Top 11 Hotel General Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for a hotel general manager in the job market because they demonstrate a commitment to professional excellence and a level of expertise. They provide employers with an assurance that candidates have the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully lead their teams and manage their properties. Certifications also give potential employers confidence that the candidate is familiar with industry best practices, standards, and regulations, which can impact both customer service and financial performance. Additionally, certifications can make candidates more competitive in the job market by showing that they have taken initiative to further develop their skillset.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Hotel General Managers and how they can help further a career in the hospitality industry.

What are Hotel General Manager Certifications?

Hotel general manager certification is a type of professional certification that recognizes the knowledge, skills, and experience of hotel general managers. This certification is given to individuals who have met certain standards in their job performance and can demonstrate their ability to manage a hotel in an effective and efficient manner. A hotel general manager must possess strong leadership skills, be knowledgeable about industry trends and best practices, and have the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Having this certification can help hotel general managers stand out from other applicants when applying for new jobs or promotions within their current organization. It also provides employers with the assurance that the individual they are considering hiring is qualified to lead their hospitality teams. The certification can also provide a sense of pride and accomplishment for those who achieve it, as well as confidence in their abilities to manage a successful business. Finally, having this certification can potentially lead to higher wages and better job opportunities in the future.

Pro Tip: Take advantage of online hotel general manager certification courses to enhance your skills and stay up-to-date on industry trends. This can help you stand out among other candidates for potential job opportunities and gain a competitive edge in the industry.

Related: What does a Hotel General Manager do?

Top 11 Hotel General Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA)

Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) is a professional certification program offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). The CHA designation is designed to recognize professionals in the hospitality industry who have achieved a high level of professional knowledge and experience.

The CHA program consists of three courses, each focusing on a different aspect of hotel management. The courses are: Introduction to Hotel Management, Strategic Hotel Management, and Advanced Hotel Management. Each course requires approximately 40 hours of study and is available online or through self-study materials.

To become certified as a CHA, an individual must pass all three courses with a minimum passing grade of 70%. After passing all three courses, the individual will receive their CHA certificate from AHLEI.

The cost for the CHA program varies depending on how it is taken; however, it typically ranges from $800-$1,000 USD.

2. Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS)

Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) is a certification program offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). It is designed to provide hospitality professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage their departments, staff, and guests. The CHS certification is a comprehensive program that covers topics such as customer service, hospitality law, human resources management, financial management, food safety and sanitation, and more.

The certification process typically takes between 8-12 weeks to complete depending on the individual's prior experience in the hospitality industry. In order to be eligible for the CHS certification program, applicants must have at least one year of experience in a supervisory role in the hospitality industry.

In order to obtain the CHS certification, applicants must successfully pass an online exam which consists of 120 multiple-choice questions. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their official certificate from AHLEI.

The cost of obtaining a CHS certification varies depending on whether you are an AHLEI member or non-member. For members, it costs $299 USD for the online course and exam; for non-members it costs $399 USD for both components.

3. Certified Hospitality Manager (CHM)

Certified Hospitality Manager (CHM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize hospitality professionals who demonstrate a high level of knowledge and skill in the field. It is administered by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). The CHM certification is designed to equip hospitality professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively manage a hotel, restaurant, or other hospitality business.

The CHM certification program consists of four courses: hotel operations, food and beverage management, human resources management, and financial management. Each course must be completed within two years of starting the program. Upon completion of all four courses, candidates are eligible to take the CHM exam.

To obtain the CHM certification, candidates must pass an online exam that includes multiple-choice questions as well as essay questions. The exam covers topics such as hospitality law, customer service, sales and marketing strategies, and financial management principles. Candidates must also complete an internship at a qualified hospitality property prior to taking the exam.

The cost for obtaining the CHM certification varies depending on which courses you take and where you take them. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $1,500-$3,000 for all four courses plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam.

4. Certified Lodging Manager (CLM)

Certified Lodging Manager (CLM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge, skills, and abilities of hospitality professionals who manage lodging operations. The program is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI).

To become a Certified Lodging Manager, an individual must have at least two years of full-time management experience in a lodging operation and pass a comprehensive exam. The exam covers topics such as guest relations, financial management, food and beverage operations, human resources management, marketing and sales strategies, and technology applications.

The CLM certification process typically takes about three months to complete. After submitting an application for the program and passing the exam with a score of 70% or higher, individuals are awarded their CLM designation.

The cost to participate in the CLM program varies depending on the type of membership you have with AHLEI. For non-members, the cost is $395 USD; for members of AHLEI's Professional Membership Program (PMP), it's $295 USD; and for members of AHLEI's Professional Plus Membership Program (PPMP), it's $195 USD.

5. Certified Hotel Marketing Executive (CHME)

Certified Hotel Marketing Executive (CHME) is a certification program designed to recognize and reward professionals who demonstrate excellence in hotel marketing. The CHME program provides a comprehensive overview of the hospitality industry and its marketing strategies, focusing on topics such as customer service, sales, digital marketing, and more.

The CHME certification is offered by the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC). To obtain this certification, applicants must complete a series of courses and exams that cover the fundamentals of hotel marketing. The program typically takes between six months to two years to complete.

To get started, applicants must submit an application along with a fee of $250 USD. After submitting the application and fee, applicants will be assigned an ISHC mentor who will provide guidance throughout the process. Following completion of the coursework and exams, applicants must pass an oral exam administered by an ISHC panel in order to receive their CHME certification.

In addition to the initial application fee, there are additional fees associated with taking each course or exam. The cost for each course or exam varies depending on which one you choose to take; however, most range from $150-$400 USD per course/exam.

Overall, obtaining your Certified Hotel Marketing Executive (CHME) certification can be a lengthy process but it is well worth it for those looking to advance their career in hotel marketing.

6. Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME)

Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME) is a professional certification for revenue management professionals. It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of revenue management. The CRME program is administered by the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI).

The CRME certification requires applicants to have at least three years of experience in the hospitality industry, preferably in revenue management. Applicants must also pass an online exam that covers topics such as pricing strategies, forecasting and budgeting, yield management, distribution channels, and data analysis.

The certification process typically takes about six months to complete. After submitting an application and passing the exam, applicants must complete two additional courses on revenue optimization and customer segmentation before they can be certified as a CRME.

The cost of the CRME certification varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of HSMAI. For members, the cost is $695; for non-members it is $995.

7. Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE)

Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the food service industry. The CFBE designation is awarded by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF).

The program consists of three courses that cover topics such as menu planning, purchasing, operations, and marketing. In order to earn the CFBE credential, candidates must complete all three courses and pass an exam with a score of 80% or higher. The courses can be taken online or in-person at approved training centers.

It typically takes about one year to complete the program and earn the CFBE credential. The cost for the program varies depending on where you take it; however, it typically costs around $1,500-$2,000 for all three courses.

8. Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE)

Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) is a professional certification program offered by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). It is designed to recognize and promote excellence in hospitality education.

The CHE certification process takes approximately 12-18 months to complete. To become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam. The exam consists of three parts: a written test, an oral presentation, and a practical demonstration of teaching skills.

To get started, applicants must submit an application form and fee to the AH&LA. Once accepted into the program, applicants will receive access to online resources such as study guides and practice exams. They will also be assigned a mentor who will help them prepare for the exam.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the applicant's geographic location and other factors. Generally, it costs between $1,000 - $2,000 USD for all materials and fees associated with the program.

9. Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP)

Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) is a certification program designed to recognize hospitality professionals who have demonstrated a mastery of the technology used in the hospitality industry. This certification is offered by the International Society of Hotel Technology Executives (ISHTE).

The CHTP program consists of two parts: an online exam and an on-site assessment. The online exam covers topics such as hospitality technology, customer service, and IT operations. The on-site assessment requires candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in areas such as system design, implementation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

To become certified, individuals must first complete the online exam and then pass the on-site assessment. The entire process typically takes about four months.

The cost for the CHTP certification is $1,495 USD for ISHTE members or $1,695 USD for non-members. This fee includes access to all course materials, practice exams, and the official exam.

10. Certified Hotel Industry Analyst (CHIA)

Certified Hotel Industry Analyst (CHIA) is a professional certification program developed by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). It is designed to give hotel professionals the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively analyze, interpret, and apply data related to the hospitality industry. The program consists of an online self-study course followed by an online proctored exam.

The CHIA program takes approximately 16 hours to complete. After completing the course, you must pass a proctored exam in order to receive your certification. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within two hours.

To get certified as a CHIA, you must first purchase the CHIA study guide from AHLEI. The cost of the study guide is $249 USD plus applicable taxes. You must also register for the proctored exam through AHLEI’s website. The cost of the exam is $299 USD plus applicable taxes. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CHIA certificate and be eligible to use the “CHIA” designation after your name.

11. Global Business Travel Association Certification Program for Hotel General Managers

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) Certification Program for Hotel General Managers is a comprehensive program designed to recognize and reward hotel general managers who demonstrate excellence in hospitality management. The certification program is based on the GBTA’s core competencies in hospitality, which include customer service, financial management, operations, sales and marketing, and human resources.

The certification process takes approximately six months to complete. During this time, applicants must complete the required coursework and pass an examination that tests their knowledge of the GBTA’s core competencies. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their certification from the GBTA.

To get started on the certification process, applicants must first register with the GBTA and pay a fee of $250 USD. This fee covers the cost of registration as well as access to all course materials and exams necessary for completion of the certification program. Once registered, applicants can begin taking courses online or through distance learning programs offered by approved providers. After completing all required courses and passing the exam, applicants will be awarded their certificate from the GBTA.

The cost of obtaining a GBTA Certification for Hotel General Managers varies depending on individual circumstances such as course fees or travel expenses associated with attending classes in person. However, most people can expect to spend around $500-$1000 USD total on their certification journey.

Do You Really Need a Hotel General Manager Certificate?

When it comes to the hotel industry, having a Hotel General Manager Certificate can be extremely beneficial. A certificate from an accredited program is a great way to show potential employers that you have the knowledge and skills needed for this important role.

Having a Hotel General Manager Certificate demonstrates that you understand the complexities of managing a hotel, including budgeting and finance, marketing, customer service and staff management. It also shows that you are knowledgeable about the hospitality industry and have the necessary skills to manage day-to-day operations in a hotel setting. This certification can help you stand out from other applicants and give you an edge when applying for jobs in the hospitality industry.

In addition to demonstrating your knowledge of the industry, having this certificate also shows potential employers that you are constantly improving your skills and keeping up with trends in the hospitality world. Having this kind of certification shows dedication and commitment to your career, which will make you more attractive as an employee.

Overall, a Hotel General Manager Certificate is an excellent way to demonstrate your knowledge of the hospitality industry and prove that you are prepared for this role. With this certificate under your belt, you will be well on your way to success in the hotel business!

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FAQs About Hotel General Manager Certifications

Q1: What is a Hotel General Manager Certification?

A1: A Hotel General Manager Certification is a professional certification that recognizes an individual’s ability to manage and lead a hotel. The certification focuses on the necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities needed to effectively manage all aspects of a hotel including marketing, operations, staff management, finance, customer service, and more.

Q2: How do I get certified as a Hotel General Manager?

A2: To become certified as a Hotel General Manager you must complete an accredited program in hotel management or hospitality. You must also meet the requirements set forth by the certifying organization such as passing an exam and having relevant experience in the field.

Q3: What are the benefits of becoming certified as a Hotel General Manager?

A3: Becoming certified as a Hotel General Manager can lead to better job opportunities in the field of hospitality and can also increase your credibility within the industry. Additionally, it can help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions and may even result in higher pay.

Q4: How long does it take to become certified as a Hotel General Manager?

A4: The amount of time it takes to become certified as a Hotel General Manager will vary depending on your current educational background and experience level. Generally speaking, it typically takes between one to two years to complete all of the necessary courses and exams required for certification.

Q5: Are there any continuing education requirements for maintaining my certification?

A5: Yes, most certifying organizations require that you complete ongoing continuing education credits in order to maintain your certification status. This could include attending conferences or seminars related to hospitality management or completing online courses related to hospitality topics.