Elevate your credibility in social media through training and certification.

ABOUT US

ABOUT US
The National Institute for Social Media (NISM) is dedicated to social media certification and education for professional social media practitioners. Our curriculum is designed by educators and leaders in digital marketing and communication to validate the core skills essential for success in the various vocations of social media. Not only does NISM offer exceptional education it’s a life-long community for professional development, continuing education and sharing best practices.

CERTIFICATIONS

CERTIFICATIONS
Individual

Manage Your Career

The NISM Social Media Strategist (SMS) certification can help you take your career to the next level by showing that you have the proven skills to create, implement, and maintain a successful social media strategy.
Agency

Develop Your Team

Build a cohesive team and share the credentials of your team with current and potential clients. The NISM SMS certification or customized training options will help you ensure your team members have the skills they need to effectively manage their social media results.
Education

Equip Your Students for Success

Today your students need more than a degree to standout in the sea of marketing professionals. Give them a leg up by adding an industry certification to their portfolio and see them excel.

TESTIMONIALS

FAQ

FAQ

What is the National Institute for Social Media?

The National Institute for Social Media (NISM) is an organization dedicated to the education and certification of social media practitioners. We have created a community for professional development and set the industry standards for social media education, assessment and certification. NISM follows the certification requirements of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence and uses skilled educators and industry data to develop top-notch curriculum for our adult learners.

What path is right for me?

The path to training or certification will vary for everyone based on their experience, background, and preferred learning style. We recommend individuals complete the Readiness Assessment for a more customized plan. If you are an agency or organization looking for customized training for your team go here. Colleges and Universities looking to offer social media strategy education and certification to their students should go here.

Are the courses offered online or in person?

Most of our courses are offered online to ensure flexibility for learners around the globe. Customized training programs or partnerships with NISM Educators or Educational Institutions often offer an on-ground or blended option. You will want to ask your representative about the courses offered in your area.

What subject matter will I be tested on?

The NISM Social Media Strategist certification exam will assess a candidate’s knowledge within six content domains required of general practitioners in vocations of social media. They are as follows: Strategic Planning, Compliance and Governance, Project Management, Social Media Marketing, Community Management, Research & Analysis. These content domains defined by the current NISM Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) Professional Job Study. Learn more by reviewing the NISM Candidate Handbook.

What is the format of the exam?

Our certification exam contains a combination of 165 items including:
  • Stand-alone multiple-choice questions
  • Focused scenarios, which consist of a scenario followed by related multiple choice question(s)
Following login, candidates are presented with an entry screen into the exam. When candidates have completed the exam, they will submit it for scoring. Candidates have the ability to move forward or back throughout the entire exam. Candidates have a total of 3 hours to complete the exam.

What are the exam eligibility requirements?

The minimum examination eligibility requirements are the prerequisites that all exam candidates must substantiate before being allowed to sit for the NISM Social Media Strategist certification examination. Candidates must show that they met at least one of the following two requirements:

  • Minimum of 64 credits (or an associate degree)

    Candidates who have studied in areas such as Marketing & Communications, Business or Computer Science are ideal candidates. However, candidates from all areas of study who have at least an associate degree (or at least 64 academic credits) will be eligible to sit for the SMS exam.

    OR
  • Minimum of 2 years of business experience related to social media

    Candidates with experience in community management, social media management or related vocations are ideal candidates for the SMS certification. However, all applicants who have at least 2 full years of business experience related to social media in their application will be allowed to sit for the exam.

*All exam participants must be at least 18 years of age.

What are my payment options?

You can register for any of our training, certifications, or purchase study materials with a credit card online. Alternative payment options like: Workforce Development funds, purchase orders, checks or money orders are also accepted. Payment plans are available for those who qualify. Please email [email protected] for any of these alternative payment options.

Download our FREE
NISM Candidate Handbook

The NISM Candidate Handbook provides anyone who is interested in becoming a certified social media professional with an inside look at not only the content of the NISM Social Media Strategist exam, but also what to expect on exam day and how the exam is scored.

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