Top 10 Customer Service Advisor Certifications

Certifications are important for customer service advisors in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge, experience and expertise that employers look for when hiring. With certifications, customer service advisors can prove to employers that they have the necessary skills and qualifications to provide excellent customer service. Additionally, certifications can give customer service advisors an edge over other applicants without them, making them more attractive to potential employers. Finally, certifications can show employers that a customer service advisor is committed to their profession and willing to invest time and money into their professional development.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Customer Service Advisors and explain how they can help to advance a customer service advisor's career.

What are Customer Service Advisor Certifications?

Customer service advisor certification is a type of professional credential that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in customer service. It is designed to help customer service advisors develop their skills and stay up-to-date on industry trends. With this certification, advisors can demonstrate to employers that they have the skills necessary to provide excellent customer service.

The certification includes courses covering topics such as communication, problem solving, conflict resolution, customer relations, and customer satisfaction. By completing these courses, advisors can gain the knowledge and expertise needed to effectively handle customer inquiries and complaints. Additionally, the certification can help individuals stand out from other applicants when searching for a job in customer service.

Overall, customer service advisor certification can be beneficial for both individuals looking for a job in customer service as well as those already employed in the field. With this certification, individuals can become more confident in their abilities and better equipped to handle any situation that arises with customers.

Pro Tip: When considering a customer service advisor certification, be sure to research the company offering the program to ensure that their credentials are legitimate and up-to-date. This will help you make sure that your certification is valuable in the eyes of employers and other industry professionals.

Related: What does a Customer Service Advisor do?

Top 10 Customer Service Advisor Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Customer Service Advisors today.

1. Certified Customer Service Professional (CCSP)

Certified Customer Service Professional (CCSP) is a professional certification program that provides customer service professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to provide superior customer service. It is designed for individuals who are already working in customer service or those looking to enter the field.

The CCSP certification is offered by the International Customer Service Association (ICSA). The program consists of five courses, each taking approximately 10-12 hours to complete. After completing all five courses, candidates must pass an exam to earn their CCSP certification.

To get your CCSP certification, you must first register with ICSA and purchase the course materials. The cost of the entire program is $495 USD. Once you have registered and purchased the course materials, you will receive access to all five courses online. You can then work through the courses at your own pace until you have completed them all and passed the exam.

Once you have passed the exam, you will be awarded your CCSP certification and can use it to demonstrate your expertise in customer service to potential employers or clients.

2. Certified Customer Experience Professional (CXCP)

Certified Customer Experience Professional (CXCP) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who demonstrate excellence in customer experience management. The certification is offered by the Customer Experience Professionals Association (CXPA), a global non-profit organization that provides resources and education for customer experience professionals.

The CXCP certification requires applicants to have at least two years of professional experience in customer experience management, as well as passing an exam. The exam covers topics such as customer journey mapping, customer segmentation, customer feedback analysis, and more. Applicants must also complete a portfolio project that demonstrates their knowledge and skills in customer experience management.

It typically takes between four and six months to become certified, depending on the applicant’s level of commitment and preparation. To get started, applicants must first become members of the CXPA. Membership costs $200 per year for individuals or $500 per year for organizations. After becoming a member, applicants can register for the CXCP Exam ($400) and begin studying for it with the help of resources provided by the CXPA. Once they pass the exam, they can submit their portfolio project ($250) for review by CXPA experts. Upon successful completion of both requirements, applicants will receive their CXCP certification.

3. Certified Professional in Customer Service (CPCS)

Certified Professional in Customer Service (CPCS) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated excellence in customer service. The program is administered by the International Customer Service Association (ICSA), an international organization dedicated to promoting and advancing customer service standards and practices.

The CPCS certification requires successful completion of an exam that tests knowledge of customer service principles, practices, and strategies. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as customer service fundamentals, communication skills, problem solving, cultural diversity, and technology.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the exam, depending on how much prior knowledge you have and how much time you are able to dedicate to studying. Preparation materials can be purchased from ICSA or found online for free.

To get certified, applicants must first register with ICSA and pay a fee of $250 USD. After registering, applicants will receive access to the online study guide and practice exams. Once they have completed their studies, applicants can take the exam at any approved testing center or online through ICSA’s website.

The cost of the CPCS certification includes the registration fee ($250 USD) plus any applicable taxes or other fees associated with taking the exam at a testing center or online.

4. Customer Service Representative Certification (CSR)

Customer Service Representative Certification (CSR) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to provide excellent customer service. It is an industry-recognized credential that can be used to demonstrate a commitment to customer service excellence.

The CSR certification program typically takes between 3-6 months to complete, depending on the individual's level of experience and commitment. To get certified, individuals must complete a combination of online courses, in-person workshops, and exams. The cost of the certification program varies depending on the provider, but it typically ranges from $500-$1000.

5. Certified Customer Care Professional (CCCP)

Certified Customer Care Professional (CCCP) is a certification program designed to equip customer service professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide excellent customer service. It is offered by the International Customer Service Association (ICSA).

The CCCP certification requires successful completion of a comprehensive online course, which includes modules on customer service fundamentals, communication techniques, problem-solving strategies, and more. The course typically takes around 40 hours to complete and can be done at your own pace. Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate from ICSA.

The cost for the CCCP certification is $499 USD. This fee covers all materials required for the course as well as access to an online community of certified professionals for networking and support.

6. Certified Call Center Representative (CCCR)

A Certified Call Center Representative (CCCR) is a professional certification which recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in customer service and call center operations. The CCCR certification is designed to demonstrate an individual’s ability to effectively handle customer inquiries, provide accurate information, and resolve customer issues in a timely manner.

The CCCR certification program is offered by the International Customer Service Association (ICSA). It consists of three courses: Fundamentals of Call Center Management, Advanced Call Center Management, and Professional Practices for Call Centers. To be eligible for the CCCR certification, applicants must have at least two years of experience in a call center environment.

It typically takes approximately six months to complete the CCCR program. During this time, applicants must successfully complete all three courses and pass the corresponding exams with a score of 70% or higher. Once an applicant has completed the program, they will receive their CCCR certificate from ICSA.

The cost of the CCCR program varies depending on whether or not you are already an ICSA member. For non-members, the cost is $1,295 USD while members pay $995 USD. This fee covers all course materials and exam fees.

Once certified as a CCCR, individuals can expect to earn higher salaries and gain access to more job opportunities within the customer service industry.

7. Certified Technical Support Professional (CTSP)

Certified Technical Support Professional (CTSP) is a certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of technical support professionals. It is offered by the International Association of IT Professionals (IAITP). The program is designed to validate the competency of technical support professionals in areas such as troubleshooting, problem solving, customer service, and communication.

To become certified as a CTSP, individuals must pass an online exam that covers topics such as hardware and software installation, configuration, maintenance, networking, security, and customer service. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

In order to take the CTSP exam, individuals must first register with IAITP and pay a fee of $325 USD. After registration is completed, applicants will receive an email with instructions on how to access the exam. Once the exam has been passed successfully, applicants will be awarded their CTSP certification.

The CTSP certification is valid for two years from the date it was issued. To maintain their certification status after two years have elapsed, individuals must retake the exam or complete continuing education credits every two years.

8. Microsoft Office Specialist: Customer Service and Support

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Customer Service and Support is a certification program that validates the skills of individuals who work with Microsoft Office products. It is designed to help employers identify qualified job candidates and to help employees demonstrate their proficiency in using Microsoft Office products.

The certification consists of two exams: one for Word and one for Excel. The exams cover topics such as creating documents, formatting, working with tables, charts, and formulas, and managing data. In order to become certified in both Word and Excel, you must pass both exams.

It typically takes about six hours to complete both exams, although some people may take longer depending on their familiarity with the software. The cost of the certification varies by country but generally ranges from $50-100 USD per exam.

In order to get certified, you must register for the exams through the Microsoft Learning website or through an authorized testing center. Once registered, you can choose a date and time for your exam(s). After passing both exams, you will receive your MOS Customer Service and Support certification which will be valid for three years before needing to be renewed.

9. International Association of Quality Customer Service Professionals

The International Association of Quality Customer Service Professionals (IAQCSP) is a professional organization dedicated to the advancement of customer service excellence. The IAQCSP provides members with resources, training, and certification programs to help them develop their skills as customer service professionals.

To become an IAQCSP member, applicants must have at least two years of experience in customer service or related fields and must pass an exam that tests their knowledge of customer service principles and practices. The exam takes about two hours to complete and costs $95 USD. Once the exam is passed, applicants will receive a certificate from the IAQCSP that recognizes their achievement.

In addition to the certification program, members are also eligible for discounts on IAQCSP-sponsored events such as conferences and workshops, access to exclusive resources such as webinars and e-books, and networking opportunities with other customer service professionals around the world.

The cost for membership in the IAQCSP is $99 USD per year. This fee includes access to all of the benefits listed above as well as discounts on products and services offered by partner companies.

10. American Society for Quality: Six Sigma Green Belt

American Society for Quality (ASQ) Six Sigma Green Belt is a certification program designed to help individuals develop the skills and knowledge necessary to lead successful Six Sigma projects. The program focuses on the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) methodology of Six Sigma and provides an in-depth understanding of how to use it effectively.

The program typically takes about three months to complete and consists of online coursework, exams, and project work. To get certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt, you must pass an ASQ exam that covers topics such as process improvement tools, data analysis techniques, problem solving strategies, and project management principles. You must also demonstrate mastery of the DMAIC methodology by completing a project that applies the methodology to solve a real-world problem.

The cost of the ASQ Six Sigma Green Belt certification varies depending on whether you choose to take an online or in-person course. Online courses can range from $500-$2,000 while in-person courses can range from $1,000-$4,000. Additionally, there may be additional fees for exam registration and other materials associated with the program.

Do You Really Need a Customer Service Advisor Certificate?

No, you do not need a customer service advisor certificate to be successful in the customer service industry. However, it can help you to demonstrate your commitment to the profession and show potential employers that you are serious about providing quality customer service.

A customer service advisor certificate can provide you with specialized knowledge and technical skills required for the job. For example, you may learn how to handle difficult customers or how to stay organized while managing multiple tasks. Additionally, the certificate can set you apart from other candidates by showing that you understand the importance of delivering exceptional customer service.

Having a customer service advisor certificate can make it easier for employers to trust that you are capable of meeting their expectations when it comes to providing good customer service. Employers may also appreciate that you have taken initiative and invested in yourself by obtaining certification.

Ultimately, whether or not you choose to pursue a customer service advisor certificate is up to you. If your goal is to become a successful customer service professional then investing in a certificate could benefit your career prospects in the long run.

Related: Customer Service Advisor Resume Examples

FAQs About Customer Service Advisor Certifications

1. What is a Customer Service Advisor Certification?

Answer: A Customer Service Advisor Certification is a certification that validates an individual's knowledge and skills in providing customer service and support. It demonstrates an understanding of the principles of customer service, including communication techniques, problem-solving strategies, and conflict resolution skills.

2. How do I become certified as a Customer Service Advisor?

Answer: To become certified as a Customer Service Advisor, you must complete an approved course or program from an accredited institution and pass the required exam. The exam will cover topics such as customer service principles, communication techniques, problem-solving strategies, and conflict resolution skills.

3. What are the benefits of becoming a Certified Customer Service Advisor?

Answer: Becoming certified as a Customer Service Advisor can provide many benefits such as increased job security, higher pay, better promotional opportunities, greater credibility with customers and employers, access to additional resources and networks, expanded knowledge base in customer service practices, increased confidence in customer service abilities, improved problem-solving skills and enhanced customer relationships.

4. How long does it take to become certified as a Customer Service Advisor?

Answer: The time it takes to become certified as a Customer Service Advisor depends on the specific course or program you choose to take. Generally speaking most courses or programs take between three months to one year to complete depending on the level of certification desired. Additionally some certifications may require additional continuing education units (CEUs).

5. Is there any cost associated with becoming certified as a Customer Service Advisor?

Answer: Yes there is usually some cost associated with becoming certified as a Customer Service Advisor depending on which course or program you choose to take. Prices can vary greatly based on the length of the program and other factors such as location and materials needed for completion of the coursework or exams.