Home Staging Education & Certifications

No license is required, but a certificate program gives you the foundation you need to build a real business. The best courses cover not just color palettes and styling—but business structure, logistics, sourcing, and client systems that keep projects running smoothly.

A certificate in home staging is proof that you’ve completed a professional training program. It shows you’ve studied how to prepare homes for sale, manage projects, and communicate with real estate agents. Look for programs accredited by RESA®, as they’re vetted to ensure they teach the business of staging—not just design.

Accreditation is voluntary. Providers must apply and go through a review process that examines curriculum, ethics, and business practices. Some may not meet RESA®’s standards yet, while others simply haven’t applied. Accreditation gives you confidence that your education was reviewed by the industry’s trade association—not just a single instructor.

Yes. Even with strong design instincts, staging is a different skill set. A RESA® Accredited Education Provider will teach you the logistics that make staging profitable—how to write contracts, manage timelines, source inventory, create scalable systems, and work effectively with real estate agents and sellers.

Most stagers begin as sole proprietors or LLCs, depending on their state’s requirements. You’ll learn more about these options in your RESA® Accredited Education Provider course, which covers business setup, pricing, and operational structure. If you’re ready to establish your business legally or need insurance guidance, explore our RESASURE™ partner resources, created specifically for home stagers.

Most programs can be completed in a few days to a few weeks, depending on depth and format. Look for a provider that combines design, business, and marketing education. The goal isn’t speed—it’s confidence.

A comprehensive home staging course typically costs between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the provider. For under $250 per year, RESA® membership adds year-round resources like contracts, webinars, and an on-demand education library.

RESA® offers Approved Continuing Education Courses for stagers ready to sharpen specific skills—pricing, marketing, operations, and niche services like color consulting, occupied staging, or short-term rental design. You can also access 50+ hours of recorded professional development webinars and attend RESACON® Vegas, the industry’s premier annual conference.

• The Pricing Lab for Home Stagers
• Path to Profitability & Scaling
• Defining Your Services & Setting Your Pricing
• Stage to Rent: Short-Term Rental Design
• Managing Your Home Staging Projects

These classes are created by vetted industry experts and are designed to help you grow confidently.

• Occupied Staging — Using homeowner furnishings effectively
• Short-Term Rental Styling — Designing for Airbnb and vacation markets
• Color Consultation — Certified Color Expert training
• Wholesale Buying — Learning to source and scale inventory
• Marketing & SEO — Building visibility and client trust

All are available through RESA® Approved CE Providers.

• Monthly live webinars on business growth and design trends
• 50+ hours of recorded education
• Local chapters and networking opportunities
• Leadership and mentorship programs
• RESACON® conference discounts

You can also expand your knowledge through RESA® Approved CE courses, all designed specifically for professional home stagers.

• Price projects for profit
• Write contracts that protect you
• Source and store inventory efficiently
• Create staging timelines and client workflows
• Communicate with agents and sellers professionally

These are the systems that turn “I love design” into a sustainable, profitable business.