Top 10 Retail Sales Certifications

Certifications are important for retail sales in the job market because they demonstrate a level of professional competency and knowledge that can help applicants stand out from the competition. Having certifications can make a candidate more attractive to employers, as it shows that they have the skills and qualifications necessary for the position. Certifications also show commitment to learning and development, which can be attractive to employers looking for employees who are willing to invest in their own growth. Additionally, certifications often provide access to resources such as industry contacts and networks, which can be beneficial during job searches.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Retail Sales and explains how they can contribute to a retail salesperson's career advancement.

What are Retail Sales Certifications?

Retail sales certification is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the retail sales field. It is designed to equip retail sales professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their profession, as well as develop their technical and customer service abilities.

The certification program typically includes courses on topics such as customer service, store operations, merchandising, inventory management, marketing, and communication. The curriculum is designed to help retail sales professionals gain an understanding of the various aspects of the industry and how they interact in order to create effective customer experiences. Additionally, certification programs may also include training on new technologies or trends impacting the industry, such as e-commerce or mobile commerce.

Having a retail sales certification can benefit individuals in several ways. It can provide them with a competitive edge when applying for jobs within the industry or for promotions within their current organization. Additionally, it can demonstrate an individual’s commitment to learning and staying up-to-date with relevant trends and developments within the industry. Furthermore, having a certification can help build trust between customers and retailers since it shows that employees have been trained in best practices for customer service and product knowledge.

Pro Tip: Take the time to research and understand the requirements for retail sales certification in your area. This will help you to determine which certifications are most applicable to your current or desired job role, as well as provide you with a better understanding of the industry and its expectations.

Related: What does a Retail Sales do?

Top 10 Retail Sales Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Retail Saless today.

1. Certified Professional Retail Sales Associate (CPRSA)

Certified Professional Retail Sales Associate (CPRSA) is a professional certification program designed to recognize retail sales professionals who demonstrate excellence in their field. The CPRSA designation is awarded by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and expertise in retail sales.

It takes approximately one year to complete the certification process. To become certified, applicants must first complete an online application and pay an application fee. Once the application is approved, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as customer service, product knowledge, sales techniques, communication skills, and store operations. After passing the exam, applicants must also submit proof of at least two years of retail experience in order to receive their certification.

The cost for the CPRSA certification varies depending on the applicant’s NRF membership status. For non-members, the cost is $250; for members, it is $200. In addition to these fees, there may be additional costs associated with taking the exam or obtaining necessary materials or resources for study purposes.

2. Certified Retail Sales Professional (CRSP)

Certified Retail Sales Professional (CRSP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of retail sales professionals. The CRSP certification is offered by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and is recognized as a benchmark for excellence in retail sales.

To become certified, individuals must have at least one year of experience in retail sales and pass an exam administered by the NRF. The exam covers topics such as customer service, product knowledge, selling techniques, communication skills, problem solving, and business operations.

It takes approximately 6-8 weeks to complete the CRSP certification process. During this time, individuals must complete an online application form and submit payment for the exam fee. After submitting the application form and payment, individuals will receive an email confirming their registration for the exam.

The cost of taking the CRSP exam varies depending on whether or not you are a member of NRF. Non-members pay $250 while members pay $150. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with retaking the exam if necessary.

3. Certified Retail Manager (CRM)

Certified Retail Manager (CRM) is a professional certification program offered by the National Retail Federation (NRF). The CRM designation is designed to recognize retail professionals who have demonstrated knowledge and expertise in the retail industry. It is intended to help employers identify and hire qualified individuals for retail management positions.

To receive the CRM designation, an individual must complete a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as store operations, customer service, human resources, finance and marketing. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and is administered online or at designated testing centers. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least two years of full-time retail management experience or equivalent education and training.

The cost of taking the CRM exam varies depending on whether you take it online or at a testing center. The fee for taking the exam online is $200 while the fee for taking it at a testing center is $225. The cost includes all study materials and access to an online practice test prior to taking the actual exam.

The time it takes to get your CRM certification depends on how quickly you are able to complete the required coursework and pass the exam. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from six months to one year to become certified as a Certified Retail Manager (CRM).

4. National Retail Federation Certification (NRFC)

The National Retail Federation Certification (NRFC) is a professional certification program that provides recognition for individuals who demonstrate a high level of knowledge and expertise in the retail industry. The NRFC program is designed to help retail professionals develop their skills and stay current on best practices.

It typically takes about 6-8 weeks to complete the NRFC certification process. To get certified, you must first pass an online exam that covers topics such as merchandising, customer service, store operations, marketing, and more. After passing the exam, you will receive your official certificate from the National Retail Federation.

The cost of the NRFC certification varies depending on which type of certification you are seeking. A basic certification costs $99 while an advanced certification costs $149. The fees cover the cost of materials, exams, and administrative processes associated with certifying individuals.

To maintain your NRFC certification status, you must complete continuing education credits every two years to keep your knowledge up-to-date with industry trends and changes in technology.

5. Certified Customer Service Professional (CCSP)

Certified Customer Service Professional (CCSP) is a professional certification program that recognizes customer service professionals who demonstrate excellence in the field. The CCSP is offered by the International Customer Service Association (ICSA), an organization dedicated to promoting and advancing customer service excellence.

The CCSP certification requires applicants to have at least two years of customer service experience, as well as a passing score on the ICSA’s online exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as customer service principles, communication skills, problem-solving techniques, and technology applications. The exam can be taken online or in person at designated testing centers.

The cost for the CCSP certification varies depending on the type of membership you choose with ICSA. A basic membership costs $99 and includes access to study materials and practice tests, while a premium membership costs $249 and includes all of the benefits of a basic membership plus access to additional resources such as webinars and discounts on conferences and workshops.

It typically takes between three months and one year to complete the CCSP certification process, depending on how quickly you can pass the exam.

6. Certified Cash Manager (CCM)

Certified Cash Manager (CCM) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of cash management. The CCM program is administered by the Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM) and is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of cash management principles, practices, and strategies.

The CCM program consists of three parts: an online self-study course, an online exam, and a one-day workshop. The self-study course covers topics such as cash flow forecasting, budgeting, banking relationships, investments, risk management, accounts receivable/payable management and more. The online exam tests the knowledge gained from the self-study course and must be passed with a score of 80% or higher in order to receive the CCM designation.

The one-day workshop provides practical applications of the material covered in the self-study course and helps to prepare for the online exam. The workshop also includes case studies that help reinforce key concepts while providing real world examples.

It typically takes around 6 months to complete all three parts of the CCM program. To get started with the program you will need to register with ICPM and pay a fee which varies depending on your country/region but generally ranges from $500-$1000 USD.

7. Certified Merchandise Planner (CMP)

The Certified Merchandise Planner (CMP) is a professional certification program developed by the National Retail Federation (NRF). It is designed to provide retail professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively plan, manage, and execute merchandise strategies. The CMP program focuses on the core areas of merchandising: product assortment planning, inventory management, pricing strategy, visual merchandising, and customer service.

The CMP program consists of three components: an online self-study course, a one-day in-person workshop, and a final exam. The online self-study course is designed to provide an introduction to the core concepts of merchandise planning and management. The one-day in-person workshop provides hands-on instruction on how to apply these concepts in practice. Finally, the final exam tests your knowledge of all aspects of merchandise planning and management.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CMP program from start to finish. To get started with the CMP program you must first register for the online self-study course which costs $450 USD. Once you have completed this component you can then register for the one-day in-person workshop which costs an additional $250 USD. Finally, once you have successfully completed both components you can take the final exam which costs another $150 USD.

8. Professional in Retail Management (PRM)

Professional in Retail Management (PRM) is a certification program designed to help retail professionals develop the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the retail industry. The PRM certification is offered by the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA).

The PRM program consists of three levels: Associate, Professional, and Executive. Each level requires completion of a series of courses and exams that cover topics such as customer service, merchandising, operations, marketing, finance and accounting, human resources management, and more.

It typically takes 12-18 months to complete the PRM program depending on how quickly you are able to complete the coursework and exams. To get started with the PRM program you will need to register for an account on RILA's website. Once registered you can purchase access to the course materials for each level of the program.

The cost of the PRM program varies depending on which level you are registering for. The Associate level costs $1,495 while the Professional level costs $2,495 and the Executive level costs $3,995. All prices include access to course materials as well as exam fees.

9. Certified Visual Merchandiser (CVM)

Certified Visual Merchandiser (CVM) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and expertise in the field of visual merchandising. It is designed to help professionals understand the principles, techniques, and strategies of effective visual merchandising.

The CVM certification program typically takes between six months to one year to complete. The program consists of five courses: Visual Merchandising Fundamentals, Retail Store Layout and Design, Window Display Techniques, Visual Merchandising Strategies, and Retail Selling Strategies. Each course includes lectures, readings, assignments and exams.

To get certified as a CVM, you must first complete all five courses and pass the final exam with a score of 80% or higher. You must also submit a portfolio of your work for review by the certification board. Once you have completed all requirements for certification, you will receive your certificate from the International Visual Merchandising Association (IVMA).

The cost of becoming certified as a CVM varies depending on which institution you take the courses from. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $500-$2000 USD depending on where you take the courses and if there are any additional fees associated with them.

10. International Council of Shopping Centers Certification Program (ICSC-CP)

The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Certification Program (ICSC-CP) is a professional development program designed to provide shopping center professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the industry. The program provides an opportunity for individuals to gain a comprehensive understanding of the shopping center industry, including its history, trends, and operations.

The ICSC-CP consists of three courses: Introduction to Shopping Centers, Shopping Center Management & Development, and Shopping Center Marketing & Leasing. Each course is offered online or in-person and includes lectures, case studies, group discussions, and hands-on activities. The program also includes a final exam that must be passed in order to receive certification.

It typically takes six months to complete the ICSC-CP program. During this time, participants are expected to attend all classes and complete all assignments. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive their ICSC Certified Professional (ICSCP) designation.

To get started on the ICSC-CP program, individuals must first register for the courses through ICSC’s website or contact their local chapter for more information. The cost of the program varies depending on whether courses are taken online or in person; however, it typically ranges from $750-$2,000 USD per course.

Do You Really Need a Retail Sales Certificate?

When it comes to getting a job in retail sales, many employers require that applicants have a retail sales certificate. While this certificate may be beneficial in certain circumstances, it is not always necessary for those seeking work in the retail industry.

For those who wish to work in a specialty area of retail such as home furnishings or electronics, a specific certification may be required depending on the employer. However, for those looking for general positions such as cashier or customer service representative, having a retail sales certificate is not usually necessary.

Having knowledge of the products being sold and excellent customer service skills are usually more important than having a certificate. Employers often prefer to hire people who are able to demonstrate their ability to provide good customer service and understand the merchandise they will be selling. It is also important that candidates have an understanding of basic business principles such as inventory control and financial management.

In some cases, obtaining a retail sales certificate can help advance one’s career by providing additional education and training related to the specifics of working in the retail industry. The certificate may also give applicants an edge when competing for jobs against other candidates without any special qualifications or certifications.

Ultimately, whether or not someone needs a retail sales certificate depends on the type of job they are seeking and the specific requirements of their employer. For many positions in the industry, knowledge and experience will serve them better than any certification they could obtain.

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FAQs About Retail Sales Certifications

1. What is a retail sales certification?

Answer: A retail sales certification is a professional credential designed to demonstrate proficiency in the fundamentals of retail sales, such as customer service, product knowledge, and sales techniques.

2. Who should pursue a retail sales certification?

Answer: Retail sales certifications are ideal for individuals who work in or aspire to work in customer-facing roles, such as store managers, cashiers, and sales associates. The certification can also be beneficial for those looking to advance their career in retail or gain an edge over other job seekers.

3. How long does it take to get certified?

Answer: Depending on the program, the duration of the certification process can vary from weeks to months. Most programs require passing an exam in order to become certified.

4. What type of jobs can I apply for with a retail sales certification?

Answer: With a retail sales certification, you will be qualified for various customer-facing positions such as store manager, cashier, customer service representative, and sales associate. You may also be able to advance your career into more specialized roles within the industry like visual merchandising or supply chain management.

5. Are there any prerequisites for getting certified?

Answer: Generally speaking, there are no prerequisites for obtaining a retail sales certification; however some programs may have specific requirements that must be met prior to enrollment such as having experience working in the industry or completing certain courses related to the field of study.