Top 11 Desk Receptionist Certifications

Having certifications for a desk receptionist can be beneficial for job seekers in the job market. Certifications provide employers with evidence that the candidate has the knowledge and skills needed to perform the job effectively. They also demonstrate that the individual is committed to professional development and up-to-date on industry trends. Employers are more likely to hire someone with certifications as they have confidence that the individual is knowledgeable and capable of performing their duties. Additionally, having certifications gives desk receptionists an edge over other applicants because it shows that they have taken initiative and invested in their own professional growth.

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

What are Desk Receptionist Certifications?

Desk receptionist certification is a specialized type of training and certification that is designed to help individuals who are interested in working as a desk receptionist or front desk clerk. This type of certification provides the individual with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully work in this position, such as customer service, communication, computer software skills, telephone etiquette, and other important skills. Desk receptionist certification programs may also include topics such as office management, scheduling, filing systems, office supplies management, and other relevant skills.

Having this certification can help individuals stand out when applying for desk receptionist positions since it shows employers that they have the necessary training and experience to perform the job. It also helps employers make sure that they are hiring qualified candidates who have the appropriate knowledge and experience required to provide excellent customer service. Additionally, having desk receptionist certification may lead to higher pay rates for those who complete it.

Pro Tip: When considering desk receptionist certification, make sure to research the requirements and qualifications for the program thoroughly. Additionally, look into any continuing education requirements that may be necessary for maintaining your certification.

Related: What does a Desk Receptionist do?

Top 11 Desk Receptionist Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Receptionist (CPR)

Certified Professional Receptionist (CPR) is a certification program designed to recognize the professional skills and knowledge of receptionists. The program is administered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is a voluntary certification that can be used to demonstrate professional excellence in the field of reception.

The CPR certification requires applicants to pass an exam that tests their knowledge and skills in areas such as customer service, telephone etiquette, office procedures, communication, and technology. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have at least one year of experience working as a receptionist or related role.

The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically costs between $100 and $200.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your CPR certification which will be valid for three years. After three years, you will need to renew your certification by completing continuing education credits or retaking the exam.

Overall, obtaining your CPR certification can help demonstrate your commitment to professionalism in the field of reception and may help open up new job opportunities or promotions within your current company.

2. Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The CAP designation recognizes the knowledge and skills of administrative professionals, such as executive assistants, office managers, and other administrative staff. It is designed to demonstrate mastery of the core competencies required to be successful in an administrative role.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete the CAP program. To become certified, applicants must pass three exams: Principles of Management; Organizational Communications; and Technology Applications. The exams are administered online through IAAP's testing partner, Pearson VUE.

The cost for the CAP program varies depending on whether you are an IAAP member or not. For non-members, the cost is $495 USD for all three exams. For members, it is $395 USD for all three exams.

In addition to passing the exams, applicants must also have at least two years of full-time experience in an administrative role in order to be eligible for certification.

3. Certified Medical Receptionist (CMR)

A Certified Medical Receptionist (CMR) is a professional who has been trained and certified to work as a receptionist in a medical office. The CMR has the knowledge to greet patients, answer phones, schedule appointments, collect payments, and other administrative tasks.

It typically takes about six months of study to become a Certified Medical Receptionist. To get certified, you must first complete an accredited medical receptionist program or course. After completing the coursework, you must pass an exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your certification from the NHA.

The cost of becoming a Certified Medical Receptionist varies depending on the program or course you choose to take. Most programs range from $500-$1,000 for tuition and fees. Additionally, there is usually an exam fee of around $200 that must be paid when registering for the NHA exam.

4. Certified Office Manager (COM)

Certified Office Manager (COM) is a professional certification offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills required for success in today’s office management roles. The COM credential sets the standard for excellence in office management and demonstrates a commitment to professional development.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam. The exam covers topics such as communication, customer service, project management, financial management, technology, information systems, human resources, and legal issues.

The process typically takes around 6 months from start to finish. First, applicants must complete an online application and submit all required documents. Once approved, they can register for the exam. After passing the exam, applicants must submit proof of their continuing education credits to maintain their certification status.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the IAAP membership level chosen. For non-members it costs $395 USD; for members it costs $295 USD; and for student members it costs $195 USD.

5. Certified Front Desk Representative (CFDR)

A Certified Front Desk Representative (CFDR) is a professional designation given to individuals who demonstrate a high level of knowledge and expertise in the areas of customer service, front desk operations, and hospitality. The certification is offered by the International Association of Professional Hotel Receptionists (IAPHR).

The CFDR certification requires applicants to complete an online course that covers topics such as customer service, front desk operations, hospitality management, and hotel industry regulations. The course takes approximately 10-12 hours to complete and can be done at your own pace. Upon successful completion of the course, applicants must pass a final exam in order to receive their certification.

The cost for the CFDR certification is $99 USD plus applicable taxes. This fee covers the cost of the online course materials as well as access to additional resources such as webinars and job postings.

Once certified, CFDRs are able to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in front desk operations, customer service, and hospitality management. They can also use the designation on their resume or other professional documents to show potential employers that they have achieved this level of expertise.

6. Certified Hospitality Receptionist (CHR)

Certified Hospitality Receptionist (CHR) is a professional certification program designed to provide hospitality receptionists with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to excel in their profession. The program is offered by the International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA).

The CHR program consists of three courses: Introduction to Hospitality Reception, Advanced Hospitality Reception, and Professionalism in Hospitality Reception. Each course is approximately 10 hours long and can be completed online or through a combination of online and classroom instruction. Upon successful completion of all three courses, students will receive their CHR certification.

To get certified as a Certified Hospitality Receptionist, you must first complete the three required courses. After completing the courses, you will need to submit an application form and fee to IH&RA for review and approval. Once approved, you will receive your official CHR certificate.

The cost of the Certified Hospitality Receptionist program varies depending on whether you take the courses online or in-person. Online courses typically cost between $200-$400 USD while in-person classes can range from $500-$1000 USD.

7. Certified Hotel Receptionist (CHR)

Certified Hotel Receptionist (CHR) is a certification program designed for individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in the hospitality industry. The program is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). It provides an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge and skills related to hotel front desk operations, guest service and management.

The CHR program consists of two parts: an online course and an on-site assessment. The online course covers topics such as customer service, room reservations, hotel policies, and problem solving. It takes approximately 8 hours to complete the online course. After completing the online course, candidates must pass a proctored assessment at an AHLEI-approved testing center. The assessment consists of multiple choice questions that cover topics from the online course.

The cost of the CHR program varies depending on where you take it. Generally, it costs between $150-$200 USD to take the online course and assessment combined.

In order to get certified as a CHR, you must pass both parts of the program with a score of 75% or higher. Once certified, you will receive a certificate from AHLEI that is valid for three years.

8. Certified Business Office Administrator (CBOA)

Certified Business Office Administrator (CBOA) is a certification program designed to provide business office administrators with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage the financial operations of a business. The program is offered by the International Association for Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

The CBOA certification requires successful completion of four exams, which cover topics such as accounting, finance, human resources, and information technology. To become certified, applicants must have at least two years of experience in an administrative role and must pass all four exams within three years.

To get started on the CBOA certification process, applicants must first register with IAAP and pay a registration fee. After registering, applicants can purchase study materials from IAAP or other sources to prepare for the exam. Once ready to take the exam, applicants can register for it through IAAP's website.

The cost of becoming certified depends on how many exams are taken and whether or not study materials are purchased from IAAP. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,000-$1,500 to become certified. This includes registration fees for all four exams as well as any study materials purchased from IAAP.

9. National Association of Professional Receptionists Certification (NAPRC)

The National Association of Professional Receptionists Certification (NAPRC) is a credential that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform at a high level as a professional receptionist. The NAPRC is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates an individual’s commitment to excellence in customer service and professionalism.

In order to receive the NAPRC certification, applicants must complete a comprehensive training program and pass an exam. The training program typically consists of self-study courses, webinars, and/or live seminars. The exam covers topics such as customer service, telephone etiquette, office organization, communication skills, and more.

To get certified by the NAPRC, applicants must first apply for membership with the organization. Once accepted into the program, they will be sent an application packet which includes information about the training requirements and examination process. Applicants must then complete all of the required courses or seminars within one year of their application date in order to qualify for the exam.

The cost of applying for membership with the NAPRC is $50 USD. After completing all of the required courses or seminars within one year of their application date, applicants may take the certification exam which costs $150 USD. Upon successful completion of both requirements, applicants will receive their official NAPRC certificate along with other benefits such as access to exclusive job opportunities and discounts on products and services related to reception work.

10. Customer Service Representative Certification Program (CSRCP)

The Customer Service Representative Certification Program (CSRCP) is a nationally recognized certification program designed to provide customer service representatives with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their field. The program consists of four courses: Introduction to Customer Service, Professionalism, Problem Solving and Communication, and Advanced Customer Service.

The program typically takes approximately six months to complete. To get certified, you must complete all four courses and pass the final exam with a score of 80% or higher. Once you have successfully completed the program, you will receive a certificate of completion from the CSRCP.

The cost of the CSRCP varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs between $500-$1000 for the entire program. Some organizations may offer discounts or scholarships for those who qualify.

Once certified, customer service representatives can demonstrate their commitment to providing quality customer service and show employers that they are knowledgeable in their field. This can help them stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions within their organization.

11. International Association of Administrative Professionals Certification Program (IAAPCP).

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) Certification Program is a professional development program designed to recognize the knowledge, skills and abilities of administrative professionals. It is a comprehensive program that covers topics such as office management, communication, technology, customer service and more.

The IAAPCP consists of three levels: Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), Advanced Certified Administrative Professional (ACAP) and Master Certified Administrative Professional (MCAP). The CAP level requires at least two years of administrative experience and successful completion of an exam. The ACAP and MCAP levels require additional education or experience in addition to passing the exams.

The time it takes to get certified depends on the individual's experience level and their commitment to studying for the exams. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from six months to two years to complete all three levels of certification.

To get certified, individuals must first register with IAAP and pay the required fee. After registering, they will receive study materials which will help them prepare for the exams. Once they have studied for the exams, they can then schedule a time to take them at an approved testing center. Upon successful completion of all three exams, individuals will receive their certification from IAAP.

The cost for each level varies depending on whether you are an IAAP member or non-member. For members, the cost is $275 per level while non-members pay $375 per level. There is also an additional fee for taking the tests at a testing center which ranges from $50-$100 depending on location.

Do You Really Need a Desk Receptionist Certificate?

No, you do not need a desk receptionist certificate in order to work as a receptionist. While some employers may require you to have a specific certification or training, it is not necessary for all employers. There are many skills that are important when working as a receptionist, including excellent customer service, organizational and communication skills, computer proficiency, and the ability to multitask and problem solve on the spot. You can demonstrate that you possess these qualities through your resume and during an interview.

Additionally, there are many online resources available to help you learn the basics of being a good receptionist. You can take courses in customer service or time management that can help you develop the skills needed to be successful in this role. Doing so will show potential employers that you have taken initiative to prepare yourself for the job and are committed to learning all aspects of your role.

In conclusion, while having a desk receptionist certificate may be beneficial, it is not always necessary for working as a receptionist. Many employers value experience and knowledge more than certificates or degrees when hiring for this position.

Related: Desk Receptionist Resume Examples

FAQs About Desk Receptionist Certifications

1. What is a Desk Receptionist Certification?

Answer: A Desk Receptionist Certification is a professional qualification that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to work as an effective receptionist in an office setting. It covers topics such as customer service, communication, time management, conflict resolution, and other related areas.

2. How do I get a Desk Receptionist Certification?

Answer: You can obtain a Desk Receptionist Certification by taking an accredited course or program from an approved provider. Most providers offer online courses or in-person classes that take anywhere from several weeks to several months to complete.

3. What are the benefits of obtaining a Desk Receptionist Certification?

Answer: Obtaining a Desk Receptionist Certification can provide you with increased job opportunities and higher pay rates, as well as give you more confidence in your abilities while interacting with customers and colleagues alike. Additionally, having this certification can help demonstrate your commitment to professionalism and excellence in customer service.

4. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a Desk Receptionist Certification?

Answer: Generally speaking, there are no prerequisites for obtaining a Desk Receptionist Certification; however, some providers may require applicants to have previous experience working in the field or related fields before enrolling in their course or program. It's best to check with the provider directly before enrolling to ensure you meet their requirements.

5. Are there any exams or tests associated with getting my Desk Receptionist Certification?

Answer: Yes, most providers require students to pass an exam at the end of their course or program in order to receive their certification. The exam typically consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as customer service techniques, problem solving skills, communication strategies and more.