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9 Best Sales Certifications of 2026
This list is for sales reps, SDRs and account executives who want a training credential that shows employers they are ready for a bigger territory, a senior role or a first management job. We compared nine certifications and certificate programs from NASP, HubSpot Academy, SMEI, Western Governors University, Winning by Design, eCornell, Rutgers Executive Education, Huthwaite International and Sandler, using what each provider publishes about format, time, exams and U.S. prices. Scores weigh features (curriculum depth and credential strength) at 40 percent, and ease of access (format, schedule, prerequisites) and value at 30 percent each. We compared documented features and published prices. HubSpot Academy, Huthwaite and Sandler did not show a price we could verify in USD, so those rows are marked as pending. Several candidates were left out: Challenger, Miller Heiman and Dale Carnegie sell mainly to companies or did not load, and LinkedIn Sales Navigator and Salesforce Sales Cloud are software products, not sales certifications.
By the Mojolin research desk · Updated November 11, 2026 · 9 tools compared · Prices checked on vendor pages, latest November 11, 2026
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
Mojolin is self-funded How we score
The NASP CPSP is our top pick for most reps because it is sold to individuals at a fixed $795, runs fully online on any device, and ends in a scored exam rather than a simple completion badge. HubSpot's Inbound Sales Certification costs nothing and takes about three hours, so it is the fastest credential to add to a LinkedIn profile. SMEI's SCPS is the most formal designation here, with education and experience standards, a proctored online exam and yearly renewal. Reps who want a university name can choose WGU's $799 B2B Sales Fundamentals Certificate, the eCornell Sales Growth Certificate or the Rutgers Certificate in Professional Sales, and B2B SaaS account executives should consider Winning by Design's Selling for Impact course.
Top picks
Best overall
NASP Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP)
8.5 / 10
Working reps who want a scored sales credential they can finish on a phone
Read the review →Runner-up
HubSpot Academy Inbound Sales Certification
8.4 / 10
Reps who want a free sales credential they can finish in an afternoon
Read the review →Also great
SMEI Certified Professional Salesperson (SCPS)
8.3 / 10
Experienced reps who want a formal, proctored designation with an ethics code
Read the review →Comparison table
| # | Tool | Pricing | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NASP Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP) | Working reps who want a scored sales credential they can finish on a phone | $795 for the CPSP program, with start dates and payment options | 8.5 |
| 2 | HubSpot Academy Inbound Sales Certification | Reps who want a free sales credential they can finish in an afternoon | Free (USD check pending) | 8.4 |
| 3 | SMEI Certified Professional Salesperson (SCPS) | Experienced reps who want a formal, proctored designation with an ethics code | Application only $699 for non-members ($537 for professional and executive members); with exam prep course $1,099; exam registration $125 to $175 extra | 8.3 |
| 4 |  WGU B2B Sales Fundamentals Certificate | New B2B reps who want a university certificate for under $800 | $799 for a four-month term including e-textbooks; $199 per month after that if you need more time | 8.1 |
| 5 |  Winning by Design Selling for Impact | Account executives in B2B subscription and SaaS sales | $1,500 per person for an open online cohort | 7.8 |
| 6 |  eCornell Sales Growth Certificate | Senior reps and account managers preparing for sales management | $3,900 for the five-course online certificate | 7.7 |
| 7 |  Rutgers Certificate in Professional Sales | Reps who want one-on-one coaching and practice with Salesforce and ZoomInfo | $1,950 for online open enrollment with a personal learning coach | 7.6 |
| 8 |  Huthwaite International SPIN Selling | Consultative B2B sellers who want training in the original SPIN method | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 7.2 |
| 9 |  Sandler Certification | Reps whose company trains on the Sandler Selling System | See vendor pricing (USD check pending) | 6.9 |
Scoring weights
Every tool gets three editorial scores out of 10, from vendor documentation, product pages and the published price. The overall score is the weighted average below, the same method on every list. Full method
The full ranking
Rank 1 · Best overall
NASP Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP)
A six-week online certification from the National Association of Sales Professionals built on daily modules and a final exam.
nasp.com8.5
out of 10
Best for: Working reps who want a scored sales credential they can finish on a phone
The Certified Professional Sales Person program from the National Association of Sales Professionals is the most direct route on this list from working rep to certified rep. NASP sells it to individuals for $795, and the whole program runs online over six weeks. Instead of long video lectures, it uses 45 days of daily modules that NASP says take 20 to 30 minutes each, with lighter check-ins on weekends, and you can complete them on a phone. To earn the credential you must finish every module, keep at least 80% of them on time, and score 80% or higher on the exam. The content centers on communication and influence: NASP lists eight communication styles, building trust faster, handling objections and shortening the sales cycle. It is lighter on CRM, forecasting and pipeline mechanics than the university programs below, and the daily login rule will not suit everyone. For a rep who wants a recognizable sales designation at a fixed price without leaving the job, it is the best fit we found.
Standout feature
The NASP CPSP is the best choice for working reps because one $795 program covers 45 daily modules and a final exam with an 80% pass mark.
Use cases
Inside sales reps
Add a sales designation before a promotion review
Outcome: A CPSP credential earned in six weeks of daily online modules
Career changers in their first sales job
Learn a structured approach to objections and closing
Outcome: A scored credential to list on a resume and LinkedIn
Key features
- Six-week online course with 45 days of daily modules
- About 20 to 30 minutes of work per day, including short weekend check-ins
- Completion needs 100% of daily modules, at least 80% done on time, and an exam score of 80% or higher
- Works on any computer or phone, at any time of day
- Curriculum covers 8 communication styles, objection handling and shortening the sales cycle
Pros
- Fixed $795 price sold directly to individuals
- Ends in a scored exam, not just a completion badge
- Short daily sessions fit around a full quota
Cons
- You must log in every day for 45 days in a row
- Focuses on influence and communication more than CRM or pipeline tools
- Higher-level NASP pathways cost extra
Rank 2 · Runner-up
HubSpot Academy Inbound Sales Certification
A free HubSpot Academy course and certification exam on prioritizing active buyers, research and personalized presentations.
hubspot.com8.4
out of 10
Best for: Reps who want a free sales credential they can finish in an afternoon
HubSpot Academy's Inbound Sales Certification is the cheapest way to add a sales credential to your profile, because HubSpot describes it as a free certification course and the account it needs is free too. The course page lists 7 lessons, 22 videos and 5 quizzes, with 3 hr 6 min of total time. The core lessons cover inbound sales fundamentals, prioritizing active buyers over passive ones, earning the attention of buyers who research on their own, understanding the buyer's context and delivering personalized sales presentations. After the lessons you take a certification exam to earn a badge and certificate. The trade-off is depth. Three hours cannot match the six weeks of the NASP CPSP or the coursework in the university programs, and the course page does not state the number of exam questions or how long the certification stays valid. It is also built around HubSpot's own inbound method. Treat it as a fast first credential or a supplement to a paid program, not the only line on a resume.
Standout feature
HubSpot Academy Inbound Sales is the best free sales certification because it costs nothing and takes 3 hr 6 min across 7 lessons.
Use cases
SDRs in their first year
Show initiative with a quick credential
Outcome: A HubSpot badge and certificate after about three hours of study
Reps at companies that use HubSpot
Learn the inbound sales approach their marketing team follows
Outcome: Shared language with marketing on buyer research and outreach
Key features
- 7 lessons, 22 videos and 5 quizzes
- 3 hr 6 min of total course time
- Lessons on prioritizing active buyers, earning attention and understanding the buyer's context
- Lesson on delivering personalized sales presentations
- Certification exam with a badge and certificate on completion
Pros
- HubSpot labels it a free certification course
- Short enough to finish in one sitting
- Free HubSpot Academy account also opens the rest of the course library
Cons
- Much shorter than any paid program on this list
- Exam format and validity period are not shown on the course page
- Teaches HubSpot's inbound approach rather than a neutral sales method
Rank 3 · Also great
SMEI Certified Professional Salesperson (SCPS)
An exam-based professional designation for sales representatives and account managers from Sales & Marketing Executives International.
smei.org8.3
out of 10
Best for: Experienced reps who want a formal, proctored designation with an ethics code
Sales & Marketing Executives International runs several professional designations, and the SMEI Certified Professional Salesperson is the one it aims at sales representatives and account managers. It works like a classic professional credential. You apply, meet SMEI's education and experience standards, study from an SMEI e-book with an online learning center and chapter quizzes, then pass a proctored online exam from a laptop with a webcam. Exams run every month except August, and you have up to a year from your application to sit one. The application alone costs $699 for non-members, or $1,099 with the exam preparatory course, and exam registration adds $175 for non-members on SMEI's application page. To keep the designation you renew yearly with 12 hours of documented continuing education or a rewrite of the exam. That structure makes it more formal than a course certificate, and the ethics commitment is part of the designation. The costs add up across fees, and SMEI's fee pages do not show identical figures, so check the total before paying.
Standout feature
SMEI's SCPS is the best choice for experienced reps who want a formal designation because it pairs a proctored exam with 12 hours of yearly continuing education.
Use cases
Account managers with several years in sales
Earn a professional designation to support a move to a senior role
Outcome: The SCPS designation after a proctored online exam
Reps whose employers value continuing education
Keep a credential current with yearly learning
Outcome: A designation renewed with 12 hours of continuing education each year
Key features
- Designation aimed at sales representatives and account managers
- Application fee includes an e-book and an online learning center with chapter quizzes
- Proctored online exam taken on a laptop with a webcam, scheduled every month except August
- Up to one year from application to sit the exam
- Renewal requires 12 hours of documented continuing education each year
Pros
- Most formal exam-based sales designation on this list
- Exam can be taken from home with a webcam
- Members pay less for the application and the exam
Cons
- Exam registration is a separate fee on top of the application
- Annual renewal fee and continuing education to keep the designation
- SMEI pages list slightly different application and exam fees, so confirm the total at checkout
Rank 4
WGU B2B Sales Fundamentals Certificate
A self-paced, competency-based online certificate from Western Governors University with three credit-bearing B2B sales courses.
wgu.edu8.1
out of 10
Best for: New B2B reps who want a university certificate for under $800
Western Governors University's B2B Sales Fundamentals Certificate is the lowest-cost university credential on this list. WGU charges $799 for a four-month term, and that tuition covers e-textbooks and all learning resources. The certificate has three courses worth nine credits in total: Building a B2B Sales Foundation, B2B Sales Strategies, and B2B Relationship Management and Negotiation. Each credit-bearing course ends in one performance assessment that the WGU Evaluation Team grades, rather than a multiple-choice exam. The program is competency-based, so you can move faster through material you already know, but WGU recommends 15 to 20 hours of study a week, which is a real commitment for a rep carrying a quota. If you run past four months, enrollment switches to a $199 monthly subscription. WGU says the certificate is designed for people new to B2B sales or moving into a client-facing role, and it does not require a bachelor's degree. Senior reps will find the content basic; junior reps get an accredited university name for under $800.
Standout feature
WGU B2B Sales Fundamentals is the best university option under $800 because $799 covers three credit-bearing courses and all e-textbooks.
Use cases
Customer service staff moving into sales
Learn B2B sales basics with a university credential
Outcome: A WGU certificate with 9 credits in about four months
Junior SDRs without a degree
Add an accredited credential to a resume
Outcome: A university certificate that requires no bachelor's degree
Key features
- 3 courses with 9 total credits
- Courses: Building a B2B Sales Foundation, B2B Sales Strategies, and B2B Relationship Management and Negotiation
- Each course ends in one performance assessment graded by the WGU Evaluation Team
- Four months of access included; WGU recommends 15 to 20 hours of study per week
- No bachelor's degree required
Pros
- University certificate from an accredited school for $799
- Tuition covers e-textbooks and learning resources
- Installment plans available
Cons
- Moves to a $199 monthly subscription if you need more than four months
- 15 to 20 hours a week is a heavy load next to a full quota
- Aimed at people new to B2B sales, so less useful for senior reps
Rank 5
Winning by Design Selling for Impact
A four-week live online course for account executives that ends in a certification exam.
winningbydesign.com7.8
out of 10
Best for: Account executives in B2B subscription and SaaS sales
Winning by Design is best known for its revenue frameworks for subscription businesses, and Selling for Impact is its course for account executives. The format is live: 8 hours of instruction on Zoom, delivered as one 2-hour session a week for four weeks, with cohorts capped at 25 learners and role plays and breakouts in each session. The eight modules move from the company's sales method through a blueprint for discovery calls, applying research to emails and calls, using critical events to create urgency, storytelling, demos, and trading value rather than cutting price. At the end you take a one-hour online certification exam and need 75% or higher to pass. Open cohorts cost $1,500 per person, and Winning by Design lists dates for U.S. and European time zones. The live format is the main reason to pick it over self-paced programs, but it also means fixed session times. It suits AEs in SaaS or other recurring revenue sales more than reps in transactional roles.
Standout feature
Winning by Design Selling for Impact is the best choice for SaaS account executives because $1,500 buys 8 hours of live instruction and a certification exam.
Use cases
New account executives at SaaS companies
Run better discovery calls and demos
Outcome: Certification after four weekly live sessions and a one-hour exam
SDRs preparing for an AE promotion
Practice late-stage deal skills before the move
Outcome: Live role play on demos and negotiation with a cohort of up to 25
Key features
- 8 hours of live instruction on Zoom, one 2-hour session per week for 4 weeks
- Maximum cohort size of 25 learners
- 8 modules covering discovery calls, critical events, storytelling, demos and trading instead of discounting
- One-hour online certification exam with a 75% pass mark
- Ongoing access to blueprints, videos and exercises on a learning platform
Pros
- Live role plays and breakouts with a certified trainer
- Content is built for account executives in recurring revenue businesses
- No prerequisites
Cons
- Fixed live session times, so you must fit a cohort schedule
- $1,500 for one four-week course
- Narrower focus than a general sales designation
Rank 6
eCornell Sales Growth Certificate
A five-course online certificate from Cornell's Johnson Graduate School of Management based on McKinsey research on sales growth.
ecornell.cornell.edu7.7
out of 10
Best for: Senior reps and account managers preparing for sales management
The eCornell Sales Growth Certificate is the most management-oriented program on this list. It consists of five two-week online courses developed with Cornell's Johnson Graduate School of Management and based on the McKinsey book Sales Growth: Five Proven Strategies from the World's Sales Leaders. The courses cover discovering growth opportunities through customer segmentation, prioritizing accounts and time spent selling, key account planning, sales negotiation, and managing sales performance with clear metrics, targets and coaching. eCornell plans the certificate for about three months at 3 to 5 hours a week, and each course has scheduled start dates through 2027. Graduates receive a certificate from the Johnson Graduate School of Management and 50 professional development hours, or 5 CEUs. eCornell lists sales representatives, sales managers and account managers as the audience. The $3,900 price is the highest here, and the content is about strategy more than call skills, so it fits a senior rep aiming at a manager role better than a new SDR.
Standout feature
eCornell Sales Growth is the best choice for future sales managers because $3,900 buys five Cornell courses and 50 professional development hours.
Use cases
Senior account managers
Prepare for a first sales manager role
Outcome: Cornell certificate with courses on targets, tracking and coaching
Key account reps
Build account plans for their largest customers
Outcome: A structured key account approach from a two-week course
Key features
- Five courses, each running 2 weeks, completed in about 3 months
- 3 to 5 hours of study per week
- Courses on finding growth pockets, prioritizing accounts, key account planning, sales negotiation and managing sales performance
- Based on the McKinsey book Sales Growth: Five Proven Strategies from the World's Sales Leaders
- Certificate from Cornell's Johnson Graduate School of Management plus 50 professional development hours (5 CEUs)
Pros
- Strongest brand name on this list
- Covers sales metrics, targets and coaching for future managers
- Facilitator feedback on assignments
Cons
- Most expensive program here at $3,900
- Courses follow set start dates rather than fully open pacing
- More strategic than skills-based, so less useful for new reps
Rank 7
Rutgers Certificate in Professional Sales
A self-paced, project-based online certificate from Rutgers Executive Education with a personal learning coach and hands-on sales tools.
execed.rutgers.edu7.6
out of 10
Best for: Reps who want one-on-one coaching and practice with Salesforce and ZoomInfo
Rutgers Executive Education's Certificate in Professional Sales stands out for its coaching model. The program is self-paced online learning, but Rutgers pairs each learner with a personal learning coach who meets with you virtually, starting with a session on your career goals and continuing through homework and project reviews. The curriculum covers applying different sales models, prospecting and targeting, lead development, and writing and delivering sales pitches. It also includes hands-on work in Salesforce and ZoomInfo, mentions LinkedIn Sales Navigator, and admits you to Salesforce's Trailhead community. The program is project-based, so you finish with work you can show in interviews. Rutgers aims it at people entering sales and mid-level sales professionals refining their skills, and the open-enrollment online version costs $1,950. The page does not state total study hours, and some of its job market figures date from 2021, so ask the admissions team about expected time. For reps who learn best with a coach, it is a good middle ground between WGU's price and eCornell's depth.
Standout feature
The Rutgers Certificate in Professional Sales is the best choice for coached learning because $1,950 includes a personal learning coach and hands-on Salesforce and ZoomInfo practice.
Use cases
Career changers entering sales
Get practice with CRM and prospecting tools
Outcome: A project and certificate built on Salesforce and ZoomInfo work
Mid-level reps
Refine pitches with feedback from a coach
Outcome: Scheduled one-on-one virtual meetings tied to their own sales goals
Key features
- Personal learning coach who meets with you virtually throughout the program
- Hands-on work with Salesforce, ZoomInfo and LinkedIn Sales Navigator
- Project that simulates real sales work, usable in interviews
- Covers sales methods, prospecting, lead development and sales pitches
- Self-paced e-learning available around the clock
Pros
- One-on-one coaching is rare at this price
- Practice in CRM and prospecting tools employers use
- Open enrollment, so you can start any time
Cons
- Program page cites job market figures from 2021
- Total hours are not stated on the program page
- $1,950 is more than twice the WGU certificate
Rank 8
Huthwaite International SPIN Selling
Training in the SPIN Selling questioning method from the company that developed it, with an official certification on completion.
huthwaiteinternational.com7.2
out of 10
Best for: Consultative B2B sellers who want training in the original SPIN method
SPIN Selling is one of the best-known consultative sales methods, and Huthwaite International is the company that developed it from research it says observed 35,000 business-to-business sales interactions. The training teaches salespeople to use situation, problem, implication and need-payoff questions so customers uncover their own needs. Huthwaite offers it as company training and as open programs that individuals can book. The classroom version includes 2 days of facilitator-led classes, the virtual version is usually spread over 4 sessions, and digital modules can be done at your own pace. After class, participants get up to six months of access to tools and resources on Huthwaite's collaborative platform, plus tasks tied to real deals and feedback from Huthwaite-trained coaches. Huthwaite says participants receive an official SPIN Selling certification when they complete the program. It does not publish a USD price, and it focuses on one method rather than a broad curriculum. For a rep in complex B2B sales who wants to master questioning, it is the authoritative source.
Standout feature
Huthwaite SPIN Selling is the best choice for consultative sellers because the method's originator teaches it and awards an official certification.
Use cases
Reps in complex B2B deals
Improve discovery questioning
Outcome: Official SPIN Selling certification and six months of follow-up tools
Reps whose company already uses SPIN
Get formally certified in the team's method
Outcome: A credential that matches the company's sales process
Key features
- Method based on Huthwaite's observation of 35,000 business-to-business sales interactions
- Official SPIN Selling certification on successful completion
- Classroom format with 2 days of facilitator-led classes, or about 4 virtual sessions
- Up to 6 months of access to resources and tools on a collaborative platform after class
- Open programs for individuals as well as company programs
Pros
- Taught by the originator of SPIN Selling
- Live practice with feedback from facilitators
- Post-course tasks and coach feedback on real deals
Cons
- No USD price published; pricing is by request
- Open courses follow Huthwaite's schedule
- Teaches one questioning method rather than a full sales curriculum
Rank 9
Sandler Certification
A two-level certification in the Sandler Selling System for people trained through Sandler programs.
sandler.com6.9
out of 10
Best for: Reps whose company trains on the Sandler Selling System
Sandler's certification program is built for salespeople already learning the Sandler Selling System, not as a standalone exam you buy online. Sandler describes two levels. Bronze is knowledge testing that checks you understand the foundations of the Sandler Selling System well enough to start applying them. Silver checks that you can apply Sandler strategies correctly in your own organization, role and industry. Training mixes instructor-led sessions, self-paced online learning, and ongoing coaching and reinforcement, and Sandler points individuals to its local training centers. That structure gives the credential weight inside companies that sell the Sandler way, because the Silver level looks at behavior on the job. The downsides for an individual rep are cost transparency and portability: Sandler publishes no price, it sells mainly to organizations, and the credential means less at a company that uses a different method. If your employer already runs Sandler training, ask whether certification is included; if not, a program open to individuals higher on this list is easier to buy.
Standout feature
Sandler Certification is the best choice for Sandler-trained teams because its Silver level tests how reps apply the method in their own role.
Use cases
Reps at Sandler-trained companies
Get certified in the team's sales method
Outcome: Bronze and then Silver certification tied to their role
Sales managers rolling out Sandler
Measure whether reps apply the training
Outcome: A documented two-level certification process
Key features
- Two certification levels: Bronze for knowledge and Silver for application
- Bronze tests foundational understanding of the Sandler Selling System
- Silver checks that participants apply Sandler strategies correctly in their own role and industry
- Delivered with instructor-led sessions, self-paced online learning and ongoing coaching
- Run through Sandler's local training centers
Pros
- Silver level tests real application, not just knowledge
- Blends live sessions with coaching and reinforcement
- Widely available through local training centers
Cons
- No published price; you buy through a local training center
- Mainly sold to companies training their sales teams
- Only useful if you sell with the Sandler method
Frequently asked questions
+Which certification is best for sales?
The NASP Certified Professional Sales Person (CPSP) is the best sales certification for most working reps. It costs $795, runs online for six weeks with 45 daily modules of 20 to 30 minutes, and requires an exam score of 80% or higher.
+Which sales certification is best for moving up?
It depends on the next role. Reps aiming for management should look at the eCornell Sales Growth Certificate ($3,900), which covers sales metrics and coaching, while SaaS reps moving to an AE role should consider Winning by Design Selling for Impact ($1,500) and its certification exam.
+Is there a free sales certification?
Yes. HubSpot Academy's Inbound Sales Certification is free and takes 3 hr 6 min across 7 lessons, 22 videos and 5 quizzes, ending in a certification exam with a badge and certificate.
+What is the cheapest university sales certificate?
WGU's B2B Sales Fundamentals Certificate is the cheapest university option on this list at $799 for a four-month term. It has 3 courses with 9 credits and requires no bachelor's degree.
+How long does it take to get a sales certification?
From about 3 hours to 4 months. HubSpot Inbound Sales takes 3 hr 6 min, Winning by Design runs 4 weeks, the NASP CPSP 6 weeks, eCornell Sales Growth about 3 months, and WGU gives a four-month term.
+Do employers recognize sales certifications?
There is no single required sales license, so recognition varies by employer. Exam-based designations such as the SMEI SCPS, which uses a proctored exam and yearly continuing education, and university certificates from Cornell, Rutgers or WGU are the easiest to explain on a resume.
+Is a sales methodology certification worth it?
Yes, if your company sells with that method. Huthwaite awards an official SPIN Selling certification after its training, and Sandler certifies reps at Bronze and Silver levels, but both mainly sell through employers and do not publish USD prices.
About this list
Updated November 11, 2026 by the Mojolin research desk. Mojolin is self-funded
Questions or corrections: editorial@mojolin.com
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