CERTIFIED SPA SUPERVISOR PROGRAM

Get the skills needed to succeed with the Certified Spa Supervisor program.

"Several of my staff members have taken the CSS and Retail Certification courses and found them to be of great value. The tools that ISPA provides are invaluable, particularly the constantly updated Web site, business and trend reports, Pulse magazine and a staff that is ready to assist whenever needed. I wonder if all ISPA members fully realize what a tremendous resource we have at our fingertips!"
- Jaime Huffman, Executive Spa Director
  The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Certified Spa Supervisor (CSS) program?
Why would I want to be a certified spa supervisor?
Who is eligible to be certified as a certified spa supervisor?
What do I need to purchase to take the Certified Spa Supervisor exam?
What does the program cost?
How do I apply to take the exam?
Where may I take the CSS exam?
What if I don't pass the exam the first time? What is the CSS exam retake policy?
In what languages is the Certified Spa Supervisor program available?
How was this program developed?
Can I teach this material to my colleagues?
How can I purchase this textbook for academic use?
Who do I contact if I have questions about the Certified Spa Supervisor program?

What is the Certified Spa Supervisor (CSS) program?
The Certified Spa Supervisor program is a voluntary certification for spa supervisors and managers. The certification program was developed to provide education and resources for spa supervisors who may be new to their positions or those that are seeking additional education and recognition. 

Why would I want to be a certified spa supervisor?
The CSS designation, a hallmark within the spa industry, will signify an understanding of basic supervisory skills.  It also indicates a deep sense of commitment and a belief that continued education is fundamentally important in professional growth. 

Who is eligible to be certified as a certified spa supervisor?
You may apply for certification under one of two different plans. You must satisfy all requirements to be accepted under the plan you select. The Educational Institute Professional Certification Department will review your materials to determine your eligibility, and you will receive written notification within three weeks of receipt of your application. Upon approval, you will become a candidate for professional certification.

Under both plans, you must have completed the ISPA Supervisory Skill Builders series and your manager has signed the series-completion acknowledgement located on the bottom of the CSS Application.

Plan 1- You are currently employed in a CSS qualifying position* with at least three months of full-time experience in one or more such positions and have completed the Supervisory Skill Builders for Spas series.

Plan 2- You are not currently employed in a CSS qualifying position.* However, you understand that if ac­cepted in the CSS program you will have six months from the time that you successfully complete the CSS test to secure full-time employment as a qualified supervisor* in the spa industry and to have held one or more such positions for a minimum of three months.
*A qualifying supervisor is a person who supervises two or more individuals; has job duties that are at least 20% supervisory in nature and which include such tasks as scheduling, training, interviewing, disciplining, inspecting, and conducting performance reviews; makes decisions and judgment calls while performing daily duties; and has input on hiring and firing decisions within a spa facility.

What do I need to purchase to take the Certified Spa Supervisor exam?
You will need to purchase the Supervisory Skill Builders Workbooks before taking the Certified Spa Supervisor exam. These nine workbooks will help prepare you for important spa supervisor skills covered in the exam. Included in the Supervisory Skill Builders Workbooks is the application to take the Certified Spa Supervisor exam.  Call 1.800.752.4567 for ordering information.

What does the program cost?
The cost of the Certified Spa Supervisor program depends on if you are a current ISPA member or not. ISPA members may purchase the nine Supervisory Skill Builders Workbooks for $109.95USD; for nonmembers, the cost is $139.95USD. The CSS certification program fee includes the exam and application and is $75USD for employees of ISPA member properties or $95USD for employees of non-ISPA member prop­erties.

How do I apply to take the exam?
Apply to take the exam by completing the Certified Spa Supervisor program application that is included in the box that contains the Supervisory Skill Builders Workbooks.  Only original applications included in the SSB Workbook box will be accepted.

Where may I take the CSS exam?
You have three options for taking the Certified Spa Supervisor Exam. 

1. The exam may administered by an ISPA member, spa-related educator or your direct supervisor or manager. However, the exam can not be administered by a relative. Your exam administer will sign a proctor agreement (included with the exam) that certifies the candidate did not receive any oral or written assistance during the exam. If you select testing option 1 under section 4 on the CSS exam application form, you must provide your proctor's name and contact information. Please obtain consent from this individual before submitting his or her name. Your exam will be sealed and mailed directly to your proctor. The proctor will receive detailed instructions on how to administer the exam. Once your proctor receives the exam, you have 30 days to take the exam.   Proctors only administer the exam. They do not grade them and they will not be notified of a candidate's score. Only the applicant will be notified of their exam score.

2.  Exam candidates may also take the exam at an ISPA test site. ISPA offers a variety of test sites in conjunction with ISPA events, such as the ISPA Conference & Expo and Knowledge Networks. 

3. ISPA member WTS offers testing dates throughout the year. Contact Mary Pilch for test dates or to make a reservation. WTS International Headquarters is located in Rockville, Md., USA.

What if I don't pass the exam the first time? What is the CSS exam retake policy?
If a successful score (70 percent or higher) is not achieved during the first attempt at completing the examination requirement, candidates will be provided two additional opportunities to complete the requirement. For each retake, a fee of $15.00USD will be charged and must be paid prior to the examination being sent. If a successful score is not achieved after three attempts, the enrollment will be discontinued and the individual will be required to wait one year before reapplying.

In what languages is the Certified Spa Supervisor program available?
The Supervisory Skill Builders Workbooks are available in English & Chinese.

How was this program developed?
ISPA and the ISPA Foundation developed this program in conjunction with The Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. For 50 years, the Educational Institute has been the premier source for providing industry-tested, research-driven hospitality training resources worldwide.

I want to teach this material to my colleagues, how can I do this?
In instructing your colleagues, you will want to purchase the Leader's Guide. This guide is the instructor's manual for the course and includes step-by-step instructions on how to facilitate teaching the nine workbooks. The Leader's Guide includes overheads, additional worksheets and other materials that will help the leader (or teacher) instruct the employee. Pricing for the Leader's Guides (Instructor manuals) is $179.95USD for ISPA members or $224.95 USD for nonmembers and $169.95 for college/university faculty.

How can I purchase this textbook for academic use?
If you are a faculty member, bookstore or student at a U.S. or Canadian school wishing to purchase this textbook for academic use, please call the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute at 1.800.344.4381 or 1.517.372.8800 to ensure the correct academic pricing and product selection. International schools, please call 1.407.999.8100.

Who do I contact if I have questions about the Certified Spa Supervisor program?
For questions regarding the Certified Spa Supervisor program, please contact the Educational Institute Certification Department at 1.407.999.8100 or 1.888.575.8726.