Top 11 Sales Certifications

Certifications can help demonstrate a salesperson’s expertise and knowledge within a particular field, which can be an invaluable asset in the job market. By showing that they have taken the time to obtain certifications, potential employers can be assured that the individual is dedicated to their profession and has invested in their own professional development. This shows a commitment to their career, as well as an understanding of the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in sales. Additionally, certifications provide potential employers with an objective measure of a salesperson’s abilities; since they are awarded by third-party organizations, they cannot be biased or manipulated. Ultimately, certifications are an excellent way for salespeople to stand out from the competition and show potential employers that they are knowledgeable and qualified candidates for any given position.

The article reviews some of the top certifications for Sales and explains how they can help to advance a salesperson's career.

What are Sales Certifications?

Sales certification is a credential that can help sales professionals develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their job. Sales certifications provide formal recognition of a salesperson’s expertise in areas such as customer service, product knowledge, negotiation, closing deals, and other essential skills. Many employers require salespeople to have a certain level of certification before they can be offered a job or promoted within their organization. By earning a sales certification, salespeople can demonstrate to employers that they have the necessary qualifications and experience to excel in their role. Furthermore, having an official certification can help differentiate one’s self from the competition when it comes time for hiring or promotion decisions. Additionally, obtaining a sales certification gives salespeople access to valuable resources such as networking opportunities with other certified professionals and continuing education courses that can help them stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices.

Pro Tip: When considering a sales certification, look for one that is accredited by an organization in your industry. This will ensure the certification meets industry standards and provides you with the most up-to-date, relevant skills and knowledge to help you succeed in sales.

Related: What does a Sales do?

Top 11 Sales Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional in Sales (CPS)

Certified Professional in Sales (CPS) is a professional certification program offered by the American Academy of Professional Sales (AAPS). It is designed to recognize sales professionals who have achieved a high level of expertise and mastery in their field. The CPS certification program is open to all sales professionals, regardless of experience or industry.

The CPS program consists of three levels: Certified Professional in Sales (CPS), Certified Master in Sales (CMPS), and Certified Expert in Sales (CEPS). Each level requires the completion of an extensive coursework and examination process. To achieve the CPS certification, applicants must complete a minimum of 10 courses with a total of 40 hours of instruction. The courses cover topics such as sales strategy, customer service, negotiation, product knowledge, and communication skills.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the CPS program depending on how quickly you are able to complete the coursework and examinations.

To get certified as a CPS, you must first apply for the program through the AAPS website. You will then be required to provide proof that you meet the eligibility requirements for each level of certification. Once approved, you will receive access to the online learning portal where you can begin your coursework and exams.

The cost for the entire CPS program varies depending on which level you are applying for. For example, it costs $1,995 USD for the Certified Professional in Sales (CPS) level and $3195 USD for both CMPS and CEPS levels combined.

2. Certified Sales Executive (CSE)

Certified Sales Executive (CSE) is a professional certification program designed to help sales professionals advance their careers and become more successful in the field. The CSE program is offered by the American Management Association (AMA) and provides sales professionals with an opportunity to gain knowledge, skills, and credentials that will help them excel in their chosen profession.

The CSE program consists of three courses: Introduction to Sales, Advanced Selling Strategies, and Professional Selling Skills. Each course focuses on a different aspect of the sales process and provides students with an understanding of the fundamentals of selling. Students who successfully complete all three courses will receive a Certified Sales Executive designation from the AMA.

The CSE program typically takes six months to complete, although some students may be able to finish it sooner depending on their schedule and availability. To get started, students must register for the program through the AMA website or by calling customer service at 1-800-262-9699. The cost of the CSE program varies depending on whether you are taking individual courses or enrolling in all three at once; however, it typically ranges from $1,500-$2,000 USD.

3. Certified Sales Manager (CSM)

Certified Sales Manager (CSM) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in sales management. It is designed to help sales managers develop the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to effectively manage sales teams and increase their overall performance.

The CSM certification program consists of three parts: an online assessment, a classroom workshop, and an on-the-job experience. The online assessment is designed to assess the individual’s knowledge of sales management principles, while the classroom workshop provides hands-on learning experiences with experienced sales professionals. Finally, the on-the-job experience requires applicants to demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting.

In order to obtain the CSM certification, applicants must successfully complete all three components of the program. The entire process typically takes around six months from start to finish.

The cost for obtaining the CSM certification varies depending on how long it takes you to complete each component of the program. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $500-$2,000 USD depending on your location and other factors.

4. Certified Sales Professional (CSP)

Certified Sales Professional (CSP) is a professional certification program offered by the National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of sales professionals. The CSP certification demonstrates that an individual has achieved a level of mastery in sales fundamentals and best practices.

In order to become certified as a CSP, applicants must pass an online exam that covers topics such as sales process, customer service, negotiation, communication, and more. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

To get started with the CSP certification process, applicants must first register for the exam on the NASP website. After registering for the exam, applicants will receive an email with instructions on how to access their online account where they can begin studying for the exam.

The cost of becoming a Certified Sales Professional is $395 USD which includes all materials needed for the exam as well as access to additional learning resources. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with retaking the exam if necessary.

5. Certified Sales Consultant (CSC)

Certified Sales Consultant (CSC) is a certification program that provides sales professionals with the knowledge and skills to become successful in their field. The program is designed to help salespeople become more effective in their customer interactions, increase their understanding of the sales process, and develop their selling skills. The CSC certification is offered through the American Association of Professional Salespeople (AAPSP).

The CSC certification requires a minimum of 40 hours of coursework, including both online and in-person training sessions. The topics covered include customer service, product knowledge, communication strategies, negotiation tactics, and closing techniques. There are also optional courses available on topics such as digital marketing and social media strategies.

To obtain the CSC certification, applicants must pass an exam administered by AAPSP. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering all aspects of sales theory and practice. Applicants must achieve a score of at least 70% to receive the certification.

The cost for the CSC certification varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $500-$1,000 USD. This fee covers all course materials and access to online resources as well as the exam fee.

6. Professional Selling Skills Certification (PSSC)

Professional Selling Skills Certification (PSSC) is a certification program offered by the Professional Selling Association (PSA). It is designed to provide sales professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to become successful in their field. The PSSC certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a commitment to professional selling excellence.

The PSSC program consists of four courses: Professional Selling Fundamentals, Sales Process Management, Relationship Building & Negotiation Skills, and Advanced Sales Strategies. Each course is completed online at your own pace and includes a final exam. The entire program takes approximately 40 hours to complete, depending on how quickly you progress through the material.

In order to obtain the PSSC certification, you must pass all four exams with a score of 80% or higher. Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a certificate from the Professional Selling Association.

The cost of the PSSC certification varies depending on which package you choose. The basic package costs $395 USD and includes access to all four courses and exams, as well as one year of membership in the Professional Selling Association. The premium package costs $495 USD and includes all of the same features as the basic package plus access to additional resources such as webinars and live events.

7. Advanced Professional Selling Skills Certification (APSSC)

Advanced Professional Selling Skills Certification (APSSC) is a certification program designed to help sales professionals develop their selling skills and become more effective in their roles. The program is offered by the American Society of Professional Salespeople (ASPS), and it focuses on providing training, knowledge, and resources that will help sales professionals increase their sales performance.

The APSSC consists of three levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. Each level requires the completion of a series of courses that cover topics such as customer service, negotiation techniques, sales strategies, communication skills, and more. The courses are designed to be completed in approximately 8-10 hours each.

To get certified at any level of the APSSC program, you must first register with ASPS and pay the registration fee. After registering, you can access the course materials online or purchase them from ASPS if you prefer to have hard copies. Once you complete all of the required courses for your chosen level of certification, you can take an online exam to demonstrate your mastery of the material.

The cost for the APSSC program varies depending on which level you choose to pursue. The Basic Level costs $495 USD; the Intermediate Level costs $695 USD; and the Advanced Level costs $995 USD. All fees include access to course materials and exam fees.

8. Strategic Selling Skills Certification (SSSC)

Strategic Selling Skills Certification (SSSC) is a comprehensive certification program designed to help sales professionals develop the skills necessary to succeed in today’s competitive business environment. The program focuses on developing and refining the core competencies needed to effectively sell products and services, including communication, negotiation, problem-solving, customer service, and relationship building.

The SSSC program consists of four courses that can be taken either online or in-person. The courses cover topics such as understanding customer needs, creating value propositions, delivering presentations, managing customer relationships, and closing deals. Each course takes approximately 8 hours to complete and includes interactive activities and assessments.

The cost of the SSSC program varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $500-$1,000 for all four courses. To get certified you must complete all four courses within one year of starting the program and pass an exam at the end of each course with a minimum score of 70%. Once you have successfully completed all four courses and passed the exams you will receive your Strategic Selling Skills Certification.

9. Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE)

Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) is a professional designation awarded by the Real Estate Negotiation Institute (RENI). It is designed to help real estate agents and brokers become better negotiators in their transactions.

The CNE program consists of three parts: an online course, a live seminar, and a final exam. The online course covers the fundamentals of negotiation theory and practice, including strategies for dealing with difficult clients, understanding market dynamics, and developing effective communication skills. The live seminar focuses on applying these principles to real-world scenarios.

It takes approximately 10 weeks to complete the program. To get certified, you must successfully complete all three parts of the program and pass the final exam with a score of 80% or higher.

The cost of the CNE program varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $1,000-$2,000 USD. This includes access to the online course materials as well as tuition for the live seminar and exam fees.

10. Certified Value Builder™

Certified Value Builder™ (CVB) is an online certification program designed to help business owners increase the value of their businesses. It was created by John Warrillow, a leading authority on business valuation and author of the best-selling book Built to Sell.

The CVB program consists of 8 modules that cover topics such as pricing strategies, customer loyalty, recurring revenue models, and exit planning. Each module includes video lectures, quizzes, and worksheets to help participants gain an understanding of how they can increase the value of their business. The program also includes access to a private community forum where participants can ask questions and get feedback from other CVB members.

The entire program takes approximately 8 weeks to complete and costs $1,497 USD. To get started with Certified Value Builder™ you must first register for the course online at www.certifiedvaluebuilder.com. After registering you will receive access to all 8 modules which you can work through at your own pace.

11. Business Development and Relationship Management Certification

Business Development and Relationship Management Certification is a certification program designed to help professionals gain the necessary skills to develop and maintain relationships with clients, partners, and other stakeholders. It focuses on understanding customer needs and how to create long-term value for them. The certification covers topics such as identifying customer needs, developing sales strategies, negotiating contracts, managing projects, and building trust.

The certification typically takes between six months to one year to complete depending on the provider. To get certified, you must first complete an approved training program that covers all of the topics listed above. After completing the training program, you will need to pass a written exam in order to receive your certification.

The cost of the Business Development and Relationship Management Certification varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $1,000-$2,500 USD.

Do You Really Need a Sales Certificate?

Sales is a vital part of any business, as it is the process by which goods and services are exchanged for money. As such, sales professionals must be knowledgeable and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to effectively close deals with customers. In addition, they must understand the legal and ethical aspects of their job in order to ensure compliance with laws governing the sale of products and services.

A sales certificate can be beneficial for those looking to break into the field or advance their careers in sales, as it provides evidence that a person has received specialized training in sales techniques and concepts. A certificate program typically includes courses on topics such as customer service, marketing strategies, negotiation tactics, product knowledge, and sales law. It can also provide practical experience through internships or other hands-on activities.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a sales certificate depends on your individual goals and needs. It may be beneficial if you want to learn more about the field or demonstrate your commitment to pursuing a career in sales. However, if you already possess knowledge of the industry from experience or education, then obtaining a certificate may not be necessary. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether earning a certificate will help you achieve your goals.

Related: Sales Resume Examples

FAQs About Sales Certifications

1. What are the Benefits of Sales Certification?

Answer: Sales certifications can provide a range of benefits, including increased knowledge and understanding of sales techniques, improved professional credibility, and increased job opportunities. They also help to demonstrate that an individual has the necessary skills and experience to succeed in a sales role.

2. How Long Does it Take to Complete a Sales Certification?

Answer: The amount of time required to complete a sales certification varies depending on the program and type of certification. Generally, most certifications require approximately 40 hours or more of coursework and/or study time to complete.

3. What is the Cost for a Sales Certification?

Answer: The cost for a sales certification varies depending on the program and type of certification. Most programs offer online courses with fees ranging from $500 to $5,000 or more.

4. Are There Prerequisites for Obtaining a Sales Certification?

Answer: Yes, some sales certifications have prerequisites such as having prior experience in sales or completing specific courses or exams prior to eligibility for the certification program.

5. Are Sales Certifications Recognized Internationally?

Answer: Yes, many sales certifications are recognized internationally by employers in various countries around the world who value individuals with these qualifications when hiring for positions in their companies.