Top 10 Staff Writer Certifications

Certifications are important for a staff writer in the job market because they provide evidence that the writer has the necessary skills and knowledge to do the job. Certifications demonstrate to potential employers that the writer has received specialized training or passed certain tests, which provides assurance that they are qualified for the position. In addition, certifications can give writers an edge over their competition when applying for jobs. By having certifications, writers can show employers that they have gone above and beyond what is expected of them and are prepared to take on any challenges that come their way.

The purpose of this article is to review the most beneficial certifications for staff writers and discuss how they can help advance their careers.

What are Staff Writer Certifications?

Staff Writer Certification is a certification program designed to recognize and reward professional songwriters. It is designed to ensure that writers have the skills, experience, and knowledge necessary to create songs that will be successful in the music industry. This certification can help songwriters in many ways. First, it provides recognition and credibility within the music industry, which could lead to more exposure and higher-profile opportunities. Additionally, having this certification can help writers gain access to exclusive networking events and educational resources, as well as discounts on recording studio time, instrument purchases, and other services related to writing music. Finally, it serves as a benchmark of excellence for aspiring writers; having this certification can demonstrate dedication to one’s craft and set them apart from their peers when looking for work or collaborations.

Pro tip: When certifying a staff writer, ensure that they have received proper training in the style guide and citation guidelines for your organization. Familiarity with these standards will help ensure accuracy and consistency throughout the writing process.

Related: What does a Staff Writer do?

Top 10 Staff Writer Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Writer (CPW)

Certified Professional Writer (CPW) is a professional certification program offered by the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC). It is designed to recognize and reward writers who demonstrate excellence in their craft. The CPW certification is an important tool for employers, editors, publishers, and other industry professionals to identify qualified writers.

In order to become certified as a CPW, applicants must meet certain criteria. This includes having a minimum of five years of professional writing experience or equivalent education; completing a PWAC-approved course on professional writing; and passing an examination administered by the PWAC. The examination consists of multiple-choice questions about professional writing topics such as grammar, style, research methods, and copyright law.

The process typically takes between six months to one year to complete. Applicants should plan on spending several hours studying for the exam before they take it. Additionally, applicants must pay a fee of $150 CAD to take the exam. Once they have passed the exam, they will receive their official Certified Professional Writer designation from PWAC.

Overall, becoming certified as a CPW is a great way for writers to demonstrate their commitment to professionalism in their field and gain recognition from industry professionals.

2. Certified Technical Writer (CTW)

A Certified Technical Writer (CTW) is a professional who has been certified by a recognized organization to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the field of technical writing. The certification is designed to provide assurance that the individual has the necessary skills and experience to create high-quality, accurate documents for a variety of technical audiences.

The certification process typically takes about six months to complete, depending on the organization offering it. To become certified, an individual must pass an exam that tests their knowledge of technical writing principles, processes, and best practices. Additionally, applicants must have at least two years of relevant experience in the field.

To get certified as a CTW, you will need to find an organization that offers the certification program and complete their application process. Many organizations offer online courses or workshops that can help you prepare for the exam. You may also want to consider joining a professional association related to technical writing as they often offer additional resources and support throughout the certification process.

The cost of becoming certified as a CTW varies depending on which organization you choose and what type of package you purchase (e.g., online courses or workshops). Generally speaking, however, it can range from around $500-$2,000 USD depending on your specific needs.

3. Certified Content Marketer (CCM)

Certified Content Marketer (CCM) is a certification program offered by the Content Marketing Institute (CMI). It is designed to help content marketers demonstrate their knowledge and skills in content marketing. The CCM certification program consists of two parts: an online assessment and a practical application project.

The online assessment is a multiple-choice exam that tests your understanding of best practices, strategies, and tactics for content marketing. It takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

The practical application project requires you to create a content marketing plan for a real-world client or organization. You will need to demonstrate your ability to research, strategize, and execute a successful content marketing campaign. This part of the certification process takes anywhere from 6-8 weeks to complete depending on the complexity of the project.

To get certified as a Certified Content Marketer, you must pass both the online assessment and the practical application project with a score of 80% or higher on each.

The cost for the CCM certification program varies based on whether you are an individual or an organization. For individuals, it costs $1,595 USD; for organizations, it costs $2,495 USD per person enrolled in the program.

4. Certified Copywriter (CC)

A Certified Copywriter (CC) is a professional designation that recognizes an individual's expertise in the field of copywriting. It is awarded by the Copywriters Guild, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the craft of copywriting.

The process of becoming a Certified Copywriter involves completing an intensive course of study and passing a rigorous exam. The course covers topics such as writing techniques, grammar, style, research methods, marketing principles, and more. To be eligible for certification, applicants must have at least two years of professional copywriting experience or a degree in English or related field.

The process typically takes between six to eight months to complete. Applicants must submit an application along with their resume and transcripts to the Copywriters Guild for review. Once accepted into the program, applicants must complete all coursework within one year. Upon successful completion of the program and passing the exam, applicants will become Certified Copywriters (CCs).

The cost for becoming a Certified Copywriter varies depending on location and other factors. Generally speaking, it can range from $500 to $1,500 USD for tuition and fees associated with taking the course and taking the exam.

5. Certified Freelance Writer (CFW)

Certified Freelance Writer (CFW) is a professional certification program for freelance writers. It is designed to help aspiring and experienced freelance writers build their skills, gain recognition in the industry, and increase their earning potential.

The CFW program consists of an online course that covers topics such as writing fundamentals, client relations, marketing strategies, and legal issues. The course takes approximately six weeks to complete. During this time, participants will learn how to write effective copy, develop a portfolio of work samples, create a business plan, and more.

At the end of the course, participants must pass an exam in order to become certified. This exam tests their knowledge of the material covered in the course and assesses their ability to apply what they have learned. Once they have passed the exam, they will receive a certificate that shows they are officially certified as a freelance writer.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on where you take the course and who is offering it. Generally speaking, it costs between $200-$500 USD to become certified through most programs.

In addition to taking the online course and passing the exam, some programs also require applicants to submit writing samples or provide references from previous clients before becoming certified.

6. Certified SEO Copywriter (CSC)

A Certified SEO Copywriter (CSC) is a professional who has been trained and certified in the field of search engine optimization (SEO). The CSC program provides an in-depth understanding of SEO principles and how to apply them to create effective content for websites. It also teaches the fundamentals of keyword research, on-page optimization, link building, and other strategies used to improve website visibility in major search engines.

The Certified SEO Copywriter program typically takes around 6 months to complete. It includes a combination of online classes, webinars, and hands-on projects. To become certified, students must pass a final exam that covers all aspects of SEO copywriting.

To get started with the CSC program, you will need to register with an accredited training provider such as MarketMotive or the American Writers & Artists Institute. Once registered, you can access the course material and begin your studies.

The cost of the Certified SEO Copywriter program varies depending on which training provider you choose. Prices can range from $1,000-$2,500 USD for the entire program.

7. Certified Social Media Writer (CSMW)

A Certified Social Media Writer (CSMW) is a professional designation that recognizes an individual’s expertise in writing for social media platforms. The certification is offered by the Social Media Writers Association (SMWA), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting excellence in social media writing.

To become certified, applicants must complete an online application and pass a comprehensive exam consisting of multiple-choice questions and short answer questions. The exam covers topics such as social media strategy, content creation, audience engagement, analytics, and best practices. Once the exam is passed, applicants are awarded the CSMW designation.

The process of becoming certified typically takes two to three months. Applicants must first submit their application and then wait for approval from the SMWA before taking the exam. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their certificate within two weeks.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on whether or not you are a member of the SMWA. For non-members, the certification fee is $299 USD; for members, it is $199 USD.

8. Certified Business Writing Specialist (CBWS)

Certified Business Writing Specialist (CBWS) is a certification program offered by the Professional Business Writing Institute. It is designed to help professionals develop their writing skills and become more effective communicators in the workplace.

The CBWS certification requires completion of a series of online courses that cover topics such as grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, formatting, and business writing strategies. The coursework typically takes between 10-15 hours to complete and can be done at your own pace.

To get certified, you must pass an online exam that tests your understanding of the material covered in the courses. After successfully passing the exam, you will receive a certificate of completion from the Professional Business Writing Institute.

The cost for the CBWS certification program varies depending on which package you choose. The basic package costs $399 USD and includes access to all of the course materials and an exam voucher. There are also additional packages available with additional features such as one-on-one coaching sessions or group webinars for an additional fee.

9. Certified Web Content Writer (CWCW)

Certified Web Content Writer (CWCW) is a certification program offered by the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC). It is designed to recognize and reward professional web content writers who have achieved a high level of proficiency in their craft.

The CWCW program consists of three levels: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. To achieve each level, you must complete a set of online courses and pass an assessment exam. The courses cover topics such as SEO writing, content strategy, copywriting, editing, and more.

It typically takes around six months to complete all three levels of the CWCW program. However, this timeline can vary depending on how quickly you are able to complete the required coursework and exams.

To get started with the CWCW program, you need to register with PWAC and pay the applicable fees. The cost for each level varies depending on your membership status with PWAC; however, it typically ranges from $200-$400 per level.

Once you have completed all three levels of the CWCW program, you will receive a digital certificate that recognizes your achievement as a Certified Web Content Writer. This certificate is valid for two years and can be renewed by completing additional coursework or taking refresher exams.

10. Certified Creative Writing Professional (CCWP)

Certified Creative Writing Professional (CCWP) is a certification program that recognizes the achievements of professional writers who have demonstrated excellence in their field. The program is offered by the Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC). It is designed to recognize and reward those who have achieved a high level of professional writing skill and experience.

The CCWP certification requires applicants to submit a portfolio of their work, which must include samples of published or unpublished written work, as well as evidence of their writing skills. Applicants must also demonstrate knowledge in areas such as grammar, punctuation, style, editing and proofreading. In addition, they must provide references from clients or employers attesting to their writing abilities.

The process typically takes four to six weeks from the time an application is submitted until it is approved or rejected. The cost for the CCWP certification varies depending on whether you are applying as an individual or business. For individuals, the cost ranges from $100 to $200 CAD; for businesses, the cost can range from $500 to $1,000 CAD.

Do You Really Need a Staff Writer Certificate?

The short answer is no, you do not need a staff writer certificate to be successful in the world of writing. However, depending on the type of writing you want to pursue, having a certificate may give you an edge over other writers who don't have one. It demonstrates that you have taken the time and effort to gain additional knowledge and skills that are relevant to your chosen profession.

For example, if you're writing for a newspaper or magazine, having a staff writer certificate can help demonstrate that you have experience with journalistic standards and ethics. This could make it easier for editors to trust your work and hire you as a regular contributor. Similarly, if you're writing copy for websites or other digital media outlets, having a staff writer certificate can show potential employers that you understand how to write compelling online content.

In addition to demonstrating expertise in your chosen field, obtaining a staff writer certificate could also help open up new opportunities for freelance work. Many companies prefer to hire writers with formal credentials because it shows they are committed to their craft and willing to invest in their own professional development. A certificate could also be beneficial when applying for jobs at larger organizations; employers may be more likely to take your application seriously if they know that you've taken the time and effort to gain additional qualifications related to writing.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a staff writer certificate will depend on the type of writing career path you choose and the types of clients or employers that are looking for writers like yourself. If it's something that interests you, then pursuing such certification can only help further your career prospects in the long run.

Related: Staff Writer Resume Examples

FAQs About Staff Writer Certifications

1. What is a Staff Writer Certification?

A Staff Writer Certification is a professional credential that indicates a high level of knowledge and proficiency in writing for various media outlets. It demonstrates that the individual has achieved a certain level of mastery in the craft of writing, including topics such as grammar, style, structure, and content development.

2. How can I become certified as a Staff Writer?

To become certified as a Staff Writer you must complete an accredited program offered by an institution or organization specializing in staff writer certifications. This may include completing courses related to the craft of writing, passing written exams, and submitting samples of your work for review.

3. What are the benefits of becoming certified as a Staff Writer?

Being certified as a Staff Writer gives you credibility and recognition within the industry, which can be beneficial when applying to jobs or negotiating higher salaries. Additionally, it can provide access to exclusive resources and networks that may not otherwise be available to non-certified writers.

4. Is there an exam I need to pass in order to become certified?

Yes, most certification programs require you to pass an exam before being awarded the certification. The exam typically covers topics such as grammar and usage rules, writing style guidelines, content creation strategies, research methods and more.

5. Are there any requirements for maintaining my staff writer certification?

Yes, most certifications require you to complete continuing education credits on an annual basis in order to maintain your certification status. Additionally, some organizations may also require periodic re-examinations or submission of new writing samples in order to remain certified.