Top 10 News Producer Certifications

Certifications are important for news producers in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge, expertise and professionalism that employers look for. News producers must be able to handle multiple tasks at once, including writing stories, coordinating with reporters and editors, managing budgets and deadlines, and more. Certifications provide an additional layer of credibility to employers who are looking to hire the best professionals in the field. Additionally, certifications can help news producers stand out from the competition when searching for jobs. They show potential employers that the producer is committed to their career and willing to go above and beyond to stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for News Producers and explain how they can help to advance a news producer's career.

What are News Producer Certifications?

News producer certification is a special type of training program designed to help aspiring news producers develop the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the field. By earning a news producer certification, individuals can demonstrate their expertise in crafting compelling stories and managing complex production processes. This can provide them with an edge when applying for jobs in broadcast journalism or other related fields.

News producer certification programs typically include courses on media law, ethics, writing, editing, directing, producing and post-production techniques. Students learn how to create engaging content that conforms to industry standards while also meeting the needs of viewers, sponsors and advertisers. They also gain valuable experience working with teams of writers, editors and directors to bring stories to life on television or radio broadcasts.

By completing a news producer certification program, individuals are able to demonstrate their commitment to the field while developing a set of skills that will help them stand out from other job applicants. With this added knowledge and experience under their belt, they may be more likely to land a job as a news producer at a local TV station or radio station.

Pro Tip: When seeking news producer certification, make sure you have a thorough understanding of the required material. Focus on topics such as media law and ethics, journalism, video production and editing, and other related topics. Additionally, make sure you have a good grasp of the latest technology used in the news industry to ensure that you are up-to-date with the changing landscape.

Related: What does a News Producer do?

Top 10 News Producer Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to News Producers today.

1. Certified Broadcast News Producer (CBNP)

Certified Broadcast News Producer (CBNP) is a professional certification program offered by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). The CBNP certification is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of professional knowledge and experience in the production of broadcast news.

The CBNP certification process includes an online exam that covers topics such as news writing, editing, producing, directing, and managing broadcast news operations. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. To be eligible for the CBNP certification, candidates must have at least two years of full-time experience in a broadcast newsroom.

To obtain the CBNP certification, applicants must first register with the NAB and pay an application fee. Once registered, applicants will receive access to an online study guide and practice exams. After studying for the exam and completing all practice exams, applicants can then take the actual exam. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their official CBNP certificate from the NAB.

The cost for obtaining the CBNP certification varies depending on whether or not you are a member of NAB. For non-members, there is an initial application fee of $250 plus an additional $225 fee for taking the exam. For members, there is only a $225 fee for taking the exam.

2. Certified Radio News Producer (CRNP)

A Certified Radio News Producer (CRNP) is a professional certification program for radio news producers. The program is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of experienced radio news producers. It is administered by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB).

The CRNP program requires applicants to have at least two years of experience in radio news production and demonstrate a mastery of the fundamentals of radio news production. Applicants must also pass an exam that covers topics such as audio engineering, scripting, editing, and broadcast regulations.

The CRNP certification process takes approximately three to six months to complete. Applicants must first submit an application form and fee, which are available on the NAB website. Once approved, applicants will be sent a study guide and exam materials. After studying for the exam, applicants must take an online proctored exam that covers topics such as audio engineering, scripting, editing, and broadcast regulations.

The cost for the CRNP certification program varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of the NAB. For members, it costs $100; for non-members it costs $200.

3. Certified Television News Producer (CTNP)

Certified Television News Producer (CTNP) is a professional certification program created by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). The program is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate expertise in the production and management of television news programs.

The CTNP certification requires applicants to complete a series of online courses, pass an exam, and submit a portfolio demonstrating their experience in television news production. The courses cover topics such as writing for television, editing video, producing stories, and managing staff.

The program takes approximately six months to complete. Applicants must first register for the program and pay an application fee of $75. After that, they must complete all four required courses within six months. Once all four courses have been completed, applicants must pass an exam with a score of 80% or higher in order to receive their certification.

Once certified, CTNPs are eligible to apply for jobs in television news production and management positions at local stations across the United States. They may also be eligible for higher salaries than non-certified producers.

4. Certified Digital News Producer (CDNP)

Certified Digital News Producer (CDNP) is a certification program for digital news professionals. It is designed to recognize the skills and abilities of those who produce digital news content, including web and mobile platforms. The certification program is administered by the Digital News Association (DNA).

The CDNP program consists of two parts: an online course and an in-person assessment. The online course covers topics such as creating content for mobile devices, understanding the legal aspects of digital publishing, developing strategies for effective storytelling, and using analytics to measure success. The in-person assessment involves a series of practical exercises that test a candidate's knowledge of the topics covered in the online course.

It takes approximately six months to complete the CDNP certification process. Candidates must first complete the online course before taking the in-person assessment. After passing both components, candidates will receive their official CDNP certificate from DNA.

The cost to become certified is $495 USD, which includes access to all materials and assessments required for completion of the program.

5. Certified Online News Producer (CONP)

Certified Online News Producer (CONP) is a certification program designed to recognize and support professionals who create, manage, and produce online news content. It is administered by the National Association of Online News Producers (NAONP).

The certification program consists of three parts: an online assessment, a written exam, and an in-person interview. The online assessment tests knowledge of digital media production and management. The written exam tests knowledge of journalism ethics and best practices for producing quality online news content. The in-person interview focuses on the applicant's experience with digital media production, management, and storytelling.

It typically takes about one month to complete the entire certification process. To get certified as a CONP, applicants must first register for the program through NAONP’s website. Once registered, applicants will receive an email with instructions on how to access the online assessment and written exam. Upon completing both exams successfully, applicants will then be invited to participate in an in-person interview with a panel of industry professionals.

The cost of becoming certified as a CONP is $250 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees. This fee covers all costs associated with the certification process including registration fees, exams fees, and interview fees.

6. Certified Social Media News Producer (CSMNP)

Certified Social Media News Producer (CSMNP) is a certification program designed to help professionals understand the fundamentals of social media news production. The goal of the program is to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to create, manage, and distribute content on various social media platforms.

The CSMNP certification program consists of four courses: Introduction to Social Media News Production; Content Creation & Management; Distribution & Engagement Strategies; and Advanced Social Media News Production. The courses can be taken online or in person at a training center. Each course takes approximately 10 hours to complete.

To become certified, individuals must pass all four courses with a minimum score of 70%. Once certified, individuals will receive a certificate and access to exclusive resources such as webinars, job postings, and networking opportunities.

The cost of the CSMNP certification program varies depending on the option chosen. Online courses start at $299 per course while in-person classes range from $399-$499 per course.

7. Certified Multi-Platform News Producer (CMPNP)

Certified Multi-Platform News Producer (CMPNP) is a certification program offered by the Radio and Television Digital News Association (RTDNA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have mastered the skills necessary to produce news content for multiple platforms.

The CMPNP certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge of digital media, including video production, audio production, social media, website design, and mobile applications. Applicants must also demonstrate their ability to work with a variety of newsroom personnel and understand how to create effective stories for different platforms.

The CMPNP certification takes approximately six months to complete. To begin the process, applicants must first register with the RTDNA and pay an application fee of $150. After registering, applicants will be able to access online courses that cover topics such as digital media basics, story structure and development, multi-platform news production techniques, and more. Upon completion of these courses, applicants must pass an online exam in order to receive their certification.

Once certified, CMPNPs are eligible for job opportunities in radio stations, television stations, websites, newspapers, magazines and other digital media outlets. The certification can also help them gain promotions within their current organizations or attract new employers who value multi-platform expertise.

8. Certified International News Producer (CINP)

Certified International News Producer (CINP) is a certification program designed to recognize and reward individuals who have achieved a high level of professional excellence in the field of international news production. The CINP program is administered by the International News Production Association (INPA), an organization that represents producers, directors, and other professionals in the international news industry.

The CINP certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in producing international news stories. Applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as global media trends, legal issues, ethics, and best practices for international news production. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least two years of professional experience in producing international news stories or working with an international news agency.

The CINP exam takes approximately three hours to complete and consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. The cost of taking the exam is $250 USD. Once applicants pass the exam, they are awarded the CINP designation and receive a certificate from INPA recognizing their achievement.

9. Certified Investigative News Producer (CINP)

Certified Investigative News Producer (CINP) is an accreditation program offered by the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in producing investigative news stories.

The CINP program requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in researching, writing, producing, editing, and distributing investigative news stories. Applicants must also demonstrate their commitment to ethical journalism practices.

The CINP program consists of two parts: an online self-assessment and a written exam. The online self-assessment covers topics such as investigative techniques, legal issues, ethics, and media law. The written exam tests applicants on their ability to produce an investigative news story from start to finish.

The cost of the CINP program is $250 for NPPA members and $350 for non-members. It usually takes about three months to complete the program. To get started, applicants must fill out an application form on the NPPA website and submit it along with payment for the program fees. Once accepted into the program, applicants will receive access to the online self-assessment and instructions on how to register for the written exam.

10. Certified Documentary News Producer (CDNDP).

Certified Documentary News Producer (CDNDP) is a professional certification program for documentary filmmakers, journalists, and other media professionals. The program is administered by the International Documentary Association (IDA), an organization that promotes and supports the work of documentary filmmakers.

The CDNDP certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge of documentary production and storytelling techniques through a series of online tests. Applicants must also submit a portfolio of their work in order to be considered for the certification.

The CDNDP certification process takes approximately four to six weeks from start to finish. To get started, applicants must first complete an online application form and pay the $75 application fee. Once the application is approved, applicants will receive access to the online testing system and will have two weeks to complete all required tests. After submitting their test scores, applicants must then submit a portfolio of their work for review by IDA's panel of experts. If approved, applicants will receive their CDNDP certificate within four to six weeks from submission.

The cost for the Certified Documentary News Producer (CDNDP) program is $75 for the application fee plus any additional fees associated with submitting your portfolio or other materials for review by IDA’s panel of experts.

Do You Really Need a News Producer Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual goals and aspirations. If you want to pursue a career in news production, then a News Producer Certificate may be beneficial to you. However, if you are already established in the field or have some experience in the industry, then it may not be necessary. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide if obtaining a News Producer Certificate is something that will benefit your career path.

Having said that, there are a few advantages to having a News Producer Certificate. For one thing, employers often look for credentials when hiring new employees. Having a certificate can show employers that you are knowledgeable about the field and have taken the initiative to learn more about it. It also demonstrates dedication and commitment, as well as an understanding of journalistic principles and practices. Furthermore, having such certification can open up opportunities for advancement within the field and help increase job security.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a News Producer Certificate really depends on what your long-term goals are and where you stand in your career currently. If obtaining such certification will help you reach those goals or give you an edge over other applicants for certain positions, then it may be worth considering getting one.

Related: News Producer Resume Examples

FAQs About News Producer Certifications

1. What is a News Producer Certification?

Answer: A News Producer Certification is an official recognition of professional proficiency in the field of news production. It is generally awarded by an accredited institution or professional organization and verifies that the holder has the necessary skills to produce high-quality news content.

2. What are the requirements for obtaining a News Producer Certification?

Answer: Requirements vary depending on the certifying body, but typically include taking and passing a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as media law, journalistic ethics, production techniques, and writing for television or radio. Additional experience in the field may be required as well.

3. How long does it take to get a News Producer Certification?

Answer: The amount of time required to obtain a News Producer Certification depends on the specific certifying body and individual's preparation level. Generally, it takes several months to complete all requirements for certification.

4. Is there an age limit for getting a News Producer Certification?

Answer: No, there is no age limit for obtaining a News Producer Certification; however, some organizations may require applicants to be at least 18 years old before they can take the certification exam.

5. Is there any cost associated with getting a News Producer Certification?

Answer: Yes, most certifying bodies charge fees for their exams and other related services such as study materials or registration fees. Fees vary depending on the organization offering certification so it’s important to research all costs before beginning your certification process.