Top 10 Administrative Secretary Certifications

Certifications are important for administrative secretaries because they demonstrate a level of mastery in the job and set them apart from other candidates. They demonstrate to employers that the individual has taken the initiative to gain additional knowledge and skills related to their field. Certifications provide evidence of competency, which can be an invaluable asset when competing for jobs in a competitive market. Employers often look for certifications when evaluating candidates, so having one or more can make an administrative secretary stand out from the crowd. Additionally, holding a certification may also make an administrative secretary eligible for higher pay or promotions.

This article reviews top certifications for Administrative Secretarys and explains how they can help advance an administrative secretary's career.

What are Administrative Secretary Certifications?

Administrative Secretary Certification is a professional designation which recognizes individuals who have the knowledge and skills necessary to perform administrative duties in an office setting. It demonstrates that the individual has the ability to effectively manage and organize office operations, handle customer service inquiries, create reports and documents, use technology proficiently, and more. With Administrative Secretary Certification, individuals can demonstrate that they are knowledgeable, organized, efficient workers who can be relied on to complete tasks accurately and quickly.

The certification helps employers identify qualified applicants for administrative positions and provides job seekers with an advantage when seeking employment. It also serves as a way to validate one’s knowledge of administrative tasks and procedures. Having this type of certification can open up more career opportunities within the field of administration as employers may be more likely to hire those with the certification than those without it. Finally, having Administrative Secretary Certification could lead to higher salaries due to increased job security and recognition from employers.

Pro Tip: If you are seeking administrative secretary certification, make sure to research the various certifications available and their requirements. Some certifications require a specific amount of experience or educational background, so it is important to understand what is necessary to qualify for the certification you are interested in.

Related: What does an Administrative Secretary do?

Top 10 Administrative Secretary Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Administrative Secretarys 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 expertise of administrative professionals in today’s workplace. The CAP credential is a symbol of achievement, knowledge, and commitment to excellence.

It typically takes 6-12 months to complete the CAP program, depending on how much time you have available to dedicate to it. To get certified, you must pass an exam that covers topics such as business communication, customer service, project management, technology applications, and office administration. You can prepare for the exam by taking online courses or attending workshops offered by IAAP.

The cost of the CAP program varies depending on the type of preparation you choose. The exam fee itself is $250 USD plus applicable taxes. In addition to this fee, you may also need to pay for study materials or courses if you decide to take them.

2. Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) is a professional certification that recognizes an individual’s expertise in the field of office administration and management. It is awarded by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The CPS credential demonstrates that an individual has achieved a high level of knowledge and proficiency in the areas of office management, administrative procedures, technology, communication, and customer service.

To qualify for the CPS certification, applicants must have at least three years of full-time experience as an administrative professional or equivalent part-time experience. They must also pass an exam administered by IAAP. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as office systems and procedures, technology, communication skills, customer service, and ethics.

The cost to take the CPS exam varies depending on your country or region. In the United States, the fee is $195 USD for members of IAAP and $245 USD for non-members. The cost includes access to study materials and practice tests.

The exam can be taken at any time throughout the year but it must be completed within six months from when you register for it. After passing the exam, you will receive your official CPS certificate within four to six weeks.

3. Certified Legal Secretary (CLS)

A Certified Legal Secretary (CLS) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the legal field. The certification is administered by the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS), which sets standards for the profession and provides educational opportunities to help legal secretaries stay current with changes in the law.

To become a CLS, an individual must have at least two years of experience as a legal secretary, pass an exam administered by NALS, and complete continuing education courses every three years to maintain their certification.

The cost of the exam varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of NALS. For members, it costs $175; for non-members, it costs $225. In addition, there may be fees associated with taking continuing education courses to maintain your certification.

The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as civil litigation, contracts, criminal law, family law, legal research and writing, office management and technology. It typically takes several months to prepare for the exam and can take up to four hours to complete it.

4. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program that validates a person’s skills and knowledge in Microsoft Office applications. It is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access and OneNote.

The MOS certification exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The exam covers topics such as creating documents, formatting text and images, managing files and folders, using formulas and functions in Excel, creating presentations with PowerPoint and more.

To get certified for MOS you must take the official Microsoft Office Specialist exam at an authorized testing center. The cost of the exam varies depending on which version of Microsoft Office you are taking the test for but typically ranges from $100-$150 USD.

Once you have passed the exam you will receive your official MOS certificate from Microsoft within 4-6 weeks.

5. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and skills in medical office administration. This certification is offered through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

The CMAA certification requires applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent, complete an accredited medical administrative assistant program, and pass the NHA's CMAA exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, insurance billing and coding, appointment scheduling and management, healthcare law and ethics, patient records management, customer service principles and practice, health information technology systems, and more.

It typically takes about six months to complete the requirements for the CMAA certification. During this time period, applicants must study for and pass the CMAA exam. Additionally, applicants must submit proof of their education credentials and any relevant work experience to be eligible for the certification.

The cost of obtaining the CMAA certification varies depending on how you choose to pursue it. The NHA offers several different packages that range from $129-$199 USD. These packages include access to study materials such as practice tests and online courses. Additionally, there are other costs associated with taking the exam such as registration fees ($119 USD), proctoring fees ($30 USD), and retesting fees ($75 USD).

6. Certified Professional Manager (CPM)

Certified Professional Manager (CPM) is an internationally recognized professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge and skills of experienced managers. The CPM designation is awarded by the Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM), a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the professional practice of management.

The CPM Program consists of two components: a comprehensive online course and an examination. To become certified, applicants must complete the online course, pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher, and submit an application for certification. The online course is self-paced and can be completed in approximately 12 hours over six weeks.

The cost for the CPM Program varies depending on whether you are an ICPM member or non-member. For members, the program fee is $495; for non-members, it is $595. There may also be additional fees for taking the exam at a testing center or for expedited processing of your application.

Once you have completed all requirements, you will receive your official CPM certificate in 6-8 weeks. The certification is valid for three years after which time you must renew it by submitting proof that you have maintained your knowledge and skills through continuing education activities such as attending conferences, seminars, webinars, etc.

7. Certified Real Estate Administrative Professional (CREAP)

Certified Real Estate Administrative Professional (CREAP) is a professional certification program offered by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). It is designed to recognize and reward those individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and proficiency in the field of real estate administration. The CREAP certification is a voluntary program that requires applicants to pass an exam, meet certain educational requirements, and demonstrate a commitment to continuing education.

The CREAP exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as real estate law, finance, marketing, technology, and ethics. Applicants must also complete at least 20 hours of approved continuing education courses within the past three years.

It typically takes between four to six months to prepare for the exam. During this time, applicants should become familiar with the content areas covered in the exam and review relevant materials such as books, online resources, or seminars.

To get certified as a CREAP professional, applicants must submit an application form along with proof of their continuing education credits and payment for the exam fee ($225). Once all required documents are submitted, applicants will receive an email notification when they are eligible to take the exam.

The cost for obtaining CREAP certification varies depending on how much preparation is needed prior to taking the exam. The $225 fee covers only the cost of taking the exam; any additional costs associated with preparing for it are not included in this fee.

8. National Association of Legal Secretaries Certification Program (NALS-CP)

The National Association of Legal Secretaries Certification Program (NALS-CP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of legal secretaries. This program provides legal secretaries with the opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency in the areas of legal terminology, court systems, document preparation, and office management.

To become certified, applicants must pass an online exam that tests their knowledge in all four areas. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete. The cost for taking the exam is $125 for NALS members and $175 for non-members.

Once applicants have successfully passed the exam, they will receive a certificate verifying their status as a Certified Legal Secretary (CLS). This certification is valid for three years before needing to be renewed. Renewal requires completion of continuing education credits or retaking the certification exam.

Overall, obtaining NALS-CP certification demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the field of legal secretarial work and can help set individuals apart from other job candidates when seeking employment opportunities.

9. International Association of Administrative Professionals Certification Program (IAAP-CP)

The International Association of Administrative Professionals Certification Program (IAAP-CP) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). IAAP-CP is designed to recognize and reward administrative professionals who have demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities in the areas of office management, communications, customer service, technology, and leadership.

The certification program consists of three levels: Certified Professional Secretary (CPS), Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), and Master Administrative Professional (MAP). Each level requires successful completion of an examination that tests the candidate’s knowledge in the areas mentioned above.

It typically takes six months to two years to complete the IAAP-CP program. The amount of time it takes depends on how much time you are able to dedicate to studying for the exams. You can find study materials online or purchase them from IAAP.

To get certified through IAAP-CP you must first join IAAP as a member. After joining, you can register for the exams online or by mail. Once you have registered for an exam, you will be given a date and location where you can take it. When you pass an exam, you will receive your certificate in the mail.

The cost for each level of the IAAP-CP program varies depending on whether or not you are an IAAP member. If you are a member, then each level costs $295 USD; if not, then each level costs $395 USD.

10. American Society for Quality Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the application of Six Sigma tools and techniques. The certification is designed to demonstrate an individual’s understanding of the principles, processes, and practices of Six Sigma.

It typically takes about three months to complete the training and earn the certification. To get certified, individuals must successfully pass an exam administered by ASQ. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as problem solving, data analysis, process improvement, project management, and team dynamics.

The cost for the certification varies depending on which option you choose. If you take an online course or attend a live workshop, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500-$2,000. For those who prefer self-study materials, ASQ offers study guides that range from $80-$200. Additionally, there is a fee for taking the exam which costs around $300-$500 depending on your location.

Do You Really Need a Administrative Secretary Certificate?

Yes, an administrative secretary certificate can be a great asset to have in the job market. It can demonstrate that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform effectively in an administrative role and help you stand out from other job applicants. With the right certificate, you will be able to show employers that you are knowledgeable about the tasks required of an administrative secretary and that you possess the skills needed to perform them effectively.

Having a certificate in administrative secretary work also shows that you are committed to your career path and willing to go the extra mile to ensure you are successful in your role. It is important for employers to know that they can trust their new hire with important tasks such as data entry, filing, scheduling appointments, answering phones, and more. A certificate gives employers confidence that they are hiring someone who is qualified to handle these duties.

Finally, having a certificate may give you a competitive edge over other job applicants who do not have one. With so many people competing for jobs these days, it is important for applicants to demonstrate any additional qualifications or credentials they may have in order to stand out from the crowd. An administrative secretary certificate is one way of doing this and could potentially increase your chances of being hired for a position.

Related: Administrative Secretary Resume Examples

FAQs About Administrative Secretary Certifications

1. What is an administrative secretary certification?

Answer: An administrative secretary certification is a type of professional certification that recognizes the knowledge, skills and abilities required to work as an administrative secretary or assistant. The certification demonstrates proficiency in the core competencies required for successful performance in the job role.

2. What are the benefits of having an administrative secretary certification?

Answer: Having an administrative secretary certification can demonstrate your commitment to your profession, enhance your credibility, open doors to new career opportunities, and provide recognition from peers and employers. It also provides a way to stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and technologies.

3. How long does it take to get certified as an administrative secretary?

Answer: The time it takes to become certified will vary depending on the specific program you choose, but most programs require between 6-12 months of study and testing.

4. Where can I find information about available certifications for administrative secretaries?

Answer: You can find information about available certifications from organizations such as International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS), Professional Secretaries International (PSI) and American Society for Administrative Professionals (ASAP).

5. Is there a fee associated with obtaining an administrative secretary certification?

Answer: Yes, most certifying organizations charge fees for their exams and/or application fees for their certifications.