Top 10 Hotel Assistant Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for a hotel assistant manager in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has a certain level of knowledge and skill related to their position. Certifications can help to differentiate an assistant manager from other candidates, as employers will be able to see that the individual has taken the time and effort to obtain specific credentials in order to improve their job skills. Certifications can also provide a sense of credibility and trustworthiness, which is especially beneficial when applying for higher-level positions. Finally, certifications can open up additional opportunities for career growth by providing access to specialized training and resources.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Hotel Assistant Managers, and explains how they can help enhance a hotel assistant manager's career.

What are Hotel Assistant Manager Certifications?

Hotel assistant manager certification is a professional credential that is designed to validate the knowledge and skills of individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in hotel management. The certification is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) and requires the completion of an approved educational program, passing a comprehensive exam, and having at least two years of relevant industry experience.

The AHLEI certification provides employers with assurance that those who have earned it possess the necessary knowledge and skills to manage a hotel efficiently and effectively. It also helps job seekers demonstrate their commitment to professional development and stand out from other applicants. Additionally, earning certification can open up opportunities for career advancement within the hospitality industry.

The certification covers topics such as customer service, budgeting, revenue management, marketing, human resources management, safety and security, and housekeeping operations. Those who pursue it will learn how to create an exceptional guest experience while ensuring that all departments within a hotel run smoothly. Earning this certification can provide individuals with the ability to maximize profits while maintaining high standards of service quality.

Pro Tip: When considering a hotel assistant manager certification, make sure to research the requirements and benefits of each program. Consider the value of the certification and how it can help you advance your career in hospitality management. Additionally, look for certifications that are recognized by employers in the industry and offer a comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of hotel management.

Related: What does a Hotel Assistant Manager do?

Top 10 Hotel Assistant Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Hotel Assistant Managers today.

1. Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA)

Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) is a professional certification offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). It is designed to recognize hotel industry professionals who demonstrate a commitment to excellence in their field. The CHA certification program provides a comprehensive understanding of hospitality operations and management, as well as an in-depth knowledge of the specific needs of the lodging industry.

The CHA certification requires completion of a three-part exam that covers topics such as finance, operations, sales and marketing, human resources, legal issues, and technology. The exam is offered at testing centers throughout the United States and Canada. Candidates must pass all three parts within 12 months in order to earn their CHA certification.

In order to apply for the CHA certification program, candidates must first complete an online application form on AHLEI's website. Once approved, applicants will be required to pay a registration fee of $350 USD plus applicable taxes. After payment has been received, applicants will receive access to study materials and practice exams that can help them prepare for the CHA exam.

The cost of the CHA certification program varies depending on whether or not you choose to purchase additional study materials or take practice exams. The total cost typically ranges from $400-$600 USD plus applicable taxes.

2. Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS)

Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) is a certification program offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). CHS certification is designed to help hospitality supervisors develop and demonstrate their knowledge and skills in managing people, operations, and financials. The program provides supervisors with the tools they need to lead their teams effectively and efficiently.

The CHS certification program consists of two courses: Hospitality Supervision and Human Resources Management. Each course is 8-10 hours long and can be completed online or in person through an AHLEI approved provider.

To get certified, individuals must first complete both courses within 12 months of each other. After completing the courses, individuals must pass the CHS exam which consists of 100 multiple choice questions. The exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete and can be taken at an AHLEI approved testing center or online through ProctorU.

The cost of the CHS certification program varies depending on how you choose to take it. Taking the courses online costs $199 per course while taking them in person costs $299 per course. The exam fee is an additional $125 for either option.

3. Certified Hospitality Manager (CHM)

Certified Hospitality Manager (CHM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of hospitality professionals. The CHM certification is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). It is an internationally recognized credential that demonstrates mastery of hotel operations and management.

The CHM certification requires successful completion of a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as customer service, human resources, financial management, sales and marketing, food and beverage operations, technology applications in hospitality, and more. It typically takes 3-6 months to prepare for the exam depending on the individual’s background in hospitality.

To become certified as a CHM, you must first complete an AHLEI-approved training program or have three years of experience in the hospitality industry. You then need to register for the exam with AHLEI and pay the associated fee ($325 USD). After passing the exam you will be awarded your CHM certification.

The cost of becoming certified as a CHM includes registration fees ($325 USD), study materials (varies), and any applicable travel expenses.

4. Certified Hotel Marketing Executive (CHME)

Certified Hotel Marketing Executive (CHME) is a professional certification program designed to provide hotel marketing professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively market their hotels. The program is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI).

The CHME program consists of three courses: Introduction to Hotel Marketing, Advanced Hotel Marketing, and Digital Hotel Marketing. Each course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete. Upon completion of all three courses, participants must pass an exam in order to receive their CHME certification.

In order to get the CHME certification, individuals must first register for the program through AHLEI's website. The cost of the program is $395 USD and includes access to all three courses as well as the final exam. Once registered, individuals can begin taking the courses at their own pace and upon completion of all three courses, they will be eligible to take the final exam. Upon passing the exam, individuals will receive their CHME certification.

5. Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME)

Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME) is a professional certification offered by the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP). The CRME certification is designed to provide industry professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage revenue in the hospitality industry.

The CRME certification requires applicants to complete an online course that covers topics such as revenue management principles, pricing strategies, forecasting techniques, and other related topics. The course consists of six modules with a total of 24 hours of instruction. Upon completion of the course, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam administered by HFTP.

To become certified, applicants must have at least two years of experience in hospitality revenue management or a related field. Applicants must also submit three letters of recommendation from current or former employers.

The cost for the CRME certification is $795 USD for HFTP members and $995 USD for non-members. This fee includes access to the online course materials and exam fees.

6. Certified Food and Beverage Manager (CFBM)

Certified Food and Beverage Manager (CFBM) is a professional certification offered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). The CFBM certification is designed to provide food and beverage managers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage their operations.

The CFBM certification requires successful completion of an online course, which takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete. Upon completion of the course, candidates must pass a proctored exam in order to receive their certification. The exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions and must be completed within two hours.

The cost for the CFBM certification is $399 USD, which includes the online course, study materials, and exam fee.

In order to maintain their certification, CFBMs must take part in continuing education activities every three years. These activities may include attending conferences or seminars related to foodservice management, completing additional courses related to foodservice management, or participating in other activities approved by the NRAEF.

7. Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) is an internationally recognized professional certification that recognizes the expertise and experience of meeting professionals. It is awarded by the Convention Industry Council (CIC), which is a consortium of organizations dedicated to improving the quality of meetings, events, conventions, and exhibitions.

The CMP certification requires applicants to have at least three years of full-time meeting management experience and pass a comprehensive exam. The exam covers topics such as event planning, risk management, financial management, contracts and negotiations, marketing, strategic planning, technology applications, logistics and operations.

It typically takes about six months to complete the requirements for the CMP certification. To get started on the path to becoming a CMP certified professional you must first submit an application form that includes your work history and references from colleagues in the industry. Once your application has been reviewed and approved by CIC staff members you will be required to attend an orientation session where you will learn more about what it takes to become a certified meeting professional.

The cost for obtaining a CMP certification varies depending on your country of residence but generally ranges from $500 - $1,000 USD including exam fees.

8. Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE)

Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) is a certification program offered by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). The CHE program is designed to recognize those who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the hospitality industry. It is intended for professionals who are currently teaching or training in hospitality-related fields, such as hotel management, foodservice operations, and lodging operations.

The CHE program requires applicants to complete a comprehensive two-day workshop that covers topics such as instructional design, learning theory, assessment, and evaluation. After completing the workshop, applicants must pass an exam with a score of 80% or higher to become certified.

The cost of the CHE program varies depending on location and whether you take the workshop online or in person. However, it typically costs between $400-$600 USD for the two-day workshop and exam.

9. Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP)

Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to effectively use and manage hospitality technology. The CHTP designation is awarded by the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC).

To become certified, applicants must complete an online application and submit it along with their resume, two letters of recommendation from industry professionals, and a $200 application fee. Once approved, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as hospitality technology systems, data security, customer service management, e-commerce solutions and more.

The exam typically takes 3-4 hours to complete and consists of multiple choice questions. Applicants must score at least 70% on the exam in order to receive their CHTP certification. The certification fee is $295 for ISHC members or $395 for non-members. Certification is valid for three years after which time recertification is required.

10. Certified Hospitality Sales and Marketing Executive (CHSME)

Certified Hospitality Sales and Marketing Executive (CHSME) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of experienced hospitality sales and marketing executives. The CHSME certification is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) in partnership with the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC).

The program consists of three parts: a comprehensive online course, an exam, and a portfolio review. The online course covers topics such as effective sales techniques, customer service management, budgeting and forecasting, market analysis, and digital marketing strategies. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge on the topics covered in the online course. Finally, the portfolio review requires you to submit a portfolio of your work that demonstrates your experience in hospitality sales and marketing.

The CHSME certification typically takes about six months to complete from start to finish. To get started, you must register for the program through AHLEI’s website and pay the registration fee of $399 USD. Once registered, you will have access to all of the materials needed to complete the program including the online course and exam preparation resources. After completing all three components successfully, you will be awarded your CHSME certificate.

Do You Really Need a Hotel Assistant Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual's goals and the type of job they are applying for. In some cases, a Hotel Assistant Manager Certificate may be beneficial in helping an individual stand out from the competition and increase their chances of success in getting hired. For example, if a person is looking to become an assistant manager at a hotel, having a certificate could demonstrate that they have gone beyond the necessary educational requirements and possess additional knowledge about the industry.

On the other hand, it is important to note that many hotels do not require such certificates. Many employers simply look for individuals with relevant experience or those who can demonstrate their ability to handle responsibilities such as customer service, budget management and team building. Furthermore, depending on how competitive the job market is in your area, having a certificate may not necessarily guarantee success as there may still be plenty of other candidates who have more relevant qualifications or experience.

Ultimately, whether or not someone needs a Hotel Assistant Manager Certificate will depend on their individual goals and what type of position they are applying for. If they feel that having such a certificate will give them an edge over other applicants, then it could be worth pursuing. However, if they already possess relevant qualifications or experience without the certificate then it may not be necessary.

Related: Hotel Assistant Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Hotel Assistant Manager Certifications

1. How do I become a hotel assistant manager?

Answer: To become a hotel assistant manager you must complete a hospitality management program, obtain relevant work experience in the hospitality industry, and gain certification from an accredited organization such as the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI).

2. What skills are required for a hotel assistant manager?

Answer: A successful hotel assistant manager must possess strong interpersonal, organizational and communication skills. They should also be highly knowledgeable of industry regulations and standards and have the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

3. What is the salary range of a hotel assistant manager?

Answer: The average salary range of a hotel assistant manager can vary depending on location and experience but typically ranges between $30,000-$50,000 annually.

4. What certifications do I need to become a hotel assistant manager?

Answer: In order to become a certified hotel assistant manager you will need to complete AHLEI’s Certified Hotel Assistant Manager (CHAM) program which covers topics such as hospitality operations, customer service, financial management, human resources, and more.

5. Are there any additional certifications that I can obtain as an aspiring hotel assistant manager?

Answer: Yes! You can pursue additional certifications such as AHLEI’s Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP), Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) or Certified Hospitality Administrator (CHA) programs to further enhance your knowledge and skillset in the hospitality industry.