Top 10 Front Desk Manager Certifications

Certifications are an important tool for front desk managers in the job market, as they demonstrate a mastery of certain skills and knowledge. A certification can provide a competitive edge to a job candidate by showing that they have the necessary qualifications to do the job. It also serves as evidence that they have taken the initiative to learn more about their field and stay up-to-date with industry trends. Certifications can also be used to validate experience and prove that an individual is qualified for a position or promotion. Employers often look for certifications when considering potential hires, so having one can help a front desk manager stand out from other applicants.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Front Desk Managers and explains how they can help to advance a front desk manager's career.

What are Front Desk Manager Certifications?

Front desk manager certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual's expertise in managing the front desk of a hotel, motel, or other hospitality business. It is designed to help individuals gain the knowledge and skills they need to effectively manage the front desk operations of any hospitality business. In addition to providing them with key management skills, the certification also helps employers identify qualified candidates for their front desk positions.

The certification covers topics such as customer service, conflict resolution, effective communication, problem-solving techniques, and guest relations. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of understanding hotel policies and procedures, as well as safety and security protocols. With this knowledge and training, front desk managers are better equipped to provide excellent customer service while promoting a safe and secure environment for guests.

By obtaining a front desk manager certification, individuals can demonstrate their commitment to excellence in customer service and professionalism in their field. This can make them more competitive job applicants and increase their chances of being hired by employers who value highly trained professionals. Furthermore, it can open up opportunities for promotions within their current workplace or even a new job in another company. Ultimately, having this certification provides individuals with an edge over other prospective candidates when applying for jobs related to hospitality management.

Pro Tip: When pursuing a front desk manager certification, look for programs that are accredited and offer hands-on training. This will ensure that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your new role. Additionally, make sure to take advantage of any available resources such as webinars, workshops, or online courses to stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices.

Related: What does a Front Desk Manager do?

Top 10 Front Desk Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA)

Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) is a professional certification program offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge and skills of experienced hospitality professionals. The CHA certification demonstrates mastery of core competencies in areas such as management, operations, marketing, finance, human resources, and technology.

It typically takes 6-12 months to complete the requirements for the CHA certification. In order to be eligible for the program, applicants must have at least three years of full-time hospitality industry experience. After meeting this requirement, applicants must pass an online exam that covers topics such as customer service, financial management, human resources management, operations management, sales and marketing strategies, and technology applications.

The cost of obtaining the CHA certification varies depending on whether you are an AHLEI member or not. For non-members it costs $395 USD plus applicable taxes; for members it costs $295 USD plus applicable taxes.

2. Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP)

Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP) is a certification program designed to recognize hospitality professionals who demonstrate excellence in providing exceptional guest service. The certification is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI).

It takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete the CGSP program, which includes online coursework and an online exam. To become certified, individuals must successfully pass the online exam with a score of 80% or higher. The cost for the program is $199 USD.

The CGSP program provides hospitality professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide superior customer service. It covers topics such as identifying customer needs, delivering excellent customer service, managing difficult customers, and understanding cultural diversity. Upon successful completion of the program, individuals receive a certificate from AHLEI that can be displayed in their workplace or on their resume.

3. Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS)

Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) is a professional certification program developed by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). It provides hospitality professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage their departments and properties. The CHS certification is designed for hospitality supervisors, managers, or directors who are responsible for overseeing operations in their department or property.

The CHS program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as customer service, leadership, financial management, human resources, and marketing. The course takes approximately 25 hours to complete. Upon successful completion of the course, candidates must pass an exam consisting of multiple-choice questions to earn their CHS designation.

To get certified as a Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS), you must first enroll in the AHLEI’s online course and pay a fee of $399 USD. After completing the online course successfully, you can then take the exam at one of AHLEI’s testing centers located across the United States and Canada. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CHS certificate from AHLEI.

The cost for taking the CHS certification exam is $150 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees associated with taking the exam at a testing center near you.

4. Certified Front Desk Manager (CFDM)

Certified Front Desk Manager (CFDM) is a certification program offered by the International Association of Hotel Front Desk Managers (IAHFD). It is designed to recognize and reward hotel front desk managers who demonstrate excellence in their field. The CFDM program is open to all front desk managers, regardless of experience or background.

The CFDM program consists of three components: an online assessment, a written exam, and a practical skills evaluation. The online assessment tests the candidate's knowledge of front desk management principles and practices. The written exam covers topics such as customer service, problem solving, communication, and financial management. Finally, the practical skills evaluation requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to manage a hotel front desk in a real-world setting.

The CFDM program typically takes approximately six months to complete. Candidates have up to one year from the time they register for the program to complete all three components.

The cost of the CFDM program varies depending on the country in which it is taken. In the United States, it costs around $1,000 USD for all three components. This fee includes access to study materials and support from IAHFD staff members throughout the duration of the program.

Once candidates successfully complete all three components of the CFDM program, they will receive an official certificate from IAHFD recognizing their achievement and demonstrating their expertise in hotel front desk management.

5. American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute's Certified Front Office Manager (AHLEI-CFOM)

The Certified Front Office Manager (AHLEI-CFOM) is a professional certification offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). This certification is designed to recognize front office managers who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to manage a hotel’s front office operations.

To obtain this certification, individuals must complete an online course and pass an exam. The online course covers topics such as customer service, sales and marketing, financial management, human resources management, and operational management. The course takes approximately 20 hours to complete.

Once the course has been completed, individuals must take an exam that consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. To pass the exam, individuals must score 70% or higher. The exam costs $175 USD and can be taken at any Prometric testing center.

Once the exam has been passed, individuals will receive their AHLEI-CFOM certificate in the mail within 4-6 weeks after passing their exam.

6. American Hotel & Lodging Association's Professional Lodging Manager (AH&LA-PLM)

The American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Professional Lodging Manager (AH&LA-PLM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and promote excellence in the hospitality industry. It is intended for those who are currently working or seeking to work as lodging managers, supervisors, or directors. The certification is valid for three years and requires renewal every three years.

To obtain the AH&LA-PLM certification, applicants must have at least two years of experience in a supervisory role in the hospitality industry and must complete an online application form. Once accepted into the program, applicants must complete four courses that cover topics such as customer service, safety and security, financial management, human resources management, and marketing. Upon successful completion of all four courses, applicants will receive their AH&LA-PLM certification.

The cost of the AH&LA-PLM certification program varies depending on whether you are taking individual courses or enrolling in the entire program. Individual courses range from $99 - $199 each while enrollment in the full program costs $599.

7. Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International's Certified Hospitality Sales Professional (HSMAI-CHSP)

The Certified Hospitality Sales Professional (HSMAI-CHSP) is a professional certification program offered by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI). The program was designed to recognize hospitality sales professionals who demonstrate expertise in sales, marketing, and revenue optimization. It is intended to provide recognition for those individuals who have achieved a level of proficiency in their field.

The HSMAI-CHSP requires applicants to complete a series of courses and exams to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. The courses cover topics such as sales strategy, pricing strategies, digital marketing, customer service, revenue management, and more. Upon successful completion of the coursework, candidates must pass an exam that covers all aspects of hospitality sales and marketing.

The HSMAI-CHSP typically takes about six months to complete. Candidates must first register for the program through the HSMAI website and pay the registration fee. Once registered, they will receive access to the course materials which can be completed at their own pace. After completing all of the coursework, candidates must then take the exam which is administered online or in person depending on availability.

The cost of the HSMAI-CHSP varies depending on whether you are an HSMAI member or non-member. For non-members, it costs $395 USD for registration plus $195 USD for each additional exam attempt if necessary. For members, it costs $295 USD for registration plus $145 USD for each additional exam attempt if necessary.

8. International Society of Hospitality Consultants' Certified Hotel Industry Analyst (ISHC-CHIA)

The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) Certified Hotel Industry Analyst (CHIA) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and promote the highest standards of expertise in the hospitality industry. It is intended for professionals who have extensive experience in hotel operations, management, and consulting. The CHIA designation is awarded to those who demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the hotel industry and its business practices.

The CHIA program consists of two parts: an online course and a written exam. The online course covers topics such as hotel operations, financial analysis, marketing strategies, and human resources management. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that test knowledge on all aspects of the hospitality industry.

It takes approximately two months to complete the CHIA program, depending on how much time you are able to devote to studying each week. In order to become certified, candidates must pass both the online course and the written exam with a score of at least 70%.

In order to get started with the CHIA program, you will need to register on ISHC's website. Once registered, you will be able to access the online course material and take practice tests before taking the actual exam.

The cost for registering for the CHIA program varies depending on your membership status with ISHC. For non-members, it costs $1,450; for members it costs $1,250; for student members it costs $750; and for corporate members it costs $1,000.

9. National Association of Professional Front Desk Agents' Certified Professional Receptionist (NAPFDA-CPR)

The National Association of Professional Front Desk Agents' Certified Professional Receptionist (NAPFDA-CPR) is a certification program designed to recognize and reward front desk agents who demonstrate excellence in customer service, communication, and professionalism. The certification requires successful completion of an online course that covers topics such as customer service, communication skills, problem solving, and professionalism. The course typically takes about 8 hours to complete and can be completed at your own pace.

To get the NAPFDA-CPR certification, you must first take the online course and pass the final exam with a score of 80% or higher. Once you have successfully passed the exam, you will receive your official NAPFDA-CPR certificate.

The cost for the NAPFDA-CPR certification is $99 USD. This fee covers the cost of the online course materials and the final exam.

10. National Restaurant Association's ServSafe Food Safety Certification Program

The National Restaurant Association's ServSafe Food Safety Certification Program is a comprehensive food safety training and certification program designed to help restaurant owners, managers, and other foodservice professionals protect the public from foodborne illness. The program covers topics such as safe food handling practices, personal hygiene, food preparation, storage and temperature control, cleaning and sanitizing procedures, pest control, and more.

The ServSafe program consists of an online course or an in-person class followed by a proctored exam. The online course takes approximately 8 hours to complete while the in-person class typically lasts 6-8 hours. After completing the course or attending the class, participants must pass a proctored exam with a score of 75% or higher in order to receive their certification.

The cost for the ServSafe Food Safety Certification Program varies depending on which format you choose. The online course costs $125 plus applicable taxes and fees while the in-person class costs $175 plus applicable taxes and fees. The cost for the proctored exam is included in either option.

To get started with the program, you can visit the National Restaurant Association website at www.servsafe.com to register for either the online course or an in-person class near you.

Do You Really Need a Front Desk Manager Certificate?

Whether or not you need a front desk manager certificate depends on your individual situation and what type of career you are pursuing.

If you are looking to become a front desk manager, then it is likely that having a certificate will give you an advantage when applying for jobs. Having the certificate shows that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in this role. It also demonstrates that you are committed to learning and taking initiative in your professional development.

However, if you already have experience in customer service or hospitality, then it may not be necessary for you to obtain a certificate. Employers may consider your prior experience to be just as valid as having a certificate. It is important that you highlight any relevant experience or qualifications on your resume and during interviews so employers can make an informed decision about whether or not they believe the certificate is necessary for the job.

Ultimately, whether or not you decide to pursue a front desk manager certificate should depend on your own personal goals and needs. If obtaining the certification will help further your career goals, then it may be worth considering investing time and money into obtaining one.

Related: Front Desk Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Front Desk Manager Certifications

1. What is a Front Desk Manager Certification?

Answer: A Front Desk Manager Certification is a professional credential that demonstrates a mastery of the skills and knowledge necessary for effective front desk management, including customer service, problem-solving, and communication.

2. How do I get certified as a Front Desk Manager?

Answer: To become certified as a Front Desk Manager, you must complete an approved training program and pass an examination administered by an accredited certifying organization.

3. How long does it take to become certified?

Answer: The length of time it takes to become certified will vary depending on the certifying organization and the type of certification you are pursuing. Generally speaking, most certification programs require between 6-12 months of study and preparation before taking the certification exam.

4. What are the benefits of becoming certified?

Answer: Becoming certified as a Front Desk Manager demonstrates your commitment to excellence in customer service and provides potential employers with evidence that you have acquired the necessary skills to effectively manage front desk operations at their business or organization. Additionally, many organizations offer financial incentives or salary increases to employees who hold professional certifications.

5. Is there any way to maintain my certification once I receive it?

Answer: Yes! Most certifying organizations require that you remain current in your field by completing continuing education credits or other activities related to front desk management in order to maintain your certification status.