Top 10 Guest Services Manager Certifications

Certifications are an important way for a guest services manager to demonstrate their commitment to customer service and their knowledge of the hospitality industry. A certification can show prospective employers that the individual has the skills and knowledge necessary to provide excellent customer service in a variety of situations. Additionally, certifications can help set a guest services manager apart from other candidates in the job market, as they demonstrate that this individual has gone above and beyond basic requirements. Lastly, certifications can provide an additional layer of credibility and trustworthiness when it comes to providing quality customer service.

This article reviews the best certifications for Guest Services Managers and explains how they can help to advance their career.

What are Guest Services Manager Certifications?

Guest Services Manager Certification is a voluntary professional certification program offered by the International Association of Guest Services Professionals (IAGSP). The certification is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge and experience of guest services professionals and help employers identify qualified candidates for their purpose.

The certification process includes an online application, a background check, an exam, and an interview. Applicants must demonstrate mastery of knowledge in areas such as hospitality industry operations, customer service, communication and problem-solving skills, safety regulations and procedures, industry-specific technology tools, and more. Additionally, applicants must have at least three years of relevant work experience in the field to qualify for the exam.

Having a Guest Services Manager Certification can be beneficial for both job seekers and employers as it provides assurance that those holding the certification have been verified as having the necessary skills to perform well in this role. For job seekers, having this certification can give them an edge over other applicants when applying for positions in guest services. Employers who are looking to hire qualified individuals can use this certification as a way to gauge whether or not someone has the necessary credentials they require. This ensures that they get quality employees who are capable of successfully fulfilling their duties.

Pro Tip: When considering a guest services manager certification, look for programs that offer an experiential learning component. This will ensure you gain the practical skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the role.

Related: What does a Guest Services Manager do?

Top 10 Guest Services Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Guest Services Managers today.

1. Certified Guest Services Manager (CGSM)

Certified Guest Services Manager (CGSM) is a professional certification program that is designed to provide hospitality professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage guest services in a hotel, resort, or other hospitality setting. The CGSM program is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI).

The CGSM certification requires completion of an online course that covers topics such as customer service, conflict resolution, problem solving, budgeting, and marketing. It takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete the course and receive the certification.

To get certified as a CGSM, you must first register for the course on AHLEI’s website. Once registered, you will be given access to the online course materials and can begin studying for the exam. After completing the course material, you will take an online exam which consists of multiple-choice questions. Upon successful completion of the exam, you will receive your CGSM certification from AHLEI.

The cost of taking the CGSM certification varies depending on whether or not you are an AHLEI member. For non-members, it costs $199 USD while members pay only $149 USD.

2. Certified Hospitality Guest Services Professional (CHGSP)

Certified Hospitality Guest Services Professional (CHGSP) is an internationally recognized certification program designed to recognize and reward hospitality professionals who demonstrate a commitment to providing exceptional customer service. The CHGSP certification is awarded by the International Association of Hospitality Professionals (IAHP).

The CHGSP certification exam consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical skills assessment. The written exam covers topics such as customer service, problem solving, communication, and organizational skills. The practical skills assessment tests the candidate’s ability to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.

To become certified, candidates must first complete an online application form and pay the applicable fee. Once approved, they will be sent an official study guide and practice exam materials. Candidates must then pass both the written and practical exams with a score of 70% or higher in order to receive their CHGSP certification.

The cost of the CHGSP certification varies depending on the country where it is taken. In general, it costs approximately $250 USD for US residents, $350 CAD for Canadian residents, and €200 EURO for European residents. It typically takes around four weeks to receive your certification once you have passed the exams.

3. Certified Hotel Guest Services Professional (CHGSP)

Certified Hotel Guest Services Professional (CHGSP) is a certification program offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). The program is designed to help hospitality professionals develop and demonstrate their knowledge of customer service, guest relations, and hospitality operations.

The CHGSP certification requires completion of an online course as well as a proctored exam. The course takes approximately 10-12 hours to complete and covers topics such as customer service principles, problem solving, communication skills, and guest relations.

To get the CHGSP certification, you must first register for the course through AHLEI’s website. The cost of the course is $299 USD plus applicable taxes. Once you have completed the course and passed the proctored exam with a score of 70% or higher, you will receive your CHGSP certification.

4. Certified Front Desk Manager (CFDM)

Certified Front Desk Manager (CFDM) is a certification program that recognizes front desk managers who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage a hotel’s front desk operations. It is designed for those individuals who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the front desk, from customer service to managing reservations and check-ins.

The CFDM certification program consists of a two-day course that covers topics such as customer service, reservation management, check-in procedures, and security protocols. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive their CFDM certificate. The certification is valid for three years and can be renewed by taking an online refresher course.

The cost of the CFDM certification program varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $500 - $1,000 USD. Additionally, some providers may offer discounts or payment plans to help make the cost more manageable.

In order to get certified as a CFDM, you must first complete the two-day course and pass an exam with a score of 80% or higher. Once you have successfully completed all requirements, you will receive your CFDM certificate which is valid for three years. After this time period has expired, you must take an online refresher course in order to renew your certification.

5. Certified Customer Service Representative (CCSR)

A Certified Customer Service Representative (CCSR) is a professional certification that recognizes an individual's knowledge, skills, and abilities in customer service. This certification demonstrates that the individual has met the highest standards of customer service excellence and is committed to providing customers with quality service.

The CCSR certification is offered by the International Customer Service Association (ICSA). To become certified, individuals must complete a comprehensive training program designed to help them develop their customer service skills. The program includes courses in communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, and other customer service topics. After completing the training program, individuals must pass an exam to receive their certification.

The cost of obtaining the CCSR certification varies depending on the provider. Generally speaking, it will cost between $200 and $500 for the entire process. The length of time required to obtain the certification also varies depending on how quickly an individual can complete the training program and pass the exam. It typically takes about three months to complete all requirements for the CCSR certification.

6. Certified Meeting Planner (CMP)

Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) is a professional certification program that recognizes the skills and knowledge of meeting planners. It is administered by the Convention Industry Council (CIC). The CMP program was created to ensure that meeting professionals have the necessary skills and knowledge to plan, organize, and execute successful meetings, conferences, conventions, and events.

It typically takes at least six months to complete the CMP program. To become certified, applicants must meet certain educational requirements and pass an exam. Applicants must have at least three years of full-time experience in the meetings industry within the last five years. They must also complete a minimum of 25 hours of continuing education related to meetings management within the past three years.

The cost for taking the CMP exam is $450 for members of CIC or $550 for non-members. In addition, there are additional fees for study materials and other related costs such as travel expenses to attend seminars or workshops.

Once you have successfully passed the exam, you will receive your official CMP certificate from CIC. This certificate will be valid for five years after which you must renew it by completing continuing education credits each year or retake the exam every five years in order to maintain your certification status.

7. Certified Event Planner (CEP)

Certified Event Planner (CEP) is a professional certification offered by the International Live Events Association (ILEA). It is designed to recognize event professionals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and experience in the field. The CEP program is intended to demonstrate a commitment to continuing education, ethical standards, and industry best practices.

It typically takes about 6-8 months to complete the requirements for the CEP certification. To become certified, applicants must pass an online exam that covers topics such as event planning fundamentals, risk management, budgeting, marketing, and customer service. In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also submit a portfolio of their work that demonstrates their skills in event planning.

The cost of obtaining the CEP certification varies depending on where you live and how much time you need to prepare for the exam. Generally speaking, it costs around $500-$1000 USD for all materials and fees associated with taking the exam.

8. Certified Tourism Professional (CTP)

Certified Tourism Professional (CTP) is a professional designation awarded by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, skill and experience in the tourism industry. The CTP designation is recognized as an industry standard for excellence and professionalism in the field of tourism.

To become a Certified Tourism Professional, individuals must meet certain criteria, including having at least five years of experience in the tourism industry, completing a minimum number of hours of training and education related to the tourism industry, and passing an exam administered by TIAC.

The process of obtaining the CTP designation typically takes three to six months from start to finish. The first step is to complete an application form and submit it to TIAC for review. Once approved, applicants will then be required to complete a series of online courses and exams that cover topics such as customer service, marketing, operations management and financial management. After completion of these courses and exams, applicants must pass a final exam administered by TIAC before they can receive their CTP designation.

The cost for obtaining the CTP designation varies depending on individual circumstances but typically ranges from $250 - $500 CAD. This fee covers all course materials, access to online resources and exams, as well as any administrative costs associated with processing applications.

9. American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute’s Guest Service Gold Certification

The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute’s Guest Service Gold Certification is a comprehensive program designed to provide hospitality professionals with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to deliver superior guest service. The certification is available in both online and in-person formats.

The certification process typically takes about 8 hours to complete and includes a written exam as well as an online or in-person practical assessment. The program covers topics such as customer service fundamentals, communication techniques, problem solving strategies, and conflict resolution.

To get the certification, individuals must first register for the program through the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute’s website. Once registered, they will receive access to the course materials and will be able to take the written exam at their own pace. After passing the written exam, they will need to complete an online or in-person practical assessment.

The cost of the Guest Service Gold Certification varies depending on whether you choose to take it online or in person. For those taking it online, it costs $199 USD; for those taking it in person, it costs $299 USD.

10. International Association of Conference Centers’ Conference Center Management Certificate Program

The International Association of Conference Centers (IACC) Conference Center Management Certificate Program is a comprehensive program designed to provide conference center professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in today’s competitive market. The program consists of four courses, each focusing on a different aspect of conference center management. The courses are:

1. Introduction to Conference Center Management

2. Advanced Conference Center Management

3. Financial and Operational Management

4. Human Resources and Leadership Development

The program takes approximately six months to complete, depending on the individual's availability and pace. To get the certificate, applicants must complete all four courses, pass a written exam, and submit a portfolio demonstrating their mastery of the material covered in the courses.

The cost for the IACC Conference Center Management Certificate Program is $1,495 USD per person, which includes all course materials and access to online resources.

Do You Really Need a Guest Services Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their particular goals. For some, a guest services manager certificate may be necessary in order to demonstrate expertise in the field, as well as to gain access to job opportunities that require it. For others, such a certificate may not be necessary if they have already acquired the necessary skills or experience through other means.

For those looking to pursue a career in hospitality management, a guest services manager certificate can certainly be beneficial. This type of certification will help demonstrate the individual’s knowledge of the industry and their ability to provide excellent customer service. It can also provide an edge over other applicants who may not have similar credentials.

On the other hand, if an individual is already employed in a related field or has extensive experience in customer service and hospitality management, then obtaining a guest services manager certificate may not necessarily be necessary. However, it could still prove useful for those seeking additional qualifications or opportunities for advancement within their current role.

Ultimately, whether or not one needs a guest services manager certificate depends largely on the individual's personal goals and circumstances.

Related: Guest Services Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Guest Services Manager Certifications

Q1. What qualifications do I need to become a Guest Services Manager?

A1. To become a Guest Services Manager, you will typically need a combination of experience in hospitality, customer service and management, as well as related certifications and/or degrees.

Q2. What certifications are available for Guest Services Managers?

A2. There are several professional certifications available for Guest Services Managers, including the Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS), Certified Hospitality Administrator (CHA), and the Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA).

Q3. How long does it take to get certified as a Guest Services Manager?

A3. The amount of time it takes to get certified as a Guest Services Manager depends on the certification program you choose. Generally, the certification process can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to complete, depending on the program requirements and your level of commitment.

Q4. What is the cost associated with becoming certified as a Guest Services Manager?

A4. Costs vary depending on the certification program you choose and may include registration fees, course fees, exam fees, and other costs associated with completing the program requirements.

Q5. What job opportunities exist for Guest Services Managers who have been certified?

A5: Those who have achieved certification as a Guest Services Manager can pursue various career paths within the hospitality industry such as hotel management, event planning or customer service management roles in hotels or resorts.