You may not know every detail of a particular business or industry but knowing how to manage resistance to change in organizations makes you a valuable asset. Whether they are prepared for it or not, the world is moving too fast for any business to avoid shifts in the way they work. The right change management certifications may give you the knowledge needed to support a smooth transition.

Don’t know ADKAR? No problem! Most change management certifications that are going to teach you a particular methodology from start to finish. This means there is no prior experience required. Often this is beneficial because there are no prior perceptions to “untrain”. Go in with an open mind and learn how to handle resistance to change in organizations on behalf of future clients.

Top Change Management Certifications

We have to start with the Prosci certified folks and that ADKAR change management methodology. Since it does come up often, what does ADKAR mean? ADKAR is an acronym which stands for Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability and Reinforcement (ADKAR).

Earning your Prosci certified Change Practitioner is a well-recognized achievement, but it is also a bit pricey. This change management certifications program is currently $4,500 for a 3-day, virtual instructor-led or in person training. Some may say this is a deal to quickly capture the knowledge, skills and tools to drive successful change.

Consider this, 80 of the Fortune 100 companies partner with Prosci certified professionals which should give you some confidence that this is a worth-while investment into your career. These leaders understand that resistance to change in organizations is disruptive to progress and costly if not managed appropriately. To explore becoming a Prosci certified change practitioner and learn more about ADKAR change management, follow the link below:

The Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP) provides a globally recognized credential called the Certified Change Management Professional ™ (CCMP™). It is based on the ACMP’s industry-leading Standard for Change Management© which defines best practices for change management.

The Management and Strategy Institute offers a Change Management Specialist (CMS®) certification. This is one of the change management certifications designed to provide you the tools to implement change in a corporate environment. The price tag for this training and certification test is $299.95 and can be completed at your own pace. You sign up, you complete the training and you take the test to earn your change management certification. The test is not proctored so no need to get all dressed up for this one!

APMG International, in partnership with the Change Management Institute, developed a training and certification with the beginner in mind. The information presented is based on the Effective Change Manager’s Handbook and the Institute’s Change Management Body of Knowledge. The program is self-guided so you can move through the material at your own pace. You will learn how to provide effective support and motivation in the face of resistance to change in organizations. Learn more about the change management certifications offered by APMG International below.

The Global Association for Quality Management (GAQM) offers a couple change management certifications worth considering. The Change Manager – Foundation Certification (CCMF) program is the place to start. This e-course takes roughly 10 – 15 hrs to complete and guides you through the theory, organizational structures and strategies to implement based on those structures. This quickly turns to practical application and how to address resistance to change in organizations proactively to maintain positive attitudes.

And while you’re at it, look into the GAQM’s Certified Problem and Change Manager (CPCM). This program focuses more on decision making and taking the fear out of choices. This e-course is also about 10 – 15 hrs of material that will teach you to cope with change as well as help those around you. There are no pre-requisites for this course and at $75 it might be a good one to add to your collection of change management certifications.

These are only a few of the change management certifications that you may want to consider when driving your career to the next level. Keep in mind that while certifications can be valuable, using that knowledge to gain experience in real-world situations is priceless. Resistance to change in organizations will take many different forms. Your success will hinge on your ability to recognize a situation for what it is and properly apply ADKAR change management or any other methodology that keeps momentum moving the right direction.