Top 11 Outside Sales Rep Certifications

Certifications are important for outside sales reps in the job market because they demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in a particular area, which can give employers confidence that the applicant has the skills to succeed in the role. Certifications also provide evidence of professional development and can help differentiate applicants from other candidates. They can also provide potential employers with an indication of commitment to their industry and career advancement. Additionally, certifications may be used to meet certain requirements for specific roles or organizations, such as those related to government contracts or compliance with industry standards.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Outside Sales Reps and explain how they can benefit an outside sales rep's career.

What are Outside Sales Rep Certifications?

Outside Sales Rep Certification is a certification program designed to help sales representatives enhance their skills and knowledge of the sales process. This certification is typically offered by professional organizations, such as the National Association of Professional Salespeople (NAPS). The program focuses on providing sales reps with an understanding of the key aspects of selling, including customer service, product knowledge, communication techniques, and negotiation strategies.

By obtaining this certification, outside sales reps can demonstrate to employers that they have an in-depth understanding of the sales process and are well-equipped to handle customer inquiries and negotiations. This type of certification also provides outside sales reps with a competitive edge over other applicants who may not have obtained the same level of training. Additionally, having this certification can open up new career opportunities for outside sales reps by providing them with access to higher-level positions within their organization or even within new companies. Ultimately, obtaining Outside Sales Rep Certification can help increase job satisfaction and career advancement for those in the field.

Pro tip: Consider investing in an outside sales rep certification program. Not only does it provide valuable industry-specific knowledge and best practices, but it can also help to boost your professional credibility and open up more opportunities for career advancement.

Related: What does an Outside Sales Rep do?

Top 11 Outside Sales Rep Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Outside Sales Reps today.

1. Certified Professional Salesperson (CPS)

Certified Professional Salesperson (CPS) is a professional certification program designed to recognize sales professionals who demonstrate a high level of knowledge and skill in the field of sales. It is offered by the National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP).

The CPS program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as customer service, sales strategies, negotiation tactics, and product knowledge. The exam tests the applicant’s understanding of these topics.

It typically takes about six months to complete the entire process from start to finish. To get started, applicants must register for the online course on the NASP website and pay the associated fee. Once registered, applicants can begin studying for the exam at their own pace. Once they feel ready to take it, they can schedule an appointment with a proctor to take the exam at a designated testing center.

Once applicants pass the exam, they will receive their CPS designation and will be listed in NASP's database as certified sales professionals.

The cost for taking the CPS program depends on whether or not you are a member of NASP. For non-members, it costs $295 USD to register for both parts (the online course and exam). For members, it costs $245 USD.

2. Certified Sales Professional (CSP)

Certified Sales Professional (CSP) is an industry-recognized certification program designed to validate the knowledge and skills of sales professionals. It is administered by the American Association of Professional Sales (AAPS). The CSP certification is designed to demonstrate mastery of essential sales competencies and provide evidence that a sales professional has the ability to effectively perform in any sales role.

The CSP certification process consists of three components: a written exam, an online assessment, and a portfolio review. The written exam covers topics such as customer service, communication, negotiation, prospecting, and closing techniques. The online assessment evaluates a candidate’s knowledge of sales strategies and tactics. Finally, the portfolio review assesses a candidate’s ability to apply their knowledge in real-world situations.

The CSP certification process typically takes between four and six months to complete. Candidates must first submit an application for approval before taking the written exam. Once approved, candidates can then take the online assessment and portfolio review.

The cost of obtaining CSP certification varies depending on the country or region in which you are located. Generally speaking, it will cost between $200 - $400 USD for all three components of the certification process.

3. Certified Sales Leader (CSL)

Certified Sales Leader (CSL) is a professional certification program offered by the American Association of Professional Sales (AAPS). It is designed to help sales professionals develop their skills and knowledge to become more successful in their current roles, as well as prepare them for future positions.

The CSL certification program takes approximately 12-15 months to complete. During this time, participants must complete a series of courses that cover topics such as sales strategy, customer service, sales process management, and negotiation. Participants also have the opportunity to take part in an online community where they can network with other professionals and gain insight from industry experts.

To get certified, individuals must pass an exam administered by the AAPS. The cost of the exam varies depending on the country or region in which it is taken; however, typically it ranges from $200-$500 USD. Once certified, individuals will receive a certificate and be listed on the AAPS website as a Certified Sales Leader.

4. Certified Sales Manager (CSM)

Certified Sales Manager (CSM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize sales professionals who demonstrate excellence in their field. It is offered by the Sales Management Association, a global organization dedicated to advancing the profession of sales management.

The CSM program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as sales process management, customer relationship management, team building, and performance measurement. The exam tests knowledge and skills related to these topics.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CSM program. To get started, applicants must first register for the program and pay the associated fee. After that, they can begin taking the online course at their own pace. Once they have completed all of the coursework and passed the exam, they will be awarded their CSM certification.

The cost of the Certified Sales Manager program varies depending on where you live and whether or not you are a member of the Sales Management Association. In general, it costs around $1,000 USD for non-members and $500 USD for members.

5. Certified Solution Selling Specialist (CSSS)

Certified Solution Selling Specialist (CSSS) is an industry-recognized certification program for sales professionals. It is designed to help salespeople develop the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively sell solutions, rather than just products. The program focuses on teaching salespeople how to identify customer needs, create value propositions, and build relationships with customers.

The CSSS certification process typically takes around six months to complete. The program consists of a series of online courses and assessments that must be completed in order to earn the certification. The courses cover topics such as customer needs analysis, solution selling strategies, relationship building, negotiation tactics, and more.

To get the CSSS certification, you must first apply for it through the Solution Selling Institute website. Once your application is approved, you will be given access to the online course materials and assessments. You must then complete all of the required coursework and pass the final assessment in order to receive your certification.

The cost of getting certified as a CSSS varies depending on which package you choose when applying for the program. Generally speaking, packages range from $2,000-$4,000 USD depending on what type of support you need throughout the process.

6. Certified Business Development Professional (CBDP)

Certified Business Development Professional (CBDP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated proficiency and expertise in the field of business development. The CBDP designation is awarded by the American Association of Professional Development Professionals (AAPDP).

The CBDP program consists of an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as business strategy, customer relationship management, sales and marketing, project management, and financial analysis. The exam is administered by AAPDP and tests the candidate’s knowledge of the material covered in the course.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CBDP program. Candidates must complete all required coursework before taking the exam. The cost for the CBDP program varies depending on how long it takes to complete it; however, most programs range from $500-$1,000 USD.

In order to receive their CBDP designation, candidates must pass a final exam with a score of at least 70%. Candidates who successfully pass the exam are then eligible to receive their official CBDP certificate.

7. Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE)

Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) is a professional designation offered by the Real Estate Negotiation Institute (RENI). It is designed to provide real estate professionals with the tools, skills and knowledge necessary to effectively negotiate real estate transactions.

To become a Certified Negotiation Expert, an individual must complete RENI's CNE program. This program consists of three days of intensive in-person training, followed by an online exam. The course covers negotiation theory and practice, communication strategies, and legal aspects of real estate negotiations.

The cost for the CNE program is $1,995 US dollars. This includes all materials and instruction as well as the online exam fee.

Once the course has been completed and the exam passed, individuals will receive their CNE certification from RENI. The certification is valid for five years from the date of issue.

8. Professional Selling Skills Certification Program (PSSCP)

The Professional Selling Skills Certification Program (PSSCP) is a comprehensive certification program designed to help sales professionals develop and demonstrate their selling skills. It is offered by the American Association of Professional Salespeople (AAPSP).

The program consists of three levels: Foundation, Intermediate, and Advanced. Each level requires the completion of a series of courses, assessments, and activities to earn certification. The program also includes an online community for networking and collaboration with other certified sales professionals.

The Foundation level takes approximately 8-10 weeks to complete and covers topics such as customer service, communication skills, negotiation strategies, sales process management, and more. The Intermediate level takes 12-14 weeks to complete and covers topics such as market analysis, product knowledge, pricing strategies, relationship building, and more. The Advanced level takes 16-18 weeks to complete and covers topics such as sales leadership development, strategic planning for sales teams, analytics in selling environments, and more.

To get certified in the PSSCP program you must first register on the AAPSP website. After registering you will be given access to the course materials which you can use to study at your own pace. Once you have completed all the courses required for each level you can then take the assessment tests which are used to measure your understanding of the material covered in each course. Once you have passed all three levels of assessment tests you will receive your PSSCP certification from AAPSP.

The cost for the PSSCP program varies depending on which level you are taking but generally ranges from $500-$1000 USD per level.

9. Advanced Professional Selling Skills Certification Program (APSSCP)

The Advanced Professional Selling Skills Certification Program (APSSCP) is a comprehensive certification program designed to help sales professionals build their skills and knowledge in order to become more successful. It is an online course that consists of eight modules, which can be completed in as little as four weeks. The modules cover topics such as sales process, communication and negotiation, customer service, selling strategies, and more.

In order to obtain the APSSCP certification, you must complete all eight modules with a passing grade of 80% or higher. After completing the coursework, you will be required to submit a final project that demonstrates your understanding of the material covered in the program. Once your project has been approved by the APSSCP review board, you will receive your official certification.

The cost of the APSSCP certification program varies depending on whether you choose to take it online or through an accredited institution. Online courses typically range from $500-$1000 USD while courses taken through an accredited institution may cost up to $3000 USD.

In addition to the cost of the certification program itself, there are additional fees associated with taking the exam and obtaining your certificate. These fees include a registration fee, an exam fee (which varies based on location), and a certificate fee (which also varies based on location).

Overall, obtaining the APSSCP certification can be an invaluable investment for any sales professional looking to advance their career and increase their earning potential.

10. Strategic Account Management Certification Program (SAMCP)

The Strategic Account Management Certification Program (SAMCP) is a comprehensive program designed to provide professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to become successful strategic account managers. The program focuses on developing the skills necessary to create, manage, and grow long-term relationships with key accounts.

The program consists of three levels: Foundation, Professional, and Master. Each level requires a certain number of hours of training and assessment activities. The Foundation Level is designed for those who are new to the field or have limited experience in account management. It takes approximately 40 hours of training and assessment activities to complete this level. The Professional Level is designed for those who have some experience in account management and want to increase their understanding of the profession. It takes approximately 80 hours of training and assessment activities to complete this level. The Master Level is designed for experienced account managers who want to become experts in the field. It takes approximately 120 hours of training and assessment activities to complete this level.

To get certified at any level, you must successfully pass all assessments that are part of that level's curriculum. You can take these assessments online or in person at a certified testing center.

The cost for the SAMCP certification varies depending on which level you pursue. For example, the cost for the Foundation Level is $495 USD while the cost for the Master Level is $1,995 USD (all prices are subject to change).

11. International Association of Sales Professionals Certification Program (IASPCP).

The International Association of Sales Professionals Certification Program (IASPCP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and promote the highest standards of excellence in sales. It is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a commitment to sales excellence and provides a competitive edge for individuals in the sales profession.

The IASPCP certification process consists of three parts: passing an online assessment, completing an approved training course, and passing a final exam. The online assessment tests the applicant's knowledge of basic sales principles and techniques. The approved training course covers topics such as customer service, communication, negotiation, problem-solving, and time management. Finally, the final exam tests the applicant's mastery of these topics.

The IASPCP certification process typically takes between six months and one year to complete. To get started on the certification process, applicants must first register with the IASPCP website and pay a registration fee of $50 USD. Once registered, applicants can begin taking the online assessment and enroll in an approved training course. After completing both components successfully, applicants can then take the final exam to become certified by IASPCP.

In addition to the registration fee, there are additional costs associated with completing the certification process including tuition fees for any required courses or materials related to study for the final exam. The total cost will vary depending on individual circumstances but can range from several hundred dollars up to several thousand dollars depending on how much preparation is required for successful completion of all components.

Do You Really Need a Outside Sales Rep Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your particular situation. If you are an individual looking to pursue a career in outside sales, then it may be beneficial to obtain a certificate in this area. This will demonstrate to potential employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in the field.

However, if you already have experience working as an outside sales representative, then obtaining a certificate may not be necessary. It is important to keep in mind that while having a certificate can help you stand out from other applicants, it is not always required for gaining employment. Ultimately, it is up to you and your employer's discretion as to whether or not this certification would be beneficial for your career.

Related: Outside Sales Rep Resume Examples

FAQs About Outside Sales Rep Certifications

1. What certifications are available for outside sales reps?

Answer: There are a variety of certifications available for outside sales reps, including Certified Professional Salesperson (CPS), Certified Sales Executive (CSE), and Certified Sales Manager (CSM).

2. How do I become certified as an outside sales rep?

Answer: To become certified as an outside sales rep, you will need to pass the certification exam administered by the organization offering the certification. You may also need to complete additional training or coursework depending on the specific certification.

3. How long does it take to get certified as an outside sales rep?

Answer: The length of time required to get certified as an outside sales rep depends on the specific certification and requirements set forth by the organization offering it. Generally, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to complete all necessary requirements and pass the exam.

4. What are the benefits of becoming an outside sales rep?

Answer: Becoming an outside sales rep provides many benefits including increased job security, higher pay potential, better opportunities for advancement, and more job satisfaction overall. It can also provide you with a unique skillset that can be applied in various other industries.

5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as an outside sales rep?

Answer: Yes, most certifications require some level of experience in order to qualify for taking the exam or completing additional training or coursework. Additionally, some certifications may require certain educational qualifications such as a bachelor’s degree in business or related field in order to qualify for taking the exam or completing additional training or coursework.