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Best business development specialist certifications
The best certifications for a business development specialist are Certified Sales Professional (CSP), Project Management Professional (PMP), and Professional Certified Marketer (PCM).
Business development specialist certifications demonstrate your competency as a business development specialist to employers. However, not all business development specialist certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best business development specialist certifications. Obtaining a business development specialist certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
9 best certifications for business development specialists
| Rank | Business development specialist certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Sales Professional (CSP) | MRERF |
| 2 | Project Management Professional (PMP) | PMI |
| 3 | Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) | AMA |
| 4 | Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) | IEDC |
| 5 | Certified Manager Certification (CM) | ICPM |
| 6 | Accreditation in Public Relations (PR) | PRSA |
| 7 | Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) | NDC |
| 8 | Certified Resume Specialist: Accounting and Finance (CRS+AF) | CDI |
| 9 | Certified Management Accountant (CMA) | IMA |
9 best business development specialist certifications
1. Certified Sales Professional (CSP)
The Certified Sales Professional (CSP) program gives a thorough understanding of consultative selling. From business creation to improved time and territory management; goal-setting to prospecting, and everything in between, attendees return to the territory with a renewed enthusiasm for selling.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
2. Project Management Professional (PMP)
The PMP designation following your name tells current and potential employers that you have demonstrated a solid foundation of knowledge from which you can competently practice project management.To be eligible for a PMP Credential, you must first meet specific educational and project management experience requirements and agree to adhere to a code of professional conduct. The final step to becoming a PMP is passing a rigorous multiple-choice examination designed to objectively assess and measure your ability to apply project management knowledge in the following six domains: initiating the project, planning the project, executing the project, monitoring and controlling the project, closing the project, and professional and social responsibility. This computer-based examination is administered globally with translation aids in 10 languages.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
3. Professional Certified Marketer (PCM)
Being a top marketer means continually enhancing your skills as well as highlighting your accomplishments. The American Marketing Association's Professional Certified Marketer (PCM) program gives you a tangible, convenient way to do both. You can earn the PCM designation by passing a comprehensive exam covering the key areas of marketing. Developed with input from hundreds of marketing experts, the PCM program meets strict national professional certification criteria and standards for excellence in marketing.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
4. Certified Economic Developer (CEcD)
Economic development organizations need professionals who possess the expertise to combat new challenges that emerge in a constantly changing industry. The CEcD designation represents demonstrated competency in economic development wilth a high degree of knowledge, significant skills and considerable experience in the field.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
5. Certified Manager Certification (CM)
The Certified Manager Animal Resources (CMAR) certification program is designed to raise competency and professionalism in the field of Animal Resources Management. The CMAR designation involves a series of four examinations: three exams arranged via an organization called the Institute for Certified Professional Managers (ICPM), and the Animal Resources Exam offered by AALAS. Obtaining the CMAR designation is a sign of professionalism in the field of animal resources management.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
6. Accreditation in Public Relations (PR)
APR certification proves you have successfully demonstrated competency in the knowledge, skills and abilities required to practice public relations effectively in today's business arena.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
7. Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP)
In NDC's EDFP Certification Program you will build the capacity to translate development opportunities into results for their communities. You will learn from the real world examples of NDC course instructors. In addition to lessons drawn from real projects, you will learn through hands-on exercises.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
8. Certified Resume Specialist: Accounting and Finance (CRS+AF)
The CDI Certified Industry Resume Specialist allows you to gain certification in your chosen industry.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
9. Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
The CMA (Certified Management Accountant) is the advanced professional certification specifically designed to measure the accounting and financial management skills that drive business performance.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 1 year(s)
What is the best certification for a business development specialist?
The best business development specialist certification is Certified Sales Professional (CSP). The Certified Sales Professional (CSP) is awarded by the Manufacturers Representatives Educational Research Foundation. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this business development specialist certification:
- To become a certified Certified Sales Professional (CSP), you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 3 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for business development specialists?
The most in-demand business development specialist certification is Project Management Professional based on all active job postings. Having this business development specialist certification will give you access to more business development specialist jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a business development specialist career and salary?
The Project Management Professional certification will help you to secure a senior specialist position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A senior specialist's average salary is $99,826 whereas business development specialists make an average salary of $57,410.
The most common combination of business development specialist certifications include: Certified Sales Professional (CSP), Project Management Professional (PMP), and Professional Certified Marketer (PCM).
Online courses for business development specialists to earn certifications
1. Business Development & B2B Sales for Startups- Sales Valley
The Complete Startup Playbook for Business Development & B2B Sales to learn Lead Generation, Pitching, & Closing Deals...
2. Sales Fire: B2B Sales & Business Development for Startups
The Ultimate Sales Methodology for Business Development & B2B Sales to Learn Sales Strategy, Sales Skills & Deal Closing...
3. Business Mind - Mastering Business Development
Master in Practice the Product, Sales and Marketing Perspective of Business Development...
4. Business Communication Skills: Handling Clients & Customers
Soft Skills Training Social Skills Business Etiquette Business English Customer Service Training...
5. Business Development For Startups and Tech Companies
Unlock massive growth using the business development channel. Learn pitching, BD strategy, cold emailing, & deal closing...
6. A Business Manager's Complete Guide to SalesForce CRM
Improve collaboration, elevate proficiency and facilitate more productive business relationships in your organization...
7. Salesforce Marketing Cloud Email Specialist Practice Tests
Email Specialist Practice Exams - 100 Questions - Answers & Explanations - Exam Simulated Environment...
8. Customer Service
How to Approach New Customers and Maintain Existing Ones...
9. Customer Service: 6 Keys To Exceptional Customer Service
Master Customer Satisfaction & Astonish Your Customers With A+ Customer Service...
10. Running a Web Development Business: The Complete Guide
Learn how to start and grow a successful web development business. Get up & running and making sales in under a week...
11. Lead Generation & Business Development with Dekker Fraser
Customer Acquisition, B2B Marketing, Sales Funnels, Business Development, Demand Generation, Sales Funnel Marketing...
12. Executive Coaching and Business Case Development
The Guide to Executive Coaching and Business Case Development Success...
13. Business Strategy Development: The Art of Differentiation
Learn 3 key business strategy tools. Improve your business innovation skills and drive profitable business development...
14. Salesforce Marketing Cloud Email Specialist Certification
Want SFMC videos?Want practice tests?Want to pass Marketing Cloud Cert? Take the course - learn concepts & get certified...
15. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer
Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...
16. CRM: Customer Relationship Management
Practical Ideas To Generate Sales, Loyalty And Repeat Business Fast...
17. The Ultimate Guide to Startup Business Development
Learn and master the function of business development in this practical, actionable, and content-rich training course...
18. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience
Customer service, customer support, and customer experience training. Loyal clients through world-class customer service...
19. Customer Service Fundamentals: Putting People First
Customer Care Listening Great Customer Service Concern for Others Company Culture Engaging People Responding...
20. Lead Generation Machine: Cold Email B2B Sales Master Course
Schedule meetings emailing small to large companies for business development, B2B, startup, consultants, & entrepreneurs...