Top 11 Sales Trainer Certifications

Certifications are important for a sales trainer in the job market because they demonstrate knowledge and qualifications to potential employers. Certifications provide evidence that a person has met certain standards, which can give them an edge over other candidates when applying for jobs. Additionally, certifications show employers that the candidate is committed to ongoing professional development, which can be attractive to organizations looking for high-performing employees. Furthermore, having certifications may open up opportunities for more advanced positions or higher salaries. Finally, certifications may also provide access to industry networks and resources that can help sales trainers stay up-to-date on trends and best practices in the field.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Sales Trainers and explains how they can enhance a sales trainer's career.

What are Sales Trainer Certifications?

Sales Trainer Certification is a professional certification program designed to equip sales trainers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively train sales professionals. The certification program focuses on developing the trainer’s understanding of modern sales techniques, training methods, and best practices in order to prepare them for leading successful sales training programs. Through this certification, trainers will gain insight into how to create effective learning environments, develop engaging content, and measure the impact of their training programs.

Having a Sales Trainer Certification will allow trainers to demonstrate their expertise in their field, as well as increase their credibility and value to employers. With this certification they can also gain recognition from professional organizations and have access to industry resources that will help them stay on top of current trends and advances in the field. Furthermore, having a Sales Trainer Certification can open up opportunities for career advancement through increased visibility among employers looking for qualified individuals with specialized skillsets. Ultimately, having a Sales Trainer Certification can help experienced sales trainers become more competitive in today’s job market while helping them provide high-quality training sessions that are tailored to meet their clients’ needs.

Pro Tip: When considering a sales trainer certification, make sure to research the organization offering the certification. Ensure that they have an established track record of providing quality training and that their program is tailored to your specific needs. Additionally, look for certifications that are recognized and respected in the industry.

Related: What does a Sales Trainer do?

Top 11 Sales Trainer Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Salesperson (CPS)

Certified Professional Salesperson (CPS) is a professional certification program that recognizes the knowledge and skills of sales professionals. It is designed to help salespeople demonstrate their expertise in the field and advance their careers.

The CPS program is offered by the National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP). To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as customer service, communication, negotiation, and sales strategy. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

To qualify for the CPS certification, applicants must have at least two years of sales experience or a college degree in a related field. Applicants must also be members of NASP and pay an application fee. Once certified, CPS holders are required to renew their certification every three years by completing continuing education courses or attending conferences.

The cost for the CPS certification varies depending on membership status with NASP. For non-members, it costs $299 for the exam and $99 for each renewal cycle; for members, it costs $149 for the exam and $49 for each renewal cycle.

2. Certified Sales Professional (CSP)

Certified Sales Professional (CSP) is a professional certification program offered by the National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP). The CSP certification is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in sales and demonstrate their commitment to professional development.

The CSP certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as sales fundamentals, customer service, negotiation, communication, and problem-solving. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

To be eligible for the CSP certification, applicants must meet certain requirements including having at least three years of sales experience or equivalent education. Additionally, applicants must also submit proof of completion of an approved training program or course in sales or related field.

The cost for the CSP certification exam varies depending on the country in which you are taking it. In the United States, the fee is $395 USD.

3. Certified Sales Executive (CSE)

Certified Sales Executive (CSE) is a professional certification program offered by the American Association of Professional Sales (AAPS). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of experienced sales professionals. The certification is awarded to those who demonstrate mastery in areas such as sales strategy, customer service, communication, negotiation, and more.

The CSE program typically takes between six and twelve months to complete. It consists of three parts: an online assessment to evaluate the candidate’s knowledge; an in-person interview with an AAPS representative; and a final exam. Candidates must pass all three parts in order to receive their certification.

The cost for the CSE program varies depending on the provider. However, most providers offer discounted rates for members of AAPS or other professional organizations. Additionally, some employers may cover part or all of the cost for employees who are pursuing their CSE certification.

Overall, obtaining a Certified Sales Executive (CSE) certification can be beneficial for experienced sales professionals looking to further develop their skills and advance their careers.

4. Certified Sales Manager (CSM)

Certified Sales Manager (CSM) is a professional certification offered by the American Management Association (AMA). It is designed to recognize sales professionals who have demonstrated mastery in the areas of sales management, customer relationship management, and sales operations. The certification requires the successful completion of an online course and a comprehensive exam.

The Certified Sales Manager program takes approximately six months to complete. The online course consists of four modules: Introduction to Selling, Customer Relationship Management, Sales Operations and Strategy, and Professional Development. Each module includes lectures, readings, quizzes, and assignments. Participants must also take part in three live webinars with AMA faculty members during the program.

To get certified as a CSM, applicants must first register for the program through AMA’s website. Once registered, participants can access the online course materials and begin their studies immediately. Upon completion of all four modules and the three live webinars, participants will be eligible to take the certification exam.

The cost of becoming a Certified Sales Manager varies depending on whether or not you are an AMA member; non-members pay $2195 while members pay $1995 for the entire program.

5. Certified Sales Trainer (CST)

Certified Sales Trainer (CST) is a professional certification program designed to help sales professionals become more effective at their job. It is offered by the National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP). The program provides training in areas such as sales process, customer service, and communication skills.

The CST program consists of four courses that are completed over a period of six months. The courses include: Introduction to Selling, Professional Selling Skills, Advanced Selling Strategies and Techniques, and Professional Development for Sales Managers. Each course has an associated fee ranging from $200-$400 depending on the course.

To get certified as a CST, you must first complete all four courses within the six-month period. Once you have done so, you will be eligible to take the final exam which will test your knowledge in the areas covered by the courses. If you pass this exam with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive your CST certification.

The total cost for the CST program can range from $800-$1600 depending on which courses you choose and how quickly you complete them.

6. Professional Selling Skills Certification (PSSC)

Professional Selling Skills Certification (PSSC) is a certification program designed to help sales professionals develop their skills and increase their knowledge of the sales process. It is a comprehensive program that covers all aspects of selling, from customer service to closing techniques. The PSSC program consists of four levels: Introduction, Intermediate, Advanced and Master. Each level has its own set of courses and exams that must be completed in order to receive the certification.

The Introduction course covers basic concepts such as customer service, product knowledge and communication skills. The Intermediate course focuses on advanced topics such as negotiation strategies, sales forecasting and marketing plans. The Advanced course dives into more complex topics such as relationship building, pricing strategies and sales analytics. Finally, the Master course covers topics such as leadership development and team building.

It typically takes between 8-12 weeks to complete the entire PSSC program depending on the individual’s learning pace. To get certified, individuals must pass all four levels with a score of 70% or higher on each exam.

The cost for the PSSC program varies depending on which institute you choose to take it through; however, most institutes charge around $1,000-$2,000 for the entire program.

7. Advanced Selling Strategies Certification (ASSC)

Advanced Selling Strategies Certification (ASSC) is a certification program offered by the Sales Education Foundation (SEF). It is designed to help sales professionals develop and improve their sales skills. The program focuses on teaching advanced selling strategies, such as understanding customer needs, building relationships, negotiating effectively, and closing deals.

The ASSC program consists of four modules that can be completed in approximately 16 hours. Participants must complete all four modules to receive their certification. The modules cover topics such as:

• Understanding customer needs
• Building relationships
• Negotiating effectively
• Closing deals
• Leveraging technology and data
• Managing customer relationships
• Developing sales strategies
• Improving sales performance

The cost of the ASSC program is $495 USD. This fee includes access to all four modules, an assessment at the end of each module, and a certificate upon completion of the program.

8. Strategic Account Management Certification (SAMC)

Strategic Account Management Certification (SAMC) is a professional certification program designed to help sales and account management professionals develop the skills needed to effectively manage strategic accounts. The program focuses on developing and honing the skills necessary to build relationships, create value, and drive growth in strategic accounts. It includes topics such as understanding customer needs, creating value-based solutions, negotiating win-win outcomes, and driving long-term success.

The SAMC program consists of three levels: Certified Strategic Account Manager (CSAM), Advanced Strategic Account Manager (ASAM), and Master Strategic Account Manager (MSAM). Each level requires successful completion of an online exam and/or a series of workshops. The exams are offered through the American Marketing Association (AMA).

The CSAM level takes approximately 6 months to complete, while the ASAM level takes about 9 months. The MSAM level can take up to 12 months depending on the individual's experience.

To get certified at each level, individuals must pass an online exam or attend a series of workshops offered by AMA. There is a fee associated with each exam or workshop that must be paid before taking them. The fees range from $395 for the CSAM exam to $1,495 for the MSAM workshop series.

Overall, obtaining a SAMC certification requires dedication and commitment to learning new skills and applying them in real-world scenarios. However, those who obtain this certification will have gained valuable knowledge that will help them succeed in their careers as strategic account managers.

9. Negotiations and Conflict Resolution Certification (NCRC)

The Negotiations and Conflict Resolution Certification (NCRC) is a professional certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to effectively negotiate, mediate, and resolve conflicts. It is offered by the International Association for Conflict Management (IACM).

The NCRC consists of three levels: Basic Certification, Advanced Certification, and Master Certification. Each level requires completion of a specific number of hours of training in conflict resolution and negotiations. The Basic Certification requires 40 hours of training; the Advanced Certification requires 80 hours; and the Master Certification requires 120 hours.

In order to obtain the NCRC certification, applicants must complete a series of courses that cover topics such as negotiation theory, conflict resolution strategies, mediation techniques, communication styles, problem-solving approaches, and other related topics. Upon successful completion of all required courses and passing an examination administered by IACM, applicants will receive their NCRC certification.

The cost for obtaining the NCRC certification varies depending on which level you are pursuing. The Basic Certification costs $395; the Advanced Certification costs $595; and the Master Certification costs $795.

It typically takes between six months to one year to complete all requirements for receiving your NCRC certification.

10. Customer Relationship Management Certification (CRMC)

Customer Relationship Management Certification (CRMC) is a professional certification program designed to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in customer relationship management. This certification is offered by the Customer Relationship Management Institute (CRMI).

The CRMC certification program consists of two parts: an online course and a final exam. The online course covers topics such as customer segmentation, customer service, marketing automation, sales process optimization, and analytics. The course takes approximately 5-6 weeks to complete.

After completing the online course, candidates must pass a final exam to become certified. The exam is administered by the CRMI and consists of multiple-choice questions that assess the candidate's understanding of customer relationship management principles and practices. The exam fee is $295 USD.

Once a candidate has successfully passed the exam, they will receive their CRMC certificate from the CRMI. This certificate will be valid for two years and can be renewed by taking an additional online course or re-taking the final exam.

11. Channel Partner Management Certification (CPMC).

Channel Partner Management Certification (CPMC) is a certification program designed to provide professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage channel partners. The certification is offered by the Channel Partner Alliance (CPA), an international organization dedicated to helping organizations maximize their channel partner relationships.

The CPMC program consists of four modules: Understanding Channel Partners, Building and Managing Partnerships, Measuring Performance, and Optimizing Results. Each module includes lectures, case studies, and hands-on exercises. The program typically takes three months to complete and requires approximately 40 hours of study time.

To become certified in CPMC, you must first complete the four modules of the program. Once you have completed the modules, you must pass a final exam that covers all topics discussed in the course. After passing the exam, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from CPA.

The cost for the CPMC program varies depending on your location and whether or not you are a member of CPA. Generally speaking, it costs between $1,500 - $2,000 USD for non-members and $1,200 - $1,500 USD for members.

Do You Really Need a Sales Trainer Certificate?

Whether or not you need a sales trainer certificate depends on your goals and ambitions. If you’re looking to become a professional sales trainer, then having a certification can help to set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your commitment to the field. It also shows potential employers that you have the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the role.

However, if you’re just looking to improve your own sales skills, then a certificate may not be necessary. There are many other ways to gain knowledge and experience in the field, such as attending seminars, taking classes, or working with mentors. Additionally, many companies offer their own training programs that don’t require any external certification.

Regardless of whether or not you decide to pursue a sales trainer certificate, it is important to remember that knowledge and experience are key components of success in any profession. Taking the time to learn about best practices and hone your skills will go a long way towards helping you reach your goals.

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FAQs About Sales Trainer Certifications

Q1. What is a Sales Trainer Certification?

A1. A Sales Trainer Certification is a professional certification that recognizes an individual's expertise in teaching sales techniques, strategies and best practices. It demonstrates to employers and customers that the holder has the skills necessary to effectively train others on how to sell products or services.

Q2. Who should pursue a Sales Trainer Certification?

A2. Sales trainers, sales managers, sales professionals and anyone who wants to increase their knowledge of sales techniques should consider pursuing a Sales Trainer Certification.

Q3. How long does it take to become certified as a Sales Trainer?

A3. The amount of time it takes to become certified as a Sales Trainer depends on the specific program you are enrolled in, but most programs require between 6-12 months of study and practice before certification can be obtained.

Q4. What are the benefits of having a Sales Trainer Certification?

A4. Having a Sales Trainer Certification can help you stand out from other job applicants, demonstrate your commitment to professional development and increase your earning potential in the field of sales training.

Q5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as a Sales Trainer?

A5: Yes, some programs may require applicants to have prior experience in sales or related fields such as marketing or customer service before they can be certified as a Sales Trainer.