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Top 10 Head Cashier Certifications

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Updated 15 min read

Certifications are an important part of the job market for head cashiers. They provide evidence that a candidate has the knowledge and skills required to effectively manage a cash register, handle customer transactions, and ensure accuracy in customer payments. Certifications can give employers confidence that a head cashier is qualified to perform the duties of their position and can help them stand out from other applicants. In addition, certifications give employers assurance that their staff is up to date on industry standards and best practices related to customer service, safety, and operations. Finally, certifications demonstrate a commitment to professional development and may lead to greater opportunities for advancement within an organization.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Head Cashiers and explain how they can help advance a Head Cashier's career.

What are Head Cashier Certifications?

Head cashier certification is a type of training and certification program designed to help individuals become qualified for the job of head cashier. It teaches them the skills needed to effectively manage a retail store's cash register operations, including assessing customer needs, providing accurate change, handling transactions correctly and efficiently, managing inventory counts and stocking shelves, promoting customer service excellence, and meeting sales goals. This type of certification can be beneficial to those looking to advance their career in retail by demonstrating their knowledge and expertise in the field. By obtaining this certification, they will have an advantage over other applicants when applying for head cashier positions. In addition, having this certification may also open up more opportunities with employers who are looking for candidates with specialized skills in the area.

Pro Tip: When pursuing head cashier certification, it's important to stay up to date on the latest trends in retail and customer service. Additionally, gaining experience in problem solving and conflict resolution is key to being a successful head cashier.

Related: What does a Head Cashier do?

Top 10 Head Cashier Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Head Cashiers today.

1. Certified Head Cashier (CHC)

Certified Head Cashier (CHC) is a certification offered through the National Retail Federation (NRF). This certification is designed to recognize retail professionals who have demonstrated mastery of cashiering skills and knowledge.

To become a Certified Head Cashier, individuals must complete an online course that covers topics such as customer service, cash handling, and loss prevention. The course takes approximately 8 hours to complete. After successful completion of the course, individuals will receive their CHC certification.

The cost for the online course and certification is $99 USD. Upon completion of the course, individuals will be able to access their digital certificate and badge which can be used to demonstrate their expertise in retail cashiering.

2. Certified Retail Cashier (CRC)

Certified Retail Cashier (CRC) is a certification program for retail cashiers. It is designed to help cashiers and their employers better understand the fundamentals of customer service, cash handling, and store operations. The certification is offered by the National Retail Federation (NRF).

It typically takes about two hours to complete the CRC program and receive your certification. To get certified, you must first register online on the NRF website. Once registered, you will be able to access the course materials and take the exam at any time. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as customer service, cash handling, store operations, and more.

The cost of the Certified Retail Cashier program varies depending on whether you are taking it as an individual or an employer. For individuals, the cost is $99 USD; for employers, it is $199 USD per employee.

3. Certified Point of Sale Professional (CPOP)

Certified Point of Sale Professional (CPOP) is a certification program offered by the National Retail Federation that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in point-of-sale operations. The CPOP certification is designed to validate the knowledge and skills of professionals in retail point-of-sale systems, including hardware, software, and security.

The CPOP certification program consists of two parts: an online exam and a hands-on assessment. The online exam covers topics such as point-of-sale system architecture, hardware setup and configuration, software installation and maintenance, network security, customer service best practices, and more. The hands-on assessment tests the candidate’s ability to configure a point-of-sale system using real equipment.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CPOP certification process. Candidates must successfully pass both the online exam and the hands-on assessment in order to become certified.

The cost for the CPOP certification program is $1,495 USD for NRF members or $1,795 USD for nonmembers. This fee includes access to the online exam and hands-on assessment materials as well as one year of membership in the National Retail Federation.

4. National Retail Federation Cashier Certification (NRFCC)

The National Retail Federation Cashier Certification (NRFCC) is a certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of retail cashiers. It is offered by the National Retail Federation, the world’s largest retail trade association. The NRFCC is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a cashier’s ability to accurately handle money, process transactions, and provide excellent customer service.

The NRFCC certification process consists of two parts: an online assessment and a hands-on practical evaluation. The online assessment tests a cashier’s knowledge in areas such as customer service, product knowledge, pricing accuracy, and store policies. After passing the online assessment, cashiers must complete a hands-on practical evaluation in order to receive their certification. This evaluation consists of demonstrating their ability to accurately handle money, process transactions, and provide excellent customer service.

The entire NRFCC certification process typically takes about 4 hours to complete. To get certified, applicants must register for the program on the NRF website and pay a fee of $50 USD. Once registered, applicants will receive an email with instructions on how to take the online assessment and schedule their practical evaluation at one of the approved testing centers around the country.

Upon successful completion of both parts of the certification process, applicants will be issued an official NRFCC certificate that is valid for 2 years from date of issue.

5. National Association of Professional Cashiers Certification (NAPC)

The National Association of Professional Cashiers Certification (NAPC) is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates a cashier’s knowledge and skill in handling cash transactions. The certification is designed to help cashiers improve their job performance and increase their marketability in the workplace.

The NAPC certification program consists of three levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. Each level requires successful completion of a written exam as well as a practical demonstration of cash handling skills. The exams are administered online or at approved testing centers.

The Basic level covers basic cash handling principles, such as counting money, making change, and reconciling receipts. The Intermediate level focuses on more advanced topics such as security procedures, customer service techniques, and fraud prevention. The Advanced level covers topics related to financial management, including accounting principles and auditing practices.

It typically takes about 6 months to complete all three levels of the NAPC certification program. To get started, applicants must register with the NAPC website and pay the registration fee ($50). They then have access to study materials for each level of the exam which they can use to prepare for the tests.

Once all three levels have been successfully completed, applicants receive their official NAPC certificate which is valid for two years from the date of issuance. Renewal fees are required every two years in order to maintain active status with the NAPC organization.

6. American Institute of Professional Cashiers Certification (AIPCC)

The American Institute of Professional Cashiers Certification (AIPCC) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and promote the highest standards of cashiering excellence. The AIPCC is a voluntary, non-profit organization dedicated to providing professional recognition to those who have demonstrated their proficiency in the field of cashiering.

The AIPCC certification process involves passing an exam that tests knowledge and skills related to cash handling, customer service, and other aspects of retail operations. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions as well as scenario-based questions. Candidates must demonstrate their ability to accurately handle money, provide excellent customer service, and maintain accurate records.

The AIPCC certification process typically takes between 4-6 weeks from start to finish. To get started, candidates must first complete an online application form and pay the associated fee. After submitting the application form, candidates will receive instructions on how to register for the exam and access study materials. Once registered for the exam, candidates will have four weeks to prepare for it by studying the material provided by AIPCC or taking practice exams online.

Once all requirements are met, candidates must take the exam at an authorized testing center or via remote proctoring services offered through ProctorU or Examity. The cost of obtaining AIPCC certification varies depending on which type of testing method is used; however, it typically ranges from $75-$200 USD.

7. International Council of Shopping Centers Cashier Certification (ICSC-CC)

The International Council of Shopping Centers Cashier Certification (ICSC-CC) is a certification program designed to recognize and validate the skills, knowledge, and abilities of cashiers in the retail industry. The ICSC-CC is a voluntary certification program that provides recognition for those who demonstrate proficiency in customer service, cash handling, store operations, and other related topics.

It typically takes about two to three weeks to complete the ICSC-CC certification process. To get certified, individuals must first complete an online application form and then take an online assessment test. The assessment tests cover topics such as customer service, cash handling, store operations, and more. Upon successful completion of the assessment test, candidates will be awarded their certification.

The cost of the ICSC-CC certification varies depending on how many modules are taken and how many assessments are completed. Generally speaking, it costs between $50-$100 USD per module or assessment taken.

Overall, the International Council of Shopping Centers Cashier Certification (ICSC-CC) is a great way for cashiers to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in the retail industry while also gaining recognition for their hard work and dedication.

8. Certified Lead Cashier (CLC)

Certified Lead Cashier (CLC) is a certification that recognizes individuals who have achieved a level of expertise in cashiering and customer service. The certification is offered by the National Retail Federation (NRF), one of the leading retail trade associations in the US.

The CLC program is designed to provide cashiers with the knowledge and skills they need to become successful lead cashiers. It covers topics such as customer service, store operations, and financial management. The program consists of an online course, which takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete, followed by an exam.

To get certified as a CLC, you must first register for the course through NRF's website. The cost of registration is $125 USD for NRF members or $175 USD for non-members. Once you have completed the course and passed the exam, you will receive your official CLC certification from NRF.

9. Certified Senior Cashier (CSC)

Certified Senior Cashier (CSC) is a certification program designed to help cashiers and other retail professionals improve their customer service skills. The program is offered by the National Retail Federation (NRF). It takes approximately 10 hours to complete the course, which covers topics such as customer service, communication, problem solving, and financial operations. To get Certified Senior Cashier (CSC) certification, you must complete the online course and pass an exam with a score of 80% or higher. The cost of the certification is $99 USD.

10. Certified Master Cashier (CMC).

Certified Master Cashier (CMC) is a certification program that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the area of cash handling. The program is offered by the National Retail Federation and provides cashiers with the skills and knowledge needed to become successful in their profession.

The CMC certification requires completion of a comprehensive training program that covers topics such as customer service, financial transactions, security procedures, and legal requirements. The program consists of three components: an online course, an exam, and a practical assessment. The online course typically takes about 8 hours to complete, while the exam and practical assessment usually take about 4 hours each.

In order to become certified, applicants must pass all three components with a score of 80% or higher. Once certified, individuals are eligible to use the CMC designation on their resume and business cards.

The cost for the CMC certification varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $150-$200 USD.

Do You Really Need a Head Cashier Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their career goals. For those who are looking to become a head cashier, it is important to note that some employers may require certification in order to be considered for the position. In this case, having a Head Cashier Certificate would be beneficial and necessary in order to demonstrate knowledge of the job responsibilities and industry standards.

On the other hand, there are many individuals who already have the skills and experience needed to become a head cashier without needing any additional certifications. These individuals may not need a Head Cashier Certificate if they already possess the necessary knowledge and skillset required for the job.

Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide whether or not they need a Head Cashier Certificate based on their own unique situation. It is important for potential candidates to research what qualifications employers are looking for in order to make an informed decision about whether or not obtaining a certificate is necessary for them.

Related: Head Cashier Resume Examples

FAQs About Head Cashier Certifications

1. What is a Head Cashier Certification?

Answer: A Head Cashier Certification is an official recognition of the knowledge and skills required to be a successful head cashier. It demonstrates that an individual has completed the necessary training and has the expertise to oversee cashiers and other staff in their duties.

2. How do I obtain a Head Cashier Certification?

Answer: To obtain a Head Cashier Certification, you must complete an approved course or program, such as those offered by accredited colleges or universities. You may also need to pass an exam demonstrating your knowledge of cash handling procedures, customer service, and other relevant topics.

3. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a Head Cashier Certification?

Answer: Yes, most programs require applicants to have prior experience in customer service or cash management roles before they can enroll in the certification program. Additionally, some programs may require applicants to have completed certain courses or passed certain exams before they are eligible for admission into the program.

4. How long does it take to get a Head Cashier Certification?

Answer: The time it takes to obtain a Head Cashier Certification depends on the specific program you choose and your prior experience level. Generally speaking, most courses can be completed within six months or less depending on how quickly you work through the material and pass any exams required for certification.

5. Does having a Head Cashier Certification guarantee me employment?

Answer: No, having a Head Cashier Certification does not guarantee you employment; however, it will make you more competitive when applying for head cashier positions as employers are likely to prefer candidates with this type of credential over those without it.

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Brenna Goyette

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Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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