Secret Shopper Certification
Secret shoppers, also known as mystery shoppers, earn money by posing as typical customers. After an anonymous visit, a secret shopper writes a detailed report of her experience. Businesses use these reports to monitor, evaluate and improve customer service. The Mystery Shopping Providers Association offers certification programs for secret shoppers who want to upgrade their skills. Although a certificate from this global trade association is not a legal requirement to become a secret shopper, it can open doors with legitimate companies.
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Silver Certification
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Silver Certification tests basic skills. Silver Certification is a basic skills test for new secret shoppers. In addition to testing your knowledge of secret shopping procedures, the exam is designed to measure reading comprehension, writing skills and the ability to follow instructions. Silver Certification is administered online and can be retaken within 30 days for an additional fee. Obtaining Silver Certification is the first step to becoming Gold Certified.
Gold Certification is the Next Step
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Gold Certification tests advanced skills. After a secret shopper completes her Silver Certification, she becomes eligible for Gold Certification. The Mystery Shopping Providers Association's Gold Certification tests advanced secret shopping skills, knowledge of industry standards and its code of ethics. The Gold Certification is administered both online and in person. The test is the same whether it is taken online or in a workshop, however, attendees of the in-person workshops can meet with potential employers and network with other secret shoppers.
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Cost of Certification
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Certification is available at reasonable costs. Silver Certification costs $15 payable via PayPal, credit or debit card as of June 2010. A secret shopper who fails the Silver Certification can retake the test for an additional $15.The Gold Certification online program costs $104 dollars: $99 for the test plus $5 for a study DVD. The fee for the in-person workshop is $125 and includes the DVD. The Gold Certification test can be taken up to three times for no additional fee.
What to Do Next
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Email the results of your certification to prospective employers. A secret shopper receives her test results immediately after completion of the Silver Certification or Gold Certification program. It is the responsibility of the secret shopper to inform her employer of her certification status. If she passes the exam, she can print a certificate that bears a unique certification code that she emails to potential employers. She can also add the certification code to her business cards.
Warning
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Silver Certification and Gold Certification are voluntary programs offered by The Mystery Shopping Providers Association, a global association for the secret shopping industry. Nevada secret shoppers are eligible to become Silver or Gold Certified, however, state law limits secret shopping only to persons employed by a Nevada State Licensed Private Investigator.
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References
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