Top 10 Front Desk Associate Certifications

Certifications are important for front desk associates because they demonstrate a certain level of expertise and knowledge in customer service, communication, and problem-solving. Having certifications can give employers an indication of a candidate’s dedication to their career and willingness to go above and beyond the basic requirements for the job. Certifications also show that the candidate has taken the initiative to gain skills that are necessary for success in their field. In addition, certifications provide proof of the candidate’s competency in areas such as customer service, communication, hospitality, and technology. By having these credentials, employers can be sure that they are hiring someone who is qualified and capable of providing excellent service to customers.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Front Desk Associates and explain how they can help to advance a front desk associate's career.

What are Front Desk Associate Certifications?

Front desk associate certification is a type of professional certification that is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in the hospitality industry as a front desk associate. This certification program typically covers topics such as customer service, hospitality management, computer systems, and other related areas. The certification can be used to demonstrate an individual's qualifications for employment in this field, as well as their commitment to professional development. Additionally, having a front desk associate certification can help individuals stand out from the competition when applying for jobs in the hospitality industry. It also serves as proof of their ability to handle certain tasks and responsibilities related to being a front desk associate.

Pro Tip: When seeking front desk associate certification, consider taking an online course to gain a comprehensive understanding of the job duties and responsibilities. This will ensure you have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform your role successfully.

Related: What does a Front Desk Associate do?

Top 10 Front Desk Associate Certifications

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

1. Certified Hotel Front Desk Agent (CHFA)

A Certified Hotel Front Desk Agent (CHFA) is a professional certification offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). The CHFA certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to provide outstanding customer service at the front desk of a hotel.

To obtain the CHFA certification, applicants must complete an online course that consists of six modules. The course covers topics such as hospitality fundamentals, customer service, problem-solving, communication skills, and more. The course typically takes about 8-10 hours to complete. Upon successful completion of the course, applicants must pass a proctored exam in order to receive their CHFA certification.

The cost for the CHFA certification is $299 USD. This fee includes access to the online course materials and proctored exam. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their official CHFA certificate along with a wallet card that can be used for professional recognition and networking opportunities.

2. Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP)

Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP) is a professional certification program offered by the International Customer Service Association (ICSA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to providing exceptional guest service. The CGSP program is an industry-recognized credential that identifies individuals who are knowledgeable, skilled, and passionate about delivering superior customer service.

The CGSP program consists of three levels: Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP), Advanced Certified Guest Service Professional (ACGSP), and Master Certified Guest Service Professional (MCGSP). Each level requires the completion of online coursework, as well as passing an exam. The exams are administered online or in-person at ICSA-approved testing centers.

It typically takes between 4 and 6 months to complete the CGSP program. To get certified, you must first register for the course on the ICSA website and pay a fee of $395 USD. Once registered, you will be given access to the online course materials which include videos, quizzes, and other resources to help you prepare for the exams. After completing all three levels of the program, you will receive your official certificate from ICSA.

3. Hospitality Industry Front Desk Certification (HIFDC)

Hospitality Industry Front Desk Certification (HIFDC) is a certification program designed to provide training and recognition for individuals working in the hospitality industry. The program was developed by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) and is recognized as a professional credential in the hospitality industry.

The HIFDC certification program consists of two courses: Hospitality Industry Front Desk Operations and Hospitality Industry Front Desk Management. The courses are designed to provide an understanding of front desk operations, customer service, problem solving, communication skills, and other related topics. Upon successful completion of both courses, participants will receive their HIFDC certification.

The length of time it takes to complete the HIFDC certification depends on how quickly you can complete the two courses. Each course typically takes between one and three months to complete depending on your learning style and availability.

To get certified, you must first register with AHLEI and pay a registration fee. After registering, you can purchase the two required courses online or through an approved educational provider. Once you have completed both courses successfully, you will be eligible for your HIFDC certification.

The cost of the HIFDC certification varies depending on where you purchase the courses from but typically ranges from $100 to $200 USD for both courses combined.

4. Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS)

Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the hospitality industry. It is designed to help hospitality professionals develop their skills and knowledge, increase their job performance, and advance their career.

The CHS program consists of three levels of certification: Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS), Certified Hospitality Manager (CHM), and Certified Hospitality Executive (CHE). Each level requires completion of specific courses and exams.

To become certified as a CHS, applicants must complete an online or classroom-based course in hospitality management, pass an exam administered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), and submit proof of two years of experience working in the hospitality industry. The cost for the course and exam varies depending on the provider, but typically ranges from $500 to $1,000.

Once certified as a CHS, individuals can continue on to pursue more advanced certifications such as CHM or CHE. To become certified at these levels, applicants must complete additional courses and exams offered by AHLEI. The cost for these courses also varies depending on the provider but usually ranges from $600 to $2,000.

5. National Association of Hotel and Lodging Professionals (NAHLP) Front Desk Associate Certification

The National Association of Hotel and Lodging Professionals (NAHLP) Front Desk Associate Certification is a professional certification program for hotel front desk associates. This certification is designed to recognize hospitality professionals who have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide excellent customer service at the front desk of a hotel. The certification process includes an online exam that covers topics such as customer service, hotel operations, and problem solving.

It typically takes about four weeks to complete the entire NAHLP Front Desk Associate Certification process. The first step is to register for the exam, which can be done through the NAHLP website. After registering, applicants must study for the exam by reviewing course material and taking practice tests. Once ready, applicants must take the online exam, which consists of multiple-choice questions and requires a passing score of 80%.

The cost of obtaining the NAHLP Front Desk Associate Certification varies depending on whether you are an individual or a member of an organization. For individuals, it costs $149 USD to register for the exam; for organizations, there is an additional fee of $50 USD per person. Additionally, there may be other fees associated with taking the exam such as shipping and handling charges.

Once you pass the exam, you will receive your official certificate in 4-6 weeks via mail or email. You will also gain access to exclusive benefits such as discounts on hotels and other services related to hospitality industry jobs.

6. Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA)

Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of hospitality professionals. It is administered by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA).

The CHA certification program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as hotel operations, customer service, financial management, marketing and sales, human resources management, and legal issues. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge on these topics.

It typically takes 6-12 months to complete the CHA certification program. To get started, you must first register for the CHA program through AH&LA's website. You will then be able to access the online course materials and take the exam when you are ready.

The cost for the CHA certification program varies depending on whether or not you are an AH&LA member. Non-member fees are $795 for U.S.-based candidates and $895 for international candidates; members pay $595 for U.S.-based candidates and $695 for international candidates.

7. American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) Front Desk Representative Certification

The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) Front Desk Representative Certification is a professional certification designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to work in the hospitality industry as front desk representatives. This certification is designed to help employers identify qualified candidates for this important role.

To obtain the AHLEI Front Desk Representative Certification, individuals must complete an online course that covers topics such as customer service, communication, problem-solving, and hotel operations. The course takes approximately 10 hours to complete and includes a final exam. Upon successful completion of the course and exam, individuals receive their certification.

The cost of the AHLEI Front Desk Representative Certification is $179 USD. This fee includes access to the online course and materials, as well as the final exam.

8. Certified Front Office Manager (CFOM)

Certified Front Office Manager (CFOM) is a professional certification designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of front office managers in the hospitality industry. The CFOM certification is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI).

The CFOM certification requires a minimum of two years of experience in a hotel front office environment. Candidates must also pass an online exam that covers topics such as customer service, financial management, housekeeping operations, and human resources.

To get the CFOM certification, candidates must first register for the exam through AHLEI's website. After registering, they will receive an email with instructions on how to access their study materials and take the exam. The cost of registration is $199 USD.

Once registered for the exam, candidates have up to 90 days to complete it. Upon successful completion of the exam, candidates will receive their official CFOM certificate from AHLEI within 2-4 weeks.

9. International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) Front Desk Associate Certification

The International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) Front Desk Associate Certification is a professional certification program that recognizes the knowledge, skills, and abilities of front desk associates in the hospitality industry. The certification is designed to provide employers with assurance that their front desk staff have been properly trained and possess the necessary skills to provide exceptional customer service.

The ICHRIE Front Desk Associate Certification requires applicants to complete a comprehensive online course that covers topics such as customer service principles, communication techniques, problem solving strategies, and other essential skills for working at the front desk. The course typically takes around 8-10 hours to complete.

To get certified, applicants must pass an exam that tests their knowledge of the material covered in the course. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and can be taken online or at a Pearson VUE test center. Once an applicant passes the exam they will receive their ICHRIE Front Desk Associate Certification.

The cost for taking the ICHRIE Front Desk Associate Certification exam is $150 USD.

10. Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII) Front Desk Associate Certification

The Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII) Front Desk Associate Certification is a professional certification that recognizes a commitment to excellence in the hospitality industry. It is designed for individuals who work in front desk operations, such as hotel and motel receptionists, guest services agents, and other related positions. The certification requires knowledge of customer service, hospitality management, and communication skills.

The certification process typically takes around two months to complete. The first step is to register with PAII and pay the registration fee. Once registered, applicants must take an online assessment that tests their knowledge of customer service, hospitality management, and communication skills. After passing the assessment with a score of 80% or higher, applicants must submit a work portfolio demonstrating their experience in the field. This portfolio should include job descriptions, customer feedback forms, and other relevant documents.

Once the portfolio has been reviewed by PAII staff members and approved, applicants will be awarded their certification. The cost of the PAII Front Desk Associate Certification is $99 USD per person plus applicable taxes.

Do You Really Need a Front Desk Associate Certificate?

Whether or not you need a certificate to become a Front Desk Associate depends on the individual job requirements. If the employer is looking for someone with at least a basic knowledge of customer service, then having a Front Desk Associate Certificate may be beneficial. On the other hand, if the job only requires basic computer and communication skills, then the certificate may not be necessary.

Having a Front Desk Associate Certificate can demonstrate to employers that you have taken the time and effort to learn more about customer service and how to provide excellent service to customers. This can make you stand out from other applicants who don’t have this kind of certification. Additionally, employers may prefer applicants who have taken the time to gain additional knowledge and skills in their chosen field.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a Front Desk Associate Certificate will depend on the requirements of each individual job posting. However, having one can certainly give you an edge over other applicants and show potential employers that you are serious about your career in customer service.

Related: Front Desk Associate Resume Examples

FAQs About Front Desk Associate Certifications

1. What is a Front Desk Associate Certification?

Answer: A Front Desk Associate Certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and proficiency in the hospitality industry. It is typically earned through completing a training program or course, and can be used to demonstrate professionalism and qualifications for working in the customer service field.

2. What are some of the topics covered in a Front Desk Associate Certification?

Answer: Topics covered in a Front Desk Associate Certification can include customer service skills, hospitality industry regulations, communication techniques, and computer software applications.

3. How long does it take to earn a Front Desk Associate Certification?

Answer: The amount of time needed to complete a Front Desk Associate Certification varies depending on the program or course you choose. Generally, most programs require anywhere from 4-6 weeks of study and practice to complete.

4. Is there an exam required for earning a Front Desk Associate Certification?

Answer: Yes, most certification programs require participants to take an exam in order to demonstrate their mastery of the material covered during their studies.

5. Is there any benefit to earning a Front Desk Associate Certification?

Answer: Yes, having this certification can provide many benefits such as increased job opportunities, higher pay rates, more respect from employers and colleagues, and more confidence when dealing with customers or clients.