Top 11 Front End Manager Certifications
Updated 17 min read
Certifications are important for a front end manager in the job market for a number of reasons. Firstly, certifications can demonstrate to employers that you have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully manage front-end projects. Certifications can also show employers that you are committed to continuing your professional development and staying up to date with the latest industry trends. Additionally, certifications can help you stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs, as many employers prefer candidates who have been formally certified in their area of expertise. Finally, having certifications can open up opportunities for career advancement, as they provide evidence of your capabilities and qualifications to take on more complex tasks within the field.
The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Front End Managers and explain how they can help advance a front end manager's career.
What are Front End Manager Certifications?
Front end manager certification is a professional development program designed to equip front end managers with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage a retail store’s front end operations. This certification program covers key topics such as customer service, cash handling, inventory management, staff development and training, and more. With this certification, front end managers learn how to create an efficient and productive working environment for both store personnel and customers.
Front end manager certification can help organizations improve their overall performance by teaching managers the necessary skills to manage their teams effectively. It also helps them develop better strategies for meeting customer needs while providing excellent customer service. Additionally, it provides managers with an understanding of the latest trends in the retail industry so they can stay up-to-date with changes in consumer habits and preferences. Finally, having this certification allows front end managers to demonstrate their commitment to excellence in their field which can lead to increased job opportunities or promotions within their organization.
Pro Tip: When pursuing front end manager certification, be sure to focus on learning and understanding the core principles of web development, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and other related technologies. This will give you a strong foundation for managing front end projects successfully.
Related: What does a Front End Manager do?
Top 11 Front End Manager Certifications
Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Front End Managers today.
1. Certified Front End Manager (CFEM)
Certified Front End Manager (CFEM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have the knowledge and skills to effectively manage front-end operations in retail stores. The CFEM program is administered by the National Retail Federation (NRF), the world's largest retail trade association.
The CFEM program consists of two components: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as customer service, store operations, merchandising, inventory management, and more. It takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete the course. After completing the course, candidates must pass an exam with a score of 70% or higher in order to be certified.
The cost for the CFEM program is $395 USD for NRF members and $495 USD for non-members. The fee includes access to the online course, exam registration, and one year of access to NRF’s Certified Front End Manager Network.
2. Certified Professional in Front End Management (CPFEM)
Certified Professional in Front End Management (CPFEM) is a certification program offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). It is designed for professionals who are responsible for managing and leading front end development projects. The CPFEM certification provides recognition to those who have demonstrated knowledge, experience, and expertise in the field of front end development.
The CPFEM certification requires applicants to have at least three years of professional experience in a related field. Applicants must also pass an exam that covers topics such as project management, software engineering, and web technologies. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and case studies.
To obtain the CPFEM certification, applicants must submit an application form along with their resume and proof of experience. Once approved, they must pay a fee to take the exam. The cost of the exam varies depending on the country where it is taken. In the United States, it costs $400 USD.
Once applicants pass the exam, they will receive their CPFEM certificate within 4-6 weeks. This certificate is valid for three years and can be renewed by completing additional courses or exams as required by IIBA.
3. Certified Front End Developer (CFED)
Certified Front End Developer (CFED) is an industry-recognized certification for front end developers. It is awarded by the International Association of Software Architects (IASA). The CFED certification demonstrates a high level of expertise in developing web applications using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and related technologies.
To obtain the CFED certification, applicants must pass an online exam that covers topics such as HTML/CSS fundamentals, JavaScript programming principles, and responsive design principles. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.
The cost of the CFED exam varies depending on the country where it is taken. In the United States, the cost is $250 USD. Other countries may have different fees associated with taking the exam.
Once an applicant passes the CFED exam, they will receive a certificate from IASA that can be used to demonstrate their knowledge and skills as a front end developer. The certificate is valid for three years and can be renewed by retaking the exam or completing additional training courses.
4. Certified UI/UX Designer (CUD)
A Certified UI/UX Designer (CUD) is a professional certification that demonstrates a designer's expertise in user interface and user experience design. It is an internationally recognized credential that validates the individual’s skills and knowledge in the field of UI/UX design.
To become a CUD, one must pass a rigorous exam administered by the Interaction Design Foundation (IDF). The exam covers topics such as usability testing, visual design principles, user research methods, and information architecture. It typically takes several months to prepare for the exam, depending on one’s prior knowledge and experience.
The cost of taking the CUD exam varies depending on your location. In the United States, it costs $299 USD to take the exam. Other countries may have different pricing structures.
In order to get certified, you must register with IDF and complete their online application process. Once approved, you will be able to schedule your exam at a testing center near you or take it online from anywhere in the world. After passing the exam, you will receive your official CUD certification from IDF.
5. Certified Web Design Professional (CWDP)
Certified Web Design Professional (CWDP) is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates a professional’s expertise in designing and developing web applications. CWDP certifies the knowledge, skills, and abilities of web professionals who design and develop websites for clients. It is designed to help employers identify and hire qualified web professionals who have the necessary skills to develop successful web projects.
The CWDP certification process typically takes around six months to complete. The program consists of three parts: a written exam, a hands-on project, and a portfolio review. The written exam tests the applicant’s knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, AJAX, jQuery, PHP/MySQL, Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator/Dreamweaver, and other related technologies. The hands-on project requires applicants to create a website from scratch using all the technologies they have learned in the course of their studies. Finally, applicants must submit a portfolio of their work for review by an expert panel of judges.
The cost of obtaining the CWDP certification varies depending on the provider offering it; however, most providers charge between $500-$1,000 for the entire program. Additionally, some providers may offer discounts or scholarships for students or those who demonstrate financial need.
Overall, obtaining the CWDP certification is an excellent way for web professionals to demonstrate their expertise in website design and development as well as gain recognition in the industry.
6. Certified Webmaster Professional (CWP)
Certified Webmaster Professional (CWP) is a certification program that recognizes the expertise and knowledge of webmasters who have a deep understanding of website development, design, and management. This certification is offered by the International Association of Webmasters and Designers (IAWD).
The CWP program consists of two parts: an online exam and a practical project. The online exam tests the candidate's knowledge on topics such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, web hosting, SEO, content management systems, and more. The practical project requires the candidate to create a website from scratch using HTML/CSS/JavaScript or any other language they are comfortable with.
The entire process takes approximately three months to complete. During this time period, candidates must study for the online exam and complete their practical project.
To get certified as a Certified Webmaster Professional (CWP), you must first register for the program on IAWD's website. You will then need to pay an application fee of $150 USD before you can take the online exam. Once you have passed the exam with a score of 80% or higher, you will then be required to submit your practical project for review by IAWD’s panel of experts. If your project is approved by IAWD’s panel of experts, you will be awarded your CWP certification.
In total, it costs $150 USD to become certified as a Certified Webmaster Professional (CWP).
7. Adobe Certified Expert in User Experience Design (ACE UXD)
Adobe Certified Expert in User Experience Design (ACE UXD) is an official certification program offered by Adobe that recognizes individuals who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in designing and developing user experiences for Adobe products. The certification verifies that individuals have the skills to create engaging, intuitive user interfaces and experiences, as well as the ability to apply best practices for usability and accessibility.
The ACE UXD certification requires applicants to pass a 90-minute exam that tests their knowledge of Adobe tools, design principles, and best practices for creating effective user experiences. The exam covers topics such as user interface design, visual design, information architecture, prototyping, usability testing, accessibility, and more.
The ACE UXD certification can be obtained through self-study or by attending an instructor-led training course. Self-study typically takes around 4 weeks to complete while attending an instructor-led course may take up to 8 weeks depending on the provider.
The cost of obtaining the ACE UXD certification varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $200-$500 USD for self-study materials or $1,000-$2,000 USD for an instructor-led course.
8. Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer: Front-End Web Applications (MCSD: FEWA)
Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer: Front-End Web Applications (MCSD: FEWA) is an industry-recognized certification that validates a professional’s ability to develop web applications using Microsoft technologies. The certification focuses on the development of client-side applications using HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS3. It also covers the use of other Microsoft tools such as ASP.NET, Visual Studio, and Windows Azure.
It typically takes around 6 months to complete the requirements for MCSD: FEWA certification. Candidates must pass three exams in order to become certified – Exam 70-480 (Programming in HTML5 with JavaScript and CSS3), Exam 70-486 (Developing ASP.NET MVC Web Applications), and Exam 70-487 (Developing Windows Azure and Web Services). All exams are administered by Pearson VUE testing centers.
The cost of each exam varies depending on location but generally ranges from $100 - $150 USD per exam. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with registration or rescheduling an exam so it is important to check with your local test center for more information.
Overall, obtaining MCSD: FEWA certification is a great way to demonstrate your expertise in developing web applications using Microsoft technologies and can help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions within your organization.
9. W3C Mobile Web Specialist Certification
The W3C Mobile Web Specialist Certification is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have the skills and knowledge to develop, design, and deploy mobile web applications. This certification is offered by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), which is an international standards organization responsible for developing web standards.
The certification program consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical exam. The written exam covers topics such as HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, mobile web application development, and mobile web optimization techniques. The practical exam requires applicants to demonstrate their ability to create a fully functional mobile web application using HTML5 and related technologies.
The certification process takes approximately three months from start to finish. Applicants must first complete the online application form and submit it along with the required documents. Once accepted into the program, applicants will be sent an invitation to take the written exam. Upon successfully passing the written exam, applicants will then be invited to take the practical exam. After both exams are completed, applicants will receive their official W3C Mobile Web Specialist Certificate in the mail.
The cost of obtaining this certification varies depending on where you live and which version of the exams you choose to take (online or in-person). Generally speaking, however, most applicants can expect to pay around $600 USD for both exams combined.
10. CIW Site Development Associate Certification
The CIW Site Development Associate certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills in web development. It validates an individual’s ability to design, develop, deploy, and maintain websites using industry-standard technologies and best practices.
To earn the CIW Site Development Associate certification, individuals must pass one exam. The exam covers topics such as HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, AJAX, and other related web development technologies. The exam typically takes about 90 minutes to complete and costs $125 USD.
In order to prepare for the exam, individuals can take online courses or attend classroom training sessions. Additionally, CIW offers study guides and practice tests to help candidates prepare for the exam.
Once an individual has passed the exam they will receive their official CIW Site Development Associate certification which is valid for two years from the date of issue.
11. CompTIA Project+ Certification
CompTIA Project+ is a certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in project management. It is designed to assess the ability of an individual to manage projects, plan tasks, and work with teams. CompTIA Project+ certification is recognized globally and is recommended by many organizations such as Microsoft, Dell, HP, IBM, Oracle, and Symantec.
The exam for CompTIA Project+ Certification consists of 90 multiple-choice questions which must be completed within 90 minutes. The passing score for this exam is 750 out of 900 points.
In order to obtain CompTIA Project+ Certification, individuals must first pass the exam. To prepare for the exam, individuals can take a variety of courses offered by CompTIA or other training providers. There are also study guides available online that can help individuals prepare for the exam.
The cost of the CompTIA Project+ Certification exam varies depending on where it is taken but typically ranges from $200-$300 USD.
Do You Really Need a Front End Manager Certificate?
When considering whether or not you need a front end manager certificate, there are many factors to consider. First and foremost, it is important to determine the job requirements of the position you are applying for. Many employers require a front end manager certificate in order to demonstrate that the applicant has the necessary skills and knowledge required for the role.
In addition, having a front end manager certificate can help you stand out from other applicants and give you an edge when it comes to competing for jobs. It shows that you have taken the time and effort to gain specialized knowledge and training in this area which can be attractive to employers. A certification can also give you credibility when interacting with customers or colleagues as it demonstrates that you have a higher level of expertise than those without one.
Overall, a front end manager certificate may not be necessary for every job but depending on your specific career goals and job requirements, it could be beneficial to obtain one if possible.
Related: Front End Manager Resume Examples
FAQs About Front End Manager Certifications
1. What is a Front End Manager Certification?
Answer: A Front End Manager Certification is a professional certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in managing front end operations, including customer service, sales, marketing and digital strategies.
2. How do I obtain a Front End Manager Certification?
Answer: To obtain a Front End Manager Certification, you must complete an approved course of study and pass the associated examination. The courses are typically offered at colleges and universities or through online training programs.
3. What topics are covered in a Front End Manager Certification program?
Answer: A Front End Manager Certification program typically covers topics such as customer service management, retail operations management, digital marketing strategies and tactics, project management principles, budgeting and financial analysis.
4. How long does it take to get certified as a Front End Manager?
Answer: It can take anywhere from six months to one year to complete the requirements for certification as a Front End Manager. The amount of time required depends on the individual’s prior knowledge of the subject matter as well as the type of course chosen.
5. Are there any benefits of being certified as a Front End Manager?
Answer: Yes! Being certified as a Front End Manager can open up new career opportunities, increase your earning potential and give you greater credibility in the workplace. Additionally, many employers prefer to hire those who have earned this certification due to their higher level of proficiency in managing front end operations.