Top 10 Executive Housekeeper Certifications

Certifications for an executive housekeeper are important in the job market because they demonstrate a commitment to professional development and also provide validation of one’s knowledge, skills and abilities. They show employers that the executive housekeeper is knowledgeable and experienced in areas such as cleaning and sanitization, safety protocols, hospitality management, and customer service. Certifications also help executive housekeepers stand out from other applicants by showing that they are committed to their profession and that they have achieved a certain level of expertise. In addition, certifications can provide access to higher-level positions within a company or organization. Finally, certifications can provide networking opportunities with other professionals in the field, which can be beneficial for career advancement.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Executive Housekeepers and explain how they can enhance an executive housekeeper's career.

What are Executive Housekeeper Certifications?

Executive Housekeeper Certification is a professional certification program designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of experienced housekeepers. This certification provides the necessary training and education to help individuals become better leaders in their field. The program covers topics such as effective communication, compliance with safety standards, proper cleaning techniques, and managing staff. It also focuses on developing organizational and problem-solving skills that are essential for success in this role. By obtaining Executive Housekeeper Certification, individuals can demonstrate their commitment to excellence in the hospitality industry and gain a competitive edge over other job applicants. Additionally, this certification can help increase an individual’s salary potential and open up career advancement opportunities.

Pro Tip: Consider seeking executive housekeeper certification from a reputable organization to demonstrate your knowledge and experience in the field. This can help you stand out from the competition and improve your chances of securing a higher-level position.

Related: What does an Executive Housekeeper do?

Top 10 Executive Housekeeper Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Executive Housekeepers today.

1. Certified Executive Housekeeper (CEH)

Certified Executive Housekeeper (CEH) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of housekeeping. It is awarded by the International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA).

To be eligible for the CEH certification, applicants must have at least five years of experience in the housekeeping industry and must have completed at least 200 hours of approved continuing education courses. Applicants must also pass an examination administered by IEHA.

The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as cleaning techniques, safety and health regulations, hospitality management, and personnel supervision. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

The cost of taking the CEH exam is $250 for IEHA members and $350 for non-members. Additionally, there is an annual renewal fee of $50 to maintain certification status.

2. Certified Hospitality Housekeeping Executive (CHHE)

Certified Hospitality Housekeeping Executive (CHHE) is a professional certification program offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). The CHHE certification is designed for experienced hospitality housekeeping professionals who want to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the field.

The CHHE certification requires applicants to have at least five years of experience in hospitality housekeeping, as well as a minimum of two years in a management position. Applicants must also pass an exam that covers topics such as sanitation and safety, guest relations, budgeting and financial management, inventory control, and personnel management.

The CHHE certification program takes approximately 6-8 weeks to complete depending on the individual's learning style and availability. To get certified, applicants must first register with AHLEI and pay the registration fee of $195 USD. They then need to purchase the study materials from AHLEI which include textbooks, online resources, sample exams, and other resources to help prepare for the exam. After studying the material, applicants can take the exam either online or at an AHLEI testing center. Once they have passed the exam they will receive their official CHHE certificate.

3. Certified Professional Housekeeper (CPH)

Certified Professional Housekeeper (CPH) is a certification program offered by the International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of housekeeping professionals. The CPH certification program is based on industry standards and best practices for cleaning, sanitation, safety, and management.

To become a Certified Professional Housekeeper (CPH), you must successfully complete an approved CPH training course or have at least two years of full-time experience in the housekeeping profession. You must also pass an exam that covers topics such as infection control, cleaning techniques, hazard communication, customer service, and more.

The cost of the CPH certification varies depending on the provider offering the course or exam. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $200 to $500. Additionally, some providers may offer discounts for members of professional organizations such as IEHA.

The length of time it takes to get certified depends on how quickly you can complete your training or exam. Most courses take between one to three days to complete while exams usually take around four hours. Once you have passed your exam and been approved by IEHA, you will receive your official CPH certificate within two weeks.

4. Certified Environmental Services Technician (CEST)

Certified Environmental Services Technician (CEST) is a certification program offered by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET). The program is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform environmental services in a safe and efficient manner.

The CEST certification requires applicants to have at least two years of experience in environmental services, and they must pass an examination that covers topics such as hazardous materials, safety, environmental regulations, and environmental sampling. The exam consists of 100 questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

To become certified as a CEST, applicants must submit an application form with their resume, proof of experience, and payment of the $175 fee. After submitting the application form, applicants will receive an email confirming their eligibility for the exam. Once they have passed the exam, they will receive their official certification from NICET.

The cost of becoming a Certified Environmental Services Technician (CEST) is $175 USD. This fee covers the cost of taking the exam and receiving your official certificate from NICET.

5. Certified Hotel Housekeeping Executive (CHHE)

Certified Hotel Housekeeping Executive (CHHE) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge and skills of individuals who work in the hotel housekeeping industry. The CHHE certification is granted by the International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA) and is recognized as a mark of excellence in the hospitality industry.

The CHHE program consists of three levels: Certified Hotel Housekeeping Executive (CHHE), Certified Hospitality Housekeeping Professional (CHHP), and Certified Hospitality Housekeeping Manager (CHHM). Each level requires a different amount of experience, education, and training.

To become certified at any level, an individual must complete an exam that covers topics such as safety, sanitation, customer service, human resources management, and operations management. The exams are administered by IEHA-approved testing centers located throughout the United States.

The cost to take the CHHE exam varies depending on which level you are taking it for. Generally speaking, it costs around $250-$300 per exam. It typically takes 2-3 months to prepare for each exam depending on your prior experience and knowledge base.

Once you have passed all three levels of exams, you will be awarded with your CHHE certification from IEHA. This certification will demonstrate to employers that you have achieved a higher standard of knowledge and skill in the hotel housekeeping industry.

6. Certified Laundry Manager (CLM)

Certified Laundry Manager (CLM) is a certification program offered by the Textile Rental Services Association of America (TRSA). The program is designed to help laundry managers develop their skills and knowledge in the areas of operations, safety, customer service, and financial management.

The CLM program consists of four levels: Level 1 – Basic Laundry Management; Level 2 – Advanced Laundry Management; Level 3 – Executive Laundry Management; and Level 4 – Master Laundry Manager. Each level requires completion of a series of online courses and exams. Upon successful completion of all four levels, participants are eligible for certification as a Certified Laundry Manager (CLM).

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the CLM program depending on your experience level and commitment to completing the coursework. To get started, you will need to register for an account on TRSA's website and pay the registration fee which is currently $225 USD. Once registered, you can begin taking the online courses at your own pace.

When you have completed all four levels and passed all required exams, you will be eligible for certification as a Certified Laundry Manager (CLM). This certification is valid for three years from the date it was awarded. After three years, you must recertify by completing additional coursework or taking an exam in order to maintain your certification status.

7. Certified Room Attendant Supervisor (CRAS)

Certified Room Attendant Supervisor (CRAS) is a certification program for hospitality professionals who supervise room attendants in the hotel industry. It is designed to provide supervisors with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively lead and motivate their teams. The certification program consists of two parts: an online course and an on-site assessment.

The online course is offered through the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) and covers topics such as safety, housekeeping procedures, supervision techniques, employee relations, and customer service. The online course takes approximately 8 hours to complete.

The on-site assessment is conducted by AHLEI-certified assessors at a hotel or other lodging facility. During the assessment, assessors observe supervisors in action and evaluate their performance against established standards. The assessment typically takes 2-3 hours to complete.

The cost of the CRAS certification varies depending on the provider offering it. Generally, it costs around $200-$300 for both the online course and on-site assessment combined.

8. Certified Cleaning Technician (CCT)

Certified Cleaning Technician (CCT) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to perform cleaning services in a safe, effective, and efficient manner. It is offered by the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA).

The CCT program consists of an online course and exam that takes approximately 3-4 hours to complete. The online course covers topics such as cleaning techniques, infection control, safety protocols, and product selection. Upon successful completion of the course and exam, participants receive their CCT certification.

To get certified as a CCT, you must first register with ISSA. Registration involves creating an account on the ISSA website and paying a fee of $125 USD. After registering, you will be able to access the online course materials and take the exam. Once you have successfully completed both the course and exam, you will receive your CCT certification.

The cost of becoming a Certified Cleaning Technician is $125 USD for registration with ISSA plus any additional fees associated with taking the online course or exam.

9. Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS)

Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) is a certification program designed to recognize hospitality professionals who demonstrate expertise in the management of hotel operations. The program is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI).

The CHS program consists of three courses: Introduction to Hospitality, Supervising in the Hospitality Industry, and Managing Hospitality Human Resources. It takes approximately 18-20 hours to complete all three courses.

To get certified, you must first register for the CHS exam. To do this, you must create an account on AHLEI's website and pay the registration fee of $125 USD. Once registered, you will have six months to take and pass the exam. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within two hours. Once you pass the exam, you will receive your official CHS certificate from AHLEI.

The cost for the CHS certification program is $125 USD for registration plus any additional fees associated with taking or retaking the exam if necessary.

10. Certified Hospitality Sanitation Manager (CHSM)

Certified Hospitality Sanitation Manager (CHSM) is a certification program designed to help hospitality professionals develop the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage food safety and sanitation in their establishments. The program is administered by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), an organization dedicated to promoting health and safety in the hospitality industry.

The CHSM certification requires passing a three-hour, open-book exam that covers topics such as food safety regulations, pest control, sanitation best practices, and more. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least two years of experience in a hospitality setting or have completed an accredited food safety training course.

It typically takes about four weeks to complete the CHSM certification process from start to finish. After completing the exam, applicants will receive their official certificate within two weeks of passing.

The cost of the CHSM certification varies depending on whether you are taking the exam online or in person. For online exams, there is a $150 fee for NEHA members and $200 for non-members. For in-person exams, there is an additional fee of $50 per test center location.

Do You Really Need a Executive Housekeeper Certificate?

When it comes to deciding if you need an executive housekeeper certificate, it depends on your goals and the requirements for the job you are applying for. An executive housekeeper certificate may be beneficial if you want to demonstrate your knowledge and experience in the field of housekeeping or if a potential employer requires one.

If you are already employed as a housekeeper, having a certificate may help you become eligible for promotions or higher pay. It can also be useful if you plan to work in a different state or country, as many employers prefer those with certification. Additionally, an executive housekeeper certificate may provide an edge when applying for a new job, as employers view it favorably when considering candidates.

A certificate program typically consists of classes on topics such as cleaning techniques, maintenance procedures, inventory management, customer service skills and safety protocols. You will also learn how to manage personnel and budgets, plan events and coordinate daily operations of a hotel or other lodging facility. Some programs offer specialized courses such as hospitality law and food safety regulations.

Ultimately, whether or not an executive housekeeper certificate is necessary depends on your individual circumstances. If you are already employed in the field and have been successful without one, then there is no need to pursue additional certification at this time. However, if your current position does not require certification but you would like to increase your chances of getting promoted or securing better-paying jobs in the future, then obtaining a certificate could be beneficial.

Related: Executive Housekeeper Resume Examples

FAQs About Executive Housekeeper Certifications

1. What is an Executive Housekeeper Certification?

Answer: An Executive Housekeeper Certification is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the management of a hotel or lodging housekeeping department.

2. How do I get certified as an Executive Housekeeper?

Answer: To become certified, you must pass the International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA) examination, which covers topics such as personnel management, safety and sanitation, budgeting and purchasing, and hospitality industry standards.

3. Are there any prerequisites for taking the IEHA exam?

Answer: Yes, applicants must have at least three years of housekeeping experience in the hospitality industry to qualify for the exam.

4. How long does it take to receive my certificate after passing the exam?

Answer: Once you have completed the exam and received a passing score, your certificate will be mailed to you within four weeks.

5. Is there an annual fee associated with maintaining my certification?

Answer: Yes, there is an annual fee of $95 USD required to maintain your certification status with IEHA.