Top 11 Mail Carrier Certifications

Certifications are important for a mail carrier in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that the individual has achieved a certain level of proficiency and knowledge in the field. By having certifications, a mail carrier can prove to potential employers that they are qualified for the position and have met all necessary qualifications. Certifications can also provide recognition from professional organizations, which may give mail carriers an edge over other applicants. Additionally, certifications can open up opportunities for advancement within the organization and can help individuals secure higher-level positions.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Mail Carriers and explain how they can help to advance their career.

What are Mail Carrier Certifications?

Mail carrier certification is a program designed to help ensure that mail carriers are properly trained and equipped to safely deliver mail and packages. The program is available through the United States Postal Service and it consists of a comprehensive certification process that covers all aspects of mail delivery, including safety, customer service, route management, and other processes.

Through this certification process, mail carriers can become more knowledgeable in the tasks they must complete while on duty. This includes learning how to properly carry and handle packages as well as how to recognize potentially hazardous materials. It also teaches them how to effectively interact with customers and handle customer complaints or requests for assistance.

In addition to increasing their knowledge about the job, mail carrier certification can also help mail carriers stay up-to-date on any new regulations or changes in the industry. It can also help them develop better communication skills so they can better understand customer needs and expectations. Finally, it can provide recognition from their employer for completing the program and demonstrate their commitment to excellence in customer service.

Pro Tip: When preparing to become a mail carrier, be sure to research the requirements for certification in your area. In most cases, you will need to pass an exam that tests your knowledge of postal regulations and procedures. Additionally, you may also need to complete a safety training course in order to be certified.

Related: What does a Mail Carrier do?

Top 11 Mail Carrier Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Mail Carriers today.

1. National Postal Academy Certification

National Postal Academy Certification is a professional certification program offered by the National Postal Academy (NPA) to recognize individuals who have achieved a level of excellence in their field. The certification is designed to help employers identify and hire qualified professionals in the postal industry.

The certification process consists of two parts: an online assessment and a hands-on practical exam. The online assessment covers topics such as postal regulations, mail processing, customer service, and postal operations. After passing the assessment, applicants must pass a hands-on practical exam that tests their knowledge and skills in areas such as mail sorting, labeling, and packaging.

The certification process takes approximately three months from start to finish. To get certified, applicants must first register with the NPA and pay a registration fee of $50. Once registered, they will be given access to the online assessment and instructions on how to prepare for the practical exam.

Once both components are successfully completed, applicants will receive their National Postal Academy Certification within four weeks. The cost of obtaining this certification is $250 plus any applicable taxes or fees.

2. Certified Mail Carrier (CMC)

Certified Mail Carrier (CMC) is a service provided by the United States Postal Service (USPS). It is used to send important documents and packages that require proof of delivery. The CMC service provides tracking information, signature confirmation, and insurance for items up to $50 in value.

The USPS offers two types of Certified Mail: Standard Certified Mail and Electronic Certified Mail. Standard Certified Mail takes 2-3 business days to arrive at its destination, while Electronic Certified Mail arrives within 1-2 business days.

To get CMC, you must first purchase a Certified Mail label from the USPS website or your local post office. You will then attach the label to your package or envelope and drop it off at your local post office or mail it directly from the USPS website. The cost of CMC depends on the weight of your package or envelope and the type of service you choose. For example, Standard Certified Mail costs $3.45 for a letter up to 3 ounces in weight, while Electronic Certified Mail costs $6.20 for a letter up to 3 ounces in weight.

3. Certified Professional Mail Carrier (CPMA)

Certified Professional Mail Carrier (CPMA) is a certification program offered by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC). The CPMA certification is designed to recognize mail carriers who have achieved a high level of proficiency in their job and demonstrate a commitment to excellence.

To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers all aspects of the job, including safety, customer service, mail delivery procedures, and postal regulations. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

The cost for taking the CPMA exam is $100. To register for the exam, applicants must submit an application form and fee to the NALC office in their area. Once approved, applicants will receive a notification with instructions on how to schedule their exam date and time.

Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will be awarded the Certified Professional Mail Carrier (CPMA) designation from the NALC. This designation can be used as evidence of professional achievement when applying for promotions or other career opportunities within the postal service.

4. USPS Certified Mail Handler (CMH)

USPS Certified Mail Handler (CMH) is a service offered by the United States Postal Service that allows customers to send mail with proof of delivery. The CMH service provides tracking information for the sender and recipient, as well as a signature from the recipient upon delivery. This service can be used for both domestic and international mailings.

The average time it takes for USPS Certified Mail to arrive at its destination is 1-3 business days, depending on the distance between sender and recipient.

To get USPS Certified Mail, customers can purchase a pre-paid envelope or label online at usps.com or in person at their local post office. The cost of sending USPS Certified Mail varies depending on weight and destination. Generally speaking, it costs around $5-$7 to send a letter via USPS Certified Mail within the United States.

5. Postal Service Technician Certification

Postal Service Technician Certification is a certification program offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to certify individuals who have met the requirements of the USPS in regards to their knowledge and skills related to postal operations. The certification is valid for three years and requires that applicants demonstrate proficiency in areas such as customer service, mail processing, and transportation.

To obtain a Postal Service Technician Certification, applicants must complete an online application form and submit it along with required documents such as proof of identity, proof of education, and a copy of their resume. Applicants must also pass an exam which covers topics such as postal operations, customer service, mail processing, and transportation. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their official certification from the USPS.

The cost for obtaining a Postal Service Technician Certification varies depending on the level of certification sought after. Generally speaking, it costs around $100-$200 for each level of certification. It typically takes about two weeks from start to finish to obtain a Postal Service Technician Certification.

6. National Association of Letter Carriers Certification

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Certification is a certification program for letter carriers in the United States Postal Service. The certification is designed to recognize and reward the professional accomplishments of letter carriers. It is a voluntary program that requires the completion of an online examination, which covers topics such as postal regulations, customer service, safety, and more.

In order to receive NALC Certification, applicants must have at least one year of experience as a letter carrier with the USPS and must pass an online exam. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as postal regulations, customer service, safety, and more. Applicants must score at least 70% on the exam in order to be certified.

The cost for taking the NALC Certification exam is $25 per attempt. There are no additional fees associated with taking or passing the exam.

It typically takes about two weeks to receive your results after taking the NALC Certification exam. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official NALC Certificate in the mail within four to six weeks.

7. Certified Rural Letter Carrier (CRLC)

A Certified Rural Letter Carrier (CRLC) is a specialized type of postal worker that delivers mail to rural communities. The CRLC program was created by the United States Postal Service (USPS) in order to provide better service to rural areas.

The CRLC program requires applicants to pass a written exam and background check before they can become certified. The exam covers topics such as route management, customer service, safety, and postal regulations. After passing the exam, applicants must also complete on-the-job training before they can become certified.

The cost of becoming a CRLC varies depending on the applicant’s location and other factors. Generally speaking, it costs around $100 for the application fee and $50 for the exam fee.

In total, it usually takes around six months from start to finish to become a Certified Rural Letter Carrier.

8. United States Postal Service Bulk Mail Acceptance Training

The United States Postal Service (USPS) Bulk Mail Acceptance Training is a program designed to help businesses, organizations, and individuals understand the USPS’s rules and regulations for bulk mailings. The training covers topics such as proper labeling and addressing of mail pieces, postage rates, mail preparation requirements, and other important information related to bulk mailings.

The training is offered online and takes approximately 2 hours to complete. It is free of charge and can be accessed at the USPS website. Once completed, participants will receive a certificate of completion that can be used as proof of training in order to qualify for discounted bulk mailing rates from the USPS.

The training covers all aspects of bulk mailing, including:

• Labeling & Addressing Requirements
• Postage Rates
• Mail Preparation Requirements
• Acceptance Procedures
• Delivery Standards & Performance Metrics
• Postal Regulations & Restrictions
• Sorting & Delivery Options
• International Mailing Requirements
• And more!

9. National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association Certification

The National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA) is a professional organization of rural letter carriers in the United States. The NRLCA offers certification to its members who have achieved a certain level of proficiency in their job. This certification is called the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association Certification (NRLCC).

The NRLCC is designed to recognize and reward excellence among rural letter carriers for their knowledge, skills, and dedication to providing quality service to customers. To become certified, a rural letter carrier must pass an exam that covers topics such as customer service, mail handling procedures, and safety regulations. The exam typically takes about two hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions.

To get the NRLCC, applicants must first join the NRLCA and pay the annual membership fee. After joining, they can register for the exam online or by mail. Once registered, applicants will receive study materials from the NRLCA that will help them prepare for the exam. After studying and completing all required materials, applicants can take the exam at an approved testing center.

The cost of taking the NRLCC varies depending on whether or not you are a member of the NRLCA. For non-members, it costs $100 to take the exam plus any applicable fees for taking it at a testing center. For members of the NRLCA, there is no fee for taking the exam but there may be additional fees associated with taking it at a testing center.

Once an applicant has passed the exam, they will receive their NRLCC certificate in approximately four weeks after passing it. The certificate is valid for three years and must be renewed every three years by retaking and passing the same exam again.

10. United States Postal Service Delivery Vehicle Operator Training

United States Postal Service Delivery Vehicle Operator Training is a comprehensive program designed to ensure that USPS employees are trained and certified in the safe operation of delivery vehicles. The program consists of classroom instruction, on-the-road driving, and hands-on vehicle maintenance training.

The length of the training varies depending on the type of vehicle being operated. For light duty vehicles, such as vans and pickups, the training usually takes about one week. For medium duty vehicles, such as flatbeds or box trucks, the training can take up to two weeks. For heavy duty vehicles, such as tractor trailers or buses, the training can take up to three weeks.

To get USPS Delivery Vehicle Operator Training, you must first apply for a job with the Postal Service and be hired as an employee. Once hired, you will be assigned a supervisor who will provide you with all necessary paperwork and instructions for enrolling in the program.

The cost of USPS Delivery Vehicle Operator Training depends on your location and whether you are taking part in a group or individual session. Generally speaking, group sessions cost around $500 per person while individual sessions can range from $1,000 to $2,500 per person.

11. United States Postal Service Customer Care Representative Training

The United States Postal Service (USPS) Customer Care Representative Training is a comprehensive program designed to equip customer service representatives with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively serve customers. The program covers topics such as customer service principles, problem solving, communication techniques, and USPS products and services. The training typically takes between two and four weeks to complete, depending on the number of modules completed.

To get the training, you must first apply for a job as a USPS Customer Care Representative. Once you are hired, you will be assigned an instructor who will teach you all of the necessary information. During the course of your training, you will also be required to take a series of tests in order to demonstrate your understanding of the material.

The cost of the training varies depending on your location. Generally speaking, it is free for employees who are already employed by USPS; however, if you are not yet employed by them, there may be some fees associated with the training.

Do You Really Need a Mail Carrier Certificate?

No, you do not need a mail carrier certificate to be a mail carrier. You may have seen advertisements or websites that offer mail carrier certification programs, but these are generally unnecessary. Most employers require applicants to pass the United States Postal Service (USPS) Examination 470 or 473 in order to be eligible for hiring as a mail carrier. This exam covers topics such as postal regulations, customer service, and delivery methods.

The USPS does not require any additional certifications for mail carriers beyond passing the required exams. In fact, many employers prefer applicants who have experience working in the industry rather than those with certificates from non-USPS affiliated organizations. The USPS Office of Personnel Management also offers an online course called "Introduction to Mail Carrier" that provides prospective employees with information about the job duties and requirements of being a mail carrier. Taking this course can give you an edge over other applicants when applying for a position.

In conclusion, while there are some courses and programs available that offer certification as a mail carrier, they are largely unnecessary and not typically preferred by most employers. Instead, focus on studying for and passing the USPS Exam 470 or 473 in order to qualify for employment as a mail carrier.

Related: Mail Carrier Resume Examples

FAQs About Mail Carrier Certifications

1. What is a mail carrier certification?

Answer: A mail carrier certification is a professional qualification that demonstrates the knowledge and skills required to be an effective mail carrier. It covers all aspects of postal service, from customer service to safety and security.

2. How do I become certified as a mail carrier?

Answer: To become certified as a mail carrier, you will need to complete an approved training program and pass the associated exam. You may also need to meet other requirements such as having a valid driver’s license or being able to lift up to 70 pounds.

3. Is there an age requirement for becoming certified as a mail carrier?

Answer: Generally, there is no age requirement for becoming certified as a mail carrier; however, some states may require applicants to be at least 18 years old. Additionally, most post offices have additional age restrictions for employment eligibility.

4. What type of job opportunities are available for certified mail carriers?

Answer: Certified mail carriers can find job opportunities in both public and private sectors. They may work for government agencies, private companies, or even independently delivering packages and letters from door-to-door or in bulk shipments.

5. Do I need any special equipment when delivering mail?

Answer: Yes, it is important that all individuals delivering mail have the necessary equipment such as appropriate bags or containers for sorting and transporting items safely, along with appropriate clothing for protection against weather conditions.