The best certifications for business will help entrepreneurs increase their competence and knowledge. Many successful entrepreneurs have gained theoretical knowledge and learned business strategy through business certifications. Certifications will give you a valuable body of knowledge to help you make good business decisions.
Business certifications will validate your years of experience and knowledge. Through various business schools, you’ll learn to apply business applications that will help you create a successful business. A well-run business provides employment opportunities and job security. This article lists a few training programs that can provide you with the best certifications for business.
What Is a Business Certification?
A business certification is a designated credential that validates and verifies business legitimacy and competence. The certification states that you are a professional and have been qualified and trained in your area of business.
Training providers want you to meet certain criteria and requirements before writing the exam. Business certifications will open up a variety of benefits for your business, like added recognition and contract access.
How Much Can You Earn With a Business Certification?
You can earn an average salary of $111,000 annually with a business certification, as per the data provided by PayScale. According to the Project Management Institute report, entrepreneurs who gain business certifications receive a 16 percent salary increase.
Although getting a certification doesn’t always guarantee an increase, it deepens trust within the industry, creates exciting job opportunities, and leads to more chances of advancement. In addition, it can help show that you are qualified in certain specializations.
Why Is Business Certification Important?
Business certification is important because it authenticates your competency and well as your professional experience. A training program and certification will help you run your business successfully.
As your business grows, a certification will help you gain trust within the industry and attract investors. Read through the key points below to learn more about why a business certification is a sound business decision.
Establishes Your Credibility and Competence
Certifications require prior in-depth training and job experience. Advanced certification in business will give you credibility, and others will see you as competent. The best business certifications validate your abilities and give you confidence.
Boosts Efficiency
A certification will boost your work effectiveness. Job experience and previous comprehensive training are requirements before earning a business certification. Project management experience, finance industry experience, and computer-based training will have taught you the latest strategies and tools. A certification will validate this.
Makes You Stand Out
A business certification will give you an advantage over others who don’t have one. It makes you competitive in the job market and improves your chances of career advancement and receiving a higher salary. Business certifications look impressive on a resume, showing your in-depth knowledge and field of expertise.
Best Certifications for Business at a Glance
| Certification | Cost | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Project Management Professional | Member: $405 Non-member: $555 |
You can meet either of these two requirements: Four-year degree, 35 hours of project management education, 35 months of leading projects, or CAPM certification. High school diploma or associate degree, 35 hours of project management/training or CAPM, 60 months leading projects |
| Certified Business Analysis Professional | $145 | Completed a minimum of 7,500 hours of business analysis work experience in the last 10 years, minimum of 35 hours of professional development in the last four years, 900 hours completed in four of the six BABOK® Guide Knowledge Areas, for a total of at least 3,600 of the required 7,500 total, and two references |
| Certified Associate in Project Management | Member: $225 Non-member: $300 |
Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or the global equivalent), 23 hours of project management education |
| Certified Supply Chain Professional | $1,425 | Three or more years of supply-chain-related business experience, hold an active CPIM, CPIM-F, CIRM, SCOR-P, CPM, CPSM, CTL, CLTD, CLTD-F, or CSM designation, hold a conferred bachelor’s degree or an international equivalent |
| SAP Certified Application Associate – Business Planning and Consolidation | $224 | Must pass an 80-question, 180-minute exam. |
| Certified Records Analyst | $100 | You can meet any of these requirements: One year of college plus four years professional level RIM experience Two years college plus three years professional level RIM experience Three years college plus two years professional level RIM experience High School Diploma or GED plus five years professional level RIM experience |
| Certified Scrum Developer® (CSD) Certification | $1,399 | You have five days of training by a Scrum Alliance Registered Education Provider (REP) and taught by a Scrum Alliance Authorized instructor |
| Salesforce Administrator Certification | $200 | At least six months of Salesforce experience, pass a 105-minute exam, complete one module per year to maintain certification |
| Certification: Zendesk Support Administrator Expert Exam | $350 | At least three months of experience as a Zendesk support administrator and completed the foundational support learning path |
| Professional Certificate in Team Leadership | $449 | None |
Top Business Certifications: A Closer Look
Project Management Professional
Project Management Professional, or PMP, is a certification program designed for project professionals to validate skills in people, processes, and business environments. Entrepreneurs need soft skills to lead people effectively in a project regardless of the environment. In addition, they should have project management experience before trying to get the PMP certification.
This certification will also validate your technical skills in handling projects. Furthermore, it’ll test your proficiency in business operations while examining your organizational strategy and how you connect projects.
Certified Business Analysis Professional
The Certified Business Analysis Professional certification exam is for those with in-depth business analysis experience. This certification will exhibit your extensive experience and knowledge of business analysis.
It is an online computer-based exam that requires a check-in procedure that includes identity verification. With this business analyst certification, you will be able to access a variety of job opportunities.
Certified Associate in Project Management
This professional certification helps entrepreneurs stand out by enhancing credibility and effectiveness in the business industry. This is beneficial for those who want to focus on their professional development as they get acquainted with the best practices in project management.
Certified Supply Chain Professional
The Certified Supply Chain Professional certification works across various occupations, including education, manufacturing, government, defense, and healthcare. This certification will verify your knowledge of implementing strategic tools into supply chain design. At the same time, having vast knowledge of the supply chain can improve the overall performance of business processes.
SAP Certified Application Associate – Business Planning and Consolidation
As an entrepreneur, you need software for managing business processes, such as SAP. This business planning and consolidation certification is a popular entry-level certification. It will validate your technical skills for mentoring project teams that use SAP.
Certified Records Analyst
This popular certification validates your information and records management knowledge. It certifies that you can store important information and access it for compliance audits. This certification means you have proficiency in regulatory-compliance-related requirements, electronic records, and information.
Certified Scrum Developer® (CSD) Certification
The Scrum framework helps people, organizations, and teams generate value by adapting efficient solutions to complex problems. Scrum masters can execute projects effectively by bringing teams together and working towards a common goal. Scrum encourages business collaboration and accountability.
Salesforce Administrator Certification
This certification for professionals shows that they are adept in Salesforce, which is cloud-based software that helps companies manage their sales, customer service, and more. By obtaining the certification, you provide that you have the necessary body of knowledge to help business owners integrate Salesforce into their enterprise effectively.
Certification: Zendesk Support Administrator Expert Exam
Zendesk support administrator is a support ticketing system that tracks, classifies, and resolves your customer support interactions. Creating a system to improve communication with the customers improves your business continuity management. Customer satisfaction is a key component of a successful business.
Professional Certificate in Team Leadership
The success of your business relies on how well you treat your people. Besides needing a basic knowledge of running your business, you also need skills to lead a team. This certification will validate how you apply leadership techniques and frameworks in supporting successful business change programs within your company.
Online Business Certificate Courses Worth Your Time
- Becoming an Entrepreneur. This training course will help you define your goals and get the right business skills, basic knowledge, and startup mindset for your chosen career path.
- Business Communications. This certification course helps business professionals gain a wide range of skills in communication with diverse audiences and how to build sound and logical arguments.
- How to Design a Successful Business Model. This online course will help entrepreneurs design a business model, choose the right tools, and present the business model properly.
Are Business Certifications Worth It?
Yes, business certifications are worth it because they validate your credibility, knowledge, and proficiency in ensuring that you know how to run a business successfully. Many certification courses test your soft skills such as work ethic, problem-solving, and other interpersonal skills. In addition, they validate that you have a certain amount of professional experience.
Bootcamps can also be a good supplement in acquiring foundational knowledge in business. For example, you can take a digital marketing bootcamp to become a digital marketing professional. You can then help businesses improve their marketing strategy, social media marketing, and search engine optimization.
Best Certifications for Business FAQ
You should pay between $100 to $1,425 for a business certification. It depends on the certification provider. Some certifications have eligibility requirements you need to satisfy before taking the exam, and those certifications are generally more expensive.
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No, business certifications are not required as an entrepreneur, but they can validate your credibility and competency within the industry. The best certifications for business can attract investors and give you an advantage in a competitive industry. In addition, having a certification can make you more competitive within the job market.
No, a Udemy certificate is not a certification. Certificates are an indication that you were able to achieve a specialized education or you’ve completed a course. On the other hand, certification results from an assessment process that indicates your competency and mastery of an industry standard. Certifications require prior education and certify your in-depth knowledge within your field of expertise.
The best business certifications to get are the Certified Business Analysis Professional certification, Certified Associate in Project Management, and Certified Supply Chain Professional. These are some of the most popular certifications that will add value to you and your business. Certifications encourage a higher annual salary and give you credibility in your industry.
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