Top 10 Customer Service Clerk Certifications

Certifications are important for customer service clerks in the job market because they show employers that you have a specific set of skills and knowledge necessary to do the job. They can also demonstrate your commitment to professionalism, as well as provide proof of your dedication to continuing education. Additionally, certifications may qualify you for higher pay or better positions within a company. Finally, certifications can give an employer confidence that you will be able to handle customer inquiries and complaints with confidence and competence.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Customer Service Clerks and explain how they can help advance their career.

What are Customer Service Clerk Certifications?

Customer service clerk certification is a professional designation that recognizes the skills and knowledge of customer service professionals. This certification is designed to provide customer service clerks with the necessary tools, knowledge, and experience to effectively serve customers in a variety of settings. It also helps employers identify qualified candidates for customer service positions and provides assurance that their staff has the skills needed to provide excellent customer service.

The certification program includes courses on topics such as communication, problem resolution, conflict management, customer service policies and procedures, and other related topics. Through this program, certified customer service clerks can gain a better understanding of how to effectively interact with customers, build relationships with them, and understand their needs better. They also learn how to handle difficult situations in a professional manner while providing excellent customer service. With this knowledge in hand, certified customer service clerks are more likely to exceed their employer's expectations for delivering outstanding customer service.

In addition to helping employers identify qualified candidates for customer service positions, certification can also benefit individuals professionally by allowing them to demonstrate their commitment to excellence in the field of customer service. By earning certification from a respected organization or institution, individuals can show potential employers that they have taken the time and effort necessary to become knowledgeable in the field of customer service. This can help them stand out from other applicants when seeking employment opportunities or promotions within their current company.

Pro Tip: Before hiring a customer service clerk, make sure they have the necessary certification. Obtaining relevant certifications can help demonstrate an individual's commitment to providing good customer service and knowledge of industry standards.

Related: What does a Customer Service Clerk do?

Top 10 Customer Service Clerk Certifications

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

1. Certified Customer Service Professional (CCSP)

Certified Customer Service Professional (CCSP) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in customer service. It is offered by the International Customer Service Association (ICSA).

The CCSP certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in customer service, communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. The certification process consists of an online assessment, which tests the applicant’s knowledge of customer service principles and practices. Once the assessment is completed successfully, applicants are eligible to take the CCSP exam.

The CCSP exam is administered twice a year and lasts for four hours. It consists of multiple-choice questions that test the applicant’s knowledge of customer service principles and practices. The exam fee is $295 USD.

To be eligible to take the CCSP exam, applicants must have at least two years of experience in customer service or related fields, such as sales or marketing. They must also have completed at least 30 hours of ICSA-approved training courses related to customer service within the past three years prior to taking the exam.

Once certified, individuals must complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years in order to maintain their certification status.

2. Certified Customer Service Manager (CCSM)

Certified Customer Service Manager (CCSM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize customer service professionals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities required to manage successful customer service operations. The CCSM program is administered by the International Customer Service Association (ICSA).

The CCSM certification requires that applicants pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as customer service strategy, customer service operations, customer service technology, customer relationship management and customer experience management. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having at least two years of full-time work experience in a customer service role or related field; having completed at least 30 hours of formal training in customer service; and having successfully completed an approved course in the ICSA’s Certified Customer Service Manager curriculum.

The cost for the CCSM certification program varies depending on whether you are taking the exam online or in person. The online exam costs $395 USD while the in-person exam costs $495 USD.

3. Certified Professional in Customer Service (CPCS)

Certified Professional in Customer Service (CPCS) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated exceptional customer service skills and knowledge. It is offered by the International Customer Service Association (ICSA).

The CPCS certification program consists of two parts: an online assessment and a comprehensive exam. The online assessment consists of multiple-choice questions that evaluate the applicant’s knowledge of customer service principles and practices. The comprehensive exam tests the applicant’s ability to apply customer service concepts in real-world scenarios.

The CPCS certification program typically takes between three and six months to complete, depending on the individual’s availability and commitment level. To get started, applicants must first register with ICSA and pay a nonrefundable fee of $195 USD. Applicants then have up to one year to complete both parts of the certification program.

Once applicants have successfully completed both parts of the certification program, they will receive their official CPCS certificate from ICSA. This certificate is valid for three years, after which time applicants must renew their certification by taking an updated version of the online assessment or comprehensive exam.

4. Certified Customer Care Professional (CCCP)

Certified Customer Care Professional (CCCP) is a certification program offered by the International Customer Service Association (ICSA). It is designed to recognize customer service professionals who demonstrate a commitment to excellence in customer service. The CCCP certification is available for individuals who have at least two years of professional experience in customer service, as well as those who are new to the field.

The CCCP certification requires applicants to complete an online application and pass an exam that covers topics such as customer service best practices, communication skills, problem solving, and conflict resolution. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

The cost of the CCCP certification varies depending on whether you choose to take the exam online or in person. The online version costs $125 USD while the in-person version costs $175 USD. In addition, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam at a testing center or other location.

Once you have successfully passed your exam, you will receive your CCCP certificate within 4-6 weeks. You can also download an electronic version of your certificate from ICSA's website once it has been issued.

5. Certified Customer Experience Professional (CXCP)

Certified Customer Experience Professional (CXCP) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in customer experience management. This certification is offered by the Customer Experience Professionals Association (CXPA).

The CXCP certification requires applicants to pass a four-hour exam, which covers topics such as customer experience strategy, design and delivery, measurement and analytics, and organizational change management. The exam is administered online and consists of multiple-choice questions.

To be eligible for the CXCP certification, applicants must have at least three years of professional experience in customer experience management or related fields. Additionally, they must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution.

The cost of the CXCP certification varies depending on the country in which you are taking the exam. In the United States, it costs $495 for members of the CXPA and $595 for non-members. The fee includes access to study materials and practice exams, as well as registration for the exam itself.

Once an applicant has successfully completed their exam, they will receive their official CXCP certificate within two weeks after passing their exam. The certificate is valid for three years from date of issue and can be renewed by completing continuing education credits or retaking the exam.

6. International Customer Service Association’s (ICSA) Certified Customer Service Representative (CCSR)

The International Customer Service Association’s (ICSA) Certified Customer Service Representative (CCSR) is a professional certification program that recognizes customer service professionals for their expertise in providing exceptional customer service. The CCSR certification demonstrates an individual's commitment to the customer experience and provides employers with assurance of the highest standards of customer service.

It typically takes between 4-6 weeks to complete the CCSR certification process, depending on how quickly you are able to complete the required coursework and exams. To become certified, individuals must first complete a series of online courses covering topics such as customer service basics, communication skills, problem solving, and conflict resolution. After completing the courses, individuals must then pass two exams: one written exam and one practical exam.

The cost of the CCSR certification varies depending on whether you are an ICSA member or not. For ICSA members, the cost is $250 for both exams; for non-members, it is $350 for both exams. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with course materials or other resources needed to prepare for the exams.

7. American Society for Quality’s (ASQ) Certified Quality Improvement Associate in Customer Service (CQIA-CS)

The American Society for Quality’s (ASQ) Certified Quality Improvement Associate in Customer Service (CQIA-CS) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and skills related to customer service quality improvement. The CQIA-CS certification provides professionals with the tools, techniques, and knowledge needed to improve customer service processes and outcomes.

To become certified as a CQIA-CS, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as customer service process design, customer satisfaction measurement, problem solving, root cause analysis, and quality improvement methods. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the CQIA-CS certification exam, applicants must meet certain prerequisites. These include having at least three years of experience in a customer service role or equivalent; having completed at least 30 hours of formal education in customer service improvement; and passing an online pre-qualification test.

The cost of the CQIA-CS certification exam is $395 USD. This fee includes the cost of the exam itself as well as access to study materials and practice tests. Applicants may also choose to purchase additional study materials from ASQ for an additional fee. Once applicants have successfully passed their exams, they will receive their official CQIA-CS certificates from ASQ.

8. National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Professional Certificate in Retail Customer Service

The National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Professional Certificate in Retail Customer Service is a comprehensive program designed to help retail professionals build their customer service skills. This certificate is designed to equip retail employees with the knowledge and tools they need to provide excellent customer service.

The program consists of five courses that cover topics such as communication, problem-solving, and customer service strategies. Each course takes approximately three hours to complete and can be taken at your own pace. The entire certificate program can be completed in as little as 15 hours.

To get the Professional Certificate in Retail Customer Service, you must complete all five courses and pass the final exam with a score of 80% or higher. Once you have successfully completed the program, you will receive an official certificate from NRF verifying your achievement.

The cost for the Professional Certificate in Retail Customer Service is $199 USD. This fee covers all five courses and the final exam.

9. International Council of Shopping Centers’s (ICSC) Certificate in Shopping Center Management and Customer Relations

The International Council of Shopping Centers’ (ICSC) Certificate in Shopping Center Management and Customer Relations is a professional certification program designed to provide shopping center professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the retail real estate industry. The program focuses on customer service, marketing, leasing, operations, finance, and legal issues related to shopping centers.

The program consists of three courses: Shopping Center Management & Customer Relations I, II & III. Each course takes approximately 8 hours to complete and can be taken in any order. Upon completion of all three courses, students will receive an ICSC Certificate in Shopping Center Management & Customer Relations.

To get the certificate, students must register for the program through ICSC's website or by calling their customer service team at 1-800-876-4727. Once registered, students will have access to the online course material and must complete all three courses within two years from registration date.

The cost for the ICSC Certificate in Shopping Center Management & Customer Relations is $395 USD per person.

10. Institute of Certified Professional Managers’s (ICPM) Certified Manager of Customer Relations

The Institute of Certified Professional Managers’s (ICPM) Certified Manager of Customer Relations is a professional certification program designed to recognize and reward individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to effectively manage customer relations. The program provides a comprehensive curriculum that covers topics such as customer service, customer relationship management, problem solving, communication and negotiation, conflict resolution, and customer loyalty.

The certification process takes approximately six months to complete. To get certified, applicants must first pass an online assessment that tests their knowledge of customer relations management. After passing the assessment, applicants must then attend a two-day workshop where they will receive instruction on the topics covered in the assessment. Upon successful completion of the workshop, applicants must then submit a portfolio that demonstrates their ability to apply the concepts learned during the workshop in real-world scenarios. Finally, applicants must pass an oral examination administered by ICPM examiners.

The cost of obtaining the Certified Manager of Customer Relations certification varies depending on the applicant's country of residence and other factors. Generally speaking, it costs between $400-$600 USD for all materials and fees associated with obtaining the certification.

Do You Really Need a Customer Service Clerk Certificate?

When it comes to customer service, having a certificate can be beneficial in demonstrating your knowledge and skills. With the right training, you can become an expert in customer service and learn how to handle customers in a professional manner. A customer service clerk certificate will show employers that you understand what it takes to provide excellent customer service.

Having a certificate will also demonstrate that you are serious about pursuing a career in the field of customer service. It shows that you have taken the time and effort to gain additional training and education in order to become a better employee. Employers may be more likely to hire someone with a certificate because they know that this person has invested their time into learning how to best serve their customers.

In addition, having a customer service clerk certificate can help improve your job prospects by giving you an edge over other applicants who do not have one. It shows potential employers that you are qualified for the position, as well as being dedicated to providing excellent customer service. This is especially true if there is competition for the job opening or if the company requires certain qualifications in order to apply for the position.

Overall, having a customer service clerk certificate is beneficial when considering a career in this field. It demonstrates dedication and commitment towards providing quality customer service, which employers look for when hiring new employees. With proper training and education, anyone can become an expert at providing excellent customer service and increase their chances of getting hired by showing off their certification.

Related: Customer Service Clerk Resume Examples

FAQs About Customer Service Clerk Certifications

Q1. What is a Customer Service Clerk Certification?

A1. A Customer Service Clerk Certification is a credential awarded to individuals who have successfully completed a course of study that includes customer service principles and practices. The certification can be obtained through online or in-person courses, and is typically offered by professional organizations or educational institutions.

Q2. What are the benefits of having a Customer Service Clerk Certification?

A2. Having a Customer Service Clerk Certification can provide individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in customer service roles. It can also help demonstrate commitment to excellence in customer service, as well as serve as an indication of professionalism and expertise in the field. Additionally, some employers may require certification for certain roles or offer increased earning potential for those who possess it.

Q3. How long does it take to get a Customer Service Clerk Certification?

A3. The length of time required to obtain a Customer Service Clerk Certification depends on the type of program chosen and the individual’s level of experience in customer service roles. Generally, most programs can be completed within 3-6 months, although some might take longer depending on the complexity of the curriculum and other factors such as work experience or prior education.

Q4. What topics are covered in a Customer Service Clerk Certification program?

A4. Generally, topics covered in a Customer Service Clerk Certification program include communication skills, problem solving techniques, customer relations management strategies, conflict resolution strategies, product knowledge, data entry techniques, office procedures and policies related to customer service roles, and more.

Q5. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a Customer Service Clerk Certification?

A5. Most programs do not have any specific prerequisites for enrolling in their certificate programs; however some may require applicants to have basic computer literacy or prior experience working with customers before enrolling in their courses