Top 10 Administrative Officer Certifications

Certifications are an important way for administrative officers to demonstrate their professional qualifications and expertise in the job market. They provide tangible evidence of a candidate’s hard work and dedication to their chosen field, as well as their commitment to staying up-to-date with industry standards. Certifications can also give employers confidence that a job applicant is knowledgeable and experienced in the various aspects of the position, such as managing databases, coordinating scheduling, and overseeing office operations. Having certifications on a resume can help administrative officers stand out from other candidates when applying for positions.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Administrative Officers and explains how they can contribute to an administrative officer's career, helping them build their skillset and advance their professional development.

What are Administrative Officer Certifications?

Administrative officer certification is a credential that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in administrative and organizational skills. This certification is typically offered by professional organizations or educational institutions, and it can help demonstrate to employers the knowledge and ability of an individual to perform administrative duties.

The certification requires individuals to pass an exam that tests their knowledge and skills in areas such as human resources management, budgeting, project management, customer service, office technology, communication, time management and problem-solving. Those who pass the exam receive a certificate of completion which states they have achieved mastery of the material covered.

Having administrative officer certification can be beneficial to employers because it ensures that those who hold this credential are knowledgeable about the necessary tasks for successful office administration. It also demonstrates commitment to professional development and increases an individual’s credibility with potential employers. Additionally, having this certification may lead to job opportunities or promotions within an organization as well as increased pay due to the higher level of expertise required for the position.

Pro Tip: To become an administrative officer, it is important to research and understand the requirements for certification in your area. In some cases, you may need to take additional courses or pass a series of exams in order to be certified. Make sure that you stay up-to-date on any changes to the certification process so that you can update your credentials accordingly.

Related: What does an Administrative Officer do?

Top 10 Administrative Officer Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) is an international certification program for secretaries, administrative assistants, and other office professionals. It is offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), a professional association for administrative professionals.

The CPS certification is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge and skills of experienced office professionals. To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as communication, technology, human resources management, and business operations.

It typically takes between three to six months to prepare for the exam. Applicants should review the IAAP’s study materials and practice tests before taking the exam. The cost of the exam varies depending on location but generally ranges from $200-$300 USD.

2. 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, skills, and abilities of administrative professionals. The CAP designation is recognized worldwide as an indication of a high level of competency in the field of office management and administration.

It typically takes six to nine months to prepare for the CAP exam, depending on individual study habits. To get certified, individuals must pass an exam that covers topics such as business communication, technology, project management, customer service, and human resources.

To become eligible for the CAP exam, applicants must have at least three years of full-time work experience in an administrative position or a combination of education and experience totaling five years. Applicants must also be members in good standing with IAAP.

The cost to take the CAP exam varies depending on whether you are an IAAP member or not. For IAAP members, it costs $399 USD to take the exam; for non-members it costs $499 USD.

3. Certified Public Administrator (CPA)

Certified Public Administrator (CPA) is a professional designation given to individuals who have met the educational and work experience requirements of their particular state and passed an examination. CPA's are responsible for providing high-level administrative services in public, private, and nonprofit organizations. This includes managing budgets, supervising staff, developing policies and procedures, analyzing financial data, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.

It typically takes between two to five years to become a Certified Public Administrator (CPA). The exact amount of time depends on the individual’s prior education and work experience. To become a CPA, individuals must first complete an accredited bachelor’s degree program in public administration or a related field. After completing the degree program, applicants must then obtain two years of full-time professional experience in public administration or a related field before being eligible to take the certification exam.

The cost of becoming a Certified Public Administrator (CPA) varies depending on the individual's state of residence. Generally speaking, applicants will need to pay for their college tuition, textbooks, study materials for the exam, application fees for the test itself, as well as any other associated costs such as travel expenses or registration fees.

In order to get certified as a CPA in most states, applicants must pass an examination administered by their state board of accountancy or other governing body. The exam covers topics such as financial management principles; accounting theory; governmental accounting; budgeting; personnel management; legal issues; policy development; information systems; taxation; auditing; ethics; and more.

4. Certified Office Manager (COM)

Certified Office Manager (COM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated their knowledge and skills in office management. The COM credential is administered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

To earn the COM certificate, candidates must complete a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as business communication, customer service, office technology, financial management, records management, and human resources. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and has a two-hour time limit. Candidates must score at least 70% on the exam to pass.

The cost of taking the COM exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs between $150 and $200 USD to register for the exam. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam at certain locations.

The process of obtaining your COM certification typically takes about three months from start to finish. After registering for the exam and paying any applicable fees, candidates can expect to receive their results within two weeks after taking the test. Once they have passed the exam, they will need to submit an application form along with proof of their passing score in order to receive their official COM certificate from IAAP.

5. Certified Executive Assistant (CEA)

Certified Executive Assistant (CEA) is a professional certification program designed to recognize excellence in the executive assistant field. The CEA credential is awarded to those who demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the skills and abilities necessary to be successful in an executive assistant role.

The CEA program requires applicants to have at least three years of full-time experience as an executive assistant or equivalent position, and must pass a rigorous exam that covers topics such as communication, organization, problem solving, technology, and leadership. It typically takes about six months to complete the CEA program from start to finish.

To get started on the CEA program, applicants must first register with the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). They will then need to complete an application form and submit it along with their resume and proof of work experience. Once approved by IAAP, applicants will receive a study guide outlining all of the material they need to learn for the exam. After studying for several months, applicants can take the exam either online or in person at an IAAP testing center.

The cost of taking the CEA exam depends on whether you are a member or non-member of IAAP. For members, it costs $195 USD; for non-members it costs $250 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam at a testing center rather than online.

6. Certified Administrative Services Manager (CASM)

Certified Administrative Services Manager (CASM) is a certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of administrative professionals. The CASM certification program provides a comprehensive study of administrative services management principles and practices.

The CASM certification program consists of two parts: the Core Knowledge Exam and the Practical Application Exam. In order to be eligible for the CASM certification, candidates must have at least five years of experience in an administrative services role. Candidates must also meet certain educational requirements, such as having a bachelor's degree or higher in business administration or related field.

The Core Knowledge Exam covers topics such as personnel management, budgeting and financial management, organizational behavior and communication, customer service and problem solving, technology applications, project management, office operations and procedures, and legal issues. The Practical Application Exam requires candidates to demonstrate their knowledge through an online simulation exercise.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CASM certification program. Candidates should plan on spending approximately 40 hours studying for each exam. The cost of the CASM certification program varies depending on whether you are taking it online or in-person; however, it generally costs around $1,000 USD for both exams combined.

7. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in the Microsoft Office suite of products. The MOS certification is an industry-recognized credential that validates a person’s skills in using Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.

The MOS certification requires passing one or more exams, depending on the product being certified. Each exam typically takes around 90 minutes to complete and covers topics such as creating documents, formatting data, designing presentations and managing email.

To get the MOS certification, you must first register for an exam with a testing center approved by Microsoft. You can find these centers at Certiport.com or through your local college or university. The cost of each exam varies but typically ranges from $59-$99 USD per exam.

Once you have registered for an exam and paid the fee, you will be given access to study materials and practice tests to help prepare you for the actual exam. After completing the exam successfully, your results will be sent to Microsoft and your MOS certification will be issued within 4-6 weeks.

8. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a professional certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is the most widely recognized and respected credential for project management professionals. The PMP certification validates an individual’s knowledge, experience and skills in managing projects.

It typically takes three to six months to prepare for the PMP exam depending on how much time you can commit to studying. To become a PMP, you must have at least 4500 hours of project management experience and 35 hours of formal education in project management topics. You must also pass the PMP exam, which consists of 200 multiple-choice questions.

To get started with your PMP certification journey, you need to create an account with PMI and submit an application form. After your application is approved, you will be able to register for the exam. Once you have registered for the exam, you will receive study materials from PMI that will help you prepare for the test.

The cost of taking the PMP exam varies depending on whether or not you are a member of PMI. If you are a member, it costs $405; if not, it costs $555.

9. Certified Records Manager (CRM)

Certified Records Manager (CRM) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise and proficiency in records management. The CRM certification is offered by the Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM), which is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the profession of records management.

The CRM certification requires passing an exam that covers topics such as records management principles, legal requirements, technology, and best practices. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete. To qualify for the exam, applicants must meet certain educational and experience requirements.

The cost of the CRM certification varies depending on the applicant’s location and whether or not they are members of ICRM. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $400-$600 USD for non-members and $300-$500 USD for members.

In order to become certified, applicants must submit an application form to ICRM along with supporting documents such as transcripts or proof of education or experience in records management. Once approved, applicants can register for the exam online at ICRM’s website. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their official CRM certification within 8-10 weeks.

10. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's understanding of the Lean Six Sigma methodology and their ability to apply it in practice. It is designed for professionals who want to improve their skills and knowledge in order to better serve their organization, or those who want to pursue a career in quality management.

The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification program typically takes 8-10 weeks to complete, depending on the provider. The program consists of online or classroom instruction, as well as hands-on project work. During the course, participants learn how to identify process improvement opportunities and develop strategies for implementing them. They also gain experience with data analysis techniques, project management principles and problem-solving tools.

To get certified as a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, individuals must first pass an exam administered by an accredited provider. The exam covers topics such as process improvement methodology, data analysis techniques, project management principles and problem-solving tools. After passing the exam, individuals must submit evidence of their experience working on a Lean Six Sigma project in order to receive certification from the provider.

The cost of getting a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification varies depending on the provider and may include fees for materials, exams and other services such as mentoring or coaching. Generally speaking, most providers charge between $1,500 - $3,000 USD for the full program including all materials and exams.

Do You Really Need a Administrative Officer Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual situation. If you are looking to pursue a career in administration, then an administrative officer certificate may be beneficial. This type of certificate can provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge that employers are looking for in administrative positions. It can also help to demonstrate your commitment and dedication to the field of administration.

In addition, if you already have experience working in an administrative role, then a certificate may not necessarily be required. However, it could still be beneficial as it can show that you have taken the initiative to gain further knowledge and skills in this area. It also shows potential employers that you are dedicated to improving your abilities as an administrator and taking your career forward.

Overall, whether or not you need an administrative officer certificate largely depends on your individual situation and goals. If you are interested in pursuing a career in administration then it is likely that having a certificate would be beneficial. On the other hand, if you already have experience working in the field then it may not be necessary but could still help demonstrate your commitment and dedication to this profession.

Related: Administrative Officer Resume Examples

FAQs About Administrative Officer Certifications

1. What certifications are available for administrative officers?

Answer: There are several certifications available for administrative officers, including Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), Certified Professional Secretary (CPS), Certified Professional Manager (CPM), and Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS).

2. How do I become certified as an administrative officer?

Answer: To become certified as an administrative officer, you must pass a certification exam administered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). You will also need to have at least two years of relevant work experience and have completed a minimum of 30 hours of professional development training.

3. What is the difference between CAP and CPS certifications?

Answer: The CAP certification focuses on general office administration skills while the CPS certification focuses on executive-level secretarial skills.

4. How long does it take to get certified?

Answer: It typically takes 3-6 months to complete all the requirements for certification, depending on your experience and how quickly you can complete the required training courses.

5. Are there any prerequisites for taking a certification exam?

Answer: Yes, you must be a member of IAAP in order to take a certification exam. Additionally, some exams may require that you have prior work experience or have completed certain courses prior to taking the exam.