Top 10 Front Desk Receptionist Certifications

Certifications for a front desk receptionist are important in the job market because they provide proof of knowledge and experience. They demonstrate to employers that the candidate has the necessary skills and abilities to be successful in the role. A certification can also signify that a candidate has gone above and beyond what is required, showing commitment and dedication to their profession. Certifications also help distinguish one candidate from another, giving employers a way to choose between multiple qualified applicants. Finally, certifications provide assurance to employers that they are hiring a professional with up-to-date knowledge of industry standards and practices.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Front Desk Receptionists and explain how they can contribute to a front desk receptionist's career.

What are Front Desk Receptionist Certifications?

Front desk receptionist certification is a training program that provides front desk receptionists with the necessary skills to effectively and efficiently greet guests, answer phones, take messages, manage reservations and provide customer service. The certification program typically covers topics such as basic customer service principles, telephone etiquette, computer software applications, record keeping and filing techniques. It also includes instruction in areas such as problem solving techniques, communication skills and stress management.

Front desk receptionist certification can help improve the quality of customer service provided by a business or organization. By teaching front desk receptionists how to properly manage incoming calls, answer questions and solve problems quickly and accurately, businesses can maintain consistent standards of customer service. Additionally, certified front desk receptionists may be better equipped to handle difficult situations or guest inquiries without escalating the issue or offending customers. As a result, front desk receptionist certification can lead to increased customer satisfaction levels and improved customer loyalty for any business or organization.

Pro Tip: When considering front desk receptionist certification, look for programs that offer a comprehensive curriculum covering topics such as customer service, communication and telephone skills, office procedures, computer software use, and filing and document management. Additionally, seek out certifications from reputable organizations to ensure the program meets high standards of quality.

Related: What does a Front Desk Receptionist do?

Top 10 Front Desk Receptionist Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Receptionist (CPR)

Certified Professional Receptionist (CPR) is a certification program designed to train receptionists in the skills needed to provide excellent customer service. The program focuses on communication, problem-solving, and customer service techniques. It is designed to give receptionists the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in their roles.

The CPR certification program takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete, depending on the individual's learning style and pace. The program consists of an online course that covers topics such as customer service strategies, telephone etiquette, office procedures, and more. Upon completion of the course, participants must pass a final exam with a score of 80% or higher in order to receive their certification.

To get certified as a Certified Professional Receptionist (CPR), you must first enroll in the CPR course offered by an accredited provider. There are several providers offering this course online for a fee ranging from $50-$100 USD. Once enrolled, you will have access to all of the materials needed for the course including videos and practice exams. After completing the course and passing the final exam with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive your official CPR certificate in the mail within 1-2 weeks.

The cost of getting certified as a Certified Professional Receptionist (CPR) varies depending on which provider you choose and what type of package you purchase. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $50-$100 USD for an individual package or up to $200-$300 USD for group packages that include multiple users and additional resources such as practice exams and study guides.

2. Certified Hotel Receptionist (CHR)

Certified Hotel Receptionist (CHR) is a professional certification that recognizes the knowledge and skills of individuals working in the hospitality industry. It is designed to help hotel receptionists, front desk clerks, and other customer service representatives demonstrate their commitment to excellence in providing customer service.

The CHR certification program is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). To become certified, applicants must complete an online course and pass an exam. The course covers topics such as customer service, telephone etiquette, reservations systems, guest check-in/check-out procedures, housekeeping operations, and more. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and requires a score of 80% or higher to pass.

It typically takes about 8 hours to complete the online course and another 2-3 hours for the exam. The cost for the certification program varies depending on where you take it; however, it usually costs around $150-$200 USD.

3. Certified Medical Receptionist (CMR)

A Certified Medical Receptionist (CMR) is a professional who is trained and certified to work in a medical office providing administrative and customer service support. CMRs are responsible for greeting patients, scheduling appointments, verifying insurance information, collecting payments, and performing other clerical duties.

The certification process typically takes about three months to complete. The first step is to complete an accredited medical receptionist program or course. After completing the program or course, you must pass the certification exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Once you have passed the exam, you will be awarded your CMR certification.

The cost of obtaining your CMR certification varies depending on where you take the training course and whether or not you need to purchase any additional materials such as textbooks or study guides. Generally speaking, it should cost anywhere from $500-$1,000 to get certified.

Once you have obtained your CMR certification, you will be able to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a medical office setting and increase your job prospects in the healthcare industry.

4. Certified Office Administration Specialist (COAS)

Certified Office Administration Specialist (COAS) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to perform office administration tasks in a wide variety of settings. The COAS program is offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), and it is designed to provide an industry-recognized credential that will help administrative professionals stand out from the competition and advance their careers.

The COAS program consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical application component. To qualify for the COAS certification, candidates must pass both components with a score of 70% or higher. The written exam covers topics such as communication, customer service, document production, time management, problem solving, technology use, and other related areas. The practical application component requires candidates to complete various tasks such as creating documents using word processing software, scheduling meetings, filing documents electronically, and other activities related to office administration.

It typically takes around three months to prepare for the COAS exam. Candidates can purchase study materials from IAAP or find free resources online. Additionally, there are several online courses available that can help candidates prepare for the exam.

The cost of the COAS certification varies depending on whether you are an IAAP member or not. For non-members, the cost is $295 USD plus applicable taxes and fees; for IAAP members it is $195 USD plus applicable taxes and fees.

5. Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize and reward administrative professionals who demonstrate excellence in their profession. The CAP certification is a globally recognized standard of excellence for administrative professionals.

The CAP program consists of three parts: an online assessment, an online course, and an exam. The online assessment helps determine if you are eligible for the program. Once you have passed the assessment, you can enroll in the online course which covers topics such as communication, customer service, technology, and project management. After completing the course, you must pass the exam to earn your CAP certification.

The CAP certification process typically takes around six months to complete and requires a commitment of at least 10-15 hours per week. The cost of the program varies depending on whether or not you choose to take advantage of any discounts offered by IAAP. Generally speaking, it will cost between $1,000-$2,000 USD to become certified as a CAP.

6. Customer Service Representative Certification (CSR)

Customer Service Representative Certification (CSR) is a professional certification program that demonstrates an individual’s commitment to providing excellent customer service. It is designed to help customer service representatives develop the skills and knowledge needed to effectively handle customer inquiries, complaints, and requests.

The CSR certification program typically takes between four and six weeks to complete, depending on the provider. The program consists of online courses or in-person training sessions that cover topics such as communication skills, problem solving, conflict resolution, customer service best practices, and more. Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate that proves they have completed the coursework and are qualified to work in a customer service role.

To get certified as a Customer Service Representative, individuals must first find an accredited provider offering the certification program. Depending on the provider chosen, there may be additional requirements such as passing an exam or completing additional coursework. Once all requirements are met, applicants will receive their certificate of completion from the provider.

The cost of getting certified as a Customer Service Representative varies by provider but typically ranges from $500-$1,000 USD for online courses and up to $2,000 USD for in-person training sessions.

7. Certified Front Desk Associate (CFDA)

Certified Front Desk Associate (CFDA) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Professional Hotel Receptionists (IAPHR). This certification is designed to recognize the skills and knowledge necessary for successful front desk operations in the hospitality industry. The CFDA program consists of two parts: an online course and an on-site assessment.

The online course is a self-paced, interactive learning experience that covers topics such as customer service, communication skills, problem solving, and computer proficiency. It takes approximately 10 hours to complete the course. Upon successful completion of the online course, applicants must pass a written exam administered at an IAPHR approved testing center.

To be eligible for the CFDA certification, applicants must have at least one year of experience working in a hotel front desk position or related field. Applicants must also have completed high school or equivalent education and be able to demonstrate basic computer proficiency.

The cost of the CFDA certification is $250 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees. This fee includes access to the online course materials, registration for the written exam, and issuance of your official certificate upon successful completion of both parts of the program.

8. Microsoft Office Specialist Certification (MOSC)

Microsoft Office Specialist Certification (MOSC) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of individuals who use Microsoft Office applications. It is offered by Certiport, a Pearson VUE business, and is recognized by Microsoft as an industry-standard credential.

The MOSC certifications are available for the following applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, OneNote and SharePoint. To obtain the certification, individuals must pass one or more exams that demonstrate their proficiency in using the particular application. Each exam consists of 50 to 60 questions covering topics such as creating documents and presentations, managing data, formatting text and objects, customizing options and settings, printing documents and more.

It typically takes about two hours to complete an MOSC exam. The cost of each exam varies depending on the country in which it is taken; however, the average cost is around $100 USD per exam.

To get certified with MOSC you will need to register for an account with Certiport and then purchase vouchers for the exams you wish to take. Once you have purchased your vouchers you can schedule your exams at any authorized testing center near you. After completing all of your exams successfully you will receive your official MOSC certificate in the mail within 4-6 weeks.

9. American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute Certification (AHLEI)

The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) is an international organization that provides professional certification and training to hospitality professionals. AHLEI offers a wide range of certifications, from entry-level to advanced, in areas such as hotel operations, food and beverage management, hospitality marketing, customer service, and more.

AHLEI certifications are designed to help hospitality professionals develop their skills and knowledge so they can better serve their guests. The certifications are recognized by employers in the industry as a mark of excellence.

It typically takes between six months and two years to earn an AHLEI certification, depending on the type of certification you are pursuing. To get certified, you must first complete the required courses or exams for your chosen certification level. You will then need to submit your application for review by AHLEI's Certification Board. Once approved, you will receive your certificate in the mail.

The cost of AHLEI certifications varies depending on the type of certification you pursue. Generally speaking, entry-level certifications cost around $200-$400 USD while advanced certifications can cost up to $1,000 USD or more.

10. National Association of Receptionists Certification Program (NARCP)

The National Association of Receptionists Certification Program (NARCP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the skills and knowledge of receptionists in the hospitality industry. This certification program is offered by the National Association of Receptionists (NAR), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the professionalism of receptionists.

To obtain NARCP certification, applicants must complete an online application and submit documentation of their education, experience, and training in the field. Once accepted into the program, applicants must complete a comprehensive written exam that covers topics such as customer service, telephone etiquette, scheduling, problem solving, and other related areas. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in software applications commonly used in the hospitality industry.

The entire process typically takes between six months and one year to complete. The cost for the NARCP certification varies depending on which level of certification is sought; however, it generally costs between $250-$500 USD.

Do You Really Need a Front Desk Receptionist Certificate?

The short answer to this question is no. While having a front desk receptionist certificate can certainly be beneficial, it is not absolutely necessary in order to work as a receptionist. The primary skillset for a successful receptionist is excellent customer service and communication abilities, which can be learned through on-the-job experience.

That said, if you are looking to make yourself more marketable in the field, then obtaining a front desk receptionist certificate may be the way to go. This type of certification will demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills required for the job, such as basic office practices, telephone etiquette and computer skills. It may also provide you with an edge over other applicants when applying for jobs.

Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide whether getting a front desk receptionist certificate is right for them or not. If you want to gain additional knowledge and demonstrate your commitment to the profession, then going through the process of certifying may well be worth it.

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FAQs About Front Desk Receptionist Certifications

Q1. What is a Front Desk Receptionist Certification?

A1. A Front Desk Receptionist Certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to work as a receptionist in a variety of settings. The certification covers topics such as customer service, telephone etiquette, scheduling, computer operations and more.

Q2. How do I obtain a Front Desk Receptionist Certification?

A2. To obtain a Front Desk Receptionist Certification, you must complete an accredited program that includes both classroom instruction and practical experience. After completing the program, you must pass an exam to earn your certification.

Q3. How long does it take to get certified as a Front Desk Receptionist?

A3. The amount of time it takes to get certified as a Front Desk Receptionist depends on the type of program you choose and how much time you are able to dedicate each week to your studies. Generally speaking, programs can be completed in 6-12 months.

Q4. What is the cost of becoming certified as a Front Desk Receptionist?

A4. The cost of becoming certified as a Front Desk Receptionist will vary depending on which program you choose and how much time you are able to dedicate each week to your studies. Generally speaking, programs can range from $500-$2,000 or more depending on the length and complexity of the program you select.

Q5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as a Front Desk Receptionist?

A5: Yes, most programs require applicants to have at least 1 year of related experience or education in customer service or office administration before they can apply for certification as a front desk receptionist professional