Top 10 Administrative Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for an administrative manager in the job market because they demonstrate a commitment to professional development and a mastery of specific skills. Having certifications can give an administrative manager an edge over other candidates who do not have them, as employers often view certifications as evidence of dedication to one’s profession and a higher level of expertise than those without them. Certifications also help to establish credibility with potential employers and can open up more opportunities for advancement within the organization. Additionally, having certifications can make it easier for an administrative manager to move from one company or industry to another, as the credentials demonstrate that the individual has knowledge and experience in the field that can be applied to any job.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Administrative Managers and explains how they can help to advance an administrative manager's career.

What are Administrative Manager Certifications?

Administrative manager certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in the field of administrative management. Through this certification, individuals can demonstrate their knowledge and experience of essential administrative management principles and practices such as budgeting, finance, personnel management, project management, communication, problem-solving, and organizational development. Individuals who earn this certification are equipped with the skills necessary to effectively manage the daily operations of any organization.

The benefits of obtaining administrative manager certification include gaining a competitive edge in the job market as employers increasingly seek out candidates with specialized knowledge and skills. Additionally, becoming certified provides individuals with access to resources such as industry publications and events that can help them stay abreast of current trends and best practices in the field. Having this certification also demonstrates a commitment to professional development which can lead to career advancement opportunities. Finally, earning this credential can provide increased job satisfaction by allowing individuals to work more confidently and efficiently in their chosen profession.

Pro Tip: When considering administrative manager certification, be sure to research the requirements of the certifying body to ensure that the certification program you choose meets your needs and is recognized by employers.

Related: What does an Administrative Manager do?

Top 10 Administrative Manager Certifications

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

1. 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 knowledge and skills of administrative professionals in the workplace. The CAP credential is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated their ability to apply best practices in office administration, technology, and management.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to complete the CAP program. To get started, you must first become a member of IAAP and then register for the CAP exam. The exam consists of four sections: Office Administration, Technology, Management, and Professionalism & Ethics. Once you have completed all four sections successfully, you will be awarded your CAP credential.

The cost of the CAP program varies depending on whether you are an IAAP member or non-member. For IAAP members, the cost is $395 for all four sections; for non-members, it is $495 for all four sections. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with study materials or other services related to preparing for the exam.

2. Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The CPS certification is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of administrative professionals. It is the highest level of certification available in the field.

To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as office management, communication, technology, customer service, business writing, and other related areas. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

The cost for taking the exam varies depending on whether you are an IAAP member or not. For non-members, the fee is $295 USD; for members it is $195 USD.

In order to be eligible for the CPS certification exam, applicants must have at least five years of experience in an administrative role or have completed a minimum of 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university with courses related to office administration. Additionally, applicants must submit proof of current employment or volunteer work in an administrative role.

Once you have passed the exam and met all eligibility requirements, you will receive your Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) certificate within four weeks.

3. Certified Managerial Accountant (CMA)

Certified Managerial Accountant (CMA) is a professional certification in the field of accounting. It is awarded by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) to individuals who have met their educational, experience, and examination requirements.

To become a CMA, you must first meet the education and experience requirements set forth by the IMA. This includes having a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and two years of professional experience in management accounting or financial management.

Once you have met these requirements, you can then register for the CMA exam. The exam consists of two parts: Part 1 covers financial reporting, planning, performance and control; and Part 2 covers financial decision making. Both parts are four hours long and are administered in computer-based format at IMA-approved testing centers around the world.

The cost to take the CMA exam varies depending on which country you are taking it in. Generally speaking, it will cost between $400-$600 USD for both parts of the exam. Additionally, there is an application fee of $250 USD that must be paid when registering for the exam.

In total, it typically takes about 6-12 months to complete all requirements necessary to become a Certified Managerial Accountant (CMA).

4. Certified Public Manager (CPM)

Certified Public Manager (CPM) is a professional certification program that provides public sector employees with the skills and knowledge they need to become effective managers. It is offered by the National Certified Public Manager Consortium, which is comprised of state government agencies, universities, and other organizations. The CPM program consists of a series of courses and activities designed to help public sector employees develop their management skills.

The CPM program typically takes between 18-24 months to complete, depending on the individual's availability and course load. To get started, individuals must first apply for admission into the program and submit official transcripts from all previous educational institutions attended. Once accepted into the program, individuals will be required to complete a series of courses in areas such as budgeting, personnel management, organizational development, and public policy. In addition to completing coursework, individuals must also pass a comprehensive written exam at the end of their studies in order to receive their CPM certification.

The cost of the CPM program varies depending on the institution offering it. Generally speaking, however, most programs range from $2,000-$5,000 for tuition and fees. This cost does not include any additional expenses such as textbooks or travel costs associated with attending classes or taking exams.

Overall, becoming certified as a Certified Public Manager can be a great way for public sector employees to demonstrate their commitment to excellence in management and leadership roles within their organization.

5. Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)

Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) is a professional certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI) that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills required to successfully manage projects. The PMP certification is one of the most widely recognized and respected certifications in project management.

The PMP certification process requires applicants to demonstrate their experience, education, and competency in project management through an extensive application process. Once approved, applicants must pass a rigorous four-hour exam which tests their knowledge of project management best practices and principles.

It typically takes six months to two years to prepare for the PMP exam, depending on your experience level. During this time, you should focus on gaining experience in leading projects, studying for the exam, and completing any required training or courses.

To become certified as a PMP, you must meet certain eligibility requirements set forth by PMI:

• Have at least four years of project management experience (or three years if you have a bachelor’s degree).
• Complete 35 contact hours of formal project management education/training.
• Pass the PMP Exam with a score of at least 175 out of 200 points.

The cost for taking the PMP exam varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of PMI. For members, it costs $405; for non-members it costs $555. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with training or other materials needed to prepare for the exam.

6. Certified Business Manager (CBM)

Certified Business Manager (CBM) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute of Certified Business Managers (ICBM). The CBM certification is designed to recognize business professionals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and skill in the areas of business management, leadership, and strategy. It is intended to demonstrate an individual's commitment to professional excellence and to provide employers with assurance that they are hiring qualified candidates.

The CBM program consists of three levels: Associate, Professional, and Master. Each level has its own set of requirements that must be met in order to obtain certification. To become certified at the Associate level, applicants must complete an online course and pass an exam. The Professional level requires completion of two additional courses and passing another exam. Finally, the Master level requires completion of four additional courses and passing a third exam.

The entire process typically takes between six months and one year to complete depending on the individual's experience and dedication.

In order to apply for the CBM program, individuals must submit an application form along with supporting documents such as proof of education or work experience. Applicants must also pay an application fee which varies depending on the country in which they are applying from.

The cost for obtaining the CBM certification varies depending on the country in which it is obtained but typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD for all three levels combined.

7. Certified Human Resource Manager (CHRM)

Certified Human Resource Manager (CHRM) is a professional certification program offered by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated mastery of the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the field of human resources management. The CHRM certification is highly regarded as a mark of excellence in the HR profession, and it can help differentiate you from your peers.

The CHRM certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as labor relations, employee benefits, compensation and performance management, recruitment and selection, training and development, organizational development, legal issues in HRM, strategic HRM, and more. The exam consists of 160 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four hours.

To get certified as a CHRM, you must first meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having at least two years of professional experience in the field of human resource management or related fields; having a bachelor’s degree or higher; and having completed at least 60 hours of related coursework or professional development activities. After meeting these requirements, you can apply to take the CHRM exam through SHRM’s website.

The cost of taking the exam varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of SHRM. For members, the cost is $300; for non-members it is $400. Additionally, there is an application fee of $50 for both members and non-members. Once you have passed the exam and met all other requirements for certification, you will receive your official CHRM credential from SHRM.

8. Certified Office Administrator (COA)

Certified Office Administrator (COA) is a professional certification offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize individuals who have attained a high level of knowledge and expertise in office management. The COA designation is awarded to those who have demonstrated mastery of core administrative skills, including communication, financial management, technology, customer service, and project management.

In order to earn the COA designation, applicants must complete an approved course of study and pass an exam. The IAAP offers both online and in-person courses that cover topics such as: business writing, time management, problem solving, customer service skills, and more. The courses typically take between six months and one year to complete.

Once the coursework has been completed, applicants must pass a two-hour exam that covers core administrative concepts. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their COA certification.

The cost of earning the COA designation varies depending on the type of course taken and any additional materials purchased. Generally speaking, online courses can range from $500 - $1,000 USD while in-person courses can be more expensive due to travel costs and other associated expenses.

9. Professional in Human Resources (PHR)

Professional in Human Resources (PHR) is a certification offered by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI). It is designed to recognize individuals who have a mastery of the strategic and tactical elements of HR management. The PHR certification demonstrates that an individual has a strong knowledge base in HR principles, practices, and regulations.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the requirements for the PHR certification. To become certified, you must have at least one year of professional experience in a human resources role and pass an exam administered by HRCI. The exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as staffing, compensation and benefits, employee relations, labor relations, safety and health, and risk management.

The cost for taking the PHR exam is $395 for HRCI members or $595 for non-members. There are also study materials available from HRCI that can help prepare you for the exam which range in price from $50-$200 depending on which materials you choose to purchase.

10. Microsoft Office Specialist Certification

Microsoft Office Specialist Certification is a globally recognized certification program that validates an individual’s skills and knowledge in Microsoft Office applications. The certification is designed to help individuals demonstrate their proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access and Project.

It typically takes between 8-10 hours to complete the certification process. To get certified, individuals must take and pass an online exam for each application they wish to be certified in. The exams are available through Certiport, a global provider of certification exams for various software applications.

The cost of the exam varies depending on which application you are taking the exam for and where you are taking it from. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $50-$90 per exam.

In addition to passing the exam, individuals must also meet certain criteria set by Microsoft such as having at least one year of experience using Microsoft Office applications or completing a related course or training program. Once all requirements have been met, individuals will receive their official Microsoft Office Specialist Certification badge which can be used to show employers their expertise in using Microsoft Office products.

Do You Really Need a Administrative Manager Certificate?

The short answer to this question is no, you do not need an administrative manager certificate to become an administrative manager. However, having a certificate in this field can be beneficial and may give you a competitive edge over other job applicants.

Having a certificate in administrative management can demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills necessary for the job. It shows that you have taken the time to learn about the responsibilities of an administrative manager and that you understand the complexities of the role. Additionally, it may provide employers with more confidence in your abilities as they know that you have been formally educated in this area.

Having a certificate also demonstrates your commitment to advancing your career. It shows that you are willing to invest time and money into furthering your education and improving your skill set. This can make employers more likely to hire or promote someone who has taken the initiative to gain additional qualifications.

Finally, having a certificate can open up opportunities for advancement or higher-paying positions. Many large companies prefer candidates who have formal credentials in their field, so if you want to move up within an organization or pursue better-paying jobs, having a certification could be beneficial.

In conclusion, while having an administrative manager certificate is not essential for becoming an administrative manager, it can provide many benefits such as demonstrating your knowledge and commitment to advancing your career as well as potentially opening up opportunities for higher pay or promotion.

Related: Administrative Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Administrative Manager Certifications

1. What is an Administrative Manager Certification?

Answer: An Administrative Manager Certification is a professional credential that recognizes an individual’s knowledge and skills in the management of administrative functions within an organization. It demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the field, as well as providing employers with assurance that the individual has been trained on the latest best practices.

2. Who should pursue an Administrative Manager Certification?

Answer: Individuals who are looking to advance their career in administrative management or who have managerial responsibilities within their organization should consider pursuing an Administrative Manager Certification. It will help demonstrate their proficiency in managing administrative duties, such as budgeting, scheduling, personnel management, and more.

3. How do I get certified?

Answer: To become certified, you must complete a certification program from a recognized provider and pass a comprehensive exam. The program will cover topics such as project management, human resources management, organizational behavior, and other essential skills for administrators.

4. How long does it take to get certified?

Answer: The time required to earn certification varies depending on the specific program you choose and how much time you are able to dedicate to studying for the exam. Generally speaking, most certification programs require at least 100 hours of coursework followed by a final examination.

5. What are the benefits of getting certified?

Answer: Becoming certified provides numerous advantages for individuals seeking to advance their careers in administrative management roles including increased job opportunities, higher salaries, improved credibility among peers and employers, and greater job satisfaction overall.