The best sales courses consist of relevant and emerging sales topics with an easy-to-follow layout and structure. These courses should also come from accredited professional associations and well-known software providers. Here are nine of the best sales certification courses to help accelerate your career, improve performance, and enhance the value you offer to your organization:
- Best for boosting lead qualification skills: HubSpot Academy Inbound Sales Certification
- Ideal for upgrading team performance: Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP)
- Best for sales leaders looking to boost goal attainment: Certified Sales Executive (CSE)
- Best for developing a consistent sales approach: SPIN Selling Training Certification
- Best for retail sales and customer service reps: RISE Up Customer Service and Sales Specialist Certification
- Ideal for sales executives seeking revenue boost: Certified Professional Sales Leader (CPSL)
- Recommended for tech developers and CRM administrators: Salesforce Administrator Certification
- Ideal for sales or telesales agents to understand the digital sales process: Certified Inside Sales Professional (CISP)
- Best for revenue operations managers and reps: HubSpot Academy Revenue Operations Certification
Best Sales Certification Programs at a Glance
Provider | Certification | Best For | Cost | Course Layout & Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Inbound Sales Certification | Sales reps wanting better lead qualification skills | Free | 3 hours of self-paced videos, courses, and quizzes |
 | Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP) | Sales managers aiming to boost their team’s performance | $795 | 6 weeks of online modules and sales courses, plus an exam |
 | Certified Sales Executive (CSE) | Sales leaders needing to improve revenue goal attainment | $989.70 | Self-paced videos for 15 chapters, plus an exam |
 | SPIN Selling Training Certification | B2B sales reps looking to improve deal-closing efficiency | Must contact for pricing | 7 weeks of virtual or in-person training, or self-paced modules |
 | RISE Up Customer Service and Sales Specialist Certification | Customer service and sales reps seeking communication skills | $125 | 14 hours of self-guided videos, modules, and quizzes |
| Certified Professional Sales Leader (CPSL) | Executives and business owners who want to see revenue increases | $895 | 6 weeks of online courses and modules, plus an exam |
 | Salesforce Administrator Certification | Administrators needing to provide sales enablement solutions | $200 | Roughly 69 hours of self-guided, online modules, and an exam |
 | Certified Inside Sales Professional (CISP) | Beginner inside sales reps seeking sales process knowledge | $900 for Emblaze certification only $2,100 for Emblaze certification and master digital selling course | Roughly 16 hours or eight days of staggered learning with multiple-choice exam and fluency challenge video recording |
| Revenue Operations Certification | Revenue operations managers needing to create sales synergy | Free | 6 hours consisting of 32 videos and nine lessons |
Pro tip: Sponsoring sales training certification programs is an excellent way to facilitate team training within your organization. For training tips to improve sales rep productivity and goal attainment, check out our nine sales team training tips to foster a high-performing team.
1. Inbound Sales Certification: Best for Boosting Lead Qualification Skills
Course structure: Six weeks of online course modules, plus a final exam
Main topics: Overcoming objections, creating solid sales habits, closing deals, and shortening sales cycles
HubSpot Academy inbound sales certification (Source: HubSpot)
The inbound sales certification is one of many HubSpot Academy free certifications available on the customer relationship management (CRM) software provider’s website. The course primarily covers inbound sales fundamentals, early sales pipeline management, and how to prospect leads by understanding the buyer’s context. Learn the best inbound sales strategies, like leveraging social media and delivering personalized sales presentations.
A user gave this certification a 5-star rating at Class Central, stating that the course can help grow your knowledge of inbound sales to convert potential leads into buyers. Quora users pointed out that this course is accessible and suitable for entry-level roles, with excellent video tutorials and helpful website resources.
2. Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP): Ideal for Upgrading Team Performance
Course structure: Six weeks of online course modules, plus a final exam
Main topics: Overcoming objections, creating solid sales habits, closing deals, and shortening sales cycles
National Association of Sales Professionals CPSP certification (Source: NASP.com)
Sales teams can take this course offered by the National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP). If every team member has a CPSP sales certificate, sales managers can expect improvement in overall sales team performance. It’s because the modules tackle communication techniques, the buying process, and the habits of the top 1% of salespeople. This course helps sales reps and managers adopt proper sales behaviors and boost their confidence to stand out.
Users gave CPSP certification a 5 out of 6-star rating at FindCourses. They were impressed with the comprehensiveness of the program, which provides lessons on essential sales techniques and beyond. Reviewers also noted that the 45-day certification is ideal for bite-sized daily learning as each session can be accomplished within 20 to 30 minutes.
3. Certified Sales Executive (CSE): Best for Sales Leaders Looking to Boost Goal Attainment
Course structure: 15 chapters of self-paced video training, reviews, and a final exam
Main topics: Sales and marketing strategies, goal management, team building, sales knowledge attainment, sales management responsibilities, and sales rep motivation
Certified Sales Executive Program by Sales & Marketing Executives International (Source: SMEI)
The CSE program is administered and verified by Sales & Marketing Executives International (SMEI), and is designed for sales management and leadership roles. It includes three different modules and a course e-book. You can complete the modules individually (hence the individual pricing), but you’ll need all three to take the exam. Learn about overseeing the sales function, managing sales teams, fostering communication, motivating reps, and attaining sales goals.
The first module aims to help the learner become a better salesperson. The second module discusses topics on how to be a good sales manager. For the third module and the e-book, the coverage is intended for aspiring sales executives. In an online community forum, some members recommended this course for sales and marketing trainers since it is focused on improving sales skills on a deeper level.
4. SPIN Selling Training Certification: Best for Developing Consistent Sales Approach
Course structure: Flexible options including a seven-week class in a virtual or in-person environment or options for self-paced, online modules and content
Main topics: The SPIN selling technique to develop a conversational toolkit and the right verbal behaviors to reduce customer objections
SPIN selling training by Huthwaite International (Source: Huthwaite)
The Situation, Problem, Implication, and Needs (SPIN) selling technique focuses on the customer’s buying process to help understand their needs before selling a solution and develop a consistent sales approach. Huthwaite International provides a SPIN professional sales certificate after completing a seven-week course. Salespeople, especially account executives, can gain value from this sales certificate program to shorten the already long business-to-business (B2B) sales cycle.
SPIN Selling Training received an overall 4.6 average rating out of 368 reviews based on platform testimonials via Reviews.io. Learners stated that the program utilizes effective questioning techniques to identify customers’ explicit needs and drive more value from sales conversations. Users didn’t encounter any technical issues during their training.
5. RISE Up Customer Service & Sales Specialist Certification: Best for Retail Sales & Customer Service Reps
Course structure: 14 hours of self-paced videos, interactive online modules, and self-check quizzes
Main topics: Retail customer life cycles, overcoming objections, improving customer service skills, assessing customer needs, customer engagement, and constructing retail sales resumes
The Customer Service & Sales Training Course by NRF (Source: NRF Foundation)
The National Retail Foundation (NRF) provides certifications and courses for numerous retail functions through their RISE Up program. This online, low-cost Customer Service & Sales Certified Specialist certification is designed to help customer-facing retail positions better understand their customers and products as well as communicate and close sales transactions more effectively.
This course also discusses retail customer lifecycles, which is a crucial topic in sales. The selling probability to a new prospect is 5% to 20% and 60% to 70% for an existing customer. If you know what stage in the sales funnel your prospect is in, you can grow your sales through retention and improve customer lifecycle marketing. You can also take advantage of a customer relationship manager’s (CRM’s) data analytics and reporting for more accurate data.
6. Certified Professional Sales Leader (CPSL): Ideal for Sales Executives Seeking Revenue Boost
Course structure: Six-week (45-day) certification course of online modules, plus a final exam
Main topics: Modern empowering leadership strategies, effective communication channels, and developing successful habits to build a high-performing sales team
Training in Sales Management & Certification CPSL course (Source: NASP.com)
Also administered by the National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP), sales leaders, and even small business owners, this course helps reinforce positive behaviors for better performance. This course promotes better internal communication, provides reps with the right resources to succeed, and avoids outdated leadership styles. Salespeople can get value from CPSL to grow their leadership skills and increase their revenue potential.
CPSL received a 5-star rating at FindCourses, with a user sharing that the lessons on influencing and communicating effectively were highlights. Sales leaders praised the comprehensiveness of the sales management course on LinkedIn.
7. Administrator Certification: Recommended for Tech Developers & CRM Administrators
Course structure: Approximately 69 hours of self-paced course modules, an exam preparation course, and a final exam
Main topics: Salesforce CRM system configuration, user management, and Salesforce CRM features to prepare for Salesforce administrator certification
Salesforce Administrator Certification (Source: Salesforce Trailhead)
This resume-boosting accreditation focuses on the technology side of a sales operation when using and managing Salesforce’s CRM platform. The Salesforce Administrator Certification is one of the most sought-after certifications by recruiters for developers and system administrators, wherein participants learn everything about setting up Salesforce, overseeing users and access, and operating all modules within the platform.
Reddit members talk about the Salesforce Administrator Course as a credible certification. Some certified learners even shared that they received a raise after earning this credential.
8. Certified Inside Sales Professional (CISP): Good for Sales or Telesales Agents for Better Digital Sales Process Understanding
Cost:
- $900.00 Emblaze certification only, inclusive of 12-month Exchange Membership access
- $2,100.00 Emblaze certification with Master Digital Selling Course and 12-month Exchange Membership access
Course structure: A self-paced, online training taken for roughly 16 hours or eight days of staggered learning with multiple-choice exam and fluency challenge video recording—scored for Emblaze CISP certification
Main topics: Using digital tools, creating a winning social media profile, defining your personalization strategy, and researching your audience
Certified Inside Sales Professional by Emblaze (formerly AA-ISP) (Source: Emblaze)
The CISP courses by Emblaze offer e-learning workbooks to help sales reps master digital selling. Sales reps and managers can enhance their digital selling skills by learning how to use digital tools, leverage cadences, personalization, and more. To earn the certification, you must complete three components: instruction (Master Digital Selling Course or 32-hour inside sales online or instructor-led training), a multiple-choice exam, and a skills demonstration.
9. Revenue Operations Certification: Best for Revenue Operations Managers & Reps
Course structure: Nine online modules and quizzes, along with 32 videos totaling 6 hours and 17 minutes
Main topics: Understanding revenue operations, managing service level agreements (SLA), mapping the sales process, managing revenue operations systems and resources, and hiring and structuring your team
HubSpot Academy’s Revenue Operations Certification (Source: HubSpot Academy)
Obtain this HubSpot certificate in sales revenue operations to adhere to a new organizational trend. Many companies combine sales, marketing, and customer success teams into a revenue operations (RevOps) function. The online program covers everything from building the RevOps team and resources to managing day-to-day operations and aligning strategies. Like other HubSpot Academy courses, users can obtain a free sale certificate for revenue operations.
A learner shared their experience about getting HubSpot certified for revenue operations. They mentioned that the HubSpot Revenue Operations certification covered a strong sales process and is suitable for any role in sales operations.
Pro tip: Understandably, it can be tricky to keep your team motivated to power through the sales courses, which can last months, to obtain that certification. Sales managers should consider using gamification software to keep reps engaged in their training programs. The Motivator tool in Zoho CRM is an excellent solution for motivating reps, teams, and an entire company.
Benefits of Sales Certification Programs (& Stats)
Sales certification programs, whether company-sponsored or self-initiated, can bring several benefits to both employees and employers. Some of these include:
- Improve sales performance and attain sales quota: While multiple factors go into how a sales rep will perform, 58% of sales leaders believe sales industry knowledge can be obtained through training and certifications, which is a crucial indicator of a rep’s success. Forty-three percent also believe training is a significant factor in hitting sales targets.
- Promote employee retention: Sponsoring certification and training programs is a vital indicator of whether a rep stays with a company. Forty-seven percent of account executives have left an organization due to a lack of training opportunities.
- Enhance competitiveness: Teams interested in investing in sales training and development technologies are 57% more effective than their competitors that don’t have any similar plan.
- Promotes sales and business growth: Sales training—which can be online and self-paced—leads to a 353% return on investment (ROI), providing sales reps with a competitive upskilling advantage that can boost revenue for business growth. But remember that the sales training program’s success depends on the effectiveness of the trainers, the course duration, and the training budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sales certification is an industry-approved certificate or documentation given after undergoing training and passing the test that assesses your knowledge and skills in sales. Many sales service platforms and software providers offer this certification to help aspiring and experienced sales professionals foster their careers and expand their job opportunities.
Sales certification costs may range from free up to several hundred dollars. Many sales service platforms and software providers provide free training as a part of their pre-sales, onboarding, and after-sales support programs.
You can add to your sales skills by taking free or paid training. Regular training—at least one short course a month—is highly recommended. In your free time, you can check top sales service providers that offer free sales training online, such as HubSpot and Freshsales.
Bottom Line
Enrolling in courses and training programs to obtain a sales certificate puts you in a better position to improve your job performance, earn a promotion, and increase your compensation. Our picks for the best sales certifications serve as a guide to help employees within all sales functions. Sales reps, account executives, customer success managers, and sales leaders can use certifications to strengthen their skills and improve their qualifications for career growth.
