Top 11 Part Time Sales Associate Certifications

Certifications are important for any job, but especially for a part time sales associate. They demonstrate to potential employers that the applicant is knowledgeable and competent in the areas they are certified in, which can be critical when it comes to making sales. Certifications show that an individual has taken the initiative to invest in their professional development and improve their skillset, making them a valuable asset to any employer. Additionally, certifications often come with additional benefits such as discounts on certain products or services, which can help the sales associate close more deals.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Part Time Sales Associates and explain how they can help to advance a part time sales associate's career.

What are Part Time Sales Associate Certifications?

Part time sales associate certification is a certification designed to help part time sales associates acquire the skills necessary to be successful in their roles. This certification typically covers topics such as customer service, product knowledge, communication, sales techniques, and even marketing strategies. By becoming certified, part time sales associates can demonstrate their commitment to providing excellent customer service and improving their knowledge of the products they are selling.

In addition to boosting confidence and credibility among customers, part time sales associate certification can also provide a number of benefits for employers. For example, it can help employers ensure that their employees are up-to-date on the latest product information and industry trends. It can also make it easier for employers to identify qualified candidates when hiring new employees or promoting existing ones. Moreover, certified part time sales associates may be more likely to stay with an organization longer than those who don't have any formal training or certifications in this area.

Overall, part time sales associate certification can be a valuable asset both for individuals looking to enhance their professional development and for employers seeking to improve customer service standards within their organization.

Pro Tip: When working as a part-time sales associate, don't forget to keep your certifications up to date. Taking refresher courses or attending seminars can help you stay on top of the latest trends and techniques in sales. This will ensure that you are providing the best customer service possible.

Related: What does a Part Time Sales Associate do?

Top 11 Part Time Sales Associate Certifications

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

1. Salesforce Certified Sales Cloud Consultant

Salesforce Certified Sales Cloud Consultant is a certification program offered by Salesforce, the world’s leading customer relationship management (CRM) platform. The certification is designed to demonstrate an individual's expertise in using and implementing the Sales Cloud solution. It validates a professional's ability to design, configure, and manage Sales Cloud applications for their organization.

The program requires candidates to pass two exams: the Salesforce Certified Administrator exam and the Salesforce Certified Advanced Administrator exam. The exams are administered online and can be taken at any time. Candidates must score at least 65% on each exam to pass.

The cost of the certification varies depending on which country you are taking the exam in, but typically costs around $200 USD per exam. The total cost of both exams is approximately $400 USD. It usually takes between one and two months to complete both exams, depending on how much time you have available for studying.

To get certified, candidates must first register for an account with Salesforce and then purchase access to the certification exams through their website or through a third-party provider like Udemy or Coursera. After registering for an account, candidates will need to study for the exams by reading official documentation from Salesforce or taking practice tests provided by third-party providers. Once they feel ready, they can schedule their exams with Prometric or Pearson VUE testing centers located around the world.

2. HubSpot Inbound Sales Certification

HubSpot Inbound Sales Certification is a certification program designed to help sales professionals learn how to use inbound marketing strategies to close more deals. The certification consists of eight online courses and one exam, which takes approximately three hours to complete. To get the certification, you must first complete all eight courses, then take and pass the exam with a score of 80% or higher. The cost of the certification varies depending on your country and whether or not you are already a HubSpot customer. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $299-$499 USD.

3. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales Professional Certification

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales Professional Certification is a certification program designed to help sales professionals gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their roles. The certification is offered by Microsoft and is based on the Dynamics 365 platform.

The certification consists of two exams: MB-200: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement Core, and MB-210: Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales. Both exams must be completed in order to obtain the certification.

The MB-200 exam covers topics such as customer engagement, marketing automation, sales automation, service automation, business process flows, security & privacy, analytics & reporting, and more. The MB-210 exam focuses on sales processes including lead management, opportunity management, product configuration and pricing, customer relationship management (CRM), forecasting & budgeting, and more.

The exams typically take between 2-3 hours each to complete. To get the certification you must pass both exams with a minimum score of 70%.

The cost of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales Professional Certification varies depending on where you take the exams. Generally it costs around $165 USD per exam plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam at a testing center or online proctoring service.

4. Oracle Retail Point-of-Sale (POS) Associate Certification

Oracle Retail Point-of-Sale (POS) Associate Certification is an industry-recognized certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of retail professionals who work with Oracle Retail Point-of-Sale (POS) systems. This certification is designed for those who have a basic understanding of Oracle Retail POS, including its features, functions, and capabilities. It is intended to demonstrate the successful completion of a comprehensive training program that includes both classroom and hands-on experience.

The Oracle Retail Point-of-Sale (POS) Associate Certification requires passing a single exam, which can be completed online or in person at an authorized testing center. The exam consists of multiple choice questions that cover topics such as product setup, customer service, inventory management, and reporting. The exam typically takes two hours to complete and costs $125 USD per attempt.

In order to become certified, candidates must first complete the required training courses offered by Oracle or through an approved partner organization. These courses are typically offered in both classroom and virtual formats and cover topics such as installation, configuration, troubleshooting, maintenance, security best practices, and more. After completing the training courses, candidates must then pass the Oracle Retail Point-of-Sale (POS) Associate Certification exam in order to receive their certification.

Overall, obtaining the Oracle Retail Point-of-Sale (POS) Associate Certification can take anywhere from one week to several months depending on how much time you have available for studying and taking the exam. The cost of obtaining this certification varies depending on whether you choose to take the training courses through Oracle or through an approved partner organization.

5. Google Ads Search Advertising Exam

Google Ads Search Advertising Exam is a certification exam that tests your knowledge of Google Ads search advertising. It covers topics such as campaign setup, optimization, reporting, and best practices. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes about 120 minutes to complete.

To get the certification, you must first sign up for the exam by creating a Google Ads account. Once you have an account, you can register for the exam through the Academy for Ads website. You will need to pay a fee of $50 USD in order to take the exam.

Once you have registered for the exam, you will be provided with study materials and access to practice exams to help prepare you for the actual test. After studying and completing practice exams, you will be ready to take the actual exam.

The Google Ads Search Advertising Exam is designed to assess your knowledge of search advertising principles and best practices on Google Ads. Passing this exam allows you to demonstrate your proficiency in search advertising and become certified in this field.

6. Adobe Digital Marketing Suite Professional Certification

Adobe Digital Marketing Suite Professional Certification is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates a professional’s ability to use the Adobe Digital Marketing Suite of products. It is a comprehensive program designed to help professionals develop and demonstrate their expertise in digital marketing, including web analytics, search engine optimization, social media marketing, content management, and more.

The Adobe Digital Marketing Suite Professional Certification requires successful completion of three courses: Introduction to Digital Marketing, Advanced Digital Marketing Strategies, and Adobe Analytics. The courses are offered online or in-person at select locations. Each course takes approximately 10 hours to complete.

To get certified, you must pass all three courses with a score of 70% or higher. After successfully completing the courses, you will receive your official certificate from Adobe.

The cost of the certification varies depending on the format selected (online or in-person). The online version costs $1,200 USD while the in-person version costs $2,500 USD.

7. SAP Sales and Distribution (SD) Associate Certification

SAP Sales and Distribution (SD) Associate Certification is a certification program offered by SAP that validates the knowledge and skills of professionals in the area of sales and distribution. It is designed for individuals who have a basic understanding of the SAP SD module, including its functionality and configuration.

The certification exam consists of 80 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as pricing, billing, delivery, transportation, sales orders, and more. The exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

In order to get certified, you must first register with SAP Education Services and then purchase an exam voucher from them. The cost of the exam voucher varies depending on your country or region. Generally speaking, it costs around $400 USD for the exam voucher alone. In addition to this fee, there may also be additional fees associated with taking the certification exam at an authorized test center or online proctored environment.

Once you have purchased an exam voucher from SAP Education Services, you can schedule an appointment to take the certification exam at one of their authorized test centers or online proctored environment. Upon successful completion of the certification exam, you will receive a digital badge from SAP that verifies your achievement as an SAP Sales and Distribution (SD) Associate Certified Professional.

8. Apple Certified Sales Professional (ACSP) Certification

Apple Certified Sales Professional (ACSP) certification is a professional certification program offered by Apple Inc. to recognize sales professionals who have demonstrated their knowledge and expertise in selling Apple products and services. The ACSP certification is designed to help sales professionals become more knowledgeable, better equipped, and more successful in selling Apple products.

The ACSP certification program consists of two courses: the Sales Fundamentals course and the Product Professional course. The Sales Fundamentals course covers topics such as customer service, product knowledge, understanding customer needs, and sales process fundamentals. The Product Professional course covers topics such as product features, technical specifications, troubleshooting techniques, and customer support.

The entire ACSP certification program takes approximately 10-12 hours to complete and can be completed online or in person at an Apple Authorized Training Center. To get certified, you must pass both courses with a score of 80% or higher.

The cost of the ACSP certification program varies depending on your location and training center. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $400-$500 USD for both courses combined.

9. International Customer Service Association (ICSA) Certified Sales Associate

The International Customer Service Association (ICSA) Certified Sales Associate is a certification program for sales professionals. The certification is designed to help sales associates develop and demonstrate their knowledge of customer service and sales techniques. It also provides them with an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to customer service excellence.

The ICSA Certified Sales Associate program consists of two parts: the online coursework and the in-person assessment. The online coursework covers topics such as customer service, communication, problem-solving, selling techniques, and more. The in-person assessment includes a written test, role play scenarios, and a practical demonstration of skills.

It typically takes 6-8 weeks to complete the ICSA Certified Sales Associate program. To get certified, you must first complete the online coursework and then pass the in-person assessment with a score of at least 80%.

The cost of the ICSA Certified Sales Associate program varies depending on your location and other factors. Generally speaking, it typically costs around $500-$600 USD for the entire program.

10. National Retail Federation (NRF) Professional Retailer Certificate

The National Retail Federation (NRF) Professional Retailer Certificate is a professional certification program for retail professionals. It provides recognition of the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the retail industry. The certificate is designed to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of retailing and provide an opportunity for individuals to gain recognition as a retail professional.

The NRF Professional Retailer Certificate is achieved through completing five courses, which can be taken online or in person. The five courses are: Introduction to Retailing, Merchandising, Store Operations, Customer Service, and Leadership & Management. Each course takes approximately four hours to complete and can be completed at your own pace.

To receive the NRF Professional Retailer Certificate you must pass all five courses with a score of 70% or higher on each exam. Once you have passed all five exams you will receive an official certificate from the NRF that recognizes your achievement as a professional retailer.

The cost of the NRF Professional Retailer Certificate varies depending on whether you take the courses online or in person. Online courses range from $99-$149 per course while in-person courses range from $299-$349 per course.

Overall, obtaining the NRF Professional Retailer Certificate is an excellent way for individuals to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the retail industry and gain recognition as a professional retailer.

11. Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)

Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate a high level of expertise in the field of supply management. It is an internationally recognized certification that is highly sought after by employers.

The CPSM program consists of three levels: Foundation, Advanced and Expert. Each level requires passing an exam and completing a certain number of hours of continuing education. The Foundation Level requires passing an exam and completing 20 hours of continuing education. The Advanced Level requires passing two exams and completing 40 hours of continuing education. The Expert Level requires passing three exams and completing 60 hours of continuing education.

To get the CPSM certification, you must first become a member of ISM and then complete the required exams and continuing education courses. You can take the exams at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through ISM's website.

The cost for becoming certified varies depending on your membership status with ISM, but it typically ranges from $1,000 to $2,500 for all three levels combined.

Do You Really Need a Part Time Sales Associate Certificate?

No, you do not need a part time sales associate certificate to become a part time sales associate. While such certificates may be necessary for some positions, many employers are willing to hire people with no formal education or experience in the field. However, having a certificate can help demonstrate your commitment to working in sales and provide evidence of your skills and knowledge.

A certificate might also qualify you for specific job opportunities that require more specialized training than what is provided through general education courses. Additionally, if you plan on pursuing a career in sales, having a certificate may give you an edge over other applicants who don’t have one.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a part time sales associate certificate depends on the type of job you are applying for and the requirements of the employer. If it is something that is required for the position you are interested in, then it would be beneficial to pursue the certification. Otherwise, it may still be worth considering if you feel like it would give you an advantage when competing for jobs.

Related: Part Time Sales Associate Resume Examples

FAQs About Part Time Sales Associate Certifications

1. What is a Part Time Sales Associate Certification?

Answer: A Part Time Sales Associate Certification is a certification that provides the necessary training and knowledge to become an effective sales associate in a retail setting. It covers topics such as customer service, product knowledge, sales techniques, and communication skills.

2. Who should pursue this certification?

Answer: The certification is ideal for those looking to enter the retail industry or those already working in the field who want to enhance their skills. It can also benefit individuals looking to advance their career in sales and marketing.

3. How long does it take to complete the certification?

Answer: The duration of the program depends on the individual's learning speed, but it typically takes between four to six weeks to complete all the coursework and exams associated with the certification.

4. Are there any prerequisites for taking this certification?

Answer: Generally speaking, there are no prerequisites required for taking this certification; however, some providers may require applicants to have basic computer skills or knowledge of retail operations before enrolling in their program.

5. How much does it cost to obtain this certification?

Answer: The cost of obtaining a Part Time Sales Associate Certification varies depending on which provider you choose and what type of materials you need for your coursework (e-books, workbooks, etc.). Generally speaking, prices range from $200-$500 USD depending on factors such as program length and materials needed.