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Professional Certification...the Career Advantage!

In today's ever-changing business environment, you need every advantage to stay on top. Professional certification shows employers, clients, and associates that you are committed as an administrative professional.

Certification is a mark of excellence that you carry with you everywhere you go.

Microsoft offers the:

• Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) more information at Microsoft.com

IAAP offers the:

•  Certified Professional Secretary® (CPS) rating
•  Certified Administrative Professional® (CAP) rating 

Why certification?
Certification will enhance your career through:

•  Job Advancement
  • you'll have the competitive edge for promotion and hiring.
•  Professional Skills
  • you will learn more about Office Operations and build your skills by studying for the CPS and CAP exams.
•  Salary
  • a recent IAAP Membership Profile study shows that 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 committed as a professional.
•  College Credit
  • many colleges and universities offer course credit for studying for and passing the CPS exam.

Who's eligible?
You may take the CPS or CAP exam if you have at least two years of work experience as an administrative professional in the past 15 years, varying according to your level of college education. Students or teachers in a college business education program also may qualify to take the CPS examination.

Taking the Examination
The CPS examination is a one-day exam, with three parts. The CAP exam is a one and one-half day exam, with four parts. The exams are administered each May and November, at over 250 locations across the United States, Canada, and other countries.

Parts 1-3 CPS and CAP exam:

• Office Systems and Technology –
  12% Computer Hardware, Systems, and Configurations; 16% Document layout, design, and reproduction; 60% Software; 12% Managing Physical Resources
• Office Administration – 28% Records management; 72% Communication
•  Management –
  48% Human Resources; 16% Accounting Procedures and Analysis; 12% Time Management; 24% Communication

Part 4 CAP exam:

• Advanced Organizational Management –
  28% Organizational Planning; 24% Advanced Administration; 24% Team Skills; 24% Advanced Communication

If you want both ratings (CPS and CAP), you must first apply for the three-part CPS exam; after attaining that rating, you can apply to take Part 4 only of the CAP exam.  CPS holders are required to take only Part 4, Organizational Planning, of the CAP exam.

Plus...

Test Preparation: The Certification Review Guide is available from the International Association of Administrative Professionals to help prepare you for the exam. The guide contains the examination outline, bibliography, sample questions and other tips. Many colleges and IAAP chapters also offer review courses to provide thorough exam preparation.

Ongoing Education: Each year IAAP holds a three-day seminar offering advanced professional education. Every CPS and CAP recipient and examination registrant is eligible to attend.

Recertification: CPS holders are required to re-certify every five years, assuring that you remain abreast of new technologies, techniques and issues in the profession. Recertification will also be required for CAP holders. To keep your certification you must earn 90 points every five years.  What will qualify for points?  How do I track my points?  How do I submit documentation:  For answers go to IAAP Recertification Information.  Download the spreadsheet to track your points:  Recertification Spreadsheet

For more information about Professional Certification, please feel free to contact our Certification Committee Chair, Marlene Hoffheiser CPS/CAP, or go to our headquarters website: Professional Certification.