I’ve noticed a lot of new Virtual Assistant Certification training programs on the market lately and just wanted to point something out that you may not be aware of.
The Virtual Assistant Industry Is Not A Standardized Industry
It does not have a committee or governing body that has certified specific standards that Virtual Assistants must meet to be considered certified.
There Is No True “Virtual Assistant Certification”.
There is no Industry Approved Accreditation. It’s not like the Project Management or IT Industries where there are governing bodies and true certification programs.
Now, I know there are a few organizations that offer certifications, just be aware of what they mean by certified. Ask questions like “What do you need to do to obtain the certification and what do you get from it?“
There’s a big difference between completion and certification. A completion certificate shows that you successfully completed a training program. A certification means you’ve passed a test given by an accredited body. There isn’t one for the VA Industry. It’s a marketing ploy – don’t fall for it.
Do Your Research Before Investing In Any Programs
Find out how long they’ve been in the industry, how long they’ve been in business and if they’re selling their own stuff or if they bought it from someone else (PLR) and are just putting their name on it. Ask around about their programs or ask for testimonials. Do they have a refund policy? If so, what is it?
The bottom line is you don’t need to be certified to be a successful Virtual Assistant and be sure you understand what you’re getting for your investment of both time and money.
I’d love to hear from you. All comments and questions are welcome.
Thanks for reading – Susan
What about the International Virtual Assistants Association, IVAA? – ivaa.org/about
They’re all about helping Virtual Assistants and to my knowledge do not offer a certification. Even if they did, it is not accredited since the industry is not.
Some great points there Susan, thanks for sharing.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment – much appreciated 😉