Top 10 Administrative Office Assistant Certifications

Certifications are an important way to demonstrate knowledge and skills in the administrative office assistant job market. They can help potential employers evaluate a candidate's qualifications and provide evidence that the applicant has the right expertise to excel in their role. Certifications also show employers that the applicant is serious about their career and willing to invest time and money into furthering their education. In addition, certifications can give candidates an edge over other applicants who lack them, making them more attractive to employers.

This article reviews the top certifications for Administrative Office Assistants and explains how they can help to further an administrative office assistant's career.

What are Administrative Office Assistant Certifications?

Administrative Office Assistant Certification is a credential that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in the administrative office assistant field. It is typically awarded by professional organizations or educational institutions and requires applicants to demonstrate knowledge and/or experience in a variety of administrative skills. This type of certification can be especially beneficial for individuals who are new to the field and want to prove their competence to employers, as well as for those already working in the field who wish to showcase their skills and increase their value in the workplace.

The types of topics covered on administrative office assistant certifications vary depending on the organization offering it, but generally include topics such as customer service, filing systems, scheduling and calendar management, recordkeeping, communication techniques, computer and software proficiency, business writing, accounting basics, office safety procedures and more.

Having an Administrative Office Assistant Certification can improve an individual’s job prospects by increasing their credibility with potential employers. It also indicates that they have taken initiative to learn more about the profession and stay up-to-date with best practices. Furthermore, having this certification may make them eligible for higher salaries or promotions at current positions.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the various administrative office assistant certification programs available in your area, so you can determine which one is best suited for your career goals. Additionally, it's important to ensure that any program you choose is accredited by an appropriate accrediting body. This will ensure that you receive the highest quality of training and instruction, and that your certification will be recognized by employers.

Related: What does an Administrative Office Assistant do?

Top 10 Administrative Office Assistant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Administrative Office Assistants 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 validate the knowledge and skills of administrative professionals who are responsible for managing office operations, providing support to executive-level staff, and handling complex tasks.

It typically takes between six months and two years to earn the CAP certification. During this time, applicants must complete an approved program of study that covers topics such as communication, business writing, technology, customer service, project management, financial analysis, and more. After completing the program of study, applicants must pass an exam that tests their knowledge in these areas.

To get CAP certified, you must first become a member of IAAP. Membership fees vary depending on your location and status but generally range from $50-$150 USD per year. Once you have become a member you can register for the CAP exam which costs $250 USD for members or $350 USD for non-members. The exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions and must be completed within three hours. After passing the exam you will receive your official CAP certificate within four weeks.

2. Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) is a professional certification awarded by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of skill and knowledge in the field of administrative support. The CPS certification is recognized worldwide as a symbol of excellence in the administrative profession.

To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as office management, communications, technology, customer service, and business operations. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 3 hours to complete.

The cost for the CPS certification exam varies depending on where you take it. In the United States, the cost typically ranges from $175-$250 USD.

In order to be eligible for the CPS certification exam, applicants must have at least two years of experience in an administrative role or have completed an IAAP-approved training program. Additionally, applicants must also meet certain educational requirements such as having a high school diploma or equivalent and completing at least 30 semester hours at an accredited college or university.

Once certified, individuals are required to maintain their certification by earning continuing education credits every three years. This can be done through attending seminars or workshops related to their profession or taking online courses offered by IAAP-approved providers.

3. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

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

The MOS certification exam typically takes between 45 minutes and 2 hours to complete. The cost of the exam varies depending on the version of Microsoft Office being tested. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $60 to $150 USD per exam.

To obtain MOS certification, individuals must pass one or more exams that test their knowledge and skills in a particular Microsoft Office application. The exams are administered by Certiport, an independent testing organization that specializes in providing IT certification exams for various software platforms.

In order to prepare for the MOS certification exams, individuals can use a variety of resources including books, online tutorials, practice tests, and instructor-led courses. Additionally, many employers offer training programs that can help employees gain the necessary skills to successfully pass the MOS certification exams.

4. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ is a globally recognized certification that validates the skills of IT professionals who work with computer hardware, software, and networks. It is the industry standard for entry-level IT professionals and covers a wide range of topics such as installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance and basic networking.

The CompTIA A+ certification typically takes around 6 months to complete. To get the certification, you must pass two exams: Core 1 (220-1001) and Core 2 (220-1002). The exams are designed to test your knowledge and skills on essential areas such as hardware components, troubleshooting techniques, operating systems, security concepts, network operations, mobile devices and more.

To prepare for the CompTIA A+ certification exams you can take online courses or attend instructor-led classes. You can also use self-study materials such as practice tests and study guides to help you prepare for the exam.

The cost of the CompTIA A+ certification varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $250 USD per exam plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam at an authorized testing center.

5. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a globally recognized certification for project managers. It is offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The PMP certification demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and experience in managing projects, as well as their commitment to the profession.

It typically takes at least three months to prepare for the PMP exam. To qualify for the exam, applicants must have either a secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or global equivalent) plus five years of project management experience with 7,500 hours leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education; or a four-year degree plus three years of project management experience with 4,500 hours leading and directing projects and 35 hours of project management education.

To get the PMP certification, applicants must pass an exam that covers five process groups: initiating, planning, executing, monitoring & controlling, and closing. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge on these process groups. The exam fee is $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members.

Once you pass the PMP exam you will become a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). You will need to renew your certification every three years by earning 60 professional development units (PDUs) through activities such as attending conferences or taking courses related to project management.

6. Certified Legal Secretary (CLS)

Certified Legal Secretary (CLS) is a professional certification for legal secretaries. It is awarded by the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS), an organization dedicated to the advancement of legal secretaries and paralegals. The certification recognizes individuals who demonstrate knowledge, skill, and competency in the legal field.

The CLS certification requires passing an exam that covers topics such as legal terminology, court systems, document preparation, filing procedures, and office management. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

To be eligible to take the CLS exam, applicants must have at least two years of full-time experience working as a legal secretary or paralegal within the past five years. Applicants must also submit proof of their work experience in the form of letters from employers or other documents.

The cost for taking the CLS exam varies depending on whether you are a NALS member or non-member. For members, it costs $125; for non-members, it costs $175.

7. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a professional certification that recognizes the knowledge and skills of medical administrative assistants. It is designed to validate the competency of individuals working in medical office settings, such as medical receptionists, medical secretaries, and medical records clerks.

The CMAA certification requires applicants to have at least one year of experience in a healthcare office setting or successful completion of a healthcare-related program. The certification exam consists of 150 multiple choice questions covering topics such as patient care, communication, electronic health records, billing and coding, insurance processing, scheduling appointments and more. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

To obtain the CMAA certification, applicants must register with the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). Registration includes an application fee and an exam fee. The application fee is $50 and the exam fee is $125 for non-members or $115 for members of NHA. Once registered, applicants can take the exam at any Pearson VUE testing center throughout the United States. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their CMAA certification within four weeks.

The cost to obtain the CMAA certification is approximately $175-$200 depending on whether you are a member of NHA or not.

8. Certified Professional Manager (CPM)

Certified Professional Manager (CPM) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM). It is designed to recognize and reward managerial excellence, and to promote the highest standards of professional management.

The CPM designation is awarded to individuals who demonstrate a mastery of essential management knowledge, skills, and abilities. To be eligible for the CPM certification, applicants must have either a Bachelor's degree or at least five years of documented management experience. They must also pass an exam that covers topics such as business strategy, human resources, finance and accounting, operations management, and organizational behavior.

The process of obtaining the CPM certification typically takes six months or longer to complete. The first step is to submit an application form with proof of educational qualifications and/or work experience. Once approved, applicants will receive instructions on how to register for the exam. After passing the exam, applicants must submit a portfolio demonstrating their mastery of managerial competencies in order to receive their CPM designation.

The cost of obtaining the CPM certification varies depending on whether you are an ICPM member or not. For non-members, it costs $595 USD plus applicable taxes; for members it costs $395 USD plus applicable taxes.

9. Certified Bookkeeper (CB)

Certified Bookkeeper (CB) is a professional designation that demonstrates a high level of competency in bookkeeping and accounting principles. It is administered by the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB). The CB certification is designed to validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of bookkeepers who work in public or private accounting firms, government agencies, or other organizations.

To become certified as a CB, you must pass an exam that covers topics such as financial statement preparation, payroll processing, accounts receivable/payable management, and taxation. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and requires approximately four hours to complete.

In order to take the exam, you must first meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having at least two years of experience in bookkeeping or accounting; completing at least 30 hours of continuing education related to bookkeeping; and passing a background check.

The cost for the certification exam is $299 USD. Once you have passed the exam and become certified as a CB, there are no annual fees associated with maintaining your certification status.

10. QuickBooks ProAdvisor Certification

QuickBooks ProAdvisor Certification is an official certification program from Intuit that recognizes individuals who have the knowledge and expertise to help small businesses succeed with their QuickBooks software. The program is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of QuickBooks, including its features, benefits, and best practices for using the software.

The certification process consists of two parts: an online exam and an in-person workshop. The online exam covers topics such as setting up QuickBooks, managing customers, vendors, and inventory, performing basic accounting tasks, and creating reports. To become certified, you must pass the online exam with a score of 80% or higher.

The in-person workshop provides hands-on training on how to use QuickBooks effectively. During the workshop, participants will learn how to use the software to manage their finances more efficiently. This includes setting up accounts and tracking transactions, preparing financial statements and reports, managing payroll taxes and employee information, and more.

The entire certification process typically takes about 8 hours to complete. It costs $299 USD to register for the certification program.

Do You Really Need a Administrative Office Assistant Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their goals. For some, an administrative office assistant certificate can help them gain entry-level employment in a business setting or prepare them for a more advanced role as an administrative assistant. It can also give students the opportunity to learn important skills such as communication, organization, problem solving and critical thinking, which are all beneficial in any professional environment.

However, there are other ways to gain these skills without obtaining a certificate. Many employers may prefer that applicants have some work experience in order to demonstrate their ability to handle tasks efficiently and effectively. Additionally, taking classes related to the field or volunteering in a similar setting can be just as beneficial as obtaining a certificate.

Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide if an administrative office assistant certificate is necessary for their career goals. If they feel that it will give them an edge over other applicants or if they need additional qualifications for certain roles, then it would be worthwhile pursuing this option. However, if they believe that their current skillset is sufficient for the job they are applying for or if they do not plan on entering the field of administration then it may not be necessary.

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FAQs About Administrative Office Assistant Certifications

1. What is an Administrative Office Assistant Certification?

Answer: An Administrative Office Assistant Certification is a certification that provides formal recognition of the knowledge and skills necessary to perform administrative office tasks such as filing, data entry, customer service, and more. It is designed to help administrative professionals advance in their career and excel in their field.

2. How do I become certified as an Administrative Office Assistant?

Answer: To become certified as an Administrative Office Assistant you must complete a training program or course that covers the topics outlined by your chosen certifying body. Once you have completed the required coursework, you will need to pass an exam administered by the certifying body in order to receive your certification.

3. What are the benefits of becoming an Administrative Office Assistant?

Answer: Becoming an Administrative Office Assistant can open up many different job opportunities in fields such as government agencies, legal offices, medical facilities, and more. In addition, having this certification can often lead to higher pay and greater job security due to your specialized skillset.

4. Is there a time limit for completing my Administrative Office Assistant Certification?

Answer: Most certifying bodies have a set time limit for completion of the certification program which varies depending on the individual program or course. It is important to check with your chosen certifying body for specific details on their time limits for completion of the program or course before beginning any training or courses related to this certification.

5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as an Administrative Office Assistant?

Answer: Yes, most certifying bodies require applicants to have some prior experience in administrative roles such as customer service or data entry before they are eligible to take the exam for certification. It is important to check with your chosen certifying body for specific details on their prerequisites before beginning any training or courses related to this certification.