Top 10 Corporate Receptionist Certifications

Certifications for a corporate receptionist are important in the job market because they demonstrate a level of skill and knowledge that is necessary to perform the duties of the position. They also show potential employers that the individual has taken the initiative to learn the necessary skills and stay current in their profession. Certifications can be especially beneficial for those looking to move up in their careers or change roles, as they provide evidence of an individual’s commitment to professional development. Additionally, certifications can help make an individual stand out among other job candidates, allowing them to prove their qualifications and expertise.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Corporate Receptionists and explains how they can help enhance a receptionist's career.

What are Corporate Receptionist Certifications?

Corporate receptionist certification is a professional development program designed to equip receptionists with the skills and knowledge they need to provide outstanding customer service in a corporate setting. This type of certification helps ensure that receptionists have the necessary skills to handle the various tasks associated with the job, such as greeting visitors, handling phone calls, scheduling appointments and other administrative tasks.

Receptionists who obtain corporate receptionist certification are able to demonstrate their commitment to excellence and professionalism in their work. As a result, they can better serve customers by providing helpful and courteous service. Furthermore, employers can be confident that their receptionists are knowledgeable about best practices and possess the skills needed to perform their duties efficiently and effectively.

By obtaining corporate receptionist certification, individuals can set themselves apart from other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions in this field. Additionally, having this certification can make it easier for them to find new employment opportunities since employers will recognize their specialized qualifications. Finally, those who complete this program gain access to valuable resources such as industry contacts and networking opportunities that can help further their careers.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research and understand the requirements of the corporate receptionist certification you are pursuing. Many certifications require a specific number of hours of training and/or experience, so make sure you are aware of any prerequisites before beginning your certification process.

Related: What does a Corporate Receptionist do?

Top 10 Corporate Receptionist Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Receptionist (CPR)

Certified Professional Receptionist (CPR) is an industry-recognized certification that validates a receptionist’s knowledge and skills in providing excellent customer service. It is designed to help employers identify qualified receptionists who can provide the highest level of customer service and professionalism.

The CPR certification consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical assessment. The written exam tests your knowledge of customer service, telephone etiquette, office organization, communication techniques, and other related topics. The practical assessment requires you to demonstrate your ability to handle customer inquiries, take messages, transfer calls, and other tasks related to being a professional receptionist.

It typically takes about four weeks to complete the CPR certification program. You must first register with the certifying body (e.g., International Association of Administrative Professionals) and pay the associated fees before you can begin the program. Once registered, you will receive study materials as well as access to online resources that will help you prepare for the exams.

The cost of obtaining CPR certification varies depending on which certifying body you choose; however, most programs range from $200-$500 USD.

2. Certified Office Receptionist (COR)

Certified Office Receptionist (COR) is a certification program designed to help office receptionists gain the skills and knowledge they need to effectively manage the front desk of an office. It is a comprehensive training program that covers topics such as customer service, telephone etiquette, filing systems, and computer software. The certification is offered by the National Association of Professional Receptionists (NAPR).

The COR certification requires completion of an online course and passing a written exam. The online course consists of approximately 10 hours of self-paced instruction and can be completed within one to two weeks depending on the student’s pace. The exam must be taken at an approved testing center and consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. To pass the exam, students must score at least 70%.

In order to become certified, applicants must have at least one year of experience as an office receptionist or similar role. Applicants must also submit proof that they have completed the required coursework and passed the written exam.

The cost for the COR certification varies depending on whether you take the online course or attend an in-person class. The cost for taking the online course ranges from $250-$400 while attending an in-person class may cost up to $1,000 or more depending on location.

3. Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is a professional certification program for administrative professionals. It is offered through the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The CAP certification is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of administrative professionals in today’s workplace.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CAP program. To get started, you must first become a member of IAAP and then register for the CAP exam. The exam consists of four parts: office technology, project management, human resources, and leadership. Once you have completed all four parts of the exam, you will receive your certificate as a Certified Administrative Professional.

The cost of the CAP program varies depending on whether or not you are an IAAP member. If you are an IAAP member, it costs $495 for the full program including all four exams and materials. If you are not an IAAP member, it costs $595 for the full program including all four exams and materials.

4. Certified Medical Receptionist (CMR)

A Certified Medical Receptionist (CMR) is a professional who is trained and certified to work in the front office of a medical practice. The CMR is responsible for greeting patients, scheduling appointments, handling insurance verification, collecting payments, and other administrative tasks.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to become a Certified Medical Receptionist. To get certified, you must complete an approved training program and pass a certification exam.

The cost of becoming a Certified Medical Receptionist varies depending on the program you choose. Most programs range from $500-$1,000 or more. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the certification exam.

5. Certified Healthcare Receptionist (CHR)

A Certified Healthcare Receptionist (CHR) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the field of medical reception. The certification is administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

In order to become certified, applicants must pass an exam that tests their knowledge and skills related to medical office operations, customer service, telephone techniques, appointment scheduling, insurance processing and more. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

To be eligible to take the CHR exam, applicants must have at least one year of experience working as a healthcare receptionist or in a related field. In addition, they must submit proof of completion of an approved training program or equivalent work experience.

The cost of taking the CHR exam varies depending on your location and whether you are taking it online or in person. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $90-$200 USD.

6. Certified Front Desk Specialist (CFDS)

Certified Front Desk Specialist (CFDS) is a certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of those in administrative roles. The certification is open to all administrative professionals, regardless of their job title or duties.

The CFDS program consists of two parts: an online assessment and a written exam. The online assessment tests your knowledge of front desk operations, customer service, office management, communication skills, problem solving, and other related topics. The written exam tests your understanding of the IAAP's Code of Ethics and Professionalism as well as your ability to apply these principles in practice.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CFDS program. To get started, you need to register for the program on the IAAP website. Once registered, you will receive access to study materials and resources that will help you prepare for both parts of the exam.

The cost for the CFDS program varies depending on whether you are an IAAP member or non-member. For members, it costs $250 USD; for non-members it costs $350 USD.

7. Certified Hospitality Receptionist (CHR)

Certified Hospitality Receptionist (CHR) is a certification program designed to recognize and reward the skills of hospitality receptionists. It is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates the knowledge and competency of a professional hospitality receptionist. The CHR program is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI).

The CHR program consists of two parts: an online course and a proctored exam. The online course covers topics such as customer service, reservations, front desk operations, and problem solving. The proctored exam tests your knowledge in all areas of hospitality receptionist duties.

It typically takes about 6 weeks to complete the CHR program. After completing the online course, you must register for and pass the proctored exam within 6 months in order to earn your certification.

The cost for the CHR program varies depending on which package you choose. The basic package includes only the online course and costs $179 USD. If you want to add a practice exam or other extras, you can purchase additional packages at higher prices.

Overall, obtaining your Certified Hospitality Receptionist (CHR) certification is an excellent way to demonstrate your expertise in hospitality receptionist duties and increase your job prospects in this field.

8. Professional Association of Receptionists and Executives (PARE) Certification

The Professional Association of Receptionists and Executives (PARE) Certification is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of receptionist and executive administration. The certification is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in the areas of customer service, office management, communication, problem-solving, and professionalism.

To become certified through PARE, individuals must complete a comprehensive online assessment that tests their knowledge and understanding of the topics covered in the PARE curriculum. The assessment consists of multiple-choice questions as well as short answer questions. Once the assessment is completed, applicants must submit proof of current employment or other related experience to be eligible for certification.

The process typically takes about three weeks from start to finish. After completing the assessment and submitting proof of experience, applicants will receive an email notification with their results within two weeks. Upon successful completion of the assessment, applicants will receive their PARE Certification within one week after they are notified by email.

The cost for PARE Certification varies depending on whether you choose to take the online assessment or attend an in-person training session. The online assessment costs $99 USD while attending an in-person training session costs $299 USD.

9. International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) Certification

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of administrative professionals. It is based on the IAAP’s Core Competencies for Administrative Professionals, which are essential for successful job performance in a wide variety of administrative roles. The certification program consists of three levels: Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), Advanced Certified Administrative Professional (ACAP), and Master Certified Administrative Professional (MCAP).

It typically takes between six months and two years to complete the IAAP Certification program depending on your experience level. To get certified, you must pass an exam that covers the Core Competencies for Administrative Professionals. You must also have at least two years of administrative experience or one year of education in an administrative field.

The cost to get certified varies depending on the level you are pursuing. The CAP exam costs $195 for members and $245 for non-members; the ACAP exam costs $295 for members and $345 for non-members; and the MCAP exam costs $395 for members and $445 for non-members. Additionally, there are study materials available through IAAP that can help you prepare for your exams.

10. National Association of Legal Professionals (NALP) Certification

The National Association of Legal Professionals (NALP) Certification is a professional credential that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the legal field. It is designed to provide employers with assurance that their legal staff has the necessary skills to effectively perform their job duties.

To obtain NALP certification, an individual must pass a series of exams covering topics such as ethics, legal research, writing, and other areas related to the practice of law. The exams are offered at various locations throughout the United States and typically take between six and eight hours to complete. The cost of the exam varies depending on where it is taken but generally ranges from $150-$300.

In addition to passing the exams, individuals must also demonstrate two years of professional experience in the legal field or have completed an approved paralegal training program. Once all requirements are met, applicants can apply for certification through NALP’s online portal. Upon successful completion of the application process, individuals will receive their NALP certification card and be eligible for listing in NALP’s directory of certified professionals.

Overall, obtaining NALP certification requires significant effort but provides a valuable credential for those seeking employment or advancement within the legal profession.

Do You Really Need a Corporate Receptionist Certificate?

When it comes to deciding whether or not you need a corporate receptionist certificate, the answer depends on your individual situation. If you are looking for a job in a corporate setting, having a corporate receptionist certificate can be beneficial. It shows potential employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to work in their office.

Having a corporate receptionist certificate also gives you an advantage over other applicants because it proves that you have taken the time to learn the skills needed for this particular position. Additionally, it can give employers an idea of what kind of person you are and how well you would fit into their team.

In some cases, having a corporate receptionist certificate may even be required in order to apply for certain positions. In these cases, having one could mean the difference between getting an interview and being overlooked completely. This is especially true if there is stiff competition for the position.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a corporate receptionist certificate depends on your individual situation and goals. If you feel that having one could prove beneficial in your job search, then taking the time to obtain one may be worth it for you in the long run.

Related: Corporate Receptionist Resume Examples

FAQs About Corporate Receptionist Certifications

Q1: What is a Corporate Receptionist Certification?

A1: A Corporate Receptionist Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates knowledge and skills in the areas of customer service, office administration, and communication. It is designed for individuals who work as receptionists in corporate settings.

Q2: How do I get a Corporate Receptionist Certification?

A2: To receive a Corporate Receptionist Certification, you must complete an approved course or program related to corporate receptionism. You may also need to pass an examination or demonstrate your proficiency in the areas of customer service, office administration, and communication.

Q3: Is there an expiration date for my Corporate Receptionist Certification?

A3: Yes, most certifications have an expiration date and will need to be renewed periodically. The renewal process may include completing additional courses or exams in order to maintain your certification status.

Q4: What are the benefits of having a Corporate Receptionist Certification?

A4: Having a Corporate Receptionist Certification demonstrates that you have the necessary skills to work as a receptionist in corporate settings. It can also give you an edge when applying for jobs and can potentially lead to higher wages and more job opportunities.

Q5: What are some common duties of a Corporate Receptionist?

A5: Common duties of a Corporate Receptionist include greeting visitors and guests, answering phones, directing calls, managing mail distribution, scheduling appointments, maintaining filing systems, ordering supplies, coordinating travel arrangements, and providing general administrative support.