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Best server and hostess certifications

Server and hostess certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an server and hostess to employers. However, not all server and hostess certifications provide the same value for job seekers.

The best certifications for a server and hostess are Certified Food Manager (CFM), Professional Credit Associate (PCA), and Professional Credit Specialist (PCS).

Below is a list of the best server and hostess certifications. Obtaining an server and hostess certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.

17 best server and hostess certifications

1. Certified Food Manager (CFM)

These certifications test beyond culinary skills, but rather, focus on the skills needed for the food service professional seeking a management and executive career. These certifications test your knowledge from basic cooking to menu design, management, human resources, accounting and marketing.

Certification details
  • 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. Professional Credit Associate (PCA)

Certification enables you to make your clients, customers, colleagues,employers and others with whom you do business aware of the knowledge and skill you have invested in your career in the credit industry.

Certification details
  • 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)
Certifying organization
Credit Professionals International

3. Professional Credit Specialist (PCS)

Certification enables you to make your clients, customers, colleagues,employers and others with whom you do business aware of the knowledge and skill you have invested in your career in the credit industry.

Certification details
  • 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)
Certifying organization
Credit Professionals International

4. Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator (MCITP)

A server administrator is responsible for the operations and day-to-day management of an infrastructure of Windows Server 2008 R2 servers for an enterprise organization. Windows server administrators manage the infrastructure, Web, and IT application servers. The Windows server administrators use scripts and batch files written by others or those that they occasionally write themselves to accomplish tasks on a regular basis. They conduct most server management tasks remotely by using Remote Desktop Server or administration tools installed on their local workstation.

Certification details
  • 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? 
Certifying organization
Microsoft Corporation
Course that help you to prepare for certification
MTA: Windows Server Administration Fundamentals: 98-365
udemy
4.4
(1,214)

5. Certification in Emergency Medical Services

Certification details
  • 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 10 year(s)
Certifying organization
American Osteopathic Board of...

6. Medical Administrative Specialist (CMAS)

This certification is for medical administrative specialists who serves a key role in medical office, clinic and hospital settings. This multi-skilled practitioner is competent in medical records management, insurance processing, coding and billing, management of practice finances, information processing, and fundamental office management tasks. A medical administrative specialist is very familiar with clinical and technical concepts required to coordinate administrative office functions in the healthcare setting.

Certification details
  • 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)
Certifying organization
American Medical Technologists

7. Certified Customer Service Specialist (CSS)

The Customer Service Specialist (CSS) is a certification that validates one's work skills through employability concepts. Though developed to meet the role of an evolving service oriented electronics technician, CSS is relevant to every industry, employer and employee. Topics included are Safety, Ethics, Respect, Teamwork, Communication, Telephone and Email Techniques, Problem Solving, Interpersonal Relationships, and Sales and Marketing.

Certification details
  • 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? 
Certifying organization
ETA International

8. Certified Food Protection Professional (CFPP)

A certified dietary manager, certified food protection professional (CDM, CFPP) has the education, training, and experience to competently perform the responsibilities of a dietary manager and has proven this by passing a nationally-recognized credentialing exam and fulfilling the requirements needed to maintain certified status.

Certification details
  • 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)

9. Emergency Medical Services

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) involves prehospital emergency patient care, including initial patient stabilization, treatment, and transport to hospitals in specially equipped ambulances or helicopters.

Certification details
  • 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 5 year(s)
Certifying website
Emergency Medical Services
Certifying organization
American Board of Emergency...

10. Certified Customer Service Representative (CCSR)

Applicable to financial services professionals who have completed the AIB Customer Service Representative Certificate and who function as customer service representatives.

Certification details
  • 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)

11. SDSU College Credits

The San Diego State University College of Extended Studies is proud to offer world-class, hands-on, Accredited IT Technical Training through a unique relationship with Global Knowledge.Global Knowledge is a worldwide provider of IT training and services with offerings to Corporate and Government entities. We neither market nor sell training and services to individuals. However, through our unique relationship with San Diego State University College of Extended Studies, individuals can now attend our world-class courses through the SDSU College of Extended Studies. Students will also earn valuable college credits while attending class.This College Credit program is managed, administered, accredited and regulated through the San Diego State University College of Extended Studies.

Certification details
  • 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? No
  • Renewal required? No
Certifying website
SDSU College Credits
Certifying organization
Global Knowledge

12. Human Services - Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP)

Certification details
  • 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 5 year(s)
Certifying website
Human Services - Board...
Certifying organization
Center for Credentialing &...

13. Certified in Hospitality, Nutrition, and Food Science (CFCS-HNFS)

The AAFCS Certification Program is designed to assure the public that credentialed family and consumer sciences professionals have attained a threshold level of knowledge that enables them to perform services as defined by the mission of the profession; foster excellence in the family and consumer sciences profession and develop criteria for assessing such excellence; and promote professional growth of individuals certified in family and consumer sciences by encouraging a systematic program of professional development and continuing education.

Certification details
  • 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? 
Certifying organization
American Association of Family...

14. Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP)

The CSEP designation is the hallmark of professional achievement in the special events industry. It is earned through education, performance, experience, and service to the industry, and reflects a commitment to professional conduct and ethics.

Certification details
  • 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 5 year(s)

15. Professional Certification in Customer Service and Sales

National Professional Certification in Customer Service® is an industry credential that facilitates career mobility for employees, applicants, and students; adds value to education and training programs; and helps employers identify the qualified professionals.The exam is computer-based and is proctored at one of the many recognized testing centers throughout the nation.

Certification details
  • 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)
Course that help you to prepare for certification
Telephone Etiquette - Customer Service Certification Course
udemy
4.2
(154)

16. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Demonstrate your expertise in developing leading-edge enterprise solutions by using the Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0 and 1.1. The Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) credential validates your advanced skill set, demonstrating to customers and employers your ability to support their evolving IT needs.

Certification details
  • 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? 
Certifying website
Microsoft Office Specialist
Certifying organization
Microsoft Corporation

17. Certified Restaurant Server

Today's successful resuarant servers must have effective cost control and sanitation standards as well as expertise, sound judgment, and practical skills. They must keep pace with change, improve their knowledge, and share their experience with others. The Hospitality Skill Certification for Restuarant Servers designation provides recognition for these skills.

Certification details
  • 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)
Certifying website
Certified Restaurant Server
Certifying organization
American Hotel and Lodging...

What is the best certification for a server and hostess?

The best server and hostess certification is Certified Food Manager (CFM). The Certified Food Manager (CFM) is awarded by the International Food Service Executives Association. 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 server and hostess certification:

  • To become a certified Certified Food Manager (CFM), you need to pass the exam.
  • This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
  • Renew certification every 3 year.

What certifications can impact a server and hostess career and salary?

The Professional Credit Specialist certification will help you to secure a cashier position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A cashier's average salary is $24,655 whereas server and hostesses make an average salary of $28,020.

Best certifications

The most common combination of server and hostess certifications include: Certified Food Manager (CFM), Professional Credit Associate (PCA), and Professional Credit Specialist (PCS).

Online courses for server and hostesss to earn certifications

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