Top 11 Payment Processor Certifications

Certifications are important for a payment processor in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge that is necessary for the position. They provide proof that the candidate has the skills and qualifications needed to do the job effectively. Certifications also show potential employers that the individual is committed to staying up-to-date with industry standards and best practices, ensuring that payment processing operations run smoothly and securely. Additionally, certifications can help payment processors stand out among their peers when applying for positions, as they provide evidence of their commitment to their profession.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Payment Processors and explain how they can help further a payment processor's career.

What are Payment Processor Certifications?

Payment processor certification is a process in which a payment processor is tested and certified to ensure that it meets the highest standards of security, reliability, and performance. Payment processor certification helps protect businesses from fraud and other risks associated with processing payments. It also helps ensure that payments are processed quickly and securely, providing customers with an optimal payment experience. Additionally, payment processor certification can help businesses gain customer trust by showing that they are committed to protecting customer data and complying with industry regulations. As such, payment processor certification can be an important factor in helping businesses increase sales, attract new customers, and build brand loyalty.

Pro Tip: Before signing up for a payment processor, make sure to check their certification status. Not all payment processors are certified by the same organizations and it's important to be sure that your provider is compliant with the necessary regulations. This can help ensure your customers' data is safe and secure.

Related: What does a Payment Processor do?

Top 11 Payment Processor Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Payment Processors today.

1. PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard)

Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is an information security standard for organizations that handle branded credit cards from the major card brands such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and JCB. The standard was created to increase controls around cardholder data to reduce credit card fraud.

The PCI DSS is a multifaceted security standard that includes requirements for security management, policies, procedures, network architecture, software design and other critical protective measures. It is designed to help organizations proactively protect customer account data.

It typically takes several months to become PCI compliant depending on the size and complexity of your organization. The process involves completing a self-assessment questionnaire (SAQ), implementing technical and organizational measures to address any gaps in compliance, and having an independent third-party assessor validate the implementation of those measures.

Getting PCI DSS certified can be expensive depending on the size of your organization and the scope of work required. Costs typically include fees for an external QSA (Qualified Security Assessor) to conduct an audit or assessment as well as any necessary hardware or software upgrades or changes needed to meet the standard’s requirements.

2. EMV (Europay, Mastercard, and Visa)

EMV (Europay, Mastercard, and Visa) is a global standard for payment cards based on chip technology. It is designed to make payments more secure by reducing fraud and increasing authentication of cardholders. EMV cards contain an embedded microchip that holds information about the cardholder’s account. This chip generates a unique code for each transaction, making it difficult for criminals to use stolen or counterfeit cards.

It typically takes up to three weeks for a merchant to get their EMV-enabled terminals set up and ready for customers. The process involves ordering the necessary hardware from the terminal provider, setting up the software, and testing the system before going live. Depending on the provider, merchants may also need to complete additional steps such as registering with the credit card company or signing a contract.

The cost of implementing EMV varies depending on the type of hardware you need and your provider’s fees. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay anywhere from $100-$500 just for the hardware itself, plus any additional fees charged by your payment processor or terminal provider.

Overall, implementing EMV is an important step towards protecting your business from fraud and ensuring customer satisfaction. While there are upfront costs associated with getting set up, it’s an investment that will pay off in increased security and customer loyalty in the long run.

3. Apple Pay Certification

Apple Pay Certification is a program offered by Apple to help developers create apps that are capable of accepting payments through Apple Pay. It is designed to ensure that the app meets all of Apple’s requirements for security, privacy, and usability.

The certification process typically takes up to two weeks and involves testing the app against Apple’s standards. This includes ensuring that the app is secure and compliant with Apple’s payment processing guidelines. The developer must also submit their app for review by Apple before it can be approved for use with Apple Pay.

To get certified, developers must first register their app with the App Store Connect portal. They then need to complete an online form that requires information about their app, such as its name and description, as well as contact information for the developer or company responsible for it. Once this form is submitted, Apple will review it and provide feedback on any changes needed before they approve it for use with Apple Pay.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on the complexity of the app and how many features it offers. Generally speaking, however, most developers can expect to pay anywhere from $99-$499 USD in order to get certified by Apple.

4. Google Pay Certification

Google Pay Certification is a program that allows developers to create applications for Google Pay, the payment service from Google. It provides developers with the tools and resources they need to build secure and reliable payment experiences for their users.

The certification process typically takes around 4-6 weeks to complete, depending on the complexity of the application. To get certified, developers must submit an application that includes detailed information about their product and its features. The application will be reviewed by Google’s team of experts who will assess the security, reliability, and usability of the product before granting certification.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on the type of product being developed. Generally speaking, it costs between $500-$1000 to get certified by Google Pay. This fee covers all associated costs such as testing, development support, and technical assistance during the certification process.

Once certified, developers can start building applications for Google Pay that are secure and reliable for their users. They will also benefit from access to new features and updates as they become available from Google.

5. Amazon Pay Certification

Amazon Pay Certification is an online certification program offered by Amazon to help merchants better understand the Amazon Pay platform and its features. This certification helps merchants gain a deeper understanding of how to use the Amazon Pay platform, including best practices for setting up accounts, managing transactions, and using the various tools available.

The certification process typically takes around two hours to complete and consists of a series of multiple-choice questions. The questions are designed to assess the merchant’s knowledge of the Amazon Pay platform and its features. Upon completion of the certification exam, merchants will receive a certificate that can be used as proof of their understanding of the platform.

To get certified with Amazon Pay, merchants must first register for an account on the Amazon Developer Portal. Once registered, they will then need to complete a series of steps in order to set up their account and access the certification exam. After completing these steps, merchants can take the exam at any time from anywhere with an internet connection.

The cost for taking the certification exam is $99 USD per attempt.

6. PayPal Pro Certification

PayPal Pro Certification is a program offered by PayPal that allows merchants to securely accept credit card payments on their websites. It provides merchants with the ability to process payments directly from customers' credit cards, without requiring them to enter their payment information into a third-party payment processor.

The certification process takes approximately two weeks and requires merchants to complete an online application and provide documentation such as bank statements, tax returns, and other financial documents. Once approved, merchants will receive a unique merchant ID number which will be used for all future transactions.

In order to get certified, merchants must meet certain requirements such as having an active PayPal account, providing proof of identity and address, and having a valid SSL certificate installed on their website. Additionally, they must have a valid merchant account with an approved payment processor such as Authorize.net or Stripe.

The cost of PayPal Pro Certification varies depending on the type of account you have with PayPal. For basic accounts it is free; however, for premium accounts there may be additional fees associated with the certification process.

7. Stripe Connect Certification

Stripe Connect Certification is a program designed to help businesses that use Stripe’s payment processing services to become certified as a trusted partner. The certification process involves completing an online application and passing a series of tests.

The Stripe Connect Certification process begins with the completion of an online application. This application includes questions about the business’s current operations, its history, and its plans for the future. Once this information is submitted, Stripe will review it and determine whether or not the business meets their criteria for certification. If accepted, the business will then be invited to take part in the certification process.

The certification process consists of several tests that assess a business’s knowledge of Stripe’s payment processing services and its ability to use them effectively. These tests cover topics such as setting up accounts, understanding transaction fees, managing customer data, and more. The tests are designed to ensure that businesses understand how to properly use Stripe’s services in order to maximize their success.

The entire certification process typically takes around one week from start to finish. During this time, businesses must complete all of the necessary tests and submit any required documentation in order for their application to be approved. Once approved, businesses will receive their official Stripe Connect Certification badge which can be displayed on their website or other marketing materials.

There is no cost associated with obtaining Stripe Connect Certification; however, businesses may need to pay additional fees if they choose to upgrade their account or add additional features after receiving their certification badge.

8. Authorize.net Verified Merchant Seal

The Authorize.net Verified Merchant Seal is a trustmark that provides customers with an additional layer of confidence when making purchases from online merchants. It is designed to provide assurance that the merchant is using a secure payment gateway and has met certain security requirements.

It takes approximately two weeks to get the Verified Merchant Seal after submitting an application and passing the required security checks. To get the seal, you must be an active Authorize.net merchant account holder in good standing and have completed the necessary steps for PCI DSS compliance.

The cost to obtain the Verified Merchant Seal depends on your current level of PCI DSS compliance, but typically ranges from $99-$299 per year.

9. First Data Global Gateway Solutions Certified Partner Program

First Data Global Gateway Solutions Certified Partner Program is a program designed to help developers and merchants integrate with the First Data Global Gateway Solutions payment platform. This program provides access to tools, resources, and support to help developers and merchants quickly and easily integrate their applications or websites with the First Data Global Gateway Solutions.

To become a certified partner, developers must first register for an account with First Data. After registering, they can then apply for the certification program by completing an online application form. Once approved, they will receive access to the First Data developer portal which contains all of the necessary tools and resources needed to successfully integrate with the payment platform.

The certification process typically takes between 1-2 weeks depending on how quickly the application is processed. The cost of becoming a certified partner depends on which services you are looking to use from First Data. Generally speaking, there are no upfront costs associated with becoming a certified partner but some services may require additional fees or monthly subscription charges.

10. Sage Payment Solutions Certified Partner Program

The Sage Payment Solutions Certified Partner Program is a certification program designed to recognize and reward partners who have achieved a high level of expertise in the integration and deployment of Sage Payment Solutions. The program provides partners with access to exclusive resources, including technical support, product training, marketing materials, and more.

To become a certified partner, you must first complete the Sage Payment Solutions Certification Exam. This exam covers topics such as security, integration, and deployment of Sage Payment Solutions products. Once you pass the exam, you will be awarded a certificate that verifies your knowledge and expertise in using Sage Payment Solutions products.

The certification process typically takes between two to four weeks to complete. To get started on the certification process, you must first contact your local Sage representative or visit the Sage website for more information.

The cost of becoming a certified partner varies depending on the type of partnership agreement you have with Sage. However, most basic partnerships require an initial fee of $500 plus any applicable taxes or fees. Additional fees may apply if you wish to receive additional benefits or services from Sage.

11. CyberSource Secure Acceptance Certificate

CyberSource Secure Acceptance Certificate is a digital certificate that provides secure, encrypted communication between a merchant and the CyberSource payment gateway. It ensures that sensitive customer information is protected during the transaction process. The certificate also helps to authenticate the merchant’s identity.

The process of obtaining a CyberSource Secure Acceptance Certificate can take up to two weeks, depending on the merchant’s needs and requirements. To get started, merchants must first create an account with CyberSource. Then they must submit an application for a certificate and provide additional documentation as requested by CyberSource. Once all of the required information has been submitted, it will be reviewed by CyberSource and a certificate will be issued if everything is in order.

The cost of obtaining a CyberSource Secure Acceptance Certificate varies depending on the type of service needed and the level of security required. Generally speaking, it can range from $99 to $399 per year depending on the features selected and whether or not additional services such as fraud prevention are included.

Do You Really Need a Payment Processor Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the type of business you have. If you are running a retail business where customers come into your store or restaurant to purchase goods and services, then it is likely that you will need a payment processor certificate. This certificate shows that you are certified to accept payments from credit cards, debit cards, and other forms of electronic payment processing.

If you are running an online business, then the answer may be different. Many online businesses do not require a payment processor certificate because they use third-party payment processors such as PayPal or Stripe. These companies already have their own security measures in place for accepting payments securely, so you do not necessarily need to obtain a separate certificate. However, if you plan on processing payments directly through your website or app, then it is recommended that you obtain a payment processor certificate. This will ensure that your customer’s financial information is kept safe and secure while using your services.

Overall, whether or not you need a payment processor certificate depends on the type of business that you have and how customers pay for goods and services from your business. If your customers pay directly through your website or app, then obtaining a payment processor certificate would be beneficial in helping protect their financial information.

Related: Payment Processor Resume Examples

FAQs About Payment Processor Certifications

Q1: What is a payment processor certification?

A1: A payment processor certification is a formal recognition of an individual or organization’s ability to securely process and manage payments. It is issued by the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards Council, which sets the standards for securing payment data.

Q2: How do I get certified as a payment processor?

A2: To become certified as a payment processor, you must complete the PCI Data Security Standard (DSS) Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ), which requires organizations to submit evidence demonstrating their compliance with the requirements set out in the PCI DSS.

Q3: What documents do I need to provide for certification?

A3: Depending on the size of your organization and type of processing activities, you may need to provide documents such as policies and procedures, network diagrams, system configuration information, access control rules and audit logs.

Q4: How often do I need to renew my certification?

A4: Payment processor certifications typically need to be renewed annually. The renewal process involves providing updated documentation demonstrating continued compliance with the PCI DSS requirements.

Q5: Are there any other certifications that I should consider?

A5: In addition to PCI certification, many organizations also pursue ISO/IEC 27001 certification, which is an international standard for information security management systems. This provides independent assurance that your organization has implemented effective controls over its information security processes.