Top 10 Administrative Coordinator Certifications

Certifications are an important way to demonstrate professional knowledge and skills in the job market. For an administrative coordinator, certifications can provide a competitive edge when applying for positions. They indicate that the candidate has a solid understanding of the role and its requirements, as well as a commitment to continuing education and staying up-to-date with best practices. Certifications also show potential employers that the individual is knowledgeable about industry trends and technologies, which is essential for any administrative coordinator position. Finally, certifications can help establish credibility within the field, allowing the individual to network more effectively and build relationships with other professionals in their industry.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Administrative Coordinators and explain how they can enhance an administrative coordinator's career.

What are Administrative Coordinator Certifications?

Administrative coordinator certification is a professional credential that demonstrates expertise in the field of administrative coordination. This certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and skills related to the organization, management, and coordination of office operations and functions. It is awarded by organizations such as the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

Having an administrative coordinator certification can help professionals stand out from the competition, demonstrate their commitment to excellence in the field, and gain recognition for their skills. By demonstrating mastery of topics such as communication and collaboration, technology, problem-solving, customer service, and project management, certified administrative coordinators can show potential employers that they are qualified for positions that require advanced skills. With this certification, job seekers may also be able to access exclusive job postings or receive special considerations during hiring processes. Ultimately, having an administrative coordinator certification can open up more opportunities for career advancement and higher salaries.

Pro Tip: If you are interested in becoming an administrative coordinator, consider pursuing a certification program. Certification programs can provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the role, as well as demonstrate your commitment to professional development. Additionally, certifications often help to increase earning potential and job opportunities.

Related: What does an Administrative Coordinator do?

Top 10 Administrative Coordinator Certifications

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

1. Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is a professional certification offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize and reward individuals who demonstrate excellence in the administrative field. CAPs are recognized as leaders in their profession, with knowledge and skills that are essential for success in today’s competitive workplace.

The certification process typically takes 6-12 months to complete, depending on the individual's experience and preparation. To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as communication, technology, problem solving, customer service, and leadership. Applicants must also have at least two years of full-time work experience in an administrative role or equivalent education/training.

The cost of becoming a CAP varies depending on the IAAP membership level and exam fees. The basic cost for non-members is $395 USD for the exam fee and $99 USD for the application fee. Members receive discounted rates on both fees.

Once certified, CAPs must maintain their certification by completing continuing education credits every three years. This ensures they remain up-to-date on best practices and trends in the administrative field.

2. Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) is an international certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge and skills of administrative professionals.

The CPS certification requires applicants to pass a comprehensive exam that covers a wide range of topics related to office administration, including communication, customer service, time management, technology, project management, and more. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and must be completed in three hours or less.

To become certified as a CPS, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having at least two years of full-time office experience within the past five years; having earned an associate degree or higher; and having completed approved IAAP training courses in office technology and/or business communication.

The cost for taking the CPS exam is $225 USD for IAAP members ($275 USD for non-members). The fee includes access to online study materials and practice tests. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CPS certificate from IAAP.

3. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program offered by Microsoft to validate an individual’s skills in one or more of the Microsoft Office applications. The MOS certifications are designed to demonstrate proficiency in using the latest versions of the Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access and SharePoint.

It typically takes anywhere from two weeks to two months to complete the training and preparation necessary for taking the MOS certification exam. Depending on your familiarity with the software and how much time you can devote to studying for the exam, it may take longer or shorter than this estimate.

To get certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist, you must pass one or more exams that cover topics such as creating documents, formatting text and images, working with tables and charts, managing data in spreadsheets and databases, presenting information with slideshows and presentations, organizing emails in Outlook, and collaborating on projects using SharePoint. You can find more information about each of these exams at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/mos-certification.aspx

The cost of taking a MOS certification exam varies depending on where you take it; however most exams cost between $100 - $150 USD per exam.

4. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a professional certification for medical administrative assistants, who provide administrative support to healthcare professionals and organizations. The CMAA certification is awarded by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), which is an organization dedicated to certifying healthcare professionals.

To become certified as a CMAA, applicants must have at least one year of experience in a medical office setting, such as working as a receptionist, medical records clerk, or other related position. They must also pass an exam administered by the NHA that covers topics such as medical terminology, office management and procedures, insurance processing and billing, customer service, and communication skills.

The cost of the CMAA certification exam varies depending on the state in which you take it. Generally speaking, it costs between $115 and $150 to take the exam. The exam can be taken at any NHA-approved testing center across the country.

It typically takes about three months to complete the entire process of becoming certified as a CMAA. After taking the exam and passing it with a score of 70% or higher, applicants will receive their official certification from the NHA within two weeks.

5. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) to recognize individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in project management. The PMP credential is one of the most widely recognized and respected certifications for project managers.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the PMP exam, although this timeline can vary depending on an individual’s background and study habits. To become eligible to take the exam, applicants must have either a four-year degree plus three years of project management experience or a high school diploma plus five years of project management experience.

To get the PMP certification, you must first apply for it through the PMI website and pay an application fee. Then, you must pass a 200-question multiple-choice exam that tests your knowledge of project management concepts and practices. The exam is administered at various testing centers around the world.

The cost of getting the PMP certification varies depending on whether you are already a member of PMI or not. If you are not already a member, then it will cost $555 for members and $405 for non-members to take the exam. There may also be additional costs associated with studying materials or taking classes related to the exam.

6. Certified Executive Assistant (CEA)

Certified Executive Assistant (CEA) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of executive assistants. It is offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The CEA program is designed to validate the knowledge and skills that executive assistants need in order to excel in their roles.

The CEA program consists of five core competency areas: communication, organization, technology, problem-solving, and customer service. To become certified, candidates must pass an exam that covers these five competency areas. Candidates must also have at least two years of experience as an executive assistant or a related role.

The CEA exam takes approximately three hours to complete and can be taken online or in person at a testing center. The cost of the exam is $250 USD for IAAP members and $300 USD for non-members.

To become certified, candidates must pass the CEA exam with a score of 70% or higher. Once certified, individuals will receive a digital certificate they can use to demonstrate their expertise in executive assistant roles.

7. Certified Legal Administrative Assistant (CLAA)

Certified Legal Administrative Assistant (CLAA) is a professional certification program, offered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA), that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in the legal administrative field. The CLAA credential is designed to demonstrate that an individual has achieved a level of expertise in the legal administrative field and can provide quality service to employers and clients.

The CLAA certification program consists of two parts: a written examination and a practical skills assessment. The written exam covers topics such as legal terminology, office procedures, research techniques, ethics, communications, and technology. The practical skills assessment evaluates an individual’s ability to perform tasks related to legal administrative work such as document preparation, filing systems management, client relations, and financial management.

It typically takes about 4-6 months to complete the CLAA certification process. During this time period, applicants must complete both the written exam and practical skills assessment. Applicants must also meet certain educational requirements in order to be eligible for the program.

The cost of obtaining the CLAA credential varies depending on how you choose to pursue it. If you decide to take an online course or self-study materials, you may be able to find programs for as little as $200-$400 USD. If you prefer an instructor-led course or workshop setting with more personalized instruction, those programs can range from $500-$1,000 USD or more depending on where you live and the type of program chosen.

Overall, obtaining your CLAA credential is an investment in yourself that will pay off in terms of increased job opportunities and higher salaries over time.

8. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ Certification is an industry-recognized credential that validates a technician’s skills in computer repair and troubleshooting. It is a comprehensive certification program that covers the fundamentals of computer hardware and software, as well as operating systems, networking, security and more.

To get CompTIA A+ Certification, you must pass two exams: Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002). Both exams are 90 minutes long and consist of multiple choice questions. The cost for each exam is $226 USD.

The amount of time it takes to get CompTIA A+ Certification will depend on your experience level and how much time you can dedicate to studying for the exams. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from 3 months to 1 year to complete the certification process.

In addition to taking the two required exams, there are several resources available to help you prepare for the tests such as study guides, practice tests, online courses, boot camps and more. These resources can range in price from free to several hundred dollars depending on what type of resource you choose.

Overall, getting CompTIA A+ Certification is a great way to demonstrate your technical knowledge and advance your career in IT.

9. Certified Professional Manager (CPM)

Certified Professional Manager (CPM) is an internationally recognized professional certification program for managers and leaders. It is designed to recognize the knowledge, skills, and abilities of individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in their profession. The CPM program is administered by the International Association of Management Professionals (IAM), which is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the highest standards of management practice.

In order to be eligible for the CPM certification, applicants must have at least five years of experience in management or leadership positions. They must also pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as strategic planning, organizational development, human resources management, financial management, and operations management. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and essay questions.

The time it takes to get certified depends on how much time you are able to dedicate to studying for the exam. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from six months up to two years depending on your study habits and level of commitment.

To get certified, you will need to complete an application form and pay a fee which varies depending on your country of residence. After submitting your application form and fee payment, you will be sent a study guide with information about the exam content and format along with sample questions. You will then need to register for the exam through IAM’s website or through a local testing center if available in your area. Once registered for the exam you can begin studying using the materials provided by IAM or any other resources available online or in print format.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on where you live but generally ranges between $500-$1000 USD including registration fees and study material costs.

10. Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates a professional’s knowledge and expertise in the Six Sigma methodology. It is designed to equip professionals with the skills needed to identify, analyze, and solve problems using the DMAIC (Define-Measure-Analyze-Improve-Control) process.

The certification process typically takes between 8 to 12 weeks to complete depending on the program you choose. To get certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt, you must first complete a training course that covers topics such as problem solving, data analysis, project management, and quality control. After completing the training course, you must then pass an exam administered by a third party organization such as ASQ or IASSC.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on the program you choose and can range from $1,000 to over $5,000. The cost usually includes tuition fees for the training course, exam fees, and any additional materials needed for the certification process. Additionally, some programs may require additional fees for books or other materials related to Six Sigma Green Belt Certification.

Overall, obtaining Six Sigma Green Belt Certification can be an invaluable asset for professionals looking to increase their knowledge and understanding of Six Sigma processes and procedures.

Do You Really Need a Administrative Coordinator Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the situation. If you are looking to get a job in an administrative role and want to demonstrate your skills and abilities, then a certificate may be beneficial. Having a certificate in administrative coordination may help ensure that potential employers take you seriously as a candidate and give you an edge over other applicants who do not have one.

On the other hand, if you already have experience in the field of administrative coordination and want to increase your knowledge or potentially advance your career, then a certificate may be unnecessary. You can still gain the skills needed for success through hands-on experience, self-study, or taking classes at a local college or university.

In conclusion, whether or not you need an administrative coordinator certificate depends on your individual circumstances. It is important to consider what type of job you are applying for and how much experience you already have before deciding if pursuing a certification is the best option for you.

Related: Administrative Coordinator Resume Examples

FAQs About Administrative Coordinator Certifications

1. What is an Administrative Coordinator Certification?

Answer: An Administrative Coordinator Certification is a professional certification program that provides training and education in the areas of administrative coordination, such as office management, document preparation and filing systems, customer service, and more.

2. What are the benefits of earning an Administrative Coordinator Certification?

Answer: Earning an Administrative Coordinator Certification can provide individuals with increased job security, competitive salary offers, increased knowledge of administrative duties and responsibilities, improved customer service skills, better problem-solving abilities, and more.

3. How long does it take to earn an Administrative Coordinator Certification?

Answer: The length of time it takes to earn an Administrative Coordinator Certification will vary depending on the type of program chosen and the individual’s experience level. Generally speaking, most programs can be completed within 6 months to 1 year.

4. Are there any prerequisites for enrolling in an Administrative Coordinator Certification program?

Answer: Yes, some programs may require applicants to have prior experience or knowledge in certain areas such as office management or customer service before they can enroll in the program. It is important to review all requirements before applying for a particular certification program.

5. Is an Administrative Coordinator Certification recognized internationally?

Answer: Yes, many certification programs are recognized by employers across the globe as evidence of competency in administrative coordination techniques and procedures.