Top 10 Administrative Clerk Certifications

Certifications can be an important asset for an administrative clerk in the job market. They demonstrate a commitment to professional development and provide proof that the individual is qualified to handle certain responsibilities. Certifications can also show employers that the individual has taken the initiative to gain additional knowledge, which could give them an edge over other applicants. Additionally, certifications can help administrative clerks stand out when applying for jobs, as they show that the individual has gone beyond just meeting minimum requirements and has put in extra effort to become certified in their field.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Administrative Clerks and explain how they can help to advance their career.

What are Administrative Clerk Certifications?

Administrative Clerk Certification is a credentialing program designed to help individuals demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities in providing administrative support services. This certification can help individuals advance their career by increasing their value in the workplace. It also provides employers with assurance that those they employ have the necessary skills and competencies to provide quality administrative services.

The certification consists of a comprehensive exam that covers a variety of topics related to administrative support including: communication, customer service, office technology, record keeping and filing, problem solving and decision making, time management, organization and planning skills. Those who pass the exam receive an official certificate from an accredited organization such as the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), demonstrating their proficiency in these areas.

Holding Administrative Clerk Certification can help individuals stand out from other job applicants and show employers that they have the knowledge and competence needed for success in this field. Additionally, it provides recognition for those already employed as administrative clerks by demonstrating their commitment to excellence in their profession. Ultimately, having this certification can lead to greater job opportunities, higher salaries, promotions and more professional respect within the field.

Pro Tip: Consider taking an administrative clerk certification course to become certified in the field. This can help you stand out from the competition and demonstrate your knowledge and skills in a specific area. Additionally, many employers prefer to hire those with certifications, as it shows that you have invested time into developing your skills in the field.

Related: What does an Administrative Clerk do?

Top 10 Administrative Clerk Certifications

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

1. Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is an internationally recognized professional certification for administrative professionals. It is offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) and is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of administrative professionals in a variety of areas. The CAP certification demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the field of administrative support and provides recognition to those who have achieved a high level of expertise.

It typically takes six months to one year to complete all requirements for the CAP certification. To become certified, individuals must pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as office management, communications, technology, customer service, project management, and problem solving. Additionally, applicants must submit proof of at least three years of professional experience or two years of college-level education in an administrative support field.

The cost for the CAP certification varies depending on whether you are an IAAP member or not. For IAAP members, the cost is $299 USD; for non-members it is $399 USD. This fee includes access to study materials such as practice exams, online resources, and webinars. In addition to this fee there may be additional costs associated with taking the exam such as travel expenses if you choose to take it at a testing center outside your area.

2. Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) is a professional certification offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The CPS certification recognizes individuals who have demonstrated advanced knowledge and skills in the areas of office management, administrative support, and communication.

To become certified as a CPS, an individual must pass three exams: Principles of Management, Office Systems and Technology, and Human Relations/Organizational Behavior. The exams are administered online through the IAAP website.

The cost to take the three exams is $495 USD for members of IAAP ($595 USD for non-members). It typically takes 8-10 weeks to complete all three tests.

In addition to passing the three exams, applicants must also meet certain educational requirements and have at least two years of full-time work experience in an office environment. Once these requirements are met, applicants can apply for their CPS certification through the IAAP website.

3. Certified Office Manager (COM)

Certified Office Manager (COM) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of office managers. The COM certification demonstrates that an individual has the necessary skills to manage an office efficiently and effectively.

To earn the COM certification, individuals must pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as office management, communication, technology, customer service, project management, and human resources. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the COM certification exam, applicants must have at least five years of experience in an administrative position or have completed a degree in business administration or related field. Additionally, applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from employers or colleagues attesting to their qualifications for the certification.

The cost for taking the COM certification exam varies depending on whether you are a member of IAAP or not. For non-members, the cost is $395 USD; for members, it is $295 USD.

4. 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 competency in the areas of medical office procedures, patient relations, medical terminology, insurance processing, and computer applications.

The certification process typically takes about four months to complete. To become certified as a CMAA, you must first pass an exam administered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA). The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as patient registration, scheduling appointments, filing insurance claims, coding diagnosis and procedures, and other administrative duties.

The cost of taking the exam varies depending on where you take it. In most cases, it will cost around $200 to take the exam. After passing the exam, you will receive your official CMAA certification from NHA. This certification is valid for three years and must be renewed every three years in order to remain current.

In addition to taking the exam and obtaining your certification from NHA, many employers may require additional training or continuing education courses in order to maintain your CMAA status.

5. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program that validates an individual’s skills in Microsoft Office applications. It is designed to help individuals demonstrate their proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access.

The MOS certification is available for each of the five core Microsoft Office applications. To become certified in any one of these applications, you must pass a corresponding exam. The exams are administered by Certiport and take approximately 90 minutes to complete.

The cost of taking the MOS exam varies depending on which application you are testing for and where you take it. Generally, the cost ranges from $59-$99 per exam. You can also purchase practice exams to help prepare for the real thing.

Once you have passed your chosen exam(s), you will receive an official certificate from Microsoft that shows your level of expertise with the application(s). This certificate can be used to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers or clients.

Overall, becoming a Microsoft Office Specialist is a great way to show employers that you have the necessary skills needed to work with Microsoft Office programs efficiently and effectively.

6. Certified Legal Secretary (CLS)

A Certified Legal Secretary (CLS) is a professional certification that recognizes the knowledge and skills of legal secretaries. It is awarded by the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS), an organization dedicated to promoting excellence in the legal profession. The CLS certification is designed to demonstrate that an individual has the necessary knowledge and skills to competently perform legal secretarial duties.

The certification process requires applicants to pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as legal terminology, court procedures, document preparation, and other relevant areas. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. In order to qualify for the exam, applicants must have at least two years of experience as a legal secretary or paralegal.

The cost of taking the CLS exam varies depending on where it is taken. The fee typically ranges from $100-$200 USD. Once an applicant passes the exam, they will receive their official certificate from NALS. This certificate must be renewed every three years in order to maintain its validity.

In addition to passing the exam, applicants must also complete continuing education credits each year in order to maintain their CLS certification status. These credits are obtained through attending seminars or workshops related to legal secretarial work or completing online courses offered by NALS or other organizations approved by NALS.

7. Certified Records Manager (CRM)

Certified Records Manager (CRM) is a professional certification offered by the Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in records management. The CRM designation is an internationally recognized credential that indicates a high level of knowledge and skill in records management.

To become certified, you must pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as records management principles, policies and procedures, legal requirements, and technology. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete.

To get the CRM certification, you must first meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having at least two years of experience in records management or related fields, such as information technology or library science; completing an approved educational program; and passing the ICRM examination. Once these requirements are met, you can apply for the certification online through the ICRM website.

The cost of taking the CRM exam varies depending on your country of residence and whether you are a member of ICRM or not. For example, non-members in the United States pay $395 USD for the exam fee while members pay $295 USD.

8. Certified Executive Assistant (CEA)

Certified Executive Assistant (CEA) is a professional certification offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize and promote the highest standards of professionalism in executive assistants and other administrative professionals.

The CEA program consists of three levels: Certified Professional Administrative Specialist (CPAS), Certified Professional Executive Assistant (CPEA), and Certified Master Executive Assistant (CMEA). Each level requires completion of an online exam, as well as a portfolio review. The exams are designed to assess knowledge and skills related to the administrative profession, such as communication, problem solving, organizational management, technology proficiency, and customer service.

The time it takes to complete the CEA program varies depending on how much time you are able to devote to studying for the exams. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from six months to a year or longer.

To get started with the CEA program, you will need to register with IAAP and pay the associated fees. The cost of registering for each level varies based on your membership status with IAAP. For non-members, registration fees range from $150-$400 per level; for members, registration fees range from $125-$300 per level.

Once you have successfully completed all three levels of the CEA program, you will receive a certificate recognizing your achievement as well as access to exclusive resources provided by IAAP.

9. American Payroll Association Certification (APA)

The American Payroll Association (APA) Certification is a professional designation for payroll professionals. It is designed to demonstrate a high level of knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field of payroll administration. The APA Certification program consists of three levels: Certified Payroll Professional (CPP), Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC), and Certified Global Payroll Professional (CGPP).

To obtain the CPP certification, you must have at least two years of full-time payroll experience within the past five years or equivalent part-time experience. You must also pass an exam that covers topics such as payroll law, accounting principles, taxes, benefits, and other related areas. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and costs $250.

The FPC certification requires at least one year of full-time payroll experience within the last five years or equivalent part-time experience. You must also pass an exam that covers topics such as basic payroll concepts, federal tax laws and regulations, state tax laws and regulations, wage and hour laws, recordkeeping requirements, fringe benefits and more. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and costs $200.

The CGPP certification requires at least three years of full-time global payroll experience within the last five years or equivalent part-time experience. You must also pass an exam that covers topics such as international labor laws, taxation laws in multiple countries, currency conversion rates, global compliance requirements for employers with employees located outside their home country and more. The exam takes approximately five hours to complete and costs $300.

In order to maintain your APA certification status you will need to earn continuing education credits every two years by attending seminars or taking online courses offered by the APA or other approved providers.

10. National Association of Legal Secretaries Certification (NALS)

The National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS) is a professional organization that provides certification for legal secretaries. The NALS certification program is designed to recognize and promote the knowledge, skills and abilities of legal secretaries. It is an internationally recognized credential that demonstrates proficiency in the field of legal secretarial work.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain educational requirements and pass an exam. The exam consists of four parts: Legal Terminology, Office Procedures, Legal Documents and Law Office Management. Applicants must also have at least two years of full-time experience as a legal secretary or related position within the last five years.

It typically takes about six months to complete the certification process from start to finish. This includes completing all required coursework, studying for and taking the exam, and submitting all necessary paperwork.

To get started with the NALS certification process, applicants should first create an account on their website and pay the application fee ($125). Once registered, applicants can access study materials such as practice exams, textbooks and online courses. After completing all required coursework and studying for the exam, applicants can register to take the exam online or at a local testing center.

The cost of taking the NALS Certification Exam is $225 plus any applicable taxes or fees. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their official NALS Certification certificate in 6-8 weeks.

Do You Really Need a Administrative Clerk Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your current career goals. If you are looking for a job as an administrative clerk, then having a certificate may be beneficial. Having a certificate can demonstrate that you have the necessary knowledge and skills for the role, which can give you an edge over other applicants who do not have a certificate. It can also show employers that you are serious about your career and that you are committed to furthering your education in the field.

On the other hand, if you already have experience in an administrative role or have held similar positions in the past, then having a certificate may not be necessary. Employers may prefer to see practical experience rather than theoretical knowledge when considering applicants for such roles. In this case, having a certificate may provide additional confidence to employers but it is not essential.

Ultimately, whether or not it is necessary to get an administrative clerk certificate depends on your individual circumstances and goals. It is important to consider what will best help you reach those goals before making any decisions regarding further education or training.

Related: Administrative Clerk Resume Examples

FAQs About Administrative Clerk Certifications

Q1. What is an Administrative Clerk Certification?

A1. An Administrative Clerk Certification is a credential that validates the holder's knowledge and skills in administrative clerical work. It demonstrates proficiency in areas such as data entry, filing, record keeping, customer service and general office duties.

Q2. How do I become certified as an Administrative Clerk?

A2. To become certified as an Administrative Clerk, you must first complete a training program and pass a certification exam administered by an accredited organization. The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) offers a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) certification for those interested in pursuing a career in legal administration.

Q3. What are the benefits of having an Administrative Clerk Certification?

A3. Having an Administrative Clerk Certification can open up more job opportunities within the field, increase your salary potential and demonstrate your commitment to professional development and growth within the industry. Additionally, it can help employers identify qualified candidates when hiring for administrative positions.

Q4. How long does it take to get certified as an Administrative Clerk?

A4. The amount of time it takes to get certified varies depending on the type of program you enroll in and the amount of time you dedicate to studying for the exam. Generally speaking, most programs can be completed in 3-6 months, while some may require more or less time depending on individual goals and circumstances.

Q5. Is there any additional training or continuing education required after becoming certified as an Administrative Clerk?

A5: Yes, many organizations require that their employees maintain their certifications through continuing education or refresher courses every two years or so to stay current with industry trends and best practices