How to Become a Gold Certified Mystery Shopper

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By Tammatha R. Conerly
eHow Contributing Writer

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If you have ever considered becoming a mystery shopper---or you are a mystery shopper and would like to get more work at higher pay---you should consider becoming certified. Certification is not mandatory for most mystery shoppers, but some companies pay higher wages to certified shoppers and some clients require that their shoppers be certified. The Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) offers two levels of certification: silver and gold. To become a gold-certified mystery shopper, you must first be silver certified.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Computer

How to Become a Gold-Certified Mystery Shopper

Step 1

Pay $15 to the Mystery Shopping Providers Association and take a basic skills test online. Pass the test and print out your certificate. You will receive a certification number that lets mystery shopping companies know you are certified.
Step 2

Attend a one-day seminar for $99 or purchase the gold certification DVD for $99 (plus $5 shipping and handling and any applicable taxes). The $99 covers the test you will take to become gold certified.
Step 3

Take the gold-certification test and pass it. Receive or print out your certification and receive your gold-certification number. If you fail the test, you can take it up to three more times, after which you will be required to pay an additional $99.
Step 4

If you have already worked for mystery-shopping companies, alert them to your new certification by e-mail or by updating your shopper profile online. As you sign up with new companies, provide them with your certification number.

Tips & Warnings

The classes and tests taken for certification are educational tools about the business of mystery shopping. The expenses associated with becoming certified are tax deductible.
Certification does not guarantee higher pay or more work. It is not mandatory. Never accept an assignment as a mystery shopper that requires you to pay money up front. You may incur expenses while shopping, such as making a purchase, but you should never pay a company to perform work.