the requirements for getting certified as a Certified Technical Writer (CTW).

6. Certified SEO Content Editor (CSE-E)

Certified SEO Content Editor (CSE-E) is a certification program designed to help content creators, editors, and marketers create effective SEO content. It is an online certification that covers the fundamentals of SEO, including keyword research, on-page optimization, content optimization, link building, and more.

The CSE-E certification takes approximately 6 to 8 hours to complete and consists of four modules: Introduction to SEO; Keyword Research; On-Page Optimization; and Link Building. The course is designed to be self-paced so you can work at your own pace.

To get the CSE-E certification you must first register for the program with a valid email address. Once registered, you will have access to all four modules as well as additional resources such as webinars and practice tests. After completing all four modules, you will be required to take a final exam in order to receive your certificate.

The cost of the CSE-E certification varies depending on which package you choose. The basic package costs $99 USD while the premium package costs $199 USD. The premium package includes additional resources such as webinars and practice tests.

7. Certified Online Media Editor (COME)

Certified Online Media Editor (COME) is a certification program offered by the International Association of Online Media Editors (IAOME). It is designed to recognize professionals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in editing digital media, such as video, audio, and graphics. The program is open to anyone interested in pursuing an online media editor career.

The COME certification process consists of two parts: an online application and a hands-on assessment. To apply for the COME certification, applicants must complete an online application form that includes questions about their experience and knowledge in digital media editing. Once the application has been reviewed, applicants will be invited to take a hands-on assessment at an IAOME-approved test center. The assessment consists of several tasks that require applicants to demonstrate their ability to edit digital media using professional software tools.

The entire process typically takes between four and six weeks depending on the number of applications received. Applicants should expect to receive notification within three weeks after submitting their application form.

The cost of the COME certification varies depending on the applicant's country of residence and whether they are applying as an individual or as part of a group. Generally speaking, individuals can expect to pay between $100 - $200 USD for the entire process while groups may qualify for discounted rates.

8. Adobe Certified Expert in InDesign CC

Adobe Certified Expert in InDesign CC is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in the use of Adobe InDesign software. It is an industry-recognized credential that validates a person’s knowledge and skills in using the software to create professional documents, publications, and digital media.

It typically takes between 1-2 months to get certified as an Adobe Certified Expert in InDesign CC. To become certified, individuals must pass a 90-minute exam that covers topics such as document setup, page layout and design, typography, graphics and effects, tables and text flow, print production, interactive documents and more. The exam consists of multiple choice questions with some drag-and-drop tasks.

To get certified as an Adobe Certified Expert in InDesign CC you will need to purchase the exam voucher from Adobe for $180 USD. You can then register for the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center or online via Pearson VUE's website. Once you have passed the exam you will receive your official certificate from Adobe within 4 weeks of passing the test.

The cost of becoming an Adobe Certified Expert in InDesign CC is $180 USD for the exam voucher plus any applicable taxes or fees associated with registering for the exam at a Pearson VUE testing center or online via their website.

9. Adobe Certified Expert in Photoshop CC

Adobe Certified Expert in Photoshop CC is a certification program offered by Adobe that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in using the software. The program is designed to validate an individual's expertise in Photoshop and demonstrate their commitment to expanding their skillset.

The certification process includes taking an exam that covers topics such as image editing, retouching, color management, and other areas of Photoshop. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and takes approximately 2 hours to complete. To become certified, you must score at least 75% on the exam.

To get started with the certification process, you need to register for an Adobe ID and purchase the exam from Adobe’s website. The cost of the exam is $180 USD. Once you have registered for the exam, you will be able to access study materials and practice tests to help prepare for the actual test.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official certificate from Adobe and be listed as an Adobe Certified Expert in Photoshop CC on their website. You will also receive a digital badge that can be used on your website or social media profiles to show off your achievement!

10. Microsoft Office Specialist in Word

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) in Word is a certification program that demonstrates an individual's proficiency in Microsoft Word. It is designed to validate the skills and knowledge needed to efficiently use Microsoft Word for everyday tasks.

The MOS in Word certification requires passing two exams: Exam 77-725: Word 2016 Core, and Exam 77-727: Word 2016 Expert. The Core exam covers basic features of Microsoft Word, such as creating and formatting documents, managing tables and lists, working with graphics, and customizing options. The Expert exam covers more advanced topics such as collaboration tools, mail merge, macros and forms.

It typically takes several weeks or months of study to prepare for the MOS in Word exams. There are many resources available online to help you prepare, including practice tests, tutorials, books, and video courses.

The cost of the MOS in Word certification varies depending on where you take the exams. The exams can be taken at a local testing center or through an online proctoring service such as ProctorU or Kryterion Global Testing Solutions. Prices range from around $100-$200 per exam depending on the provider.

11. Microsoft Office Specialist in PowerPoint

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) in PowerPoint is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of individuals who use Microsoft PowerPoint. The certification covers the latest version of Microsoft PowerPoint, as well as other related technologies.

The MOS in PowerPoint certification requires that you pass two exams: one on PowerPoint fundamentals and one on advanced topics. The fundamentals exam covers basic concepts such as creating presentations, working with slides, formatting text, inserting images and tables, adding animations and transitions, and more. The advanced topics exam covers more complex topics such as creating custom themes and templates, using SmartArt graphics and charts, working with audio/video files, integrating data from external sources into presentations, collaborating with others online, and more.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the MOS in PowerPoint certification depending on how much time you are able to dedicate to studying for the exams. To get started you will need to purchase the official study guide from Microsoft or an approved training provider. This study guide outlines all of the topics that will be covered on both exams so you can focus your studies accordingly.

The cost of the MOS in PowerPoint certification varies depending on where you take the exams but typically ranges from $80-$150 per exam. You will also need to purchase any additional materials such as books or practice tests that may be required for your particular learning style.

Do You Really Need a Content Editor Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual. If you are interested in pursuing a career in content editing, then a content editor certificate can be beneficial. It is not necessary to have one to pursue a career in content editing, but it can help you stand out from other applicants and demonstrate your commitment to the field.

Having a content editor certificate can give you an edge over other applicants who may not have one when applying for jobs. It shows that you have taken the time and made the effort to learn about the industry, and it demonstrates your knowledge and experience in the field. Having a certification also demonstrates that you take your career seriously, as it shows that you are willing to invest both time and money into learning more about content editing.

In addition, having a certification can open up new opportunities for advancement within the field of content editing. Many employers look for individuals who have certifications when hiring for higher-level positions or promotions, so having a certification may give you an advantage over other candidates who don't have one.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a content editor certificate is up to you. If you feel like having one will help further your career goals, then it could be worth investing in obtaining one. However, if you don't think that having one will make much difference for your job prospects, then it may not be worth pursuing at this time.

Related: Content Editor Resume Examples

FAQs About Content Editor Certifications

Q1. What is a content editor certification?

A1. A content editor certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in editing and writing for digital media. It covers topics such as grammar, punctuation, style, formatting, SEO, and other areas of content creation.

Q2. How long does it take to become certified?

A2. The amount of time it takes to become certified can vary depending on the program and the individual’s experience level. Generally speaking, most programs require at least 6-12 months of study and practice before taking the final exam.

Q3. What qualifications do I need to become certified?

A3. Most programs require applicants to have a Bachelor's degree in English or Journalism as well as several years of professional experience in content creation or editing. Depending on the program, additional qualifications such as industry certifications may also be required.

Q4. Are there any online courses available for content editor certification?

A4. Yes! There are many online courses available that offer comprehensive training for becoming a certified content editor. These courses typically cover topics such as grammar, punctuation, style, formatting, SEO, and other areas related to creating digital media content.

Q5. What are the benefits of becoming a certified content editor?

A5: Becoming a certified content editor can open up many opportunities for career advancement as well as increased job security and higher wages due to your specialized knowledge in the field of digital media creation and editing