Top 10 Product Consultant Certifications

Certifications are important for product consultants in the job market because they demonstrate a level of proficiency and expertise in their field. They also help to build credibility and trustworthiness with potential employers, as certifications show that the consultant has made an effort to stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices. Certifications can also give a product consultant an edge over other applicants, as it shows that they have taken the initiative to invest in their own education and development. Finally, certifications can open up new opportunities by providing access to networks of professionals who may be able to provide additional resources or job leads.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Product Consultants and explain how they can help propel a product consultant's career.

What are Product Consultant Certifications?

Product Consultant Certification is a formalized training program that helps individuals gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful product consultants. Product Consultants are professionals who help organizations develop, launch, and manage products and services. They provide strategic guidance on product development, pricing, marketing, sales, customer service, and other areas related to product success.

Product Consultant Certification provides comprehensive education in the fundamentals of product management and consulting. It covers topics such as project management, market research, product design, pricing strategies, competitive analysis, customer segmentation, product launches and more. The certification also offers specialized courses in various industries such as software development or retail operations.

By obtaining a Product Consultant Certification an individual will have the necessary tools to successfully advise organizations on how to improve their products and services. With this certification an individual can demonstrate to employers that they have a deep understanding of the processes involved in successfully launching products into the marketplace. Further it can provide them with the qualifications needed to transition from their current role into one of higher responsibility within a company’s product team or department.

Pro Tip: When considering a product consultant certification, look for programs that are accredited or certified by a professional organization in the industry. This will ensure that you are receiving the highest quality training and education, as well as being able to demonstrate your expertise to potential employers.

Related: What does a Product Consultant do?

Top 10 Product Consultant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Product Consultants today.

1. Certified Professional Product Manager (CPPM)

Certified Professional Product Manager (CPPM) is a certification program designed to provide product managers with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully manage products. It is offered by the International Institute of Product Management (IIPM). The CPPM certification program consists of four courses: Product Strategy, Product Lifecycle Management, Product Design, and Product Launch. Each course is designed to equip product managers with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage products in today’s competitive market.

The CPPM certification requires completion of all four courses within a two-year period. Upon successful completion of all four courses, individuals are awarded the CPPM certification. The cost for the entire program is $2,950 USD.

In order to get certified as a CPPM, individuals must first complete an application form and submit it along with their resume and proof of employment in a product management role. Once accepted into the program, individuals must then complete all four courses within the two-year period in order to be awarded the CPPM certification.

2. Certified Product Marketing Manager (CPMM)

Certified Product Marketing Manager (CPMM) is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills required to effectively manage product marketing programs. The CPMM certification program is designed to help professionals become more effective in their role as product marketers and better understand the complexities of the product marketing process.

The CPMM certification program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete, depending on the individual's learning style. The exam is administered by a third-party organization, such as Prometric or Pearson VUE, and requires a passing score of 80% or higher.

In order to be eligible for the CPMM certification program, individuals must have at least two years of experience in product marketing or related fields. Additionally, they must possess a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in business, marketing, or a related field.

The cost for the Certified Product Marketing Manager (CPMM) program varies depending on the provider offering it, but typically ranges from $600-$1000 USD.

3. Certified Product Owner (CPO)

Certified Product Owner (CPO) is a professional certification program offered by the Scrum Alliance, an international organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the use of Scrum. The CPO certification is designed to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge and experience in product ownership, which involves working with stakeholders to define and prioritize features for software products.

The CPO certification requires applicants to pass a two-part exam. The first part consists of multiple-choice questions that test the applicant’s understanding of product ownership concepts and practices. The second part consists of an online practical assessment that evaluates the applicant’s ability to apply product ownership principles in real-world scenarios.

In order to become certified, applicants must complete both parts of the exam within one year of registering for the program. Applicants who successfully complete both parts will receive their CPO certificate.

The cost of the CPO certification program varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of the Scrum Alliance. For members, it costs $495 USD; for non-members, it costs $595 USD.

4. Certified Product Strategist (CPS)

Certified Product Strategist (CPS) is a professional certification offered by the Association of International Product Marketing and Management (AIPMM). It is designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated expertise in product management and product marketing. The certification covers topics such as product strategy, customer segmentation, competitive analysis, pricing models, market research, and product lifecycle management.

The CPS certification requires passing an online exam that consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. The exam can be taken at any time; however, it must be completed within 120 minutes. To prepare for the exam, AIPMM offers a variety of study materials including practice exams, webinars, and tutorials.

To become certified as a CPS, you must meet certain eligibility requirements which include having at least three years of experience in product management or product marketing and having a bachelor’s degree or higher in business or related field. You must also be a member of AIPMM and pay the associated membership fees.

The cost to take the CPS exam is $395 USD for AIPMM members and $495 USD for non-members. This fee includes access to the online exam as well as study materials provided by AIPMM.

5. Certified Agile Product Manager (CAPM)

Certified Agile Product Manager (CAPM) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to manage product development in an agile environment. This certification is offered by the Scrum Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the use of Scrum in software development.

The CAPM certification requires candidates to demonstrate their understanding of agile principles and practices through an online assessment. The assessment consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as agile project management, product ownership, user stories, sprint planning, retrospectives, and more. Candidates must pass the assessment with a score of 70% or higher in order to receive their certification.

It typically takes around 4-6 weeks for candidates to complete the assessment and receive their CAPM certification. However, this timeline can vary depending on how quickly you are able to study for and complete the assessment.

In order to get your CAPM certification, you must first register with the Scrum Alliance and pay a fee of $200 USD. This fee covers all costs associated with taking the assessment including registration fees and any additional materials needed for studying. Once you’ve registered and paid your fee, you will be given access to the exam material which includes practice tests as well as access to online forums where you can ask questions about specific topics related to the exam.

Once you have completed your studies and feel ready for the exam, you can then schedule your online assessment at a time that works best for you. After completing your assessment successfully, you will receive your CAPM certificate within 4-6 weeks from when you took your exam.

6. Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) is a certification program designed to help individuals learn and demonstrate their knowledge of the Scrum framework. It is a two-day course that provides an in-depth look at the roles, responsibilities, and activities of a Scrum Product Owner. The CSPO certification is offered by the Scrum Alliance, an international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the use of Scrum.

The CSPO program consists of two parts: an online learning module and a two-day classroom training session. The online learning module covers the basics of the Scrum framework, including roles, principles, artifacts, and events. After completing the online module, participants attend a two-day classroom training session which focuses on practical application of the concepts learned in the online module. At the end of this session participants take a multiple choice exam to test their knowledge and receive their Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) certificate upon successful completion.

The cost for taking the CSPO certification course varies depending on location but generally ranges between $1,000 - $2,000 USD. The cost includes access to all materials required for both parts of the certification process as well as membership to the Scrum Alliance.

7. Certified Lean Product Manager (CLPM)

Certified Lean Product Manager (CLPM) is a certification program designed to equip product managers with the skills and knowledge needed to develop successful products in today’s competitive market. The CLPM certification is offered by the Lean Product Management Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing best practices for product management.

The CLPM certification requires applicants to complete an online course that covers topics such as customer discovery, lean product development, agile methodology, product roadmaps, and more. The course takes approximately 16 hours to complete and includes both lectures and hands-on exercises. Upon completion of the course, applicants must pass a final exam in order to receive their certification.

The cost of the CLPM certification is $399 USD. This fee covers the cost of the online course materials, access to the online community forum, and one year of membership in the Lean Product Management Institute.

Overall, obtaining a Certified Lean Product Manager (CLPM) certification can provide product managers with valuable skills that can help them develop successful products more efficiently and effectively.

8. Salesforce Certified Product Consultant

Salesforce Certified Product Consultant is a certification for those who are proficient in the Salesforce platform and have the necessary skills to advise customers on how to best use the platform. It is designed for professionals who are responsible for providing technical guidance and product expertise to customers.

It typically takes about 2-3 months of studying and preparation to become certified as a Salesforce Certified Product Consultant. The exam consists of 60 multiple choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. Candidates must score at least 65% on the exam in order to pass.

To get certified, you must first register and pay for the exam through the Salesforce website. Once you have registered, you can access study materials such as practice exams, study guides, and webinars to help you prepare for the exam. After completing your studies, you can then schedule your exam date with Pearson VUE, an authorized testing center.

The cost of becoming a Salesforce Certified Product Consultant varies depending on where you take the exam and what type of package you purchase (e.g., self-study or instructor-led). Generally speaking, it costs around $200-$400 USD for the exam alone.

9. Oracle Certified Associate, Oracle Products

Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) is an entry-level certification offered by Oracle that validates a candidate’s knowledge and skills in the Oracle products. The OCA certification is designed to give IT professionals a basic understanding of the Oracle products and how they work together. It covers topics such as installation, configuration, and management of Oracle databases, as well as basic SQL query language.

The OCA certification typically takes about two months to complete. Candidates must pass a series of exams to earn the certification. The exams cover topics such as database administration, SQL fundamentals, and other related topics.

To get the OCA certification, you must first register for the exam online at the Oracle website. Once registered, you can purchase practice tests from third-party vendors or take self-paced online courses to prepare for the exam. After passing all required exams, you will be awarded your OCA certification.

The cost of getting an OCA certification varies depending on which exams you are taking and where you are taking them from. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere between $200 and $1000 to get certified depending on your location and chosen exams.

10. Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement Core Solutions

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement Core Solutions is a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) platform that helps businesses build relationships with customers, manage sales and marketing activities, and track performance. It provides tools to capture customer data, automate processes, and gain insights into customer behavior.

It takes approximately one business day to get started with Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement Core Solutions. To get started, you need to purchase a subscription plan from the Microsoft website. There are several plans available depending on your needs and budget. The cost of the plans varies based on the features included in each plan. For example, the basic version of the software starts at $50 per user per month.

Once you have purchased your subscription plan, you will be able to access all of the features of Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement Core Solutions such as customer segmentation, contact management, lead management, sales automation, marketing automation, analytics and reporting. You can also integrate it with other applications such as Outlook or Office 365 to further enhance its capabilities.

Do You Really Need a Product Consultant Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your goals and aspirations. If you want to pursue a career in product consulting, then having a product consultant certificate can be beneficial. It can provide you with the education and skills necessary to become an effective product consultant.

Having a product consultant certificate may also help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs and increase your chances of getting hired. Employers often look for candidates who have completed specialized courses or certificates in their field, as it demonstrates that they are knowledgeable about the industry and have taken the initiative to further their professional development.

However, if you are simply interested in learning more about product consulting but don’t plan on pursuing a career in the field, then obtaining a product consultant certificate may not be necessary. You can still educate yourself on the subject by reading books or taking online courses without needing to invest time and money into completing an official certification program.

Related: Product Consultant Resume Examples

FAQs About Product Consultant Certifications

1. What is a product consultant certification?

Answer: A product consultant certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual has the knowledge and skills to provide advice and guidance on the development and implementation of a product or service. It typically requires passing an exam, completing courses, and gaining experience in the field.

2. What are the benefits of having a product consultant certification?

Answer: Having a product consultant certification can help demonstrate expertise in the field and provide credibility to potential employers or clients. Additionally, it can open up opportunities for career advancement and higher salaries.

3. What qualifications do I need to become a certified product consultant?

Answer: Requirements vary by program, but typically include passing an exam, completing related courses, and having significant work experience in the field.

4. How long does it take to become certified as a product consultant?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become certified depends on the individual's experience level and how quickly they complete required requirements such as exams and courses. Generally speaking, it will take several months to gain all the necessary credentials for certification.

5. Is there ongoing training required after becoming certified as a product consultant?

Answer: Yes, most certifications require individuals to participate in continuing education activities such as seminars or workshops in order to maintain their certification status.