Top 11 Editor In Chief Certifications

Certifications for an editor in chief are important in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that the individual has a certain level of expertise and knowledge. They provide evidence that the individual is qualified to lead a publication, manage staff, and make editorial decisions. Certifications can also help editors in chief stand out from other applicants as they show that they have taken the initiative to improve their skills and stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices. Additionally, certifications can open doors to new opportunities and provide access to professional networks.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the most beneficial certifications for Editor In Chiefs and how they can help advance their careers.

What are Editor In Chief Certifications?

Editor in Chief certification is a professional designation for editors who have achieved a high level of expertise in their field. It is awarded by organizations such as the American Copy Editors Society (ACES) and the Council of Science Editors (CSE). The certification recognizes an editor’s ability to use language to communicate effectively, edit for accuracy, manage editorial processes, and lead editorial teams.

The certification can be beneficial to both employers and employees. For employers, it demonstrates that the editor has demonstrated proficiency in their desired field and is capable of performing at a higher level than someone without the certification. For employees, it serves as recognition of their hard work and dedication to the craft. Additionally, having this certification can make them more attractive to potential employers. The knowledge gained from earning the certification can also help editors hone their skills and advance their career opportunities.

Pro Tip: Consider taking an editor in chief certification course to hone your skills and demonstrate your expertise. A certification can help you stand out from other applicants when seeking a job as an editor in chief, and can also give you the confidence to take on more complex projects.

Related: What does an Editor In Chief do?

Top 11 Editor In Chief Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Editor In Chiefs today.

1. Certified Professional Editor (CPE)

Certified Professional Editor (CPE) is a designation that is awarded by the Editors' Association of Canada to recognize editors who have demonstrated their professional competence and commitment to the profession. It is the highest level of certification available for editors in Canada.

To become a CPE, an editor must meet certain criteria, including: having at least five years of full-time editing experience; completing a portfolio demonstrating their editing skills; and passing an examination demonstrating their knowledge of grammar, style, usage, and publishing practices.

It takes approximately one year to complete all the requirements for CPE certification. The cost varies depending on your membership status with the Editors' Association of Canada. For non-members, it costs $1,125 CAD plus taxes; for members it costs $750 CAD plus taxes.

2. Certified Copy Editor (CCE)

Certified Copy Editor (CCE) is a professional certification program offered by the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in copy editing and proofreading. The CCE program was created to ensure that editors are qualified to work on scientific and medical manuscripts, as well as other types of texts.

The CCE program consists of two parts: an online examination and a practical assessment. The online exam tests your knowledge of grammar, punctuation, usage, style, and formatting. The practical assessment requires you to complete a series of copy editing and proofreading tasks. To become certified, you must pass both exams with a score of 80% or higher.

It typically takes about 12-18 months to complete the CCE program. This includes taking the online exam and completing the practical assessment. You can take the online exam at any time; however, you must register for the practical assessment at least six weeks before it begins.

The cost for the CCE program varies depending on where you take it. In general, it costs between $400-$800 USD to receive your certification.

3. Certified Editing Professional (CEP)

Certified Editing Professional (CEP) is a certification program offered by the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS). The CEP credential is designed to recognize editors who have achieved a high level of professional proficiency in editing life science documents. To become certified, one must pass an exam that covers topics such as grammar, punctuation, style, and usage; document structure and organization; scientific writing conventions; and editing techniques.

The exam takes approximately six hours to complete and can be taken online or at a testing center. To get started, applicants must first register with BELS and pay the registration fee. Once registered, they will receive access to the online practice test which they can use to prepare for the exam. After passing the practice test, applicants can then schedule their official exam.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on whether you are taking the online or in-person version of the exam. For the online version, it costs $295 USD; for the in-person version it costs $395 USD.

4. Certified Editorial Manager (CEM)

Certified Editorial Manager (CEM) is a web-based software platform used by publishers, editors, and authors to manage the submission, peer review, and production of scholarly manuscripts. It provides an efficient workflow for managing manuscripts from submission to publication. CEM is widely used in academic publishing, as it allows for collaboration between multiple parties involved in the editorial process.

The certification process for CEM takes approximately 8-12 weeks to complete. To get certified in CEM, applicants must pass an online assessment that tests their knowledge of the CEM platform and its features. The assessment consists of multiple choice questions that cover topics such as setting up a manuscript submission system, creating peer review forms, and managing manuscript revisions.

In order to receive certification in CEM, applicants must pay a fee of $395 USD. This fee covers the cost of the online assessment and any additional training materials needed for successful completion of the certification process.

5. Certified Content Strategist (CCS)

A Certified Content Strategist (CCS) is a professional credential that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in content strategy. Content strategy is the practice of planning, creating, delivering, and managing content to achieve desired business goals.

The CCS credential is offered by the Content Strategy Alliance, an organization dedicated to advancing the field of content strategy. The certification process involves passing an exam that tests knowledge in areas such as content architecture, content governance, and analytics.

The exam takes about three hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions and short answer questions. Candidates must score 70% or higher on the exam in order to pass and earn their CCS credential.

The cost of the CCS exam varies depending on whether you are a member of the Content Strategy Alliance or not. For non-members, the fee is $400; for members, it is $200. Additionally, there are discounts available for students and groups.

Once you have passed the exam and earned your CCS credential, you can use it to demonstrate your expertise in content strategy to potential employers or clients. It also serves as a way to network with other professionals in the field and stay up-to-date on best practices in content strategy.

6. Certified Digital Publishing Professional (CDPP)

Certified Digital Publishing Professional (CDPP) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated expertise in digital publishing. It is offered by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) and is the only certification of its kind.

The CDPP program consists of two parts: an online exam and a practical project. The online exam tests knowledge of digital publishing concepts, processes, and best practices. It takes approximately three hours to complete the exam.

In order to get certified, applicants must pass both the online exam and the practical project. The practical project requires applicants to create a digital publication using IDPF standards and guidelines. This project should demonstrate mastery of digital publishing concepts, processes, and best practices.

The cost of the CDPP program depends on whether you are an individual or an organization. For individuals, it costs $250 USD for the online exam plus $100 USD for each additional retake if necessary. For organizations, it costs $500 USD for each team member taking the online exam plus $100 USD for each additional retake if necessary.

Overall, it typically takes about six weeks from start to finish to become certified as a Certified Digital Publishing Professional (CDPP).

7. Certified Online Publishing Professional (COPP)

Certified Online Publishing Professional (COPP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and promote the highest standards of online publishing. It is administered by the International Association of Online Publishers (IAOP), which is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the profession of online publishing.

The COPP program consists of two parts: an online exam and an in-person interview. The exam covers topics such as digital media, content creation, SEO, analytics, monetization strategies, and legal issues related to online publishing. It takes about three hours to complete the exam. The in-person interview focuses on practical experience and knowledge in the field of online publishing.

To get certified as a COPP, you must pass both the exam and interview with a minimum score of 80%. You also need at least two years of professional experience in online publishing or related fields. Once you have passed both tests, you will receive your certification from IAOP.

The cost for taking the COPP exam is $200 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees. This fee includes access to study materials and practice exams that can help you prepare for the actual test.

8. Certified Magazine Editor (CME)

Certified Magazine Editor (CME) is a professional certification program offered by the American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME). It is designed to recognize and validate the skills and knowledge of magazine editors. The CME program consists of three parts: an online examination, an in-person workshop, and a portfolio review.

The online examination tests the candidate’s knowledge of magazine editing principles, practices, and techniques. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and costs $150. Once the exam is passed, the candidate must attend an in-person workshop that covers topics such as magazine production processes, editorial decision making, legal issues, and ethical considerations. This workshop typically lasts for one day and costs $250. Lastly, candidates must submit a portfolio of their work for review by ASME’s CME Committee. If approved, they will be awarded the Certified Magazine Editor designation.

Overall, it takes approximately six months to complete all three parts of the CME program and it costs $400 in total.

9. Certified Technical Writer/Editor (CTWE)

A Certified Technical Writer/Editor (CTWE) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in technical writing and editing. This certification is offered by the Society for Technical Communication (STC). The CTWE credential verifies that an individual has the knowledge and skills to create, edit, and manage technical documents, including user manuals, online help systems, white papers, and other technical documents.

The CTWE exam is administered online and consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as document structure, grammar and usage, research methods, style guides, usability testing, project management, content management systems, web design principles, graphics production techniques, and more. To qualify for the exam candidates must have at least two years of experience in technical writing or editing.

It typically takes about two months to prepare for the CTWE exam. Candidates should plan to spend at least 40 hours studying for the exam. There are several resources available to help with preparation including books on technical writing and editing; online courses; practice exams; webinars; conferences; and workshops.

The cost of taking the CTWE exam is $395 USD for STC members and $495 USD for non-members.

10. Certified Web Content Manager (CWCM)

Certified Web Content Manager (CWCM) is a certification program that provides web content professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to create, manage, and optimize digital content for websites. The program focuses on the fundamentals of web content management, including SEO, usability, accessibility, and analytics. It also covers topics such as user experience design and content marketing.

The CWCM certification is offered by the International Association of Web Professionals (IAWP). It takes approximately three months to complete the program, which consists of four courses: Introduction to Web Content Management; Advanced Web Content Management; User Experience Design; and Content Marketing Strategies.

To get certified as a CWCM, you must pass all four courses with a score of at least 70%. You can take the courses online or in person at an IAWP-approved training center.

The cost of the CWCM certification varies depending on how you choose to take the courses. If you take them online, it costs $1,395 USD for all four courses. If you take them in person at an approved training center, it costs $2,495 USD for all four courses.

11. Accredited Business Communicator (ABC).

Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). It is designed to recognize and reward professionals who demonstrate excellence in business communication. The ABC credential is recognized worldwide as a symbol of professional achievement and expertise.

The ABC program consists of three components: an online application, a written exam, and an oral presentation. The online application requires applicants to submit their resume, work samples, and references. The written exam covers topics such as communication theory, writing techniques, public speaking, and media relations. Finally, the oral presentation requires applicants to present a case study or project they have completed.

The entire process takes approximately four months to complete from start to finish. Applicants must first submit their applications for review by IABC staff. Once approved, applicants will receive an invitation to take the written exam which must be taken within two months of receiving the invitation. After passing the written exam, applicants will be invited to present their case study or project in front of a panel of IABC members. If successful in this final stage, applicants will become Accredited Business Communicators (ABCs).

The cost for the ABC program varies depending on your country of residence and membership status with IABC; however, it typically costs between $500-$600 USD for non-members and $400-$500 USD for members.

Do You Really Need a Editor In Chief Certificate?

Whether or not you need an Editor In Chief Certificate depends on your current and future career goals. If you are already a professional editor, then having such a certificate may not be necessary. However, if you want to become an editor in chief of a publication or website, then having the certificate could be beneficial. It could help demonstrate your knowledge and experience in editing to potential employers.

The certificate itself is usually offered by educational institutions or professional organizations. It usually involves taking courses related to editing, such as grammar and style, writing for publication, and management of editorial operations. The courses may also include topics like budgeting, marketing strategies, working with writers and photographers, and legal issues related to publishing. By taking these courses and completing the program requirements, you can gain valuable knowledge that will help you become a successful editor in chief.

In addition to helping demonstrate your qualifications as an editor in chief, the certificate can also open up opportunities for career advancement. Many companies look favorably upon employees who have completed specialized training programs like this one. Having such a certification can give you an edge over other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions within the field of editing.

Ultimately, whether or not you need an Editor In Chief Certificate depends on your individual situation and goals. If becoming an editor in chief is something that interests you, then it might be worth considering getting certified through a program like this one.

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FAQs About Editor In Chief Certifications

1. What is an Editor in Chief Certification?

Answer: An Editor in Chief Certification is a professional certification that indicates mastery of the principles and practices of editing, publishing and leading editorial teams. This certification covers topics such as writing, editing, proofreading, copy-editing, layout design, content strategy and management.

2. Who should consider obtaining an Editor in Chief Certification?

Answer: Professionals who are interested in advancing their career or starting a business in the field of editing and publishing should consider obtaining an Editor in Chief Certification. It is also beneficial for individuals who already have experience working as an editor or writer but want to gain additional skills and knowledge to become more effective leaders within their organization.

3. What are the benefits of having an Editor in Chief Certification?

Answer: Having an Editor in Chief Certification demonstrates a level of expertise to employers and clients that can open up new opportunities for advancement or job growth. Additionally, it provides valuable insight into the latest industry trends and best practices which can help editors stay ahead of the competition while providing better service to clients.

4. How do I obtain an Editor in Chief Certification?

Answer: There are several organizations that offer courses or programs that lead to certification as an editor-in-chief. These courses may be taken online or at physical locations depending on the provider and typically require a combination of coursework, exams and/or portfolio reviews for successful completion.

5. How long does it take to complete an Editor in Chief certification?

Answer: The time required to complete a certification program depends on the particular program you choose as well as your own pace and schedule for completing coursework or exams associated with it. Generally speaking, most programs can be completed within 6 months to one year depending on how much time you are able to dedicate each week towards studying for your certification program.