Home Staging Certification

Is there a home staging license or certification?

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Home staging is not an officially regulated industry. While real estate agents and home appraisers must have an official state license, home stagers are not subject to this type of regulation. As an alternative, there are a variety of professional associations that home stagers can belong to. Many of these home staging organizations are well-established and well respected by industry professionals. Several of these associations offer training programs and courses. These classes also offer the opportunity to earn different professional credentials and certifications.

Each professional association offers their own unique “Certification” or “Accreditation” process. You shouldn’t hesitate to ask your home stager about the organizations that they may belong to. If they are “certified” or “accredited,” ask them about the steps required to earn the credential.

On the other hand, there are also many well-qualified and very experienced home stagers that are not affiliated with any particular organization. There are many factors that contribute to being a successful home staging professional. For instance, a home stager with 15 years of experience in the industry is almost always a better choice than a brand new “certified” home stager who recently passed an online course.

Before hiring a home stager, ask them about:

1. Industry experience

- How long have they been in the industry?
- What type of success have they had?
- Don't immediately dismiss newer stagers (their work may be fresh and inventive).

2. Customer references

- Can the stager provide a list of references?
- Are those customers satisfied with the work?
- Have any reviews been posted about their work online?

3. Pictures or videos of past work

- May help you understand their design aesthetic
- Ask if they have any staged homes that are currently on the market

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Related: Home Staging Cost