Top 10 Visual Merchandiser Certifications

Certifications are important for a visual merchandiser in the job market because they demonstrate to potential employers that the individual has the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the job effectively. Certifications also show employers that the individual is committed to their profession, as it takes dedication and hard work to obtain these credentials. Additionally, certifications can open up new opportunities for visual merchandisers, such as higher salaries or more advanced positions. Finally, having a certification can give visual merchandisers an advantage over other applicants when competing for jobs.

This article reviews the top certifications for Visual Merchandisers and explains how they can help to further a Visual Merchandiser's career.

What are Visual Merchandiser Certifications?

Visual merchandiser certification is a program designed to equip individuals with the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary to become successful visual merchandisers. Visual merchandising is an important part of retailing as it helps create an inviting atmosphere for customers and can help increase sales. Through certification, individuals learn how to effectively merchandise products in a way that will draw attention and maximize sales.

The program covers topics such as visual presentation techniques, display design, product placement, color usage, customer service, store layout and design, marketing strategies, and more. It also provides hands-on training in creating displays in physical stores or online stores. This type of learning allows students to gain real-world experience in visual merchandising before entering the field.

By obtaining visual merchandiser certification, professionals demonstrate their expertise in this area and set themselves apart from other candidates when seeking employment opportunities. Certification also provides access to job postings that may not be available to those without the credential. Additionally, employers may be more likely to hire certified applicants due to their demonstrated commitment to the profession. Overall, obtaining visual merchandiser certification can help individuals advance their careers by gaining a competitive edge over other job seekers.

Pro Tip: When considering a visual merchandiser certification, look for programs that offer hands-on experience and provide the opportunity to work with professionals in the field. This will help you gain real-world knowledge and skills to give you an edge when entering the job market.

Related: What does a Visual Merchandiser do?

Top 10 Visual Merchandiser Certifications

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

1. Certified Visual Merchandiser (CVM)

Certified Visual Merchandiser (CVM) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of visual merchandising. Visual merchandising involves creating attractive displays and layouts to promote products, services, and brands in retail stores and other public spaces. Certified Visual Merchandisers are highly skilled professionals who understand the principles of design, color theory, product placement, lighting, and store layout.

It typically takes up to two years to become a Certified Visual Merchandiser. To get certified, individuals must complete an approved course or program in visual merchandising from an accredited college or university. After completing the coursework, applicants must pass an exam administered by the International Visual Merchandising Association (IVMA).

The cost of becoming a Certified Visual Merchandiser varies depending on the program chosen. Most programs range from $500-$1,500 for tuition and fees. In addition to tuition costs, there may be additional fees for materials such as textbooks and supplies.

Once certified, individuals can join the IVMA's Professional Network which provides access to job postings and networking opportunities with other professionals in the field.

2. Certified Visual Merchandising Professional (CVMP)

Certified Visual Merchandising Professional (CVMP) is a professional certification program that provides visual merchandisers with the knowledge and skills to plan, design, and execute effective visual merchandising strategies. The program focuses on the fundamentals of visual merchandising, including product placement, layout design, window displays, store fixtures and signage. It also covers topics such as customer service techniques, marketing principles, and retail analytics.

The CVMP certification program is offered by the International Visual Merchandising Institute (IVMI). It consists of a series of online courses and an in-person workshop. The online courses cover topics such as color theory, product presentation, display design principles, visual communication techniques, and retail analytics. The in-person workshop provides hands-on practice with store fixtures and other visual merchandising tools.

It typically takes 8-10 weeks to complete the entire CVMP certification program. To get certified you must successfully complete all of the online courses and attend the in-person workshop. Upon completion you will receive your official CVMP certificate from IVMI.

The cost of the CVMP certification program varies depending on where you take it. Generally it costs between $1,500 - $2,000 USD for the full program including both online courses and in-person workshop fees.

3. Certified Store Design and Visual Merchandising Professional (CSDVMP)

Certified Store Design and Visual Merchandising Professional (CSDVMP) is a certification program offered by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). It is designed to provide professionals in the retail industry with the knowledge and skills necessary to create successful retail environments. The program focuses on store design, visual merchandising, customer service, and retail operations.

The CSDVMP certification process consists of two parts: an online course and an in-person exam. The online course covers topics such as store design principles, visual merchandising techniques, customer service strategies, and retail operations. This portion of the program takes approximately 8-10 weeks to complete.

The in-person exam consists of a written test and a practical demonstration of store design principles and visual merchandising techniques. This portion of the program takes approximately 4-6 hours to complete.

To receive the CSDVMP certification, applicants must successfully complete both portions of the program. The cost for the entire certification process is $1,000 USD.

4. Certified Visual Display Artist (CVDA)

Certified Visual Display Artist (CVDA) is a certification program offered by the International Visual Display Association (IVDA). It is designed to recognize and reward those with exceptional skill and knowledge in the field of visual display design. The certification is based on a comprehensive exam that covers all aspects of visual display design, including principles, techniques, materials, and tools.

It typically takes about six months to complete the program and obtain the CVDA certification. To get started, you must first apply for membership with the IVDA. Once accepted as a member, you will be able to register for the exam. You will then have access to study materials and resources that will help you prepare for the exam.

The cost of obtaining the CVDA certification varies depending on your member status with IVDA. If you are an individual member, it costs $175 USD; if you are a corporate member it costs $250 USD; and if you are an international member it costs $300 USD.

5. Certified Retail Visual Merchandiser (CRVM)

Certified Retail Visual Merchandiser (CRVM) is a professional certification program that provides visual merchandisers with the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to be successful in their field. The program was developed by the National Retail Federation (NRF) in partnership with the International Visual Merchandising Association (IVMA).

The CRVM certification requires applicants to have at least two years of experience in retail visual merchandising or related fields. To become certified, applicants must complete an online course and pass a comprehensive exam. The course covers topics such as product presentation, store layout, customer service, marketing strategies, and more.

It takes approximately six to eight weeks to complete the required coursework and pass the exam. The cost of the certification is $495 for NRF members and $595 for non-members. This fee includes access to all course materials and the exam fee.

6. Certified Retailer of Visual Merchandise (CRVM)

Certified Retailer of Visual Merchandise (CRVM) is a certification program offered by the National Retail Federation (NRF). It is designed to help retailers increase their sales and profits by improving their visual merchandising skills. The CRVM program provides training, resources, and tools to help retailers create effective visual displays that will attract customers and drive sales.

The CRVM program consists of two parts: an online course and an in-person exam. The online course covers topics such as store layout, product placement, signage, lighting, color theory, and display design. The in-person exam tests knowledge of the concepts learned in the online course.

The cost for the CRVM program varies depending on whether you take the online course or attend an in-person workshop. The online course costs $99 USD while attending a workshop costs $299 USD.

It typically takes about six weeks to complete the CRVM program from start to finish. This includes taking the online course and passing the in-person exam. Once you have completed both components of the program, you will receive your official certificate of completion from NRF.

7. International Association of Visual Merchandisers Certification Program (IAVMC)

The International Association of Visual Merchandisers Certification Program (IAVMC) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of visual merchandisers. It is the only international certification program for visual merchandisers and provides an opportunity for individuals to demonstrate their expertise in the field.

The IAVMC certification program consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical assessment. The written exam covers topics such as visual merchandising fundamentals, product display techniques, store layout design, customer service, marketing strategies, and more. The practical assessment evaluates an individual’s ability to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting.

It typically takes about six months to complete the entire IAVMC certification process. During this time, applicants must complete both the written exam and the practical assessment. After completing both components successfully, applicants will receive their official IAVMC certificate.

The cost of the IAVMC certification program varies depending on where you are located and which organization you are applying through. Generally speaking, it costs between $300-$500 USD to take part in the program.

8. National Association of Visual Merchandisers Certification Program (NAVMC)

The National Association of Visual Merchandisers Certification Program (NAVMC) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and promote excellence in visual merchandising. The NAVMC certification is the only industry-recognized credential for visual merchandisers, and it is designed to help professionals demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field.

The NAVMC certification process consists of two parts: an online exam and a portfolio review. The online exam covers topics such as retail display design, visual merchandising principles, product presentation, customer service, store layout, lighting design, window displays, and more. The portfolio review assesses the applicant's experience in visual merchandising through examples of their work.

It typically takes three months to complete the NAVMC certification process from start to finish. To get started on the certification process, applicants must first register with the National Association of Visual Merchandisers (NAVM). Once registered, applicants will receive access to an online learning portal where they can take the exam and submit their portfolio for review.

The cost for the NAVMC certification program varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of NAMV. For members, it costs $150 for both parts of the program; for non-members it costs $250 for both parts.

9. American Institute of Visual Merchandising Certification Program (AIVMC)

The American Institute of Visual Merchandising Certification Program (AIVMC) is a professional certification program for visual merchandisers. The program is designed to provide visual merchandisers with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their profession. It covers topics such as store design, product placement, lighting, window displays, customer service and more.

The AIVMC certification program consists of two parts: an online course and an in-person exam. The online course takes approximately 10 hours to complete and includes modules on visual merchandising basics, trends, techniques, and strategies. After completing the online course, students must pass an in-person exam at an approved testing center.

To get certified through the AIVMC program, you must first register for the online course and pay a fee of $249 USD. Once registered, you will receive access to the online course materials which you can complete at your own pace. Once completed, you will need to find an approved testing center to take the in-person exam. Upon successful completion of both parts of the program, you will be awarded a certificate from the American Institute of Visual Merchandising certifying that you have achieved professional certification status as a Visual Merchandiser.

10. Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association Certification Program (PRSMAC).

The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association Certification Program (PRSMAC) is an industry-recognized certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of retail store maintenance professionals. The program is administered by the Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM).

The PRSMAC certification program consists of two levels: Certified Retail Store Maintenance Technician (CRT) and Certified Retail Store Maintenance Manager (CRM). To become certified at either level, applicants must pass a written exam. The CRT exam focuses on basic retail store maintenance topics such as safety, electrical systems, HVAC systems, plumbing systems, and building codes. The CRM exam covers more advanced topics such as budgeting, project management, customer service, and problem solving.

In order to be eligible for the PRSMAC certification program, applicants must have at least two years of experience in retail store maintenance or related fields. They must also complete an online application form and submit it along with their resume and any other relevant documents to PRSM for review. After their application is approved by PRSM, applicants will receive instructions on how to register for the exam.

The cost of the PRSMAC certification program varies depending on which level you are applying for. The CRT exam costs $225 USD while the CRM exam costs $325 USD. Both exams take approximately three hours to complete and results are available within one week after completion of the exam.

Overall, obtaining a PRSMAC certification can help demonstrate your professional qualifications in retail store maintenance and provide recognition from peers in your field.

Do You Really Need a Visual Merchandiser Certificate?

Yes, a visual merchandiser certificate is essential for anyone wanting to pursue a career in visual merchandising. Visual merchandising is a highly competitive and fast-paced field that requires specialized knowledge and skills. A certificate program can provide you with the necessary expertise and experience to become successful in this field.

Visual merchandising involves creating eye-catching displays of merchandise to attract customers and increase sales. It requires an understanding of art, retail design, color theory, psychology, marketing, communication and customer service. A certificate program can teach you all of these topics and more. You will learn how to create effective displays that maximize sales potential while also enhancing the customer experience. You will also gain practical knowledge on how to use lighting, sound, props, mannequins and other elements to create dynamic displays. Additionally, you will learn how to evaluate store layouts and make adjustments as needed to improve customer flow and product visibility.

Having a visual merchandiser certificate provides employers with evidence that you have the necessary skills for the job. It demonstrates your commitment to the field by showing you have taken the time to further your education through professional training courses or workshops. Having this certification can also open up more opportunities for advancement within the company since it shows that you are knowledgeable about the industry standards and have already gained some experience in visual merchandising.

Overall, having a visual merchandiser certificate provides many benefits for those wanting to pursue a career in this field. It not only gives you an edge over other job applicants but also allows employers to see that you are committed to learning more about this profession.

Related: Visual Merchandiser Resume Examples

FAQs About Visual Merchandiser Certifications

1. What are the requirements for a Visual Merchandiser Certification?

A: The requirements for a Visual Merchandiser Certification vary depending on the issuing organization, but typically include a combination of specialized training, experience and/or an exam. Additional requirements may include portfolio reviews or other forms of assessment.

2. How long does it take to earn a Visual Merchandiser Certification?

A: The amount of time it takes to earn a Visual Merchandiser Certification varies depending on the issuing organization, but typically ranges from several months to a year or more.

3. Is there an age requirement for obtaining a Visual Merchandiser Certification?

A: Generally speaking, no – most organizations that offer visual merchandising certifications do not have age restrictions in place. However, some may require applicants to be at least 18 years old in order to participate in certain activities associated with the certification program.

4. How much does it cost to obtain a Visual Merchandiser Certification?

A: The cost of obtaining a Visual Merchandiser Certification depends on the issuing organization and can range anywhere from several hundred dollars to thousands of dollars for comprehensive programs.

5. What are the benefits of earning a Visual Merchandiser Certification?

A: Earning a Visual Merchandiser Certification demonstrates knowledge and experience in visual merchandising principles and techniques, which can lead to higher-level positions within the industry as well as increased job opportunities and potential salary increases. Additionally, having this certification may also make you eligible for additional discounts or services offered by suppliers and vendors in your area.