Top 10 Sales Engineer Certifications

Certifications are important for a sales engineer in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has acquired a certain set of skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in the role. Certifications also provide employers with a way to differentiate between candidates, as those with certifications are seen as more qualified and knowledgeable than those without. Finally, certifications can open up opportunities for career advancement, as many employers prefer to hire employees who have achieved certification in specific areas.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Sales Engineers and explain how they can help advance a sales engineer's career.

What are Sales Engineer Certifications?

Sales engineer certification is a type of professional certification that validates an individual's knowledge and skills in the sales engineering field. Sales engineers are responsible for providing technical support to customers, including product demonstrations, training, and troubleshooting. The certification serves as a way to demonstrate an individual’s expertise in the area and can be beneficial for those looking to advance their career in sales engineering.

Having a sales engineer certification can give individuals a competitive edge when seeking new job opportunities or promotions by showing employers that they have the necessary skills and knowledge required for the job. It also provides recognition from peers and industry professionals, making it easier for them to network with others in their field. Furthermore, having a sales engineer certification can help individuals stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices, which can increase their productivity and effectiveness at work. In addition, many companies offer incentives to certified employees, such as higher salaries or bonuses.

Pro Tip: If you're looking to become a certified Sales Engineer, make sure you have a thorough understanding of the product or service you are selling. This will help ensure that you are able to communicate the value and features effectively to potential customers. Additionally, having a strong background in technical topics such as networking and software development can be beneficial for success in this role.

Related: What does a Sales Engineer do?

Top 10 Sales Engineer Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Sales Engineer (CPSE)

Certified Professional Sales Engineer (CPSE) is a certification program offered by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The program is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate a high level of knowledge and expertise in sales engineering.

The CPSE certification requires completion of a two-day workshop and passing an exam. The workshop covers topics such as sales engineering fundamentals, customer needs assessment, product selection, design and installation, project management, and sales negotiation. After completion of the workshop, candidates must pass a written exam that tests their knowledge and understanding of the material presented in the workshop.

To get the CPSE certification, you must first register for the ASME Certified Professional Sales Engineer Workshop. This two-day workshop is typically held at various locations around the world throughout the year. The cost for this workshop varies depending on location but usually ranges from $1,500 to $2,000 USD. After successful completion of the workshop and passing the written exam you will be awarded your CPSE certification.

Once you have obtained your CPSE certification you will need to renew it every three years by completing continuing education courses or attending workshops related to sales engineering topics.

2. Certified Sales Engineering Professional (CSEP)

Certified Sales Engineering Professional (CSEP) is a certification program offered by the Society of Sales Engineers (SSE). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of sales engineers who are responsible for designing, implementing, and managing complex technical solutions. The CSEP certification is the only globally recognized professional credential that validates an individual's expertise in sales engineering.

The CSEP certification program consists of two parts: an online exam that tests the candidate's knowledge of sales engineering principles and practices, and a practical assessment that evaluates their ability to apply those principles in real-world scenarios. Candidates must pass both parts to earn the CSEP designation.

It typically takes about six months to complete the certification process. To get started, candidates must first register for the CSEP exam through SSE's website. After registering, they will receive access to study materials and practice exams which can be used to prepare for the exam. Once they have completed their studies, they can take the online exam at any time within one year from registration date.

Once they have passed the online exam, candidates must submit a portfolio of their work experience that demonstrates their ability to apply sales engineering principles in real-world scenarios. This portfolio will then be reviewed by SSE's Certification Board who will decide whether or not to grant them CSEP status.

The cost of becoming a Certified Sales Engineering Professional varies depending on where you live and what type of membership you choose with SSE. The basic membership fee is $99 per year plus any applicable taxes or fees associated with taking the online exam and submitting your portfolio for review.

3. Certified Solution Provider (CSP)

Certified Solution Provider (CSP) is a certification program from Microsoft that recognizes and rewards IT professionals who have achieved expertise in deploying and managing Microsoft solutions. This certification provides IT professionals with the knowledge and skills to successfully design, deploy, and manage Microsoft solutions for their customers.

To become a Certified Solution Provider, you must pass an exam that tests your knowledge of Microsoft solutions. The length of time it takes to get certified depends on the type of exam you take. Generally, it takes between one and two weeks to complete the exam.

In order to get certified as a CSP, you must first register with Microsoft's Partner Network. After registering, you will be able to access the exams required for certification. Once you have passed all of the exams, you will receive your CSP certification and be eligible to become a Microsoft partner.

The cost of becoming a Certified Solution Provider varies depending on which exams you take and how many attempts it takes for you to pass them. Generally speaking, each exam costs around $150 USD per attempt, so if it takes three attempts for you to pass all of the exams required for certification then it could cost up to $450 USD in total.

4. Certified Salesforce Administrator (CSA)

A Certified Salesforce Administrator (CSA) is an individual who has the knowledge and skills to manage and customize a Salesforce environment. They are responsible for managing user accounts, customizing page layouts, creating reports and dashboards, automating processes using workflow rules and approval processes, and troubleshooting any issues that may arise.

In order to become a CSA, you must pass the Salesforce Certified Administrator exam. This exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within 90 minutes. The exam covers topics such as data management, security, customization, reporting, analytics, process automation, mobile app development, and more.

To prepare for the exam you can take advantage of free resources such as Trailhead or purchase practice tests from third-party providers. Additionally, there are instructor-led courses available through Salesforce University or online training providers like Udemy or Pluralsight.

The cost of the CSA exam is $200 USD per attempt. After passing the exam you will receive an official certification from Salesforce which is valid for two years.

5. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program offered by Microsoft that validates an individual’s ability to design, deploy, and manage complex IT infrastructures. The certification covers a wide range of topics related to Microsoft products, such as Windows Server, Exchange Server, SharePoint Server, SQL Server, System Center, Office 365 and Azure.

It typically takes around 6-12 months to complete the MCSE certification depending on the individual’s experience and background. To get the MCSE certification, individuals must first pass one or more of the required exams for the specific technology track they are pursuing. Then they must complete at least one elective exam in order to obtain the full certification.

The cost of each exam varies from $125-$165 USD depending on which technology track you are pursuing. In addition to the cost of each exam there may be additional costs associated with training materials and other resources needed to prepare for the exams.

6. Oracle Certified Professional, Sales Cloud Consultant (OCP-SCC)

Oracle Certified Professional, Sales Cloud Consultant (OCP-SCC) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have mastered the skills and knowledge necessary to implement and maintain Oracle Sales Cloud solutions. The certification is offered by Oracle University, which provides comprehensive training and education on Oracle products.

To become an OCP-SCC, you must first complete two courses: Oracle Sales Cloud Implementation Essentials and Oracle Sales Cloud Administration Essentials. These courses are available online or in classrooms around the world. After completing the courses, you must pass two exams: 1Z0-988 and 1Z0-989. Once you have passed both exams, you will be awarded the OCP-SCC certification.

The cost of the two courses varies depending on where they are taken; however, they typically range from $1,000-$2,500 USD each. The cost of the exams is $245 USD each. In total, it can cost anywhere from $2,490 - $3,990 USD to become an OCP-SCC certified professional.

It typically takes 8-12 weeks to complete the courses and pass both exams required for certification; however this timeline may vary depending on individual circumstances such as prior experience with Oracle products or how much time can be dedicated to studying for the exams.

7. Cisco Certified Network Professional – Sales Engineer (CCNP-SE)

Cisco Certified Network Professional – Sales Engineer (CCNP-SE) is a certification program designed to help sales engineers demonstrate their knowledge of Cisco products and solutions. It is designed for experienced network professionals who have an in-depth understanding of networking technologies, and are able to design, deploy, and troubleshoot complex networks.

The CCNP-SE certification requires passing four exams:

1. Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services (300-410 ENARSI)

2. Implementing Cisco Enterprise Wireless Networks (300-425 ENSWI)

3. Implementing Cisco SD-WAN Solutions (300-415 ENSDWI)

4. Designing Cisco Enterprise Networks (300-420 ENSDI).

It typically takes 6 months to a year to complete the entire CCNP-SE program depending on the individual's experience and dedication to studying. To get the certification, individuals must pass all four exams with a score of at least 80%. The cost of the certification varies depending on the country you are located in, but typically it ranges from $1000 - $1500 USD including exam fees.

8. IBM Certified Solution Architect – Sales Engineering

IBM Certified Solution Architect – Sales Engineering is a professional certification offered by IBM. It is designed to recognize the skills and knowledge of professionals who have experience in designing, developing, and deploying business solutions using IBM products and services.

The certification requires candidates to demonstrate their expertise in the areas of sales engineering, solution design, customer engagement, and technical architecture. To earn this certification, candidates must pass an exam that covers topics such as customer engagement strategies, product positioning and demonstration techniques, solution design principles, and technical architecture concepts. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and can take up to three hours to complete.

To get the IBM Certified Solution Architect – Sales Engineering certification, you must first register for the exam online through IBM’s website. After registering for the exam, you will be given access to study materials that will help you prepare for the test. Once you have completed your preparation, you can then schedule a date to take the exam at an authorized testing center near you.

The cost of taking the IBM Certified Solution Architect – Sales Engineering exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200-$400 USD.

9. VMware Certified Professional – Sales Engineer (VCP-SE)

VMware Certified Professional – Sales Engineer (VCP-SE) is a certification program from VMware that validates an individual's knowledge and skills in selling, designing, and deploying VMware solutions. It is designed to demonstrate a professional's ability to effectively position and sell VMware products and services.

To obtain the VCP-SE certification, individuals must pass two exams: the VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization (VCP6-DCV) exam and the VMware Sales Professional Exam (VSPE). The VCP6-DCV exam covers topics such as architecture, design, installation, configuration, management, troubleshooting and more. The VSPE exam focuses on sales skills such as understanding customer needs, creating value propositions and developing successful strategies for selling VMware solutions.

The time required to obtain the VCP-SE certification depends on how much time an individual spends studying for the two exams. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from one to four months of study time depending on prior experience with VMware technologies.

In order to get certified as a VCP-SE, individuals must first register for both exams through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers. The cost of each exam is $250 USD per attempt.

10. CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner – Sales Engineer

CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) – Sales Engineer is a certification that validates the skills and knowledge of experienced IT security professionals. It is designed to demonstrate mastery of advanced IT security topics such as risk management, enterprise security architecture, research and analysis, integration of computing, communications, and business disciplines.

The CASP – Sales Engineer certification is an optional specialization for those who want to demonstrate their expertise in selling complex IT security solutions. To obtain this certification, you must first pass the CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP) exam. This exam covers topics such as networking technologies, cryptography, access control systems and authentication protocols, application security controls and more.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to prepare for the CASP – Sales Engineer exam. During this time you should focus on studying for the core CASP exam as well as developing your sales skills in order to be successful on the exam. You can find study materials online or purchase books from a variety of sources. Additionally, there are several practice exams available to help you prepare for the actual test day.

The cost of taking the CASP – Sales Engineer exam varies depending on where you take it and which version you choose (there are two versions: English or Japanese). The standard fee is $320 USD but may vary depending on location and currency exchange rates.

Once you have successfully passed the CASP – Sales Engineer exam, you will receive an official certificate from CompTIA that verifies your achievement. This certificate can be used to demonstrate your expertise in selling complex IT security solutions to employers or customers alike.

Do You Really Need a Sales Engineer Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your career goals and personal situation. If you are looking for a career in sales engineering, then having a Sales Engineer Certificate may be beneficial. It can help demonstrate a commitment to the field as well as provide knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the role.

However, if you already have experience and knowledge of sales engineering, then the certificate may not be necessary. It could still be valuable if you want to expand your skillset or if there is an industry-recognized certification that employers look for when hiring. Ultimately, it is important to consider your own situation and goals when deciding whether or not to pursue a Sales Engineer Certificate.

Related: Sales Engineer Resume Examples

FAQs About Sales Engineer Certifications

1. What is a Sales Engineer Certification?

Answer: A Sales Engineer Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and experience in the sales engineering field. It validates an individual's ability to understand customer needs, develop solutions and effectively present them to customers.

2. What qualifications are required for a Sales Engineer Certification?

Answer: In general, most certifications require individuals to have some level of experience in sales engineering or related fields, as well as passing an examination that tests their knowledge and abilities.

3. How long does it take to receive a Sales Engineering Certification?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to receive a certification varies depending on the provider, but typically it can range from 2-6 months.

4. What are the benefits of having a Sales Engineering Certification?

Answer: Having a Sales Engineering Certification can provide individuals with credibility in their field, increasing their employability and helping them stand out among other applicants. Additionally, certifications often come with salary increases and promotions opportunities within companies.

5. Are there any prerequisites for taking the Sales Engineering Certification exam?

Answer: Most certifications require individuals to have some level of experience in sales engineering or related fields before taking the exam, although this may vary depending on the provider. Additionally, many providers also require applicants to complete courses or training modules prior to taking the exam in order to ensure they are adequately prepared for the material covered on the exam.