Top 10 Usher Certifications

Certifications are important for an usher in the job market because they demonstrate a level of professionalism and expertise that employers look for when hiring. With certifications, an usher can show potential employers that they have the knowledge and skills necessary to provide excellent customer service and safely manage crowds. Certifications also demonstrate to employers that an usher has taken the time and effort to invest in their career by completing additional training. This shows employers that an usher is committed to their job and willing to go above and beyond what is expected of them. Furthermore, certifications can help an usher stand out from other candidates who may not have the same qualifications.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Ushers and explain how they can help enhance an usher's career.

What are Usher Certifications?

Usher certification is a program developed by Usher, an organization that provides training and resources to those in the hospitality industry. The goal of usher certification is to ensure that all hospitality professionals have the skills and knowledge necessary to provide exceptional customer service. This includes understanding customer needs, providing timely service, recognizing customer expectations, and creating memorable experiences. By becoming certified, individuals demonstrate their commitment to excellence in hospitality services.

Having an usher certification can help individuals stand out from other job applicants and give them an edge when applying for jobs in the hospitality field. It also provides employers with assurance that their staff has been trained and certified in best practices related to customer service. Having this credential can lead to increased opportunities within the hospitality sector as well as higher pay grades due to recognition of one’s skills and abilities. Additionally, it may open up more possibilities for advancement and career growth within the field.

Pro Tip: When seeking usher certification, make sure to read the requirements of the venue carefully. Some venues may require additional certifications or qualifications beyond those that are typically required for ushering. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the venue's policies and procedures to ensure you are able to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for guests.

Related: What does an Usher do?

Top 10 Usher Certifications

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

1. Confessions (2004): Diamond (10x Platinum)

Confessions (2004) is a double-disc album by American singer and songwriter Usher. It was released on March 23, 2004, by Arista Records. The album was seen as a departure from the R&B style of his previous albums and featured more hip hop influences. It became an international success, selling over 20 million copies worldwide and becoming one of the best-selling albums of all time.

The Diamond certification is awarded to any album or single that has sold 10 million copies or more in the United States. This certification is awarded by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). To achieve this certification, an artist must have shipped 10 million units to retailers across the country. This can include physical CDs, digital downloads, and streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music.

It typically takes several years for an album to reach Diamond status. For example, Usher’s Confessions (2004) reached Diamond status in 2020 after 16 years since its release date in 2004.

To get a Diamond certification for an album or single, you must first make sure that your music is available on all major streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, etc., as well as physical stores like Walmart and Target. You should also make sure that your music is promoted through various channels such as radio stations and television shows so that it reaches a wide audience. Once you have done this, you will need to track your sales numbers with Nielsen SoundScan to ensure they meet the requirements for Diamond status.

The cost of achieving Diamond status varies depending on how much promotion an artist does for their music but it can be quite expensive due to marketing costs associated with promoting an album or single.

2. X Platinum

X Platinum is a tier of membership offered by Xfinity, the cable and internet provider from Comcast. It is the highest tier of service available, offering an extensive range of features and benefits.

To get X Platinum, you must first sign up for an Xfinity service plan. You can then upgrade to X Platinum either online or over the phone. The process typically takes between 24-48 hours to complete.

X Platinum offers a variety of features and benefits, including: access to premium channels like HBO; unlimited data usage; faster internet speeds; access to more than 1 million Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide; access to the Xfinity Stream app with live TV streaming on your mobile device; and access to the Xfinity Voice home phone service with unlimited nationwide calling.

The cost of X Platinum depends on which services you choose and your location. Prices start at around $80 per month for basic packages, but can go up depending on what services you add.

3. My Way (1997): 6x Platinum

My Way is a 1997 album by the French singer-songwriter Pascal Obispo. The album was certified 6x Platinum in France, which means it sold at least 600,000 copies.

To achieve 6x Platinum status in France, an album must sell at least 600,000 copies. This can take anywhere from several weeks to several months or even years depending on the popularity of the artist and how well the album is promoted.

In order to get 6x Platinum status for My Way, fans would have had to purchase the album from retailers such as iTunes or physical stores like Amazon or HMV. The cost of the album varies depending on where it is purchased and if any discounts are available.

4. Here I Stand (2008): 4x Platinum

Here I Stand is a 2008 album by American recording artist Usher. It was released on May 22, 2008, by LaFace Records. The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart and has since been certified 4x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

To achieve 4x Platinum status, an album must have sold four million copies in the United States. This means that Here I Stand has sold over four million copies in the US alone since its release.

In order to get 4x Platinum certification, an artist or record label must submit a request to the RIAA with proof of sales figures. The RIAA then verifies these figures and awards certification if they are accurate. There is no cost associated with submitting a request for certification; however, there may be costs associated with obtaining proof of sales figures.

5. Raymond v Raymond (2010): 3x Platinum

Raymond v Raymond is a 2010 album by American R&B singer Usher. It was his sixth studio album, and it debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album was certified 3x Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales of over three million copies in the United States.

To achieve 3x Platinum status, an album must sell at least three million copies in the United States. This usually takes several months or even years to accomplish, depending on how popular the artist is and how much promotion they do. To get 3x Platinum status, an artist must have a successful marketing campaign that includes radio airplay, music videos, live performances, and other promotional activities.

The cost of producing an album varies greatly. It can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars depending on production costs and marketing expenses. Additionally, artists may need to pay for distribution fees if they want their albums to be available in stores or online music services like iTunes or Spotify.

6. Looking 4 Myself (2012): 2x Platinum

Looking 4 Myself is the seventh studio album by American singer-songwriter Usher, released on June 8, 2012. The album was produced by a variety of producers including Max Martin, Diplo, and Salaam Remi. It features guest appearances from Nas, Rick Ross, Luke Steele of Empire of the Sun, and Pharrell Williams.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certifies albums that have sold at least two million copies in the United States as "2x Platinum". This certification is awarded to an artist or group when they have sold two million copies of an album within a certain time period. The time frame for this certification can vary depending on the type of music being certified. For example, pop and rock albums must sell two million copies within 18 months to be certified 2x Platinum while country albums must sell two million copies within 24 months to be certified 2x Platinum.

To get 2x Platinum certification for Looking 4 Myself, Usher had to sell two million copies of the album within 18 months after its release date (June 8th 2012). There is no cost associated with getting this certification; it is simply a recognition that an artist or group has achieved a high level of success with their music.

7. Versus (2010): 2x Platinum

Versus (2010) is a certification given by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) to recognize albums or singles that have achieved at least two million units in sales. To receive this certification, an album or single must have sold two million copies within the United States, including digital downloads and physical copies.

It takes approximately 2-3 years for an album or single to reach the two million mark in order to qualify for this certification. This time frame can vary depending on how popular the artist is and how much promotion their music receives.

In order to get Versus (2010), artists must sell their music through various outlets such as iTunes, Amazon, streaming services, physical retailers, etc. It is important for artists to promote their music and make sure it is available in multiple formats in order to maximize sales.

The cost of achieving Versus (2010) varies depending on the artist’s budget and promotional efforts. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars up to several hundred thousand dollars in order to reach this level of success.

8. OMG Tour Live From London (2011): Gold

OMG Tour Live From London (2011): Gold is a DVD and Blu-ray release of the concert by British boy band, One Direction, filmed at The O2 Arena in London. It was released on March 12th, 2012.

The DVD and Blu-ray feature the full concert set list with behind the scenes footage and exclusive interviews with the band members. It also includes a special bonus track, "Moments".

Getting OMG Tour Live From London (2011): Gold is simple. You can purchase it online from retailers such as Amazon or you can buy it in stores such as Walmart or Target.

The cost of OMG Tour Live From London (2011): Gold varies depending on where you purchase it from. On Amazon, the DVD version costs around $14 while the Blu-ray version costs around $18.

9. Hard II Love (2016): Gold

Hard II Love is the eighth studio album by American singer-songwriter Usher, released on September 16, 2016. The album consists of 15 tracks and was produced by Zaytoven, Brandon "B.A.M." Hodge, Pop & Oak, and The Audibles.

The Gold Edition of Hard II Love was released on November 18th, 2016 and includes three bonus tracks not featured on the original release: “Crash” featuring Yo Gotti, “Missin U” featuring Wale, and “No Limit (Remix)” featuring Young Thug and A$AP Ferg.

To get the Gold Edition of Hard II Love you can purchase it either digitally or physically from various retailers such as Amazon or iTunes. It usually takes up to 24 hours for a digital download to be available after purchase. The physical CD version can take up to 5-7 days to arrive depending on your location.

The cost of Hard II Love depends on where you purchase it from but generally ranges between $9.99 - $14.99 USD for the digital version and $11.99 - $17.99 USD for the physical CD version (prices may vary).

10. The Truth Tour Live From Atlanta (2008): Gold

The Truth Tour Live From Atlanta (2008) is a live concert DVD featuring the hip-hop group, OutKast. The DVD was released on November 11, 2008 and features two discs with over two hours of footage from their performance at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Gold Edition of this DVD includes a bonus disc with additional performances and behind-the-scenes footage. It also comes packaged in a limited edition gold-plated embossed case. This edition is limited to 5,000 copies and can only be purchased directly from OutKast's official website.

It takes about 1-2 weeks to receive the Gold Edition after ordering it online. The cost for the Gold Edition is $19.99 plus shipping and handling fees.

Do You Really Need a Usher Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the particular situation. In some cases, an Usher Certificate may be necessary and in other cases, it may not be necessary.

When it comes to formal events such as weddings, funerals and other special occasions, having an Usher Certificate can be beneficial. The certificate can help ensure that all of the ushers are properly trained and understand their roles and responsibilities. It also serves as a way to recognize their efforts and contributions to the event. Furthermore, having an Usher Certificate can help give guests peace of mind knowing that professional ushers are present who are knowledgeable about proper etiquette and protocol.

In other situations however, such as when hosting a casual gathering or party in your home, an Usher Certificate may not be necessary. In these types of informal events, there is typically no need for trained personnel since the hosts already have a good understanding of how best to handle guests and manage their time at the event.

Ultimately, whether or not you need an Usher Certificate will depend on the type of event you are hosting and what kind of atmosphere you would like to create for your guests. If you do decide that having certified ushers is important for your event, then obtaining an Usher Certificate will be beneficial for both yourself and your guests.

Related: Usher Resume Examples

FAQs About Usher Certifications

1. What is an Usher Certification?

An Usher Certification is a designation that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in customer service, crowd management, and event-related tasks. It provides a standard for the industry and helps employers identify qualified professionals.

2. How do I become certified as an Usher?

To become certified as an Usher, you must meet certain criteria including passing an exam administered by the International Association of Professional Ushers (IAPU). You must also complete a training program that covers topics such as crowd control, customer service, and event management.

3. How long does it take to become certified?

The time required to become certified varies based on your experience and training level. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from six months to two years to complete the certification process depending on your commitment and effort put into the program.

4. Is there a cost associated with certification?

Yes, there is typically a fee associated with certification which covers the cost of materials used during the training program and examination fees. The cost may vary depending on the specific requirements of each individual program.

5. What are some benefits of becoming certified as an Usher?

Becoming certified as an Usher can open up many opportunities for career advancement in the hospitality industry. Certified ushers are often preferred by employers because they have demonstrated their knowledge and expertise in customer service, crowd control, and event management. Additionally, having this certification can lead to more job security and higher wages due to increased demand for qualified professionals in this field.