Eligibility Requirements

Requirement 1

The purchase of the Supervisory Skill Builders text is required for each individual to enroll in the certification program.  However, individuals are not required to take the exam if they purchase the workbooks.

Requirement 2

The candidate must be employed by or expect to be employed by a spa in six months.  There are two plans available:

Plan A

• Current full-time employment as a qualifying supervisor* in the spa industry.  
• Served in one or more such positions for a minimum of nine months.

OR

Plan B

• Understanding that acceptance into the CSS program allows six months from successful completion of the CSS exam to secure full-time employment as a qualifying supervisor* in the spa industry.
• Held one or more positions for a minimum of three months.
• Once ISPA verifies this requirement has been met through a letter from a candidate’s employer, he/she will be awarded the CSS designation.
• If the candidate does not become a supervisor in six months, they will have to re-apply for the certification and retake the exam.

*A qualified supervisor can be defined as a person who:

• Supervises one or more individuals.
• Has job duties that are at least 20 percent supervisory in nature and include such tasks as scheduling, training, interviewing, disciplining and conducting performance reviews.
• Makes decisions and judgment calls while performing daily duties.
• Has input on hiring and firing decisions within a department.