Top 11 Inside Sales Associate Certifications

Certifications are important for an inside sales associate in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and skill that employers value. They also show potential employers that the individual has taken the initiative to learn more about their field and stay up-to-date on industry trends. Certifications can give an inside sales associate a competitive edge when applying for jobs, as they make them stand out from other applicants who may not have such qualifications. Additionally, certifications can provide valuable networking opportunities and access to resources that can help the individual further their career.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the most beneficial certifications for Inside Sales Associates and explain how they can help advance their careers.

What are Inside Sales Associate Certifications?

Inside sales associate certification is a program designed to help sales professionals increase their knowledge and skills in order to be more effective at selling products and services. The certification program combines online learning with hands-on training, allowing participants to learn the best practices for inside sales success.

The certification covers a range of topics including customer service, relationship building, communication strategies, lead generation and qualification, prospecting, closing techniques, and account management. Participants learn how to develop a customer base through personal interaction with customers as well as through digital marketing campaigns. In addition, participants gain an understanding of how to create value for customers by offering solutions that meet their needs.

By completing the certification program, inside sales associates can gain industry recognition for their expertise and demonstrate their commitment to professional excellence. This can help them stand out from other applicants when looking for new job opportunities or promotions within their current organization. Furthermore, the knowledge gained from the program can help inside sales associates become more successful in achieving sales goals while providing better customer service.

Pro Tip: Before becoming an inside sales associate, be sure to obtain certification from a reputable organization in order to demonstrate your knowledge and experience. Certification can help you stand out from the competition and prove your competency as a professional in the field.

Related: What does an Inside Sales Associate do?

Top 11 Inside Sales Associate Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Inside Sales Associates today.

1. Certified Inside Sales Professional (CISP)

Certified Inside Sales Professional (CISP) is a certification program designed to provide sales professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the inside sales industry. The CISP program is administered by the American Association of Inside Sales Professionals (AA-ISP).

The CISP program consists of four courses, each focusing on a specific area of inside sales. The courses cover topics such as prospecting, qualifying leads, building relationships, closing deals, and creating a successful sales process. Upon completion of the four courses, participants will receive a certificate from AA-ISP that demonstrates their expertise in inside sales.

It typically takes around 4-6 months to complete the CISP program depending on how quickly you are able to complete the coursework. To get started, you must first register for the program through AA-ISP's website. Once registered, you will be given access to all four courses and can begin your studies at any time.

The cost for the CISP program varies depending on whether or not you are an AA-ISP member. For non-members, it costs $595 USD for all four courses. For members, it costs $495 USD for all four courses.

2. Certified Professional Inside Sales Manager (CPISM)

Certified Professional Inside Sales Manager (CPISM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of inside sales professionals. The CPISM certification is designed to provide recognition for those who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the field of inside sales management. The program consists of four core competency areas: customer relationship management, sales process management, team leadership, and business acumen.

The CPISM certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers the four core competencies as well as additional topics related to inside sales management. The exam is administered by the Inside Sales Management Institute (ISMI). To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least three years of experience in an inside sales role or equivalent experience, and they must also complete a pre-exam coursework requirement.

It typically takes six months to one year to complete the requirements necessary to obtain the CPISM certification. This includes completing the pre-exam coursework requirement and passing the exam.

To get certified, you will need to register with ISMI and pay a fee which varies depending on your country. In the United States, it costs $595 USD for members and $795 USD for non-members. Once you have registered with ISMI and paid the fee, you will be able to access all of their resources including study materials, practice exams, webinars, online courses and more.

Once you have completed all of these steps and passed the exam, you will receive your official CPISM certification from ISMI.

3. Certified Inside Sales Representative (CISR)

Certified Inside Sales Representative (CISR) is a professional certification program for sales professionals. It is designed to recognize the skills and knowledge of inside sales representatives who are responsible for selling products and services to customers.

The CISR program is offered by the National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research, which is a leading provider of insurance education and training. The program consists of three courses that cover topics such as customer service, sales techniques, negotiation strategies and marketing principles.

It takes approximately six months to complete the CISR program. To get certified, you must first pass an online exam, which covers all three courses in the program. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your certification and be able to use the CISR designation on your resume and business cards.

The cost of the CISR program varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,500-$2,000 for all three courses plus any additional fees associated with taking the online exam or other materials needed for completion of the coursework.

4. Certified Inside Sales Leader (CISL)

Certified Inside Sales Leader (CISL) is an industry-recognized certification program designed to recognize and validate the skills of experienced inside sales professionals. The CISL certification is offered by the American Association of Inside Sales Professionals (AA-ISP).

The CISL program consists of two parts: a comprehensive online exam and a hands-on workshop. The online exam covers topics such as sales process, customer service, sales operations, technology, analytics, and leadership. The workshop focuses on case studies and best practices for successful inside sales management.

It typically takes about three months to complete the CISL certification program. During this time, you must pass the online exam with a score of 70% or higher and attend the workshop in person.

The cost for the CISL certification program varies depending on your location and whether you are an AA-ISP member or non-member. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,000 for members and $1,500 for non-members.

5. Certified Inside Sales Negotiator (CISN)

Certified Inside Sales Negotiator (CISN) is a professional certification program designed to provide sales professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully negotiate in an inside sales environment. The program is offered through the National Association of Inside Sales Professionals (NAISP).

The CISN certification consists of two parts: an online course and a final exam. The online course covers topics such as customer service, communication, negotiation tactics, and closing techniques. It takes approximately 10-15 hours to complete the course.

To get certified, you must register for the CISN exam on the NAISP website. The cost of the exam is $295 USD and it can be taken either online or at one of NAISP's testing centers around the world. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CISN certificate from NAISP.

The CISN certification is a great way for inside sales professionals to demonstrate their expertise and commitment to excellence in their field.

6. Certified Professional in Lead Generation and Qualification (CPQLGQ)

Certified Professional in Lead Generation and Qualification (CPQLGQ) is a professional certification program offered by the American Marketing Association (AMA). It is designed to help professionals gain expertise in lead generation and qualification, which are essential skills for marketing success. The CPQLGQ certification recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in lead generation and qualification.

The CPQLGQ certification requires candidates to complete two courses: “Lead Generation” and “Qualification”. Each course must be completed within six months of starting the program. The courses cover topics such as understanding customer needs, identifying target markets, developing effective strategies for generating leads, qualifying leads, and measuring results.

To become certified, candidates must pass an exam administered by the AMA. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions on topics related to lead generation and qualification. Candidates must score at least 70% on the exam to receive their certification.

The cost of the CPQLGQ certification program varies depending on the individual's membership status with the AMA. For members, the cost is $395; for non-members, it is $495.

7. Certified Professional in Account Management and Retention (CPAMR)

Certified Professional in Account Management and Retention (CPAMR) is a certification program offered by the Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM). This certification is designed to help professionals gain knowledge and skills in the areas of account management, customer retention, and relationship building. It is ideal for those who work in sales, marketing, customer service, or any other field that involves managing relationships with customers.

The CPAMR certification program consists of two parts: an online course and an examination. The online course covers topics such as customer segmentation, customer loyalty programs, customer relationship management strategies, and more. It takes approximately 10-12 hours to complete the course. Upon successful completion of the course, you will be eligible to take the CPAMR exam.

The CPAMR exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within two hours. To pass the exam, you must answer at least 70% of the questions correctly. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your CPAMR certification from ICPM.

The cost for taking the CPAMR certification program varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of ICPM. For non-members, it costs $495 to register for both the online course and examination; for members, it costs $395.

8. Certified Professional in Prospecting and Cold Calling (CPPC)

Certified Professional in Prospecting and Cold Calling (CPPC) is a certification program offered by the American Association of Inside Sales Professionals (AA-ISP). It is designed to equip sales professionals with the skills, knowledge, and strategies needed to be successful in prospecting and cold calling.

The CPPC program consists of a self-paced online course that takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete. The course covers topics such as prospecting strategies, best practices for cold calling, effective communication techniques, and more. Upon completion of the course, participants must pass an exam in order to receive their certification.

To get certified, individuals must first register for the CPPC program through the AA-ISP website. The cost of registration varies depending on whether you are an AA-ISP member or not; members pay $299 while non-members pay $399. After registering, participants will receive access to the online course materials and can begin working towards their certification at any time.

Once they have completed all of the course requirements and passed the exam, they will receive their official CPPC certificate from AA-ISP. This certificate is valid for two years from the date it was issued and can be used as proof of professional development in prospecting and cold calling.

9. Certified Professional in Closing Techniques and Strategies (CPCS)

Certified Professional in Closing Techniques and Strategies (CPCS) is a certification program designed to help sales professionals become more successful in closing deals. The certification is offered by the American Sales Association (ASA). It takes about 8-10 hours of coursework to complete the program, which includes topics such as understanding customer needs, developing effective sales strategies, and mastering closing techniques.

In order to receive the CPCS certification, you must pass an exam that covers all aspects of the program. The exam can be taken at an ASA testing center or online. The cost for the exam is $250. After passing the exam, you will receive your certificate and be able to use the CPCS designation on your resume and business cards.

The CPCS certification is valid for three years, after which time you must renew it by taking another exam or completing additional training courses. This ensures that those who hold the designation remain up-to-date on current sales trends and techniques.

10. Certified Professional in Relationship Building and Management (CPRBM)

Certified Professional in Relationship Building and Management (CPRBM) is a certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to build and manage relationships within their organization. This certification program was developed by the International Association of Relationship Building Professionals (IARBP).

The CPRBM certification program consists of four core competencies: relationship building, communication, conflict resolution, and leadership. The program takes approximately six months to complete depending on the individual's commitment level. To become certified, individuals must attend an IARBP-approved course or workshop, pass a comprehensive exam, and complete a portfolio review.

The cost of the CPRBM certification program varies depending on the provider. Generally speaking, it costs between $2,000-$4,000 USD for the entire program.

11. Certified Digital Selling Expert (CDSE).

Certified Digital Selling Expert (CDSE) is a certification program for sales professionals and entrepreneurs who want to hone their skills in digital selling. It is designed to help individuals develop the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to effectively use digital tools and strategies to increase sales.

The CDSE program consists of an online course that takes approximately 10 hours to complete. The course covers topics such as understanding digital marketing, using social media for sales, creating effective content, leveraging search engine optimization (SEO), and more. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of completion from the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI).

To get the CDSE certification, you must first complete the online course. Once you have completed the course, you can then register with DMI to take the exam. The exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 60 minutes. You must score at least 70% in order to pass the exam and receive your certification.

The cost of the CDSE program varies depending on whether you choose to purchase just the course or if you also opt for additional services such as mentorship or coaching. The cost of just the course is approximately $250 USD; however, if you choose additional services such as mentorship or coaching it can range from $500 USD up to $1,000 USD or more.

Do You Really Need a Inside Sales Associate Certificate?

Whether or not you need an Inside Sales Associate Certificate really depends on your individual situation. If you are looking to get a job in inside sales, then having a certificate may be beneficial for you. It can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in the role. Additionally, it can help you stand out from other applicants who don’t have a certificate.

On the other hand, if you already have experience in inside sales and have been able to demonstrate your abilities effectively, then having a certificate may not be necessary. However, if you are new to the field or looking to move up in your career, then having an Inside Sales Associate Certificate could prove invaluable. It can provide proof of your abilities and give employers confidence that they are hiring someone with the right skills and qualifications.

Ultimately, whether or not you need an Inside Sales Associate Certificate is up to you. Consider what would benefit your individual situation most and make an informed decision from there.

Related: Inside Sales Associate Resume Examples

FAQs About Inside Sales Associate Certifications

1. What are the benefits of becoming an Inside Sales Associate?

Answer: Becoming an Inside Sales Associate can provide you with a great opportunity to develop your sales skills, build relationships with customers, and gain hands-on experience in customer service and marketing. It can also give you the chance to work independently and use your creativity to find new ways to increase sales.

2. What qualifications do I need to become an Inside Sales Associate?

Answer: Generally, employers look for candidates who have a high school diploma or equivalent and at least one year of sales experience. Other qualifications may include strong communication and organizational skills, excellent customer service abilities, knowledge of relevant software programs, and the ability to work well under pressure.

3. How long does it take to become certified as an Inside Sales Associate?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become certified as an Inside Sales Associate will depend on the specific certification program you choose. Some programs may take several months while others may require more than a year of study and practice before certification is granted.

4. Is there any cost associated with obtaining my Inside Sales Associate certification?

Answer: Yes, most certification programs will have some type of fee associated with them in order to cover administrative costs or materials needed for successful completion of the program. It is important to research various programs before making a decision so that you understand all associated fees upfront.

5. Are there any continuing education requirements for maintaining my certification?

Answer: Yes, most certifications require that you complete ongoing training courses or seminars in order to remain certified as an Inside Sales Associate. This helps ensure that you stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices so that you can continue providing top-notch customer service throughout your career.