What is the purpose of MSPA offering certification?
Is it required?
What is the difference in Silver Certification and Gold Certification?
Am I guaranteed more work or higher pay if I am certified?
Who will benefit most from the programs?
I have always been told, “Do not pay to shop.” Why is this different?
Will the Silver test change frequently?
When is a Gold Workshop coming to my area?
Do all Mystery Shopping companies know about certification?
Can I get Silver Certified if I do not have a credit card?
What if I fail the test?
Are the Silver and Gold certification expenses tax deductible?
Once I take the test, how do I notify the companies?
Summary
What is the purpose of MSPA offering certification?
The goal is to OFFER education to shoppers. We have heard from shoppers for years that they are ignored and there are no programs for them since they are Independent Contractors. The goal for the entire MSPA this year is education. These certification programs allow us to help you make personal and professional improvements for yourself and your industry. (Back to top)
Is it required?
No. The MSPA represents more than 250 mystery shopping companies worldwide. We do not know of any company who will not hire you (assuming you are qualified) if you are not certified. However, each company has the right to do as they see fit. If you are a good shopper for a good company, I cannot see you losing shops because you are not certified. However, it may help you get your foot in the door with other companies and expand your business…and in that regard, you might answer “YES.”(Back to top)
What is the difference in Silver Certification and Gold Certification?
Silver is offered on-line for $15 and can be taken by anyone in the world with access to a computer. The Silver Certification program is a BASIC skills test to ensure the person has the basic understanding of our industry and has the basic skills to read, comprehend and follow directions. You must be Silver Certified before you can go to Gold. The Gold Certification program is available on a Pre-recorded Workshop; this program has largely replaced the now-rarely-held live workshops. However, because the Pre-recorded Workshop was created by filming a live workshop, the materials covered are the same as the original live workshops. The cost is $75 plus applicable taxes, where required. On those rare occasions when we can justify, financially, holding live workshops, participants will have the additional opportunity to network with other shoppers and, whenever possible, mystery shopping owners or key personnel will be in attendance. (Back to top)
Am I guaranteed more work or higher pay if I am certified?
No, however the certification may give you an edge with some companies. Imagine two shoppers in the same town, with the same experience and work performance. One is certified and one is not. All other things being equal, the certification sets one shopper above the other with some companies.
If the same scheduler has a reliable shopper who has done excellent work in the past, we would expect the mystery shopping company would give that reliable shopper the job over a person who has never done any work for the company, but is certified. Again, the difference is if all candidates have the “Same” qualifications, the certification may give you an edge with some companies. (Back to top)
Who will benefit most from the programs?
Anyone who wants to learn. Knowledge is priceless. The people this program will help most are shoppers who are relatively new to the industry. They have the most to learn. It is also helpful for shoppers wanting to open the doors with more companies. Again, assuming all applicants are the same and one is certified, the certified shopper has set himself or herself apart. They will of course have to prove themselves and work themselves up the ladder like everyone else, but they at least got in the door.
I have always been told, “Do not pay to shop.” Why is this different?
We agree with that. You are not however paying to get more shops; you are paying to learn more about an industry that is changing every day. You may learn some tricks to help you work smarter and do your work in less time. You may not have booked more shops, but you are taking less time to do your current shops. Time is money as well. Here’s another thing to consider: Cathy Stucker has a great book on mystery shopping, if you buy her book, are you paying to shop? No, you are paying to learn.(Back to top)
Will the Silver test change frequently?
Yes, we will be changing the test often to ensure the questions are fresh. We will also be monitoring to see if the Silver test is too easy and looking at the pass/fail rate and making improvements as we go. Currently, a passing score is 80%.(Back to top)
When is a Gold Workshop coming to my area?
The Gold Workshops are no longer being regularly scheduled. However, in those instances in which we can justify the expense (because of expected large turnout), we will attempt to offer them, occasionally. Please keep an eye on the MSPA website under Shopper Certification if you would like to track live workshops. We decided to dramatically reduce the number of Gold Certification Workshops because they rarely brought in sufficient revenue to cover their costs. Instead, we decided to create and offer our Pre-recorded Gold Workshop, which allows shoppers to become certified in the comfort of their own homes. However, we have not eliminated the Gold Certification Workshops entirely. We intend to hold periodic workshops, which we will announce as they are scheduled.
The few live Gold workshop seminars do have some attributes that are not found, at least not in the same way, on the Pre-recorded Gold Workshop. They give shoppers an opportunity when possible possible to meet owners, schedulers and staff of mystery shopping companies. (Back to top)
Do all Mystery Shopping companies know about certification?
We have discussed this program with the MSPA members since its inception and have received their input. We also sent out information to all MSPA members asking them to inform their staff. We cannot guarantee you that all companies have shared the information with every employee in their company. Did they tell the schedulers and forget to mention it to the receptionist? Maybe so. They may also have temporary personnel who do not have knowledge of the programs.
Also keep in mind that not all mystery-shopping companies are MSPA members. If you called a non-MSPA member about certification, they will have no idea what you are talking about.
Some MSPA members have their own certification programs and we would expect them to continue using their own program and not focusing on the MSPA program. There is nothing wrong with that, as those companies no doubt have special requirements for their clients so they must inform all shoppers of those requirements. (Back to top)
Can I get Silver Certified if I do not have a credit card?
You can now pay for Silver certification either via Paypal or with a credit or debit card. If you do not have a credit or debit card, go through Paypal to pay for the test. Note, the MSPA website is a secure site.(Back to top)
What if I fail the test?
If you fail the Silver test, you are able to take it again in 30 days. You must pay each time you take the test. You may take the new Gold Certification test up to three times if you fail the exam; after which time you must pay again if you wish to become Gold certified.(Back to top)
Are the Silver and Gold certification expenses tax deductible?
Since you are an independent contractor, any and all expenses directly related to your business including seminars should be tax deductible; always consult with your tax advisor to ensure you address deductions appropriately. Certification only strengthens the case that you are running a business.(Back to top)
Once I take the test, how do I notify the companies?
Please e-mail the companies and let them know you are certified. Do not call them! They will need your e-mail address and your certification number to verify your status. Many companies have already added a space on their shopper profile pages where you can go in and add your certification number yourself. Many systems have also added places for you to add your information. NOTE – your certification number is case sensitive and to verify your status, you need to use the same e-mail account you used to take the test.(Back to top)
Summary
These programs are being offered for shoppers to fill a need. The certification is in no way required but in our attempt to raise the bar for our entire industry, this is a small step forward. We hope that you join the growing number of shoppers who see education and networking as a worthwhile endeavor.(Back to top)
