Become a certified Social Media Strategist. Gain the skills, knowledge, and industry recognition to lead successful digital campaigns and drive real business growth.
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Follow these simple steps to earn your Social Media Strategist credential and elevate your career.
Take our free readiness assessment to identify your knowledge gaps and strengths.
Take the AssessmentUtilize our comprehensive study guides, online courses, and practice exams to prepare.
Schedule and take the official NISM certification exam online from anywhere in the world.
Earn your digital badge and join our elite community of certified professionals.
Not sure where to start? Get in touch and we’ll help you find your path.
One certification, tailored to how you'll use it. Whether you're advancing your own career, certifying your agency's team, or preparing students as an educational partner, the NISM Social Media Strategist (SMS) certification meets you where you are.
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.
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.
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.
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Hear from professionals who have elevated their careers with NISM certification.
“I've been in the field of social media marketing for more than two decades and had toyed with the idea of taking the certification exam several years ago. I wish I'd taken the course and exam sooner! While I found it challenging, I'm also eager to continue exploring areas with which I'm not as familiar.”
“I loved this entire process!! It was extremely beneficial to have the weekly sessions with my coach and to really dive into the material. Even though I knew a lot there was still so much added value and additional things I learned throughout this process!”
“I've worked in social media for years but loved the idea of having a standard exam and certification process to demonstrate my expertise in the industry. I enjoyed the content, learned new things that I could put into action in my work, and grew my understanding of social media marketing. Overall, this has been a great experience! ”
“I apply what I have learned from the NISM materials throughout my daily social practices.”
“Thankful for the scholarship opportunities, study materials, and practice tests. I’m so excited to add this great recognition to my career.”
“I should say that my learning journey with NISM has been worth the try. Insightful materials, references, and supervisors. The exam is well-structured and well-principled. I'm glad to be a Certified Social Media Strategist and I'll gladly recommend NISM to my colleagues. ”
“The field of social media is complex. I am excited to have studied and taken an exam to test my knowledge and expertise. This certification has filled gaps in my knowledge, and I am proud to be certified as a Social Media Strategist by the National Institute of Social Media!”
“This was the first time I had to sit for a proctored exam to gain my certification. Now, when I display my NISM badge, I know I am among a small group of professionals who have been vetted thoroughly for their expertise. It feels good knowing my NISM certification is a true testament of my knowledge of skills in social media. It's not just for show.”
“While studying for the exam I found myself relating client work to some of the tasks or topics in the manual. This made it much easier to understand and apply as I went through the subject matter.”
“I learned so much through the self-study materials and was able to immediately start applying them to my company’s social media practices. The webinars offered additional insight from others in the field, and I am beyond grateful that the organization offers practitioners the opportunity to learn from one another. ”
“The SMS training and certification provides legitimacy to a powerful and evolving marketing discipline. When done right, social media marketing has the power to attract legions of new fans to your brand.”
“I've used what I learned in the course to be more data-driven in creating strategies for my clients.”
“I would absolutely take the class again. It is obvious from the first chapter of how NISM differs from other services out there. There were visible results in my business from day one!”
“The course has made a tremendous change in my knowledge and career due to the instructor's unique delivery of information and rich marketing experience. ”
“The NISM Exam prep course was very helpful and Amy Jauman is an excellent teacher, clear, detailed and personable.”
“I chose to go the self-study route and I really enjoyed it. The materials were very thorough and helped me prepare for the exam well. The NISM team is great!”
“NISM provided me with the tools I needed to grow and succeed as a Social Media Professional.”
“Taking the NISM Social Media Strategist Certification was a wonderful experience. It gives me the confidence to promote and work in the social media arena.”
“Everyone at NISM was extremely supportive and helpful as I prepared to take my certification exam.”
“Go for it! SMS certification is a good investment in yourself, and opens up a whole new community of social media experts that you can continue to learn from.”
In a crowded digital landscape, certification sets you apart. It demonstrates a verified level of expertise and commitment to professional standards that employers actively seek.
Certified professionals are 3x more likely to be promoted or hired for senior roles.
Gain a recognized credential that proves your strategic competence to clients and employers.
Of recruiters prioritize certified professionals
Average salary increase after certification
Years certifying social media professionals
Report higher confidence in strategy execution
Everything you need to know about NISM certification.
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.
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.
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.
The NISM Social Media Strategist certification exam will assess a candidate’s knowledge within six content domains: Strategic Planning, Compliance and Governance, Project Management, Social Media Marketing, Community Management, Research & Analysis.
Our certification exam contains a combination of 165 items including stand-alone multiple-choice questions and focused scenarios. Candidates have a total of 3 hours to complete the exam.
You need either a minimum of 64 credits (or an associate degree) OR a minimum of 2 years of business experience related to social media. All exam participants must be at least 18 years of age.
You can register 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.
