Top 10 Store Manager Certifications

Certifications for a store manager are important in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has taken the time and effort to gain specialized knowledge and skills related to their field. Certifications also show potential employers that the individual is committed to staying up-to-date with industry standards, trends, and best practices. Furthermore, certifications can help store managers stand out from other applicants who may not have any special credentials or qualifications. Finally, certifications may give an individual access to exclusive professional development opportunities or advanced career paths that would otherwise not be available without them.

This article reviews the top certifications for Store Managers and explains how they can benefit a store manager's career.

What are Store Manager Certifications?

Store manager certification is a professional development program that provides retail managers with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to succeed in their role. It includes courses covering topics such as customer service, operations management, financial management, business law, human resources and marketing. Through this certification, store managers can gain a better understanding of the retail industry and develop essential skills to help them effectively manage their stores. This certification can also provide more opportunities for career advancement as it demonstrates a commitment to professional development. By improving their knowledge and skills, store managers can become more confident in their ability to lead employees, create successful strategies and drive sales. Ultimately, store manager certification can help store managers become more effective leaders who are better equipped to handle the challenges of running a successful retail business.

Pro Tip: Get certified in store management to stay ahead of the competition. Store manager certification courses provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage a retail business, including budgeting and financial management, customer service, inventory control, staff training, and more. Investing in your education is an investment in your career.

Related: What does a Store Manager do?

Top 10 Store Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Retail Store Manager (CRSM)

Certified Retail Store Manager (CRSM) is an industry-recognized certification program designed to help retail store managers improve their knowledge, skills, and abilities in order to better serve customers and increase profitability. The CRSM program is administered by the National Retail Federation (NRF).

The CRSM certification process consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical assessment. The written exam is composed of multiple-choice questions related to topics such as customer service, store operations, inventory management, loss prevention, and human resources. The practical assessment includes activities such as role-playing scenarios and retail simulations.

It typically takes about four months to complete the CRSM certification process. To get started, individuals must register for the program online at the NRF website. Upon registration, individuals will be provided with access to study materials and practice exams that can be used to prepare for the written exam.

The cost for the CRSM certification program varies depending on the individual's membership status with NRF. For non-members, there is a $199 fee for registration plus additional fees for materials and assessments; however, members receive discounted rates on all fees associated with the program.

2. Certified Professional Retail Store Manager (CPRSM)

Certified Professional Retail Store Manager (CPRSM) is a certification program designed to recognize retail store managers who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for successful store management. This certification is offered through the National Retail Federation (NRF).

The CPRSM certification program consists of two parts: an online exam and a portfolio review. The online exam covers topics such as customer service, financial management, inventory control, human resources, marketing and sales. To pass the exam, candidates must score at least 80% on all sections.

The portfolio review requires candidates to submit a portfolio that includes their resume, job descriptions from past positions held in retail stores, letters of recommendation from supervisors or customers, and additional documents that demonstrate their knowledge and experience in retail store management.

It typically takes three months to complete the CPRSM program. Candidates must register for the program on the NRF website and pay a fee of $295 before they can take the online exam. After passing the exam, candidates must submit their portfolio within 60 days in order to receive their certification.

The cost of taking the CPRSM program is $295 for NRF members and $395 for non-members. This fee covers both the online exam and portfolio review costs.

3. Certified Sales Associate (CSA)

Certified Sales Associate (CSA) is a professional certification program that provides sales professionals with the knowledge and skills to effectively sell products and services. It is offered by the American Association of Professional Sales (AAPS). The CSA program is designed to help salespeople understand customer needs, develop effective sales strategies, and build relationships with customers.

The CSA program consists of three courses: Introduction to Selling, Advanced Selling Strategies, and Professional Selling Skills. Each course contains a series of lectures, quizzes, and case studies. The courses are available online or in-person at AAPS-accredited centers.

It typically takes 3-4 months to complete the CSA program. To get certified as a CSA, you must pass all three courses with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost of the CSA program varies depending on your location and whether you take the courses online or in person. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,000-$2,000 for the entire program.

4. Certified Professional in Retail Management (CPRM)

Certified Professional in Retail Management (CPRM) is a certification program designed to recognize professionals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary for successful retail management. The CPRM program is administered by the National Retail Federation (NRF), the world’s largest retail trade association, and provides a comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of retail management.

The CPRM program consists of three levels:

Level 1: This level requires a minimum of two years of professional experience in retail or related fields, as well as completion of an online course on retail management fundamentals.

Level 2: This level requires a minimum of five years of professional experience in retail or related fields, as well as completion of an online course on advanced retail management topics.

Level 3: This level requires a minimum of eight years of professional experience in retail or related fields, as well as completion of an online course on executive-level retail management topics.

To obtain the CPRM certification, applicants must pass an online exam that tests their knowledge and understanding of the material presented in each course. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and costs $225 USD per attempt. Upon passing the exam, applicants will receive their CPRM certification and be eligible to use the designation “CPRM” after their name.

5. Certified Store Manager (CSM)

Certified Store Manager (CSM) is a professional certification program designed to help store managers gain the knowledge and skills necessary to manage retail stores effectively. The CSM certification is offered by the National Retail Federation (NRF), which is the world’s largest retail trade association.

The CSM program consists of four courses, each lasting three days. The courses cover topics such as leadership, customer service, operations, and financial management. Upon successful completion of all four courses, participants are awarded the Certified Store Manager credential.

To become certified, you must have at least two years of experience in retail management or a related field. You must also pass an exam that covers the material presented in the four courses. To take the exam, you must register with NRF and pay a fee of $295 USD.

Once certified, store managers can demonstrate their expertise to employers and customers alike. They can also take advantage of career advancement opportunities within their organization or pursue other positions in the industry.

6. Certified Retail Management Professional (CRMP)

Certified Retail Management Professional (CRMP) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the field of retail management. The CRMP designation is awarded by the National Retail Federation (NRF), the world's largest retail trade association.

The CRMP program focuses on five core competencies: customer service, operations, marketing, human resources, and finance. To become certified, applicants must demonstrate knowledge and experience in these areas by passing an exam that covers all five competencies. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the CRMP exam, applicants must have at least two years of full-time professional experience in retail management or a related field. They must also submit proof of their education and professional experience to NRF prior to taking the exam.

The cost for the CRMP exam is $350 for members of NRF and $400 for non-members. Additionally, there is a one-time application fee of $50. Once an individual has passed the exam and been awarded their CRMP designation, they will need to renew their certification every three years by completing continuing education courses or retaking the exam.

7. National Retail Federation Certification Program (NRF-CP)

The National Retail Federation Certification Program (NRF-CP) is a professional certification program designed to help retail professionals improve their knowledge and skills in areas such as store operations, merchandising, customer service, and sales. It is offered by the National Retail Federation (NRF), the world’s largest retail trade association.

The NRF-CP consists of five core courses and three elective courses that are designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the retail industry. The core courses cover topics such as store operations, merchandising, customer service, sales, and marketing. The elective courses focus on more specialized topics such as digital marketing, supply chain management, and e-commerce.

It typically takes six months to complete all eight courses required for certification. The cost of the program varies depending on the number of courses taken but generally ranges from $400-$600 USD for all eight courses.

To get certified through the NRF-CP program, you must first register with the NRF website and create an account. Once registered, you can select which courses you would like to take and pay for them online or by mail. After completing all eight required courses, you will be eligible to take the final exam which is administered online through ProctorU or at an approved testing center. Once you have successfully passed the exam, you will receive your NRF-CP certificate in the mail within 2-4 weeks after completion of all requirements.

8. American Society of Training and Development Certification Program (ASTD-CP)

The American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) Certification Program (ASTD-CP) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who demonstrate mastery in the field of training and development. The ASTD-CP is designed to validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of professionals who are dedicated to improving organizational performance through effective training and development practices.

The ASTD-CP consists of four core competencies: Learning Design & Delivery, Performance Improvement, Measurement & Evaluation, and Coaching & Mentoring. To become certified, applicants must pass an exam demonstrating their mastery of these competencies. The exam covers topics such as instructional design principles, adult learning theory, performance improvement strategies, evaluation techniques, coaching methods, and mentoring approaches.

It typically takes 6-12 months to complete the requirements for the ASTD-CP certification. Applicants must first complete a minimum of three years of experience in training and development or related fields. After completing this requirement they can apply for the certification by submitting an application form along with supporting documents such as transcripts or certifications from other organizations. Once approved they will be able to take the exam.

The cost for the ASTD-CP certification varies depending on whether you are an ASTD member or nonmember. For members it costs $495 while nonmembers pay $695 for the application fee plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam itself.

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

The International Council of Shopping Centers Certification Program (ICSC-CP) is a professional certification program that provides training and education to help retail professionals develop the skills necessary to succeed in the shopping center industry. The ICSC-CP is designed to help individuals acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to become successful in their career.

The ICSC-CP consists of four courses: Retail Management, Leasing & Marketing, Development & Design, and Financial Analysis & Investment. Each course has its own set of learning objectives and topics that must be completed in order for an individual to become certified. The courses are offered online or through live seminars and workshops.

It typically takes between 6 months and 1 year to complete all four courses. However, the length of time can vary depending on an individual’s schedule and availability.

In order to get certified by ICSC-CP, an individual must first register for the program by completing an application form which includes providing information about their background and experience in the retail industry. Once registered, they will be assigned a mentor who will guide them through the certification process.

The cost of ICSC-CP varies depending on how many courses are taken at once as well as any additional fees associated with taking the exams or attending seminars or workshops. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,500-$2,000 USD for all four courses combined.

10. Association for Retail Environments Certification Program (ARECP)

The Association for Retail Environments Certification Program (ARECP) is an industry-recognized certification program designed to provide retail professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the retail environment. ARECP provides a comprehensive curriculum that covers topics such as store design, visual merchandising, customer service, and more. It also offers continuing education opportunities to keep professionals up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies.

The ARECP certification process takes approximately three months to complete. The program consists of online coursework, followed by an in-person assessment at an approved testing center. During the assessment, candidates must demonstrate their understanding of key concepts and principles related to retail environments.

To become certified through ARECP, individuals must first register for the program online. After registration is complete, they will receive access to the course materials and be able to begin their studies. Once all coursework has been completed, they must pass the in-person assessment in order to become certified.

The cost of becoming certified through ARECP varies depending on the type of certification sought and any additional services requested. Generally speaking, however, it typically costs between $500-$1000 USD for a basic certification package. Additional fees may apply if additional services are requested or if a candidate requires additional testing time or materials during the assessment process.

Do You Really Need a Store Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the type of store you are managing. In some cases, a store manager certificate may be required in order to legally run a store. For example, if you are managing a liquor store or an adult entertainment establishment, then it is likely that you will need to obtain a special license or certification in order to be able to manage such an establishment.

In other cases, however, having a store manager certificate may not be necessary. If you are managing a typical retail store or restaurant, then you may not need any special certification; instead, having experience and knowledge of the industry is more important than having a specific certification.

Ultimately, it is up to the individual business owner to determine whether or not they require their store managers to have a certificate. It is also important for potential employees to research the requirements of specific businesses before applying for jobs in order to make sure they meet the qualifications needed for that particular job.

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FAQs About Store Manager Certifications

1. What is a Store Manager Certification?

A: A Store Manager Certification is a professional credential that verifies the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully manage a retail store. It provides individuals with an understanding of the key concepts, techniques and practices required to effectively lead a retail team.

2. How long does it take to get certified?

A: Depending on the program you choose, most Store Manager Certifications can be completed in 1-2 months.

3. What are the benefits of getting certified?

A: Earning your Store Manager Certification can open up more job opportunities, improve your earning potential, provide industry recognition, and demonstrate your commitment to professional development.

4. Are there any prerequisites for certification?

A: Most certifying organizations require applicants to have at least two years of relevant work experience in order to qualify for certification. Additionally, many programs require applicants to pass an exam or complete coursework prior to being awarded their certification.

5. Is certification mandatory for store managers?

A: While some employers may require store managers to hold a specific certification, it’s not always mandatory. However, having a Store Manager Certification can help you stand out from other job candidates and give you an advantage in the hiring process.