Top 10 Technical Sales Representative Certifications

Certifications are an important part of the job market for technical sales representatives because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge in a specific area. Having certifications can give employers confidence that the employee is knowledgeable about the subject matter and can help them close deals more effectively. Certifications also provide recognition for hard work and dedication to learning, which can be very attractive to potential employers. Additionally, having certifications can make a technical sales representative more competitive in the job market, as employers may view them as more qualified than other candidates without such credentials.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Technical Sales Representatives and explain how they can help enhance a technical sales representative's career.

What are Technical Sales Representative Certifications?

Technical Sales Representative certification is a professional credential that validates one's knowledge and expertise in the field of technical sales. It is designed to give individuals an edge when competing for positions in sales or related fields, as well as increase their marketability and earning potential. The certification requires passing an exam that covers topics such as product knowledge, customer service, negotiation skills, problem solving, and communication.

Having a Technical Sales Representative certification can be beneficial in several ways. First, it demonstrates to employers that applicants have the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the role. Additionally, having this certification can help individuals stand out from other job candidates who do not have the same level of expertise. Furthermore, it can open up more opportunities for advancement within an organization as well as provide access to higher paying positions. Finally, having this certification may also lead to increased job security since employers are more likely to retain employees with specialized skills.

Pro Tip: Consider pursuing a technical sales representative certification if you are looking to expand your knowledge and skills in the field. Doing so can not only help you better understand the products and services you are selling, but also provide an additional credential to highlight on your resume or CV.

Related: What does a Technical Sales Representative do?

Top 10 Technical Sales Representative Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Salesperson (CPS)

Certified Professional Salesperson (CPS) is a certification program designed to recognize sales professionals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the field of sales. The CPS designation is awarded by the National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the sales profession.

To become certified, you must meet certain requirements, including having at least two years of professional sales experience and passing an exam that covers topics such as customer service, communication skills, negotiation techniques, and product knowledge. There are also additional requirements for those seeking to specialize in certain industries or areas of expertise.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete the certification process. The cost varies depending on the type of certification you are seeking, but generally ranges from $150-$500.

In order to get your CPS certification, you will need to register with NASP and submit an application along with proof of your sales experience and any other relevant documents. Once your application has been approved, you will be able to take the exam online or in person at one of NASP’s testing centers. After passing the exam, you will receive your official CPS certificate in the mail within two weeks.

2. Certified Sales Professional (CSP)

Certified Sales Professional (CSP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize sales professionals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and skill in the field of sales. It is administered by the National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP).

The CSP certification process involves passing an exam that covers topics such as customer service, sales strategies, communication skills, and product knowledge. The exam is offered online or in-person at various locations throughout the United States. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have at least two years of full-time experience in sales or related fields.

The cost of the CSP certification varies depending on where you take the exam. The cost typically ranges from $199 to $399 USD.

It usually takes about four weeks to receive your results after taking the CSP exam. Once you pass the exam, you will be awarded with a certificate and digital badge that can be used to demonstrate your expertise in sales to potential employers or clients.

3. Certified Sales Manager (CSM)

Certified Sales Manager (CSM) is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field of sales management. It is designed to help sales managers become more effective leaders and better equipped to manage their teams. The CSM certification is offered by the American Management Association (AMA), and it takes approximately 8-12 weeks to complete the program.

In order to obtain the CSM certification, you must first meet certain prerequisites. These include having at least two years of experience in a sales management role, completing at least three AMA courses related to sales management, and passing the Certified Sales Manager exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as customer service, team building, communication skills, goal setting, motivation techniques, leadership strategies, and sales process management.

The cost for obtaining the CSM certification varies depending on your location and whether you choose to take the courses online or in person. Generally speaking, it will cost around $2,000-$3,000 for all materials and fees associated with obtaining the certification.

4. Certified Solution Selling Specialist (CSSS)

Certified Solution Selling Specialist (CSSS) is a certification program offered by the Solution Selling Institute (SSI). It is designed to help sales professionals become more effective at selling solutions and services. The certification requires participants to complete an online course and pass an exam.

The CSSS program consists of four modules: Introduction to Solution Selling, Relationship Management, Needs Analysis & Value Proposition, and Closing & Negotiation. Each module includes a series of lectures, activities, and assessments that are designed to deepen knowledge of the topics covered. Participants must complete all four modules in order to receive the certification.

The entire program takes approximately 20 hours to complete. Participants have up to one year from the date of enrollment to finish the course.

To get certified as a CSSS, interested individuals must first register for the program on the SSI website. The cost for registration is $1,495 USD which covers access to all four modules plus additional resources such as webinars and e-books. Once registered, participants will be given access to the online course materials and can begin working towards their certification.

Upon completion of all four modules and passing the final exam with a score of 80% or higher, participants will receive their Certified Solution Selling Specialist certificate from SSI.

5. Certified Technology Sales Professional (CTSP)

Certified Technology Sales Professional (CTSP) is a professional certification program designed to help sales professionals develop and demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in selling technology products. The certification is offered by CompTIA, a leading provider of IT certifications.

The CTSP program consists of an online course that covers topics such as product knowledge, sales strategies, customer service, and marketing. The course includes quizzes and exams that must be passed in order to receive the certification.

It typically takes between six to eight weeks to complete the CTSP program depending on how much time you have available to devote to studying and completing the coursework.

In order to get certified as a CTSP, you must first register for the exam at CompTIA’s website. After registering, you will need to purchase the exam voucher from CompTIA which costs $225 USD. Once you have purchased the voucher, you can schedule your exam with Pearson VUE or Prometric Testing Centers. You will need to bring two forms of valid identification (e.g., driver’s license or passport) when taking the exam.

The cost of getting certified as a CTSP is $225 USD for the exam voucher plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam at a testing center such as Pearson VUE or Prometric Testing Centers.

6. Certified Advanced Negotiator (CAN)

Certified Advanced Negotiator (CAN) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Professional Negotiators (IAPN). The program provides negotiators with advanced training and education in negotiation skills and strategies. It is designed to help negotiators become more effective in their negotiations and increase their success rate.

The CAN program consists of three levels: Certified Advanced Negotiator Level I, Certified Advanced Negotiator Level II, and Certified Advanced Negotiator Level III. Each level requires completion of a series of online courses, exams, and practical exercises. The courses cover topics such as negotiation theory, communication skills, problem solving techniques, conflict resolution strategies, legal aspects of negotiation, and ethical considerations. After completing all three levels of the CAN program, participants are eligible to receive the CAN certification.

The time it takes to complete the CAN program varies depending on individual progress and commitment level. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from six months to two years to complete all three levels.

To get certified as an Advanced Negotiator through the IAPN's CAN program you must first register for the program online at www.iapn-certification.org . Once registered you will be able to access the course materials for each level as well as additional resources such as webinars and practice tests that can help you prepare for your exams.

The cost of the CAN certification depends on which level you are taking; however, it typically ranges from $200-$500 USD per level or $600-$1500 USD for all three levels combined.

7. Certified Strategic Selling Professional (CSSP)

Certified Strategic Selling Professional (CSSP) is a certification program offered by the Sales Education Foundation (SEF), an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the sales profession. The CSSP certification provides sales professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage complex sales cycles and build long-term customer relationships.

The CSSP certification program consists of two parts: an online self-study course and a proctored exam. The self-study course covers topics such as relationship building, customer needs analysis, value proposition development, negotiation strategies, and closing techniques. The exam tests your knowledge of these topics.

The self-study course takes approximately 8 hours to complete and can be completed at your own pace. After completing the course, you must take the proctored exam in order to receive your certification. The exam is administered in person at approved testing centers around the world.

The cost for the CSSP certification program varies depending on where you live but typically ranges from $500-$700 USD. This cost includes access to the online self-study course and one attempt at the proctored exam.

8. Microsoft Dynamics CRM Certification

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Certification is a professional certification program that validates an individual’s skills and knowledge in Microsoft Dynamics CRM. It is designed to recognize professionals who are proficient in the use of Microsoft Dynamics CRM solutions and demonstrate expertise in customer relationship management (CRM).

The certification process consists of passing one or more exams, depending on the type of certification you are seeking. There are three levels of certification available:

• Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP): This is the entry-level certification for individuals with basic knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics CRM solutions. To obtain this certification, you must pass one exam. The exam covers topics such as system administration, customization, data management, and reporting.
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): This is an intermediate level certification for those who have a deep understanding of Microsoft Dynamics CRM solutions and can configure, deploy, and manage them effectively. To obtain this certification, you must pass two exams. The exams cover topics such as system architecture, integration, security, customizations, and reporting.
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Master (MCSM): This is the advanced level certification for those who possess expert-level knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics CRM solutions and can design complex business processes using the platform. To obtain this certification, you must pass three exams. The exams cover topics such as system architecture, development tools and techniques, customizations, deployment strategies, security measures, and reporting.

The amount of time it takes to get certified depends on your experience level with Microsoft Dynamics CRM solutions and how much time you spend studying for the exams. Generally speaking though it can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to prepare for the exams depending on your prior experience with the product.

To get certified you need to register for an exam through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers which offer computer-based testing services around the world. You can find out more information about registering for an exam here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/certification-overview.aspx#tab=2

The cost of each exam varies depending on where it is taken but typically ranges from $100-$200 USD per exam plus any applicable taxes or fees charged by the testing center where it is taken at.

9. Oracle Business Intelligence Certification

Oracle Business Intelligence Certification is an industry-recognized certification program that verifies a person’s skills and knowledge in the area of Oracle Business Intelligence (BI) products. This certification is designed to demonstrate a person’s ability to design, build, and deploy BI solutions using Oracle BI tools.

The duration of the certification depends on the type of certification you are looking for. The Oracle Business Intelligence Foundation Suite 11g Essentials certification requires passing one exam and can be completed in 1-2 days. The Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition 11g Certified Implementation Specialist certification requires passing two exams and can take up to 2 weeks to complete.

To get certified in Oracle Business Intelligence, you must pass all required exams for the specific level of certification. The exams are administered by Pearson VUE and cost $245 USD per exam.

In addition to the cost of the exams, there may be additional fees associated with obtaining the certifications such as registration fees or training costs if required.

10. IBM Cognos Certification

IBM Cognos Certification is a professional certification program that provides recognition for individuals who have demonstrated the skills and knowledge required to design, develop, deploy, and maintain IBM Cognos software solutions. It is designed to validate an individual’s expertise in the areas of data analysis, report writing, dashboard development, and data visualization.

The certification process consists of three levels: Associate (Cognos Analytics), Professional (Cognos Analytics Advanced) and Expert (Cognos Analytics Expert). Each level requires the successful completion of one or more exams. The duration of each exam varies between 45 minutes to 2 hours depending on the level.

To get certified, you must register with IBM Professional Certification Program and purchase an exam voucher from Pearson VUE. The cost of each exam varies depending on the level; however, it typically ranges from $100 to $200 USD per exam. After successfully completing all exams at a given level, you will receive your official IBM Cognos Certification badge and certificate.

Do You Really Need a Technical Sales Representative Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on a few factors. If you are looking for a career in technical sales, a certificate may be beneficial in helping you stand out from the competition and demonstrate your commitment to the field. It can also show potential employers that you have taken the time to gain specialized knowledge and skills related to the job.

However, if your goal is just to break into technical sales, it may not be necessary to obtain a certificate. Many employers are more interested in practical experience than educational qualifications when evaluating job applicants. For instance, if you already have sales experience or have completed relevant coursework, these could be viewed as sufficient evidence of your qualifications.

Ultimately, it’s up to you whether or not you decide to pursue a technical sales representative certificate. While it can provide an additional layer of credibility and demonstrate your commitment to the profession, it’s ultimately up to potential employers whether they view it as necessary for success in the field.

Related: Technical Sales Representative Resume Examples

FAQs About Technical Sales Representative Certifications

1. What qualifications are needed to become a Technical Sales Representative?

Answer: The most common qualifications for a Technical Sales Representative include a bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field; experience in sales and customer service; and knowledge of the technical products being sold.

2. How long does it take to become certified as a Technical Sales Representative?

Answer: The amount of time needed to become certified as a Technical Sales Representative depends on the certification program chosen and the individual's level of experience. Generally, most certification programs can be completed within 6-12 months.

3. What topics are covered in Technical Sales Representative Certification courses?

Answer: Topics typically covered in Technical Sales Representative Certification courses include product knowledge, customer service skills, sales techniques, problem solving, negotiation tactics, communication strategies, and market analysis.

4. Are there any online resources available to help prepare for Technical Sales Representative Certifications?

Answer: Yes! There are many online resources available to help prepare for Technical Sales Representative Certifications. These include webinars, practice tests, study guides, and video tutorials that can provide valuable insight into the material covered by certification exams.

5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as a Technical Sales Representative?

Answer: Some certification programs may require applicants to have prior experience in sales or customer service before they can apply for the program. Additionally, some programs may require applicants to take an assessment test prior to enrollment to ensure they possess adequate levels of knowledge about the technical products being sold.