Top 10 Clerical Associate Certifications

Certifications are important for a clerical associate in the job market because they demonstrate that the candidate has acquired specific knowledge and skills related to the position. They also show potential employers that the individual is committed to their profession and is dedicated to staying up-to-date on the latest industry standards. Certified professionals are often seen as more reliable, trustworthy, and knowledgeable than those without certifications. Additionally, certifications can help differentiate a candidate from other applicants and potentially give them an advantage when applying for jobs.

This article reviews some of the most beneficial certifications for Clerical Associates and explains how they can help to advance their career.

What are Clerical Associate Certifications?

Clerical Associate Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates the holder’s knowledge and proficiency in administrative and clerical duties. It is designed for those who work in office settings, providing them with the skills to efficiently manage the tasks of their profession. This certification can help individuals seeking employment in an office setting or those looking to advance their current position by demonstrating their level of expertise.

The certification covers a variety of topics, including filing and record keeping, customer service, communication, computer proficiency, problem solving, time management, organization and more. Upon completion of this program, participants will have a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively perform various clerical duties. This certification can be beneficial for those looking to demonstrate their qualifications for potential employers or for those already employed who want to showcase their aptitude for performing administrative tasks. Additionally, having this certification may open doors to opportunities for career advancement within an organization as well as higher pay.

Pro tip: When considering a clerical associate certification, make sure to research the different certifications available and their specific requirements. Some certifications may require additional courses or experience in order to be eligible, so it is important to make sure you understand what is required before committing to a particular certification.

Related: What does a Clerical Associate do?

Top 10 Clerical Associate Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Clerical Associates today.

1. Certified Clerical Associate (CCA)

Certified Clerical Associate (CCA) is a certification issued by the American Association of Administrative Professionals (AAAP) to recognize individuals who have demonstrated mastery in the field of clerical support. It is designed for those who wish to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the areas of office management, customer service, communication, and technology.

The CCA certification requires passing an online exam with a score of 80% or higher. The exam consists of 75 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as office etiquette, customer service, communication skills, and computer software applications. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and can be taken at any authorized testing center.

The cost for the CCA certification is $125 USD plus applicable taxes. This fee includes the cost of the exam as well as access to study materials and practice exams.

In order to maintain your CCA certification, you must recertify every three years by taking an updated version of the exam or completing continuing education credits.

2. Certified Professional Clerical Associate (CPCA)

Certified Professional Clerical Associate (CPCA) is a certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The CPCA certification is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of administrative professionals in the areas of office technology, customer service, communications, and business processes.

The CPCA certification program consists of three levels: Certified Professional Clerical Associate (CPCA), Certified Professional Clerical Specialist (CPCS) and Certified Professional Clerical Executive (CPCE). To become certified at each level, candidates must pass an exam that covers topics such as office technology, customer service, communications, and business processes.

The CPCA certification typically takes about six months to complete. Candidates must complete a minimum number of hours in classroom training or online learning activities before taking the exam. Once they have completed all the necessary requirements, they can take the exam at an IAAP-approved testing center.

The cost for taking the CPCA exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $150-$200 to take the exam. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with registering for the exam or purchasing study materials.

3. Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The CAP certification is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of administrative professionals. It is intended to demonstrate a mastery of the core competencies required to be successful in the field.

The CAP program consists of three parts: an exam, a portfolio review, and continuing education requirements. The exam covers topics such as office technology, communication, business writing, project management, customer service, problem solving and decision making. The portfolio review requires candidates to submit evidence of their experience in the field.

It typically takes between six months and one year to prepare for the CAP exam. Candidates should plan on studying for at least two hours per day in order to adequately prepare for the exam. There are several resources available online that can help with preparation for the exam including practice tests, study guides and courses.

The cost of taking the CAP exam varies depending on where it is taken but typically ranges from $200-$400 USD. There may also be additional fees associated with submitting a portfolio or taking continuing education courses if required by IAAP.

In order to become certified as a Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), individuals must pass both parts of the program: an exam and a portfolio review. Once certified, individuals must maintain their certification by completing continuing education requirements every three years in order to remain current with industry standards and practices.

4. Certified Office Manager (COM)

Certified Office Manager (COM) is a professional certification program for office managers and administrative professionals. It is offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The COM certification recognizes an individual’s expertise in managing the day-to-day operations of an office, including communication, organization, customer service, budgeting, and technology.

The COM certification requires applicants to pass a comprehensive exam that tests their knowledge in these areas. The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions and takes about three hours to complete. To be eligible for the certification, applicants must have at least two years of experience as an office manager or administrative professional.

To get certified as a COM, you will need to register with IAAP and pay a fee that varies depending on your membership status. The fee includes access to study materials and practice exams. Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your certificate in the mail within six weeks.

The cost of getting certified as a COM depends on your IAAP membership status. Non-members pay $295 USD while members pay $195 USD.

5. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s skills in Microsoft Office applications. It tests the user’s ability to use the features of the software and produce results that meet industry standards. The MOS certification is offered for Microsoft Office 2010, 2013, and 2016 versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and OneNote.

The duration of the certification depends on the type of exam taken. Most exams are completed within one hour. However, some exams may take up to three hours depending on the complexity of the questions.

To get certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), you must pass one or more exams administered by Certiport or Prometric testing centers. You can find out which exams you need to take by visiting Microsoft's website or contacting Certiport directly.

The cost of becoming a Microsoft Office Specialist varies depending on the number and type of exams taken and whether you use a voucher or pay for each exam individually. Generally speaking, it costs around $80 per exam if you purchase vouchers from Certiport or Prometric testing centers.

6. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ is an industry-recognized certification that validates the knowledge and skills of entry-level IT professionals. It is a vendor-neutral certification that covers hardware, software, networking, security, and other IT topics. CompTIA A+ is an essential requirement for many support and field service technician jobs.

It typically takes about two months to complete the CompTIA A+ certification process. To become certified, you must pass two exams: 220-1001 (Core 1) and 220-1002 (Core 2). The exams cover a wide range of topics related to computer hardware and software, including installation, configuration, troubleshooting, security, mobile devices, virtualization, cloud computing, network infrastructure, and operational procedures.

To get CompTIA A+ certified you will need to register for the exams through Pearson VUE or Prometric Testing Centers. You can also purchase practice tests from these providers to help you prepare for the exams. The cost of the exams varies depending on which provider you use but generally ranges from $200-$300 USD per exam.

The total cost of getting CompTIA A+ certified will depend on how much time and effort you put into studying for the exams as well as any additional resources or study materials you may need to purchase in order to be successful on the tests.

7. Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) 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 in the workplace. The CPS credential is a globally recognized designation that demonstrates an individual’s commitment to professional excellence and ethical standards.

It typically takes between six months to two years to complete the requirements for the CPS certification. To become certified, individuals must pass an exam that covers topics such as office technology, communication skills, project management, customer service, business law and ethics. Additionally, applicants must have at least three years of relevant work experience in an administrative role.

The cost of obtaining the CPS certification can vary depending on which IAAP membership level you choose. A basic IAAP membership costs $99 per year and includes access to study materials, practice exams and discounts on other IAAP products. The exam fee itself is $195 for members or $295 for non-members.

8. Certified Records Manager (CRM)

Certified Records Manager (CRM) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM). The CRM designation is a globally recognized credential for records and information management professionals. It recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, skill, and experience in the field.

To become a Certified Records Manager, an individual must meet certain educational and professional requirements set forth by ICRM. These include having at least five years of relevant work experience, completing an approved education program or coursework related to records management, and passing a comprehensive exam.

The exam consists of two parts: Part 1 covers topics such as records management principles, policies and procedures; information governance; storage systems; legal requirements; and risk management. Part 2 covers topics such as digital records management, electronic discovery, data security, metadata standards, and archiving.

The cost to take the exam is $600 USD for members of ICRM or $750 USD for non-members. The test can be taken at any Prometric testing center worldwide. It typically takes between three to four hours to complete the exam. Once the exam has been successfully completed, applicants will receive their official CRM certificate from ICRM within four weeks.

9. Certified Medical Office Assistant (CMAA)

A Certified Medical Office Assistant (CMAA) is an individual who has completed a specialized training program and obtained certification to work in a medical office setting. This certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

The CMAA certification program consists of two components: a knowledge-based exam and a skills-based assessment. The knowledge-based exam covers topics such as medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, medical coding, insurance billing, patient scheduling, customer service, HIPAA regulations, and other related topics. The skills-based assessment requires the candidate to demonstrate their ability to perform various administrative tasks in a simulated medical office environment.

The CMAA certification can be obtained in approximately 3 months if you are able to dedicate enough time for studying and practice. To get certified, you must first register for the exam with NHA and pay the associated fee. Once registered, you will have access to study materials that will help you prepare for the exam. After passing both components of the exam, you will receive your CMAA certification from NHA.

The cost of obtaining the CMAA certification varies depending on which package you choose from NHA. Generally speaking, it can range from $150-$400 USD depending on which package you select.

10. Certified Document Imaging Architect (CDIA+)

Certified Document Imaging Architect (CDIA+) is a certification program offered by the Association for Information and Image Management (AIIM). It is designed to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to design, implement, and manage document imaging systems.

The CDIA+ certification requires applicants to pass two exams: one on document imaging fundamentals and one on document imaging architecture. The exams are administered online through Pearson VUE. The tests are multiple choice and take approximately three hours each to complete.

To become certified, applicants must have two years of experience in the field of document imaging or related technology. They must also have completed at least 12 hours of approved training in document imaging technology or related topics within the last three years.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the country in which you reside. In the United States, it costs $295 for AIIM members and $395 for non-members to take both exams.

Do You Really Need a Clerical Associate Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on what you plan to do with the certificate. If you are looking for a job that requires a clerical associate certificate, then yes, you will need it. A clerical associate certificate is a way of showing employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to perform the duties of an administrative assistant or office clerk. This type of certificate can help demonstrate your knowledge in areas such as filing, data entry, customer service, and other administrative tasks.

If you already possess some of these skills and just need to show proof of them to potential employers, then having a clerical associate certificate may be beneficial. It can also be useful if you are trying to break into the field or switch career paths. Having a certificate could give you an edge over other applicants who lack this credential.

However, if your current job does not require a clerical associate certificate and there is no immediate need for one in your area, then obtaining one may not be worth the time and money invested in it. You should consider whether the cost associated with obtaining the certification would outweigh any potential benefits.

Ultimately, only you can decide if getting a clerical associate certificate is right for you and your career goals. Consider all aspects before making a decision so that you can make an informed choice about whether or not to pursue this certification.

Related: Clerical Associate Resume Examples

FAQs About Clerical Associate Certifications

Q1. What is a Clerical Associate Certification?

A1. A Clerical Associate Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and skills related to clerical and administrative duties. It is designed to ensure that those working in these positions are knowledgeable about the latest office practices, technologies, and procedures.

Q2. What does a Clerical Associate do?

A2. A Clerical Associate performs various administrative and clerical tasks such as answering phones, filing documents, scheduling appointments, data entry, maintaining records, and providing customer service support.

Q3. How do I get certified as a Clerical Associate?

A3. To become certified as a Clerical Associate, you must pass an exam administered by an accredited organization such as the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The exam covers various topics including office technology, legal issues, communication skills, customer service techniques, and more.

Q4. How long does it take to obtain a Clerical Associate Certification?

A4. The length of time required to obtain a Clerical Associate Certification depends on the individual's experience and knowledge level prior to taking the exam; however, most people can expect to complete their certification within 6-12 months after passing the exam.

Q5. What are the benefits of obtaining a Clerical Associate Certification?

A5: Obtaining a Clerical Associate Certification can provide numerous benefits for individuals looking for career advancement or higher wages in this field; it can also open up new job opportunities due to its recognition in many organizations around the world. Additionally, having this certification may make you more attractive to employers when applying for jobs in this field since they will know that you have been trained in all necessary areas of clerical work.