What are Business Management Certifications, Diplomas, and Licenses?
Business management is a vast field and one that requires various accolades for professionals to achieve. Because they will sooner or later go past mid-level as professionals, and to pursue higher positions, they’ll need specific certifications or licenses.
Now this isn’t always the case, as some students who’ve just passed high school might take the path to professional life right away. For them, it’s either associate’s degrees or diplomas.
So, what sort of business management certifications, diplomas, and licenses are there? Are they worth pursuing? Let’s find out.
Defining Business Management Certification, Diploma And License
A business management certification is usually a short course or training program to develop skills. These certificates help validate specific knowledge or understanding of a field of work. For instance, some of these certifications focus on human resources, others on project management.
On the other hand, business management diplomas are comprehensive programs and might require 30-60 credits worth of studying. These programs cover a wide range of topics in businesses, including finance, marketing, human resources, and management of other sorts.
Lastly, business management licenses aren’t exactly standard, but they are necessary for specific roles. These licenses are given based on specific examinations, and ensure that workers/employees are fit to act in a particular role.
There are quite a few differences between the three, but all of them serve the same aspects of business management. Here’s a table to help you understand the basics about them:
| – | Certification | Diploma | Licenses |
| Common Aspects | Short-term and skill-focused and often online. | Comprehensive, broader scope, and often includes practical training. | Regulatory and specific to certain professions. |
| Fields | Project Management, HR, or Marketing. | Business Administration, HR Management, Finance, and Marketing. | Financial Advising, Real Estate, and Healthcare. |
| Duration | Typically, a 2-to-12 weeks. | 3-6 months, with a flexible pace. | Varies |
| Necessities | Varying, depending on the field. | High school diploma or equivalent, no formal prerequisites. | Specific educational background and exam requirements. |
| Outcome | Certification of specific skills and validation of qualifications. | Diploma in Business Administration. | License to practice in a regulated profession. |
| Recognition | Recognized by companies and industries for skill authentication. | Often recognized by educational institutions and employers. | Required by law to practice in specific fields. |
The differences between the three are based on educational background, current position in career, and professional necessities. For instance, a license is only required in specific fields, whereas a diploma can help even a high-school-passed student find work.
On the other hand, a certification will help professionals qualify for specific roles with added technicalities. Thus, making all three a necessity at one particular time in your career.
Professional Business Licenses
A professional business license allows any qualified individual to practice their profession with authorization. These licenses are granted by the government or other authorities overseeing certain professions, such as finance or healthcare.
The licenses ensure that practitioners meet the required standards of education, skills, and training necessary to practice their profession. These professional licenses are granted by examinations, which allow specific authorities or boards to recognize the ability and prowess of the candidate.
Usually, such licenses come with an expiry date, as changes and updated rules of industries require these professionals to stay up-to-date. Some of the most sought-out license examples in various sectors include the following:
| License | Industry | Duration | Requirements | Cost |
| Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | Accounting | Varies/1-2 years | Bachelor’s degree, 150 credit hours of college coursework. Also, the CPA examination alongside an ethics exam. | $1,000-$3,000 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Healthcare | 2-3 years | Complete an approved nursing program (ADN or BSN) and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. | $200-$500 |
| Professional Engineer (PE) | Engineering | Varies by state, 4-5 years | Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and 4 years of relevant work experience. | $200-$500 |
| Real Estate Broker | Real Estate | Varies by state, typically 1-2 years | Pass the Professional Engineering (PE) exam, complete pre-licensing education, and pass the state real estate broker exam. | $300-$1,000 |
| Certified Financial Planner (CFP) | Finance | 1-2 years | Complete CFP education requirements and pass the CFP exam. | $600-$1,000 |
| Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) | Healthcare | Varies by state, typically 500-1,000 hours | Complete a state-approved massage therapy program. Then pass the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Examination (MBLEx). | $200-$500 |
Each of these licenses proves the necessary documents needed to portray the abilities of the candidate. So, any application for jobs in their respective fields won’t only receive more respect, but REQUIRE the candidate to have these licenses. For instance, here are the benefits of these licenses for each individual:
| Professional | Benefits |
| Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | Ability to perform audits and provide financial services while earning prestige and recognition in the accounting field. |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Skill to provide patient care while ensuring job security and growth opportunities. |
| Professional Engineer (PE) | Higher earning potential with the ability to oversee projects and stamp drawings. Also, offering recognition in the engineering field |
| Real Estate Broker | Ability to operate a real estate brokerage with a higher earning potential. |
| Certified Financial Planner (CFP) | Better chances and job titles in the financial planning field, based on the skills to provide comprehensive financial planning services. |
| Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) | Job opportunities in various settings (spas, clinics, hospitals). Potential for higher earnings compared to unlicensed practitioners. |
How to Get a Free Business License Online?
There are quite a few answers to this question. First off, if your business does require a license, then you need to register it as an LLC, sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation within the state. As for a business management license for an individual, you can do a few things, like:
- Research your certification options;
- Enroll in free online courses, such as edX, Coursera, Alison, etc.;
- Complete the course requirements;
- Gain practical experience;
- And apply for certifications.
Types of Business Management Certificates
There are quite a few types of business management certificates that you can find today. While we discussed some of them earlier industry-wise, let’s talk a bit more about the types of certificates you can see in specific fields.
For instance, some of the most common professions or fields that offer business certificates include:
- Data Analytics
- Entrepreneurship
- Human Resources Management
- International Business
- Logistics & Supply Chain Management
- Program Evaluation
- Sports Management & Analytics
These are some of the leading fields in businesses that offer certifications. Each one of these fields has its specific certification programs, and it’s essential to analyze them. Some of the most common business certificates in these fields include:
| Field | Certification Title | Cost | Duration | Requirements |
| Data Analytics | Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate | $49/month or $234 total | 6 months (10 hours/week) | None |
| IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate | $49/month | 4 months (10 hours/week) | None | |
| Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Associate | $165 (exam fee) | Flexible | Knowledge of data processing | |
| AWS Certified Data Analytics | $300 (exam fee) | Flexible | 5-year experience with AWS | |
| SAS Statistical Business Analyst Professional Certificate | $49/month | 3 months | Prior knowledge of SAS is required | |
| CompTIA Data+ | $239 (exam fee) | Flexible | 18-24 months experience in analytics | |
| Associate Certified Analytics Professional (ACAP) | $205 | N/A | Education in the analytics process | |
| Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) | $495 | N/A | End-to-end understanding of analytics | |
| Human Resources Management | SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) | $300 (exam fee) | Varies | 1-2 years of experience recommended |
| Professional in Human Resources (PHR) | $395 (exam fee) | Varies | 1-2 years of experience recommended | |
| Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) | $495 (exam fee) | Varies | 4-5 years of experience required | |
| International Business | International Business Certificate (Wharton) | $3,600 | 4 months | No specific requirements |
| Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) | $300 (exam fee) | N/A | Relevant work experience | |
| Logistics & Supply Chain Management | Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) | $1,200 | 3-6 months | 3 years of experience |
| APICS Certified in Planning and Inventory Management (CPIM) | $1,000 | 3-6 months | 2 years of experience | |
| Six Sigma Green Belt Certification | $300-$1,200 | Varies | No specific requirements | |
| Program Evaluation | Certified Evaluation Practitioner (CEP) | $300 (exam fee) | N/A | Relevant experience |
| Program Evaluation and Review Certificate | $500 | Varies | No specific requirements | |
| Sports Management & Analytics | Certified Sports Event Executive (CSEE) | $300 | N/A | Relevant experience |
| Sports Analytics Certificate | $1,200 | 6 months | No specific requirements |
It’s important to understand that this information is subject to change by the time you read it. So, it’s always a good idea to check for these certifications online or at the nearest school to find the cost, requirements, and duration.
Now, where might you find these programs? Some of these have mentioned their school titles in the certification name. However, for others, you can find information below:
| Program Field | Program | School/Provider |
| Data Analytics | Data Analytics Career Track | Springboard |
| Business Analytics Online Certificate | University of Pennsylvania (Wharton) | |
| Data Analytics Graduate Certificate | Harvard University | |
| Applied Business Analytics Certificate | MIT Sloan School of Management | |
| Data Analytics Professional Certificate | ||
| Data Analyst Professional Certificate | IBM/Coursera | |
| Power BI Data Analyst Associate | Microsoft | |
| Human Resources Management | SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) | Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) |
| Professional in Human Resources (PHR) | HRCI | |
| Logistics & Supply Chain Management | Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) | ASCM.org |
| Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) | Institute for Supply Management (ISM) | |
| Sports Management & Analytics | Sports Management Certificate | Columbia University |
| Sports Analytics Certificate | Boston College |
Now another good way to find these certification or business license types is by looking at your nearest schools or colleges. You can also get in touch with associations or organizations that provide these certificates and find out which schools they recommend.
Therefore, it’s essential to look up these online certificates, free or paid ones, to find the right program for you.
Is a Business Certification Worth Getting?
Yes, it is definitely worth getting because they can open doors to various types of occupational business licenses and permits. Besides, a certification also shows commitment to professional development and your profession in general.
So, some of the key reasons you should consider getting a business certification include:
- Certifications help you stand out from other candidates;
- Many employers encourage or require certifications;
- The process of earning a certification enables you to gain practical skills;
- And certifications can open doors to new job opportunities.
Therefore, whether you look for graduate or undergraduate certificates, they can elevate your chances of scoring a high-paying job that requires business management certificate jobs.
Types of Business Management Diplomas
Business management diplomas can help you get entry-level jobs in various organizations. Today, there are a ton of industries that accept these diplomas for base-level workers and employees. Some of the leading types of business diplomas include:
- Diploma In Business Administration
- Diploma In Business Management
- Executive Diploma in Business Management
- Forestry & Conservation Management
Now, you can find various diplomas and undergraduate/graduate certifications in the fields mentioned above. Some of them include:
|
Diploma | School | Approximate Cost |
| Business Management | Leadership & Management | University of California, Berkeley Extension | $6,800 |
| Human Resources | Human Resource Management | UC San Diego | $4,500 |
| Project Management | Project Management | George Washington University | $3,000 |
| Financial Management | Financial Management | Massachusetts Institute of Technology | – |
| Business Analytics | Data Analytics for Business Professionals | University of Chicago | $6,000 |
| Supply Chain Management | Supply Chain Management | Georgia Institute of Technology | $4,000 |
| Forestry Management | Diploma in Forestry and Conservation Management | Alison | – |
There are tons of other options too, which you can find according to the industry or field of work you want to work in. Besides diplomas, there are also 3-month certificate programs for various fields, such as the WHO certificate courses.
Or, you can pick free online management certificate programs like Alison.com’s Diploma in Forestry and Conservation Management. The point is to find something that suits your skills, talents, and industry of interest.
There are also some undergraduate programs (not bachelor’s), which allow high-school students to pursue professional fields right after finishing school. An example would be free online business management certificates from Alison or the likes of it.
Conclusion
These are some of the top courses, management certificates, and diplomas you can take in the United States today. These programs vary in requirements based on skills, education, or professional experience. So, you should plan on taking one that fits your current educational or professional background.
Besides, if you’re already a graduate/master’s degree holder, then finding a certificate or license might be a more suitable pursuit. You are only required to pursue a license if the field requires it. However, getting one can increase your chances of finding work, i.e., CPA for accountants.