Top 10 Administrative Associate Certifications

Certifications are important for an administrative associate in the job market because they demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge in a specific field. They provide employers with the assurance that the candidate has been trained and is qualified to perform certain tasks. Additionally, certifications show that the individual is committed to their professional development and staying up-to-date on industry trends and best practices. They can also provide a competitive edge when applying for jobs and can potentially lead to higher salaries. Finally, certifications are often associated with higher levels of professionalism and trustworthiness, which can help administrative associates stand out from the competition.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Administrative Associates and explain how they can help advance their career.

What are Administrative Associate Certifications?

Administrative Associate Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates a person’s knowledge and skills in administrative tasks. It can be obtained by attending a training program or completing an online course. This certification is designed to provide individuals with the necessary skills to perform administrative duties efficiently and effectively. With this certification, individuals can demonstrate their capabilities in areas such as office management, customer service, information management, communication, data entry and filing.

Having an Administrative Associate Certification can help individuals gain access to higher-level positions within the administrative field. It will also give them an edge over other applicants when applying for jobs in the same field. The certification also shows employers that the individual has completed training in the area of administration and understands how to properly manage their duties. Having this certification can be beneficial for those who are looking to move up within their current organization or obtain a better job offer from another company. This type of certification is also beneficial for those who want to pursue a career in administration since it validates their knowledge and skillset in the area.

Pro Tip: To ensure you get the most out of your administrative associate certification, make sure to stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices. This will help you stay ahead of the curve and become a more valuable asset to any organization.

Related: What does an Administrative Associate do?

Top 10 Administrative Associate Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Administrative Associates today.

1. Certified Professional Administrative Associate (CPAA)

Certified Professional Administrative Associate (CPAA) is a professional certification that recognizes the skills, knowledge, and abilities of administrative professionals. It is designed to help administrative professionals demonstrate their proficiency in areas such as office management, communication skills, customer service, technology use, and more. The CPAA is administered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

The CPAA exam consists of two sections: a written section and a practical section. The written section covers topics such as office organization and management, communication skills, customer service principles, technology use in the workplace, basic accounting principles, and more. The practical section tests the candidate’s ability to apply what they have learned in the written section to real-world scenarios.

It typically takes between six months and one year to prepare for the CPAA exam. This includes studying for the written portion of the exam as well as gaining experience in an administrative role. Many employers offer training programs or courses that can help candidates prepare for the exam.

The cost of taking the CPAA exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs between $150-$300 USD to take the CPAA exam.

To obtain your CPAA certification you must pass both sections of the exam with a score of at least 70%. Once you have passed both sections of the exam you will receive your official certification from IAAP.

2. Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize and validate the skills and knowledge of administrative professionals who are employed in business, industry, government, education, and other organizations.

The CAP exam consists of four parts: office technology, management principles, communication skills, and customer service. To become certified, applicants must pass all four parts within two years.

To get the CAP certification, applicants must first meet the eligibility requirements. These include having at least three years of full-time work experience in an administrative role or a minimum of five years of part-time work experience in an administrative role. Applicants must also have completed at least 30 hours of approved continuing education courses or have received a degree from an accredited college or university.

Once eligible, applicants can register for the CAP exam online through IAAP's website. The cost to take the exam is $395 USD for members and $495 USD for non-members.

3. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program that validates an individual's skills in the Microsoft Office suite of applications. MOS certifications are offered in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and SharePoint. The certification requires individuals to demonstrate their mastery of the various tools and features available within each application.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to prepare for and pass the MOS exams. This time frame can vary depending on the individual’s experience level and how much time they are able to dedicate to studying for the exam.

To get certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist, individuals must take one or more of the MOS exams offered by Microsoft. These exams cover topics such as creating documents, formatting text and images, using formulas in spreadsheets, designing presentations, managing email accounts, creating databases, and more.

The cost of taking a MOS exam varies depending on which exam you take and where you take it. Generally speaking, prices range from $75-$150 per exam.

4. Certified Executive Administrative Professional (CEAP)

Certified Executive Administrative Professional (CEAP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the highest level of administrative excellence. It is offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The CEAP certification validates an individual's knowledge, experience, and commitment to their profession.

The CEAP program consists of three levels of certification: Certified Executive Administrative Professional (CEAP), Advanced Certified Executive Administrative Professional (ACEAP), and Master Certified Executive Administrative Professional (MCEAP). Each level requires a different amount of education and experience.

To become certified at the CEAP level, applicants must have at least two years of full-time administrative experience in addition to completing the IAAP's online coursework. To become ACEAP certified, applicants must have four years of full-time administrative experience and pass the ACEAP exam. To become MCEAP certified, applicants must have six years of full-time administrative experience and pass the MCEAP exam.

The cost for each level varies depending on whether or not you are an IAAP member. For members, it costs $195 for CEAP, $295 for ACEAP, and $395 for MCEAP. For non-members, it costs $245 for CEAP, $345 for ACEAP, and $445 for MCE

5. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a globally recognized certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in project management. It is awarded by the Project Management Institute (PMI) and is one of the most sought after certifications for project managers.

It typically takes between six months to one year to prepare for and pass the PMP exam. To become certified, applicants must have a minimum of three years of project management experience and 4,500 hours leading and directing projects. They must also complete 35 contact hours of formal education related to project management.

To get the PMP certification, applicants must first create a PMI account on their website and register for the exam. Once registered, they will receive an authorization letter from PMI with instructions on how to schedule their exam at a Prometric testing center. The cost of the exam varies based on country but generally costs around $400 USD for members or $555 USD for non-members.

6. Certified Records Manager (CRM)

Certified Records Manager (CRM) is a professional certification that recognizes an individual's expertise in records management. It is offered by the Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM), which is an international organization dedicated to setting standards for records management professionals.

To become a Certified Records Manager, you must meet certain criteria and pass an exam administered by the ICRM. The exam consists of two parts: the Core Knowledge Exam and the Specialty Knowledge Exam. The Core Knowledge Exam covers topics such as records management principles, legal requirements, and best practices. The Specialty Knowledge Exam covers topics specific to your area of expertise, such as healthcare records management or government records management.

The process of becoming a Certified Records Manager can take anywhere from six months to one year depending on how quickly you complete the necessary requirements and study for the exams. To get started, you must first submit an application to ICRM and pay a fee of $200 USD. After your application is accepted, you will be given access to online study materials and practice tests that can help you prepare for the exams. Once you have successfully passed both exams, you will be awarded your CRM credential.

The cost of becoming a Certified Records Manager varies depending on whether or not you need to purchase additional study materials or take review courses prior to taking the exams. In addition to the $200 USD application fee, expect to spend at least $400-500 USD on study materials and review courses if needed.

7. Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) is a professional certification program designed to recognize excellence in the field of office management and administration. The CPS credential is awarded by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), an international organization that provides education, certification, and resources to administrative professionals around the world.

The CPS program consists of three levels: Certified Professional Secretary (CPS), Advanced Certified Professional Secretary (ACPS), and Master Certified Professional Secretary (MCPS). To become certified at any level, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as office procedures, business writing, time management, customer service, communication skills, technology applications, and more.

It typically takes between six months and one year to prepare for the CPS exam. Applicants can use IAAP-approved study materials or take an online course to help them prepare for the exam.

The cost of taking the CPS exam varies depending on your location and whether you are an IAAP member or not. Generally speaking, it costs between $250-$300 USD for non-members and $200-$250 USD for members.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CPS certificate from IAAP. This certificate is valid for five years before needing to be renewed.

8. Certified Legal Secretary (CLS)

Certified Legal Secretary (CLS) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of legal secretaries. It is offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The program is intended to demonstrate a mastery of the administrative and legal skills required to work in a law office.

The CLS certification requires successful completion of three exams: two general exams and one specialty exam. The general exams cover legal terminology, document production, ethics, and office management. The specialty exam covers various areas of law such as civil litigation, real estate, or family law.

It typically takes about three months to complete the certification process. To get started, you must first join IAAP and pay an initial membership fee. You will then need to purchase the study materials for each exam from IAAP's online store. After completing your studies, you can register for the exams online or through your local IAAP chapter.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on which exams you take and how many study materials you purchase. Generally speaking, it costs around $400-$500 USD to become certified as a CLS.

9. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a certification that recognizes the knowledge and skills of medical administrative assistants. It is designed to demonstrate their understanding of medical office procedures, medical terminology, coding, billing, and other related topics. The CMAA certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

To become certified as a CMAA, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Be at least 18 years old

2. Have a high school diploma or GED

3. Have completed an accredited Medical Administrative Assistant program or have a minimum of one year of experience in a medical office setting

4. Pass the NHA Certified Medical Administrative Assistant exam with a score of 70% or higher

5. Maintain continuing education credits every two years to keep your certification current

The cost to take the CMAA exam varies depending on your location and whether you are taking it online or in-person. The fee for online testing ranges from $125 to $145 and for in-person testing ranges from $150 to $170. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with retaking the exam if you do not pass it on your first attempt.

10. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ certification is an industry-leading IT certification that validates the skills and knowledge of computer support professionals. It is a globally recognized credential that verifies a technician’s ability to perform tasks such as installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance and basic networking.

It takes approximately 100 hours of study to prepare for the CompTIA A+ exam. The exam consists of two parts: Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002). Each part has 90 multiple choice questions and lasts 90 minutes.

To get CompTIA A+ certified, you must pass both exams with a score of at least 675 out of 900 points. You can take the exams at any Pearson VUE testing center or online via their website.

The cost for taking the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $219 - $319 USD per exam.

Do You Really Need a Administrative Associate Certificate?

In today’s competitive job market, having a certificate can be the difference between getting hired and not. An Administrative Associate Certificate is one way to show employers that you possess the skills necessary for this type of work. It is important to note that a certificate alone does not guarantee employment, but it can certainly give you an edge over other applicants who do not have such credentials.

The Administrative Associate Certificate is designed to help those looking to get into administrative support roles by providing them with the knowledge and experience they need to become successful in this field. The course includes topics such as customer service, communication skills, organizational skills, problem solving and more. These are all important skills for anyone wanting to work in an administrative role. Having a certificate in these areas can demonstrate to employers that you are equipped with the right tools and skills needed for the job.

Having an Administrative Associate Certificate can also open up opportunities for career advancement. Many organizations look favorably upon employees who take the initiative and invest in their own development by obtaining additional training or credentials. A certificate may also qualify you for higher paying positions or even managerial roles within a company.

In conclusion, while having an Administrative Associate Certificate alone will not guarantee employment, it can certainly give you an edge over other applicants who do not have such credentials when seeking jobs in this field. It may also provide opportunities for career advancement and higher pay down the line as well as demonstrate your commitment to investing in your professional growth and development.

Related: Administrative Associate Resume Examples

FAQs About Administrative Associate Certifications

Q1. What is an Administrative Associate Certification?

A1. An Administrative Associate Certification is a professional credential that recognizes the knowledge and skills required for successful administrative support roles. The certification covers topics such as office management, communication, customer service, and computer software and hardware applications.

Q2. Who should pursue an Administrative Associate Certification?

A2. The certification is ideal for those who are interested in advancing their career in the administrative field or who want to demonstrate their expertise in the area. It is also beneficial to those looking to gain new skills or refresh existing ones, as well as those who want to demonstrate their commitment to the profession.

Q3. How long does it take to complete an Administrative Associate Certification?

A3. Depending on your experience level and the program you choose, it can take anywhere from six months up to two years to complete an Administrative Associate Certification program.

Q4. What kinds of jobs can I get with an Administrative Associate Certification?

A4. With an Administrative Associate Certification, you can qualify for positions such as administrative assistant, executive assistant, office manager, customer service representative, receptionist, data entry specialist, and more.

Q5. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining an Administrative Associate Certification?

A5. Most programs require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent and some may also require prior work experience in a related field or completion of certain courses prior to enrollment in the program.