Top 10 Outside Sales Representative Certifications

Certifications are important for outside sales representatives in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and expertise in the field. They show employers that an individual has taken the time to study and understand their industry and is qualified to take on challenging tasks. Certified individuals often have access to additional resources and support, which can help them be more successful in their role. Additionally, certifications often come with higher salaries, making them attractive to potential employers. Finally, certifications may be required for certain positions or industries, so having them can make a candidate more competitive when applying for jobs.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Outside Sales Representatives and explain how they can enhance an outside sales representative's career.

What are Outside Sales Representative Certifications?

Outside sales representative certification is an official recognition of a sales representative's knowledge, skills and abilities in the field of outside sales. This certification can be obtained through professional organizations, such as the National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP). By obtaining this certification, individuals demonstrate to employers that they have a comprehensive understanding of the outside sales process.

The benefits of obtaining this certification are numerous. First, it serves as proof to potential employers that you have the knowledge and experience necessary to excel in an outside sales role. Second, it provides valuable insight into the latest trends and best practices for successful selling. Finally, having this certification may open doors to higher-level positions or salary increases within your current organization.

In addition to providing career advancement opportunities, having a certified outside sales representative credential can also serve as a great marketing tool when networking with potential clients and partners. Having this recognition may give you an edge over other candidates who are vying for the same job or project.

Overall, obtaining outside sales representative certification is a great way to set yourself apart from other applicants and demonstrate your expertise in the field of outside sales. It can help you advance your career by opening up new opportunities and increase your earning potential by providing valuable insight into best practices for successful selling.

Pro Tip: Become certified as an outside sales representative to increase your credibility and demonstrate your commitment to the industry. Certification programs typically cover topics such as customer service, prospecting, negotiation, and relationship building. Taking the time to become certified can help you stand out from other applicants and give you a competitive edge in the job market.

Related: What does an Outside Sales Representative do?

Top 10 Outside Sales Representative Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Salesperson (CPS)

Certified Professional Salesperson (CPS) is a professional certification program offered by the American Association of Professional Salespeople (AAPSP). It is designed to recognize sales professionals who have achieved a high level of expertise in their field. The program provides a comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of sales, including customer service, communication skills, negotiation techniques, and business development strategies.

To become certified as a CPS, applicants must pass an exam administered by AAPSP. The exam consists of two parts: a written portion and an oral presentation. Applicants must also complete at least 20 hours of continuing education credits within the past three years.

The cost to take the CPS exam varies depending on the location and type of test taken. Generally speaking, it costs around $500 USD to take the exam.

In order to receive certification as a CPS, applicants must pass the exam with a score of at least 70%. Once certified, individuals are required to maintain their certification through continuing education credits every three years.

2. Certified Sales Manager (CSM)

Certified Sales Manager (CSM) is a professional credential that recognizes sales professionals who have demonstrated their knowledge and expertise in the field of sales management. The CSM designation is awarded by the American Association of Professional Sales (AAPS).

To become a Certified Sales Manager, applicants must meet certain requirements, including having at least five years of experience in sales management and/or related fields. Applicants must also pass an exam administered by AAPS. The exam covers topics such as customer service, sales process, marketing strategy, and team building.

The exam typically takes two to three hours to complete and requires a minimum score of 70% in order to pass. The cost for the exam varies depending on the applicant’s country of residence; however, it typically ranges from $200-$400 USD.

Once certified, individuals are eligible for various benefits such as access to exclusive job postings and discounts on industry-related events and conferences. They may also be eligible for higher pay grades or promotions within their current organization.

3. Certified Sales Executive (CSE)

Certified Sales Executive (CSE) is a professional certification program offered by the American Association of Inside Sales Professionals (AA-ISP). It is designed to recognize and promote excellence in sales professionals. The CSE certification is earned after completing an online course, passing an exam, and demonstrating mastery of the topics covered.

The course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete and covers topics such as sales process management, customer relationship management, communication strategies, sales technology, and more. After successful completion of the course, candidates must pass an exam with a score of 75% or higher. Upon successful completion of both the course and the exam, candidates are awarded their CSE certification.

The cost for the Certified Sales Executive program varies depending on your membership status with AA-ISP. For non-members, the cost is $399 USD; for members it is $299 USD; and for corporate members it is $249 USD.

4. Certified Professional Selling Skills (CPSS)

Certified Professional Selling Skills (CPSS) is a certification program designed to give sales professionals the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their field. It focuses on helping individuals develop the essential selling skills, such as customer service, communication, negotiation, objection handling and closing.

The CPSS program consists of five courses that must be taken in order to become certified. The courses are: Introduction to Professional Selling; Sales Planning & Strategy; Building Customer Relationships; Negotiation & Closing; and Professional Selling Skills. Each course takes about 10 hours to complete and can be done online or in a classroom setting.

The cost for the CPSS certification program varies depending on the provider, but typically ranges from $500-$2,000 USD. This fee usually covers all five courses, as well as any additional materials needed for completion of the program.

Once you have successfully completed all five courses and passed the final exam with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive your Certified Professional Selling Skills certificate.

5. Certified Solution Selling Professional (CSSP)

Certified Solution Selling Professional (CSSP) is a certification program designed to help sales professionals build the skills and knowledge necessary to become successful in the field of solution selling. The CSSP certification is offered by the Solution Selling Institute, a global leader in sales training and education.

The CSSP certification requires a minimum of 40 hours of coursework, which can be completed online or in-person. The course covers topics such as understanding customer needs, building relationships with customers, developing solutions for customer problems, and closing deals. Upon completion of the coursework, participants must pass an exam to receive their certification.

The cost of the CSSP certification varies depending on the type of training chosen (online or in-person). Online courses typically cost between $1,500 and $2,000 USD while in-person courses may cost up to $4,000 USD.

In order to get certified as a CSSP professional, individuals must first complete the required coursework and then successfully pass the exam. Once they have passed the exam they will receive their official certificate from the Solution Selling Institute.

6. Certified Strategic Selling Professional (CSSP)

Certified Strategic Selling Professional (CSSP) is a certification program developed by the Sales Education Foundation (SEF). It is designed to provide sales professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and execute successful sales strategies.

The CSSP program consists of three levels: Foundational, Intermediate, and Advanced. The Foundational level covers basic selling concepts such as customer needs analysis, product positioning, and negotiation skills. The Intermediate level focuses on developing an effective sales strategy and managing complex sales cycles. The Advanced level covers topics such as strategic account management, cross-functional selling, and global selling.

The CSSP certification process typically takes between six months and one year to complete. To qualify for the certification, applicants must have at least two years of professional experience in sales or related fields and pass a series of exams that test their knowledge of the material covered in the program.

The cost for the CSSP certification varies depending on which level you are pursuing. For the Foundational level, the cost is $1,500; for the Intermediate level it is $2,000; and for the Advanced level it is $2,500.

7. Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE)

Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) is a professional designation awarded by the Real Estate Negotiation Institute (RENI). It is designed to recognize real estate professionals who have achieved a high level of expertise in negotiation. To become certified, individuals must demonstrate their knowledge and skills in negotiation through an intensive two-day course and pass an exam.

The two-day course typically takes place over the course of two consecutive days, although it can be completed in one day if desired. During the course, participants learn about negotiation theory, techniques, strategies, and tactics that can be used to effectively negotiate real estate transactions. They also practice these techniques in simulated negotiations with other students. At the end of the course, participants must pass a written exam to become certified.

The cost of becoming CNE certified varies depending on where you take the course and what materials are included. Generally speaking, courses range from $1,000 to $2,500 USD for tuition and materials. Additional costs may include travel expenses if you need to attend an out-of-town class or certification fees if you plan on taking the exam online or at a testing center.

Once certified as a CNE, individuals will receive a certificate of completion that they can use to demonstrate their expertise in real estate negotiations to clients and colleagues. Additionally, they will be able to access exclusive resources such as webinars and newsletters that provide ongoing education on negotiation topics.

8. Certified Business Development Professional (CBDP)

Certified Business Development Professional (CBDP) is a professional certification that recognizes the expertise and commitment of business development professionals. It is designed to help business development professionals demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field of business development.

The CBDP certification requires passing an exam administered by the International Association for Business Development Professionals (IABDP). The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and covers topics such as strategy, marketing, finance, operations, and sales. To be eligible to take the exam, applicants must have at least two years of experience in business development or related fields.

The cost of the CBDP certification exam is $495 USD. The exam can be taken at one of IABDP's testing centers located around the world. Once you have successfully passed the exam, you will receive your CBDP certificate within 3-4 weeks.

The CBDP certification is valid for three years from the date it was issued. After this period has expired, you must renew your certification by taking a recertification examination every three years or completing 30 hours of continuing education credits every two years.

9. Certified Account Management Professional (CAMP)

Certified Account Management Professional (CAMP) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have achieved a high level of excellence in account management. The certification is offered by the American Association of Account Management (AAAM).

The CAMP program consists of three levels of certification: Certified Account Manager (CAM), Professional Account Manager (PAM), and Master Account Manager (MAM). To become certified, applicants must complete a series of courses, exams, and assessments.

The CAM certification requires applicants to complete two courses and pass an exam. The PAM certification requires applicants to complete four courses and pass an exam. The MAM certification requires applicants to complete six courses and pass an exam. All three certifications require applicants to demonstrate their knowledge by completing a series of assessments.

In total, it takes approximately nine months to earn the CAMP designation. However, the amount of time required may vary depending on the applicant's experience level and prior knowledge.

To get certified, applicants must first register for the CAMP program on the AAAM website. After registering, they will be given access to course materials and assessment tools that will help them prepare for the exams and assessments required for each level of certification.

The cost of the CAMP program varies depending on which level of certification is being sought. For example, the cost for CAM certification is $495 while PAM costs $795 and MAM costs $995.

10. Certified Customer Service Representative (CCSR)

Certified Customer Service Representative (CCSR) is a certification program offered by the International Customer Service Association (ICSA). This certification is designed to demonstrate an individual’s commitment to customer service excellence and their understanding of customer service best practices.

To become certified, applicants must have at least two years of customer service experience and pass a comprehensive exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as customer service fundamentals, communication techniques, problem solving, and conflict resolution.

The cost of the CCSR certification program varies depending on the type of membership chosen. A basic membership costs $99 and includes access to study materials, practice exams, and discounts on ICSA products and services. An advanced membership costs $199 and includes all the benefits of the basic membership plus additional resources such as webinars, online courses, and personalized coaching.

It typically takes between three months to one year to successfully complete the CCSR certification program.

Do You Really Need a Outside Sales Representative Certificate?

No, you do not need an outside sales representative certificate to become a successful outside sales representative. While having an outside sales representative certificate may provide you with some credibility and recognition in the field, it is not necessary for success.

The most important factor for success as an outside sales representative is having a strong knowledge of your product or service and the ability to effectively communicate with customers. This requires good interpersonal skills, such as being able to read people’s needs and adapt your communication style accordingly. It also involves understanding the customer’s industry, their decision-making process, and how to close deals.

Other important factors include having an organized approach to prospecting and following up with potential customers; having a good understanding of pricing strategies; and possessing good problem-solving skills. These are all skills that can be developed over time through experience and practice. Furthermore, networking within the industry can help build relationships that lead to additional business opportunities.

In conclusion, while having an outside sales representative certificate may be beneficial in certain circumstances, it is not essential for success in this role. What matters most is developing the right set of skills, building relationships with key people in the industry, and being able to effectively communicate with customers.

Related: Outside Sales Representative Resume Examples

FAQs About Outside Sales Representative Certifications

1. What is an Outside Sales Representative Certification?

Answer: An Outside Sales Representative Certification is a professional designation that provides certification of a salesperson’s skills and knowledge in the field of outside sales. It demonstrates the individual’s ability to effectively interact with customers, demonstrate product knowledge, and understand the industry.

2. What are the benefits of an Outside Sales Representative Certification?

Answer: An Outside Sales Representative Certification provides recognition from employers and customers of your expertise in the field of outside sales, as well as providing professional development opportunities for career advancement. It also offers networking opportunities with other professionals in the industry which can help generate more business for you or your organization.

3. How do I become certified as an Outside Sales Representative?

Answer: To become certified as an Outside Sales Representative, you must complete a training program approved by an accredited institution such as a college or university, or through a professional certification program offered by a recognized organization such as the National Association of Professional Salespeople (NAPS). You must also pass an exam administered by NAPS to demonstrate your knowledge and skills in outside sales.

4. Is there any continuing education required for my certification?

Answer: Yes, depending on your particular certification program, there may be continuing education requirements to maintain your certification status. These requirements vary from program to program but typically include attending workshops or seminars related to outside sales topics or earning additional certifications related to outside sales topics.

5. Does my certification expire?

Answer: Yes, most certifications have expiration dates associated with them which require renewal every few years in order to maintain valid status. It is important to check with your particular certification provider regarding their specific renewal requirements so that you can stay up-to-date on all necessary training and credentials needed for continued success in outside sales work.