Professional certification shows employers and clients that you are committed as a professional. Certification is a mark of excellence that you carry with you everywhere you go. IAAP offers two types of certifications for the administrative professional
Certified Professional Secretary (CPS): Three-part exam covering Office Systems and Technology, Office Administration, and Management.
Certified Administrative Professional (CAP):Four-part exam covering Office Systems and Technology, Office Administration, Management, and Advanced Organizational Management.
Certification provides opportunities of enhancement during your career such as:
- Professional Skills - you will learn more about office operations and build skills by studying for and taking the CPS or CAP exam.
- Salary - A recent IAAP membership profile study shows that CAP/CPS holders earn an average of $2,228 more per year than those who
do not have certification.
- Esteem - Attaining certification demonstrates to your employer and yourself that you are a professional.
- College Credit - Many colleges and universities offer course credit for studying for a CPS or CAP exam.
- Certification Conference - Receive the benefit of annual state-of-the-art educational networking with other professionals in the administrative field.
CPS and CAP holders are required to recertify every five years to keep their certification active.
Recertification is achieved by earning 90 points every five years in the categories of education and experience, leadership, and an elective category. Local chapter, division, and international meetings often feature education opportunities.
We recommend certification for those individuals who have experience in the administrative field. Work and/or course experience is needed in order to be eligible to sit for the exams. An applicant with a bachelor’s degree needs two years administrative experience. An applicant with an associate degree needs three years administrative experience. And an applicant with no college degree needs four years administrative experience. If using a college degree to reduce the work experience requirement, please submit a copy of the degree with your application.
To view upcoming exam schedules, download the certification application packet and review guide,
click here.