Top 10 Hotel Manager Certifications

Certifications for a hotel manager are important in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in their role. They also serve as proof of professional development, showing potential employers that the candidate is up-to-date on industry trends and standards. Certifications help to set hotel managers apart from other applicants, and can increase their chances of being hired. Additionally, certifications may provide access to specialized training and resources, which can help managers stay ahead of the competition.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the most beneficial certifications for Hotel Managers and discuss how they can improve career prospects.

What are Hotel Manager Certifications?

Hotel manager certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and expertise in the hospitality industry. It is usually awarded after completing an accredited program or course of study, such as one offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). The certification covers topics such as hotel operations, customer service, marketing, financial management, human resources, and other essential skills related to running a successful hotel.

Having a hotel manager certification can help an individual stand out from the competition when applying for jobs in the hospitality industry. It indicates that they have taken the time to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills needed to be successful in this field. Additionally, it shows potential employers that they are committed to their profession and are dedicated to providing excellent customer service. A certification also provides recognition for individuals who have achieved a certain level of excellence within their field. With this recognition comes greater job opportunities and higher salaries.

Pro Tip: Become certified in hospitality management to stay ahead of the competition. A hotel manager certification program can provide you with the skills and knowledge to manage a hotel efficiently and effectively, while also keeping up with industry trends. Additionally, certification can help you stand out to potential employers and give you an edge during job interviews.

Related: What does a Hotel Manager do?

Top 10 Hotel Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Hotel 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). It is designed for hospitality professionals who want to demonstrate their commitment to excellence and advance their career in the industry.

The CHA program consists of an online self-study course and a two-day, on-site exam. The self-study course covers topics such as hotel operations, customer service, finance and accounting, human resources management, marketing, sales, and technology. The exam includes multiple choice questions and written essays.

To be eligible for the CHA program, applicants must have at least five years of experience in the hospitality industry. They must also complete the online self-study course before taking the exam. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their CHA certification.

The cost of the CHA program varies depending on which package you choose. The basic package costs $1,399 and includes access to the online self-study course and one attempt at the two-day on-site exam. Additional attempts are available for an additional fee.

2. Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS)

Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) is a certification program offered through the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). The CHS certification is designed to recognize hospitality supervisors who have demonstrated their knowledge and skills in the areas of leadership, customer service, and operations.

The CHS certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as human resources management, financial management, strategic planning, and customer service. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements including at least three years of experience in a hospitality supervisory role or equivalent education/training. Additionally, applicants must successfully complete an online course provided by AHLEI prior to taking the exam.

The cost of the CHS certification program varies depending on the type of membership you have with AHLEI. For non-members, it costs $395 for the online course and exam fee. For members, it costs $295 for the online course and exam fee.

3. Certified Hotel Industry Analyst (CHIA)

Certified Hotel Industry Analyst (CHIA) is a professional certification program designed to provide hotel industry professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their field. The CHIA certification is awarded by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), an organization that provides educational and training programs for hospitality professionals.

The CHIA program consists of three courses: Introduction to Hotel Operations, Financial Analysis for Hotels, and Strategic Management for Hotels. Each course requires approximately 25 hours of study time, and students must pass an online exam at the end of each course in order to receive their CHIA certification.

To get the CHIA certification, individuals must first register for the program by completing an online application form on AHLEI’s website. Once accepted into the program, students can purchase the three courses individually or as a package. The cost of the entire program is $1,495 USD. Upon successful completion of all three courses, students will be awarded their CHIA certification.

4. Certified Hotel Marketing Executive (CHME)

Certified Hotel Marketing Executive (CHME) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills and abilities of marketing professionals in the hospitality industry. The CHME certification is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI).

The CHME program consists of two parts: a self-study course and an exam. The self-study course covers topics such as hotel marketing fundamentals, customer service, market segmentation, pricing strategies, e-commerce, and social media marketing. The exam tests your knowledge on these topics.

The self-study course takes approximately 20 hours to complete. After completing the course, you can take the exam at any AHLEI testing center or online through ProctorU. The exam fee is $195 USD for non-members and $145 USD for members of AHLEI.

Once you pass the exam, you will be awarded the Certified Hotel Marketing Executive (CHME) designation. This designation demonstrates your commitment to professional excellence in hotel marketing and shows employers that you have mastered essential skills in this field.

5. Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME)

Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME) is a professional certification program offered by the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP). It is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage revenue within their organization. The CRME program focuses on core areas of revenue management, such as yield management, pricing strategies, forecasting, inventory control, and customer segmentation.

The CRME program consists of five courses that must be completed in order to receive the certification. The courses include Introduction to Revenue Management, Yield Management Strategies, Pricing Strategies for Revenue Optimization, Forecasting & Inventory Control Strategies, and Customer Segmentation & Targeting for Revenue Optimization. Each course takes approximately 10 hours to complete.

In order to receive the CRME certification, individuals must first pass an exam administered by HFTP. The exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions and must be completed in two hours or less. Once the exam has been passed successfully, individuals will then receive their official CRME certificate from HFTP.

The cost of obtaining the CRME certification varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of HFTP. For members of HFTP, the cost is $695 USD; for non-members it is $895 USD.

6. Certified Food and Beverage Manager (CFBM)

Certified Food and Beverage Manager (CFBM) is a professional certification program offered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). The program is designed to help food and beverage managers develop the skills necessary to effectively manage operations in restaurants, bars, hotels, and other hospitality establishments.

The CFBM program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as food safety, sanitation, menu planning, cost control, personnel management, customer service, and marketing. After completing the coursework, participants must pass a multiple-choice exam with a score of at least 70%.

The CFBM program takes approximately four weeks to complete. Participants can enroll in the program at any time and work at their own pace. The cost for the program is $249 USD.

7. Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals in the meetings, conventions, and exhibitions industry. It is administered by the Convention Industry Council (CIC), an alliance of organizations representing all segments of the meetings, conventions, and exhibitions industry.

To become a CMP, applicants must have at least three years of full-time experience in the meetings industry within the past five years. They must also complete a series of educational requirements and pass an exam. The educational requirements include attending seminars or workshops on topics such as meeting planning, hospitality management, finance, marketing and sales, risk management, technology and more. Applicants must also complete a CMP application form and submit it to the CIC for review.

The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering all aspects of meeting planning and management. The exam fee is $395 USD for members of the CIC or $495 USD for non-members. Once applicants pass the exam they will receive their CMP designation from the CIC.

The entire process can take up to six months depending on how quickly applicants are able to fulfill their educational requirements and take the exam.

8. Certified Lodging Security Officer (CLSO)

Certified Lodging Security Officer (CLSO) is a certification program offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). The program is designed to provide security professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to protect guests, employees, and property in the lodging industry. It covers topics such as crime prevention, emergency management, security system operations, and legal issues.

The CLSO certification requires successful completion of an online course that takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete. Upon successful completion of the course, candidates must pass a proctored exam with a score of 70% or higher in order to receive their certification.

The cost for the CLSO certification is $299 USD per person. This fee includes access to the online course materials and the proctored exam.

Once certified, individuals are required to renew their certification every two years by completing continuing education credits or retaking the exam.

9. Certified Hotel Accountant (CHA)

Certified Hotel Accountant (CHA) is a professional certification awarded by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and proficiency in hotel accounting principles and practices. The CHA certification is intended for individuals who are employed in or aspire to work in the hospitality industry as a hotel accountant, controller, or financial manager.

To become certified, applicants must pass an online exam that covers topics such as financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cost control, revenue management, tax compliance, internal controls and auditing. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

The cost of the CHA certification exam is $225 USD for AHLEI members and $275 USD for non-members. Additionally, applicants must have at least two years of experience working in hotel accounting or finance before they can sit for the exam.

10. Certified Hotel Property Manager (CHPM).

Certified Hotel Property Manager (CHPM) is a professional certification program offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). It is designed to recognize excellence in hotel property management and provide an industry standard for hospitality professionals.

The CHPM program consists of two parts: a comprehensive online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as hotel operations, guest services, revenue management, marketing, human resources, and financial management. The exam tests the knowledge gained from the course and requires a passing score of 80% or higher to earn the certification.

The entire program takes approximately 8-10 weeks to complete. During this time, participants must complete the online course and pass the exam within 6 months of enrolling in the program.

To get certified as a CHPM, interested individuals must first register with AHLEI and pay a fee of $399. This fee includes access to the online course materials as well as one attempt at the certification exam. After registering with AHLEI, participants can begin their studies immediately and take up to six months to complete them before taking the exam.

Once certified as a CHPM, individuals will receive an official certificate from AHLEI that recognizes their achievement and expertise in hospitality property management. They will also receive ongoing support from AHLEI’s network of industry professionals who can help them stay up-to-date on trends in hospitality property management.

Do You Really Need a Hotel Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on what type of job you are seeking. If you are looking for a position as a hotel manager, then it is highly recommended that you obtain a Hotel Manager Certificate. This certification is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage a hotel or hospitality establishment. It is also beneficial for those who are interested in advancing their career in the hospitality industry.

A Hotel Manager Certificate will demonstrate your commitment to the industry, as well as your knowledge and understanding of hotel operations. The certification will allow you to show potential employers that you have the necessary qualifications and experience needed for the job. Additionally, having a certificate may give employers more confidence in hiring you since it demonstrates your dedication and commitment to the hospitality industry.

In addition, having a Hotel Manager Certificate can help you stand out from other candidates when applying for positions within the hospitality industry. It can also make it easier for employers to assess whether or not you have the skills required for the job since they will be able to quickly verify if you do possess a valid certificate.

Overall, obtaining a Hotel Manager Certificate can be extremely beneficial if you are looking for employment in the hospitality sector. It can help demonstrate your commitment to professional development and increase your chances of getting hired by potential employers.

Related: Hotel Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Hotel Manager Certifications

1. What is a hotel manager certification?

Answer: A hotel manager certification is a professional credential that certifies an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to manage a hotel. It is typically obtained through an accredited institution or program and requires passing an exam.

2. How long does it take to get a hotel manager certification?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to obtain a hotel manager certification depends on the type of program you choose and how much prior experience you have in the field. Generally, most programs can be completed within one year or less.

3. What are the requirements for obtaining a hotel manager certification?

Answer: Requirements for obtaining a hotel manager certification vary by program, but typically involve completing coursework related to hospitality management, passing an exam, and having some prior experience in the field.

4. What types of jobs can I apply for with a hotel manager certification?

Answer: With a hotel manager certification, you can apply for positions such as general managers, front desk managers, housekeeping supervisors, food & beverage directors, and more in hotels and resorts around the world.

5. Are there any continuing education requirements after getting certified?

Answer: Most programs require continuing education credits (CECs) in order to maintain your certification status over time. CECs may include attending conferences or workshops related to hospitality management or taking online courses related to the industry.