Top 10 Territory Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for a territory manager in the job market because they help demonstrate a level of competency and knowledge to potential employers. Having certifications can help set you apart from other applicants and show that you have taken the initiative to increase your skills and knowledge in the field. Additionally, certifications can give employers an indication of how well-versed you are in specific areas of expertise, such as sales management, customer service, or geography. Certifications also establish credibility with employers, as they indicate that you have achieved a certain standard of professional development and mastery in your field. Ultimately, certifications can be seen as a sign of commitment to advancing your career and increasing your value as an employee.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Territory Managers and explains how they can help advance a territory manager's career.

What are Territory Manager Certifications?

Territory Manager certification is a program designed to help those in sales management roles better understand the principles of managing, motivating and leading a sales team. It provides an in-depth study of the skills needed to be successful in sales management roles and gives participants the tools to effectively manage their own territory. The certification program covers topics such as understanding customer needs, building relationships with customers, developing strategies for improving performance, setting goals and objectives, and developing effective communication skills. It also covers how to create a positive work environment, how to develop sales strategies that maximize revenue potential, and how to measure success.

The benefits of obtaining Territory Manager certification are numerous. Having this certification demonstrates a commitment to excellence in sales management roles and can help professionals stand out from their peers when applying for higher-level positions or promotions. Additionally, it provides knowledge on the fundamentals of successful territory management which can help managers increase productivity, increase revenue potential and improve customer satisfaction. Finally, it gives managers the confidence they need to lead their teams more effectively by providing them with practical skills that can be applied immediately in their current role.

Pro Tip: Consider taking an online course or attending a workshop to increase your knowledge and understanding of territory manager certification. This will help you stay up-to-date on best practices and industry trends, as well as give you the tools to effectively manage your territory. Additionally, having a certified designation can increase your value and credibility with potential employers and customers.

Related: What does a Territory Manager do?

Top 10 Territory Manager Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Territory Manager (CPTM)

Certified Professional Territory Manager (CPTM) is a certification program offered by the American Association of Professional Territory Managers (AAPTM). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of professional territory managers. The CPTM certification demonstrates that an individual has achieved a high level of expertise in the field of territory management.

The CPTM program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as business strategy, customer service, sales process management, and more. The exam tests the candidate’s knowledge on these topics as well as their ability to apply them in a real-world setting.

It typically takes about three months to complete the CPTM program. To get certified, candidates must complete the online course and pass the exam with a score of 80% or higher. Candidates may also need to provide proof of their experience in territory management or related fields.

The cost for the CPTM program varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $500 to $1,000 USD.

2. Certified Sales Territory Manager (CSTM)

Certified Sales Territory Manager (CSTM) is a professional certification program designed to equip sales professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage sales territories. The CSTM program provides comprehensive training in sales territory management, including topics such as territory analysis, goal setting, customer segmentation, account planning, and more.

The CSTM program can be completed in as little as six months. It includes an online course that covers the fundamentals of sales territory management, plus an exam for those who wish to become certified. In order to become certified, you must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost for the CSTM program varies depending on where you take it and how long it takes you to complete it. Generally speaking, the cost will range from $500-$1500. However, some companies offer discounts or special pricing if you purchase multiple courses at once or enroll in a package deal.

In order to get your CSTM certification, you must first complete the required coursework and then take and pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. Once you have done this, you will receive your official certificate from the organization offering the certification program.

3. Certified Territory Management Professional (CTMP)

Certified Territory Management Professional (CTMP) is a professional certification designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of territory management. This certification is offered by the American Marketing Association (AMA).

The CTMP certification requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in the areas of market analysis, territory planning, customer segmentation, sales force deployment, and sales performance management. The program also includes an examination that tests the applicant’s understanding of the concepts and principles involved in these areas.

It typically takes about 6 months to complete the CTMP certification program. During this time, applicants must complete a series of online courses, participate in webinars, and take a final exam.

To get certified as a CTMP, applicants must first submit an application form to the AMA. Once accepted into the program, applicants must then pay a fee for each course they are enrolled in. The total cost for all courses and exams ranges from $1,500 - $2,000 USD depending on which courses are taken.

Once all requirements have been met, applicants will receive their official CTMP certificate from the AMA. This certificate is valid for two years and can be renewed by taking additional courses or passing additional exams as required by the AMA.

4. Certified Strategic Territory Manager (CSTM)

Certified Strategic Territory Manager (CSTM) is a professional certification program designed to help sales professionals develop and hone their skills in the field of territory management. The certification consists of a comprehensive curriculum that covers topics such as understanding customer needs, developing strategic plans, managing resources, and building relationships with customers. In order to obtain the CSTM certification, individuals must complete an online course and pass an exam.

The course typically takes between three and four months to complete depending on the individual's schedule. It is offered through accredited providers like Salesforce Academy or HubSpot Academy. The cost of the course varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $500-$1000.

Once the course has been completed, individuals must pass an exam in order to receive their CSTM certification. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions based on the material covered in the course. Upon successful completion of the exam, individuals will receive their CSTM certificate which is valid for two years before needing to be renewed.

5. Certified Regional Sales Manager (CRSM)

Certified Regional Sales Manager (CRSM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize sales managers who have achieved a high level of success in their field. The program is offered through the American Association of Professional Salespeople (AAPS).

The CRSM certification requires applicants to demonstrate proficiency in sales management and leadership, as well as knowledge of current trends and techniques. The program consists of two parts: a written exam and an oral presentation. Applicants must pass both parts with a score of 70% or higher in order to receive the certification.

The written exam covers topics such as sales management, customer service, marketing, operations, and finance. It takes approximately four hours to complete the exam. The oral presentation is conducted by an AAPS-certified instructor and includes questions about the applicant's experience and qualifications for the position.

The cost for the CRSM certification varies depending on the provider. Generally, it costs between $500-$1000 USD.

6. Certified National Account Manager (CNAM)

Certified National Account Manager (CNAM) is a professional certification program designed to equip sales professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage national accounts. The program focuses on developing the ability to build relationships, create value-added solutions, and develop strategies for managing complex customer needs.

The CNAM certification is offered by the National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP). It takes approximately 6 months to complete the program, which includes five courses: Introduction to National Accounts, Relationship Building & Value Creation, Negotiations & Contracting, Financial Analysis & Pricing Strategies, and Strategic Management of National Accounts.

To get certified as a CNAM, you must first complete all five courses in the program and pass an exam at the end of each course. Once you have completed all five courses and passed all exams, you will receive your CNAM certification.

The cost of the CNAM certification program varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it will cost around $2,000 - $3,000 for all five courses and exams.

7. Certified Channel Partner Manager (CCPM)

Certified Channel Partner Manager (CCPM) is a professional certification program designed to equip professionals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to manage a successful channel partner program. The CCPM program is offered by the Channel Management Association (CMA), an international organization dedicated to advancing the field of channel management.

The CCPM certification requires applicants to have at least three years of experience in channel management or related fields, such as sales and marketing. The certification process consists of two parts: an online exam and an in-person interview. The online exam covers topics such as channel strategy, partner selection, relationship building, and performance measurement. The in-person interview focuses on the applicant’s ability to manage a successful channel partner program.

It typically takes about six months for applicants to complete the certification process and receive their CCPM credential. During this time, applicants must complete all required coursework, pass the online exam, and pass the in-person interview.

The cost of obtaining a CCPM credential varies depending on which CMA membership level you choose. There are three levels: Basic Membership ($99/year), Professional Membership ($299/year), and Elite Membership ($499/year). All memberships include access to exclusive resources such as webinars, ebooks, white papers, case studies, and more.

8. Certified Key Account Manager (CKAM)

Certified Key Account Manager (CKAM) is a certification program designed to help sales professionals become more effective in managing key accounts. The program focuses on developing the skills needed to build and maintain relationships with important customers, as well as understanding their needs and finding solutions that meet those needs.

The CKAM program consists of four modules: Account Management Fundamentals, Relationship Building, Solution Selling, and Negotiations. Each module includes an online course with interactive exercises, quizzes, and case studies. The program also includes a final exam which must be passed to receive the certification.

The entire CKAM program can be completed in approximately 8 weeks depending on how much time you are able to dedicate to it. To get started you will need to register for the program and pay the associated fee. The cost of the CKAM program varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $1,500 - $2,000 USD.

Once you have successfully completed all of the modules and passed the final exam you will receive your Certified Key Account Manager certificate which is valid for three years.

9. Certified International Trade Specialist (CITS)

Certified International Trade Specialist (CITS) is a professional certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in international trade. The CITS program is offered by the Forum for International Trade Training (FITT), an international, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting global trade excellence.

The CITS program consists of three levels: Level 1 – Introduction to Global Trade, Level 2 – Advanced International Trade Practices, and Level 3 – Professional Certification. Each level requires completion of an online course and a written examination. The courses are self-paced and can be completed in as little as 4 weeks or up to 6 months depending on the individual’s commitment and dedication to learning the material.

To obtain the CITS certification, individuals must successfully complete all three levels of the program and pass all three examinations with a score of 70% or higher. In addition, applicants must have at least two years of experience working in international trade or related fields.

The cost for the entire CITS program varies depending on which level you are taking. Level 1 costs $499 USD, Level 2 costs $599 USD, and Level 3 costs $699 USD. In total, it will cost approximately $1,797 USD to become a Certified International Trade Specialist (CITS).

10. Certified Global Account Executive (CGAE)

Certified Global Account Executive (CGAE) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the highest level of achievement in global account management. It is offered by the Institute for International Business (IIB), an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing international business education and research.

The CGAE program consists of two components: an online course and a comprehensive exam. The online course covers topics such as global account strategy, sales process, customer relationship management, and international market dynamics. It takes approximately 30 hours to complete the course. Upon successful completion of the course, participants are eligible to take the CGAE exam.

The CGAE exam is a three-hour multiple choice test that covers topics such as global account strategy, sales process, customer relationship management, and international market dynamics. To pass the exam and become certified, candidates must score at least 70% on each section of the exam.

The cost for taking the CGAE program varies depending on whether you are an IIB member or not. For non-members, it costs $1,500 USD for both the online course and exam. For members of IIB, it costs $1,000 USD for both components.

Do You Really Need a Territory Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your career goals. A Territory Manager Certificate can provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively manage a team of salespeople in a specific geographic area. It can also open up opportunities for advancement in the field of sales management.

If you are looking to enter or advance in the field of sales management, then obtaining a Territory Manager Certificate could be beneficial. The certificate will give you an edge over other candidates who have not acquired this specialized training. The certificate program typically covers topics such as customer relationship management, territory planning, and marketing strategies. It also provides hands-on experience through case studies and projects that are designed to help you develop the skills necessary to become an effective manager.

However, if your goal is simply to move into a managerial position without any additional training or certification, then it may not be necessary for you to obtain a Territory Manager Certificate. Many employers are willing to consider candidates with only basic sales experience and those who demonstrate strong leadership potential. In addition, there are many other certifications available that may be more applicable for your career path such as Sales Management Certificates or Professional Selling Certificates which focus more on selling techniques than on managing teams of people.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a Territory Manager Certificate really depends on where you want your career in sales management to go and what type of experience or education you already have. If obtaining the certificate fits in with your overall career goals and would help open up new opportunities for advancement then it may be beneficial for you to pursue one. However, if your goal is simply to gain entry into the field without any additional training then it may not be necessary for you to obtain one at this time.

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FAQs About Territory Manager Certifications

Q1: What is a Territory Manager certification?

A1: A Territory Manager certification is a professional credential that demonstrates a person's knowledge and expertise in managing sales territories. It typically requires completing an approved course of study, passing an exam, and meeting certain experience or education requirements.

Q2: How do I become certified as a Territory Manager?

A2: To become certified as a Territory Manager, you must complete an approved training program, pass the necessary exam, and meet any other applicable experience or education requirements.

Q3: What topics are covered in the certification program?

A3: Topics covered in the certification program may include territory management strategies, customer relationship management, sales forecasting and budgeting, market research analysis, and more.

Q4: How long does it take to earn my Territory Manager certification?

A4: The amount of time needed to earn your certification will depend on the specific requirements of the program you choose. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from six months to two years to complete all of the necessary training and exams required for certification.

Q5: What are some benefits of becoming certified as a Territory Manager?

A5: Benefits of becoming certified as a Territory Manager include increased job opportunities and higher salaries. Additionally, it may help you stand out amongst other candidates when applying for jobs in this field or pursuing promotions within your current organization.