What does a Personal Shopper do?

Personal shoppers help clients select clothing, gifts, and everyday items. You’ll assess style and needs, source products, manage budgets, and deliver a seamless shopping experience.

What will I learn in the Personal Shopper Certificate Course?

You’ll learn client intake and assessment, shopping plans and budgets, styling and fit basics, sourcing, service packages and pricing, marketing, and how to manage repeat clients and referrals.

How long does the Personal Shopper Certificate Course take to complete?

The Personal Shopper Certificate Course is designed to be self-paced, with a recommended completion time of 6 weeks. However, you have the flexibility to complete it in as little as 2 weeks or extend it up to 12 weeks, depending on your schedule.Need more time? No problem. All of IAP’s Courses include lifetime access.

How much can I earn as a Personal Shopper?

Income depends on location, clientele, and services. Many personal shoppers charge $25–$75+ per hour or offer flat-fee packages, with experienced professionals earning $40,000–$80,000+ per year.

Can I start my own Personal Shopper business after completing this course?

Yes. The course covers setup, pricing, simple contracts, marketing, and client care so you can begin freelancing or add services to an existing business.

Do I need any prior experience or education to enroll in this course?

No. The course is beginner-friendly and suitable for anyone with an eye for style and strong customer service.

Can I take the Personal Shopper Certificate Course from outside of North America?

Yes. The course is 100% online and self-paced, which means you can enroll and complete it from anywhere in the world. All course materials are accessible 24/7 on your schedule.

Will I receive a certificate when I finish the course?

Yes! Upon completing the course, you will receive a Personal Shopper Certificate from IAP Career College. This certificate will demonstrate your proficiency in personal shopping, styling, and client-service techniques and help you stand out as you pursue your career in this field.

What is IAP Career College?

The International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College) is a leading online career college offering online certificate courses and professional certifications for non-traditional and "dream" careers. Since 1999, we’ve helped over 500,000 students across six continents get started in dream careers—from life coaching to event planning to end-of-life care. Our courses are flexible, beginner-friendly, and designed for adult learners looking for practical, self-paced options.

Become a Personal Shopper

You will learn how to become a personal shopper, including: what a personal shopper does and how to do personal shopping, how to develop your skills to succeed in a personal shopping career, how to get hired for a job as a personal shopper, and how to start your own personal shopping business and get clients.

What Happens in the Personal Shopper Course

The Personal Shopper course is an online learning program with suggested readings from the textbook (IAP Career College Guide to Become a Personal Shopper). This course is self directed, which means you may study and complete assignments at times that are most convenient for you from the comfort of your own home.

This part-time Personal Shopper Certificate Course has a recommended completion date of 6 weeks from the start of the program, however, you may choose to complete the course in as little as 2 weeks or as long as 12 weeks, depending on your schedule.

The Personal Shopper Certificate Course has been created to allow you to complete it without any teaching assistance. However, if you have questions or need assistance, you can receive help from a Faculty Member throughout the 6 weeks of the course. Your Faculty Member is a valuable resource person who can provide you with personal teaching assistance to help you succeed in the course and advice to help you succeed in the career.

Join 500,000+ Career Changers Since 1999

Course Topics

The Personal Shopper Certificate Course has been developed to meet high academic standards, ensuring that as a graduate you can display with pride the Personal Shopper Certificate you will earn from the International Association of Professions Career College.

How to Become a Personal Shopper

In this course, you will learn how to become a personal shopper, including how to get hired as a personal shopper and how to start a personal shopping business. Topics covered in the Personal Shopper Certificate Course include the following:

Introduction to Personal Shopping

Getting Ready

Self-Analysis Quiz
Areas of Specialization
Important Skills
Ways to Learn Personal Shopping

How to Provide Personal Shopping Services

Types of Personal Shopping Services
Working with Vendors
How to Shop for Gifts, Clothing, and Other Products

Getting Hired as a Personal Shopper

Who Employs Personal Shoppers?
Finding Job Openings
What Employers Are Looking For
Job-Hunting Materials
Interviews
Success on the Job

Starting Your Own Personal Shopping Business

Getting Started
Setting Up Your Office
Employees and Contractors
Financial Matters
Client Contracts

Getting Clients

Choose Your Target Markets
Marketing Techniques
Marketing to Corporate Clients
Working with Clients

Join 500,000+ Career Changers Since 1999

What Is Included in the Personal Shopper Certificate Course

This all-inclusive Personal Shopper Certificate Course package includes:

Registration for the Personal Shopper Certificate Course
Lifetime access to course materials
Access to a Faculty Member to provide you with personal teaching assistance and career advice
(Optional) 2026 membership in the IAPO International Association of Professional Personal Shoppers for only US$ 2.99 per month
Downloadable Personal Shopper Certificate personalized with your name and the seal of the International Association of Professions Career College which you may print
(Optional) Opportunity to order official certificates printed on fine linen paper and embossed with the gold seal of the college
Textbook: IAP Career College Guide to Become a Personal Shopper (e-book edition)

Register for the Personal Shopper Certificate Course

BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL

Easy changes and cancellations
It’s easy to change or cancel your course registration. See our FAQ page for details.

You can have all this for an incredible price. It can cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars to take other programs. (We found courses based on old editions of our guides with registration fees of up to $999 and more.) We are able to offer you online courses at a significantly lower cost to you because of our expertise from over 20 years of producing the leading online guides for non-traditional careers.

Our online certificate courses have previously been offered for a registration fee of $297 U.S. and include a textbook and professional membership – a total value of almost $377.

BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL: This all-inclusive registration package for the Personal Shopper Certificate Course is priced as only US$ 149.00 for the September 14, 2026 course.

Associated Courses

Register today for the Personal Shopper Certificate Course. Enrollment is limited and registration is on a first come first served basis, so we recommend that you register early for the Personal Shopper Certificate Course online to avoid disappointment.

If the course is full, please email support@iapcollege.com to be notified when a new course date is scheduled.

About a Career as a Personal Shopper

Imagine having an exciting high-paying career that lets you use your creativity while getting paid to shop. Welcome to the world of personal shopping!

In our busy society an increasing number of people need to hire someone to do their shopping. As a personal shopper you could specialize in shopping for gifts or clothing, or you might shop for food, furniture, jewelry, housewares, or anything else a client wants.

You might be hired by a boutique, department store, or shopping center. Or you might start your own business shopping for busy families or wealthy people, finding the perfect gift for companies to give to important clients, preparing gift bags for special events, or selecting gifts for anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, and other occasions.

There are few careers that offer so many benefits. As a personal shopper, you will have a career that is fun, interesting, and rewarding. If you start your own personal shopping business you will enjoy the freedom of being your own boss.

I had aspirations 30 years ago on becoming a Personal Shopper, and did so for my friends long before I was aware of how I could turn this into my dream job. My own business is just beginning and I can't say thank you enough for the fantastic help you have given me

Susan Robertson, St. Thomas

How can you benefit with a certificate from the International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College)?

A certificate from the International Association of Professions Career College may give you:

Respect as a professional
A competitive advantage when marketing your services
A sense of achievement and confidence
A credential for your resume when applying for jobs
Assurance to clients of your professionalism
Evidence of your expertise
Higher earnings (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in Certificates: A fast track to careers)

With the International Association of Professions Career College, you can earn a certificate online more quickly and affordably than many other educational options.

Student Spotlight: A Graduate's Success Story

Johnathon Clinkscales
Clinton, Maryland, USA

“IAP Career College helped take my side hustle goals to a new level.”

Johnathon was initially hesitant about enrolling in IAP’s Personal Shopper Certificate Course, unsure of what to expect. But the flexible online format, supportive structure, and wealth of information convinced him it was worth the investment.

The certification gave him confidence and direction, inspiring him to move forward with his dream of launching a business that combines fashion and home décor services. He now plans to continue his education with additional certifications in fashion consulting and home décor.

“One main takeaway from my IAP experience is that your mindset really makes all the difference. Seeing the actual printed hardcopy of my certification made it even more real.”

The International Association of Professions Career College (also known as IAP Career College) aims to offer the finest in affordable online certificate programs for dream careers.

The textbooks for most of our courses were developed by our parent company, the leading online publisher of career guide books on how to get started in a dream career, with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Our guides have been used as textbooks for more than a decade, and you can find them in the career centers and library collections of many famed colleges and universities – from the University of Texas to the Fashion Institute of Technology – as well as in numerous public libraries in cities from Vancouver to New York.

It can cost hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars to take other certificate programs. When we discovered online courses based on old editions of our career guides costing over US$ 1,000.00, we knew it was time to offer our own online certificate programs.

Now, the leader in online career guides for dream careers, along with a team of respected academics, have created online certificate programs through IAP Career College, allowing you to study and earn a certificate from the comfort of your own home.

Established online in 1999, the parent company of IAP Career College (known as FabJob) is an award-winning organization named “the #1 place to get published online” by Writer’s Digest. Our company and career guides have been featured in media ranging from ABC to Oprah’s newsletter and respected news sites ranging from CNN to the Wall Street Journal online.

We continue this tradition of excellence in online career education with the International Association of Professions Career College. Each of our career certificate programs has been developed to meet high academic standards, ensuring that as a graduate you can display with pride the certificate you will earn from the International Association of Professions Career College.

We invite you to learn more about the online certificate courses we offer you by visiting our Certificate Courses page. We are also happy to answer any of your questions to help you decide whether an online certificate course from the International Association of Professions Career College is right for you.

What does a Personal Shopper do?
Personal shoppers help clients select clothing, gifts, and everyday items. You’ll assess style and needs, source products, manage budgets, and deliver a seamless shopping experience.
What will I learn in the Personal Shopper Certificate Course?
You’ll learn client intake and assessment, shopping plans and budgets, styling and fit basics, sourcing, service packages and pricing, marketing, and how to manage repeat clients and referrals.
How long does the Personal Shopper Certificate Course take to complete?
The Personal Shopper Certificate Course is designed to be self-paced, with a recommended completion time of 6 weeks. However, you have the flexibility to complete it in as little as 2 weeks or extend it up to 12 weeks, depending on your schedule.

Need more time? No problem. All of IAP’s Courses include lifetime access.
How much can I earn as a Personal Shopper?
Income depends on location, clientele, and services. Many personal shoppers charge $25–$75+ per hour or offer flat-fee packages, with experienced professionals earning $40,000–$80,000+ per year.
Can I start my own Personal Shopper business after completing this course?
Yes. The course covers setup, pricing, simple contracts, marketing, and client care so you can begin freelancing or add services to an existing business.
Do I need any prior experience or education to enroll in this course?
No. The course is beginner-friendly and suitable for anyone with an eye for style and strong customer service.
Can I take the Personal Shopper Certificate Course from outside of North America?
Yes. The course is 100% online and self-paced, which means you can enroll and complete it from anywhere in the world. All course materials are accessible 24/7 on your schedule.
Will I receive a certificate when I finish the course?
Yes! Upon completing the course, you will receive a Personal Shopper Certificate from IAP Career College. This certificate will demonstrate your proficiency in personal shopping, styling, and client-service techniques and help you stand out as you pursue your career in this field.
What is IAP Career College?
The International Association of Professions Career College (IAP Career College) is a leading online career college offering online certificate courses and professional certifications for non-traditional and "dream" careers.

Since 1999, we’ve helped over 500,000 students across six continents get started in dream careers—from life coaching to event planning to end-of-life care. Our courses are flexible, beginner-friendly, and designed for adult learners looking for practical, self-paced options.

Personal Shopper Certificate Course Online

Starting September 14, 2026

Register Now to Guarantee Your Spot

Associated Courses

Personal Shopper Certificate Course Online

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Become a Personal Shopper