Certification
The Certified Professional Secretary® (CPS®) & The Certified Administrative Professional® (CAP®) Ratings - The accepted standard of proficiency and recognized capstone of the secretarial and administrative support professions
Why Get Certified?
Certification can enhance your career by building self-esteem, gaining a competitive edge for promotions and hiring, and you can earn valuable college credit through many colleges and universities.
Am I Eligible?
Anyone with at least two years of administrative professional experience within the last fifteen years, depending on the level of college education. Students or teachers of business education may also qualify. Membership in IAAP is not required.
What's Involved?
The CPS® exam is a one day, three-part exam. The CAP® exam includes the three-part CPS® exam and one additional part. The CAP® exam is over a two day period. Both exams are offered the first Friday and Saturday in November and May and can be taken at one of over 250 testing sites in the United States, Canada, and many other countries.
Parts 1 through 3 of the CPS® exam include:
- Office Systems and Technology
- Computer Hardware, Systems and Configuration
- Document Layout, Design, and Reproduction
- Software
- Managing Physical Resources
- Office Administration
- Records Management
- Communication
- Management
- Human Resources
- Accounting Procedures & Analysis
- Time Management
- Communication
Part 4 for the CAP® exam includes:
- Advanced Organizational Management
- Organizational Planning
- Advanced Administration
- Team Skills
- Advanced Communication
How Do I Study?
A testing review guide is available from IAAP to help those taking the CPS® and CAP® exams to find the resources needed. Special study groups may also be available to help prepare for the exams.
I Earned My Certification, Now What?
IAAP offers a three-day seminar for advanced professional education. All members with the CPS® or CAP® ratings are eligible to attend. IAAP also requires recertification every five years. The CPS® and CAP® ratings are also eligible for college credit at participating colleges and universities.
