Top 10 Clerk Typist Certifications

Certifications for a clerk typist are important in the job market because they provide proof of competency and expertise. Certification can demonstrate to employers that the individual has the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the job effectively. Certified individuals may also receive higher pay than their non-certified counterparts. Additionally, certifications can help an individual stand out from other applicants and increase their chances of getting hired. Certifications are a great way to demonstrate commitment to one’s profession and can give an individual an edge over other applicants.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Clerk Typists and explains how they can help to further a Clerk Typist's career.

What are Clerk Typist Certifications?

Clerk typist certification is a professional certification that demonstrates a person's knowledge and proficiency in the use of typing and clerical-related applications. It is designed to help individuals gain the skills and knowledge they need to perform clerical tasks with accuracy, speed, and efficiency. This type of certification can be especially helpful for those looking to advance their career in an administrative or office support role.

Clerk typist certification typically covers topics such as keyboarding techniques, data entry, document formatting, office procedures, customer service etiquette, filing systems, bookkeeping techniques, and more. With this type of certification, employers can be assured that an employee has the necessary skills to complete assigned tasks quickly and accurately. Additionally, having a clerk typist certification can help open up new job opportunities for those seeking to transition into a different field or advance their current position.

Pro Tip: Before attempting to obtain a clerk typist certification, make sure to have a basic understanding of the software and tools used in this profession. This will help you prepare for the certification exam and ensure that you are able to demonstrate your knowledge of the required skills.

Related: What does a Clerk Typist do?

Top 10 Clerk Typist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Clerk Typists today.

1. Certified Professional Typist (CPT)

Certified Professional Typist (CPT) is a professional certification offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize and validate the skills of typists who demonstrate proficiency in keyboarding, formatting, editing, and proofreading documents.

It typically takes about 6-9 months to complete the CPT certification program. The program consists of four courses: Keyboard Mastery, Formatting Documents, Editing & Proofreading Documents, and Advanced Document Production. Each course requires an exam that must be passed in order to receive the CPT certification.

To get certified as a CPT, you must first join IAAP and become a member. Once you have joined IAAP, you can register for the CPT program online or through their customer service department. The cost of the program varies depending on whether you choose to take it online or in person; however, it typically ranges from $500-$700 USD.

Once you have successfully completed all four courses and passed all exams with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive your CPT certificate from IAAP.

2. Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is an industry-recognized certification for administrative professionals. It is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of administrative professionals, such as executive assistants, office managers, and other administrative staff. The CAP certification demonstrates a commitment to professional development and excellence in the field of administrative support.

The CAP certification process consists of three parts: an online application, a comprehensive exam, and a portfolio review. The online application requires applicants to provide information on their education, work experience, and professional accomplishments. After submitting the application, applicants must take the comprehensive exam which covers topics such as office management, communication skills, technology proficiency, customer service skills, problem solving strategies, and project management. Finally applicants must submit a portfolio that showcases their professional accomplishments in order to demonstrate their mastery of the material covered in the exam.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete all three parts of the CAP certification process.

To get certified as a Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), you need to meet certain eligibility requirements including having at least two years of professional experience in an administrative role or related field; completing at least 60 hours of continuing education credits; and submitting a portfolio demonstrating your mastery of the material covered in the exam.

The cost for taking the CAP exam varies depending on where you live but typically ranges from $200-$400 USD.

3. Certified Professional Office Specialist (CPOS)

Certified Professional Office Specialist (CPOS) is a certification program designed to help individuals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the use of Microsoft Office applications. The CPOS certification is offered by Certiport, an industry leader in computer-based testing and certification.

The CPOS certification consists of three exams: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. To receive the CPOS certification, candidates must pass all three exams with a score of 80% or higher. Each exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete.

To get the CPOS certification, you must first register for the exams at Certiport's website. You will be asked to provide your contact information and payment details before you can access the exams. The cost for each exam is $89 USD, so the total cost for all three exams is $267 USD.

Once you have registered and paid for your exams, you can take them at any authorized Certiport testing center or online using their remote proctoring service. After completing each exam, you will receive your results immediately upon completion. Once you have passed all three exams with a score of 80% or higher, you will be awarded the CPOS certification and receive a digital badge that can be shared on social media platforms such as LinkedIn or Twitter.

4. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s skills and knowledge of Microsoft Office applications. The certification is offered in various versions of the Microsoft Office suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and SharePoint.

The MOS certification exam typically takes between 90 minutes to two hours to complete. To be eligible for the exam, you must have at least six months of experience using the specific version of the Microsoft Office application you are testing for.

You can take the MOS certification exam in person at an authorized testing center or online through Pearson VUE or Certiport. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on which version of Microsoft Office you are testing for and where you take it. Generally speaking, exams range from $90-$150 USD per test.

Once you have successfully passed your MOS certification exam, you will receive a digital certificate that will be valid for two years from your date of completion. You can also add your MOS certification to your resume or LinkedIn profile to demonstrate your proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

5. International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is a professional certification program for administrative professionals. It is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of administrative professionals in areas such as office management, communication, technology, customer service, and other related topics.

The CAP program consists of three levels: CAP-OM (Office Management), CAP-CSR (Customer Service Representative), and CAP-Advanced. Each level requires the completion of an online assessment which covers topics related to the specific level. The assessments are developed by IAAP and administered through Pearson VUE testing centers.

In order to receive the CAP designation, candidates must pass all three levels within a two year period. Candidates who complete all three levels within two years will be awarded the Certified Administrative Professional designation.

The cost of taking each assessment varies depending on the level but typically ranges from $100 - $200 USD per assessment. In addition to the cost of taking each assessment, there is also an annual membership fee for IAAP which must be paid in order to maintain your certification status. This fee is currently $50 USD per year for members in North America or $60 USD per year for members outside North America.

6. National Association of Legal Professionals (NALP) Certified Legal Secretary (CLS)

The National Association of Legal Professionals (NALP) Certified Legal Secretary (CLS) is a certification program that recognizes the professional achievements and expertise of legal secretaries. It is designed to validate an individual’s knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field of legal support services.

In order to obtain the CLS certification, applicants must have at least two years of full-time experience as a legal secretary or equivalent, complete 10 hours of approved continuing education courses related to the legal profession within the past year, and pass a comprehensive exam. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as law office management, legal research and writing, court procedures and filing requirements, document preparation and formatting, ethics, technology applications in law offices, and other areas related to legal support services.

The cost for taking the exam is $125 for NALP members ($145 for non-members). The exam can be taken online through NALP's testing platform or at one of their regional testing centers. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their official certificate from NALP.

Overall, obtaining the CLS certification requires dedication and hard work but can be an invaluable asset when seeking employment or advancement in a career in legal support services.

7. National Association of Legal Secretaries and Paralegals (NALS) Certified Legal Secretary/Paralegal (CLS/LP)

The National Association of Legal Secretaries and Paralegals (NALS) Certified Legal Secretary/Paralegal (CLS/LP) is a certification program designed to recognize the knowledge, skills, and abilities of legal secretaries and paralegals. The CLS/LP certification is awarded to those who demonstrate mastery of the core competencies necessary for successful performance in the legal field.

In order to obtain the CLS/LP certification, applicants must have at least two years of full-time experience as a legal secretary or paralegal, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Applicants must also pass an examination that covers topics such as legal terminology, document preparation, court procedures, research methods, ethics and professionalism.

The exam typically takes four hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions. The cost for taking the exam varies depending on whether you are a NALS member or non-member. For members, the cost is $145; for non-members it is $195.

Once you have passed the exam and become certified as a CLS/LP, you will be able to demonstrate your expertise in the field of law by using the official designation “CLS/LP” after your name. You will also gain access to exclusive resources from NALS such as networking opportunities with other certified professionals and discounts on continuing education courses.

8. National Court Reporters Association Certification in Court Reporting Technology

The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) Certification in Court Reporting Technology is a professional certification program that recognizes court reporters who demonstrate proficiency and excellence in their field. This certification is the gold standard for court reporters, as it provides assurance to employers and clients that a certified court reporter has the necessary skills and knowledge to provide accurate, reliable transcripts.

In order to obtain NCRA certification, an individual must pass the Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) exam. The CSR exam consists of three parts: a written portion, a skills test, and an oral examination. The written portion tests knowledge of legal terminology and court reporting techniques, while the skills test evaluates speed and accuracy in transcribing dictation. Finally, the oral examination assesses the candidate’s ability to accurately interpret spoken words into text.

The entire process typically takes about six months to complete. In order to get started on the path towards becoming certified, individuals must first join NCRA as a member. After joining NCRA, individuals can register for the CSR exam online or by mail. Once registered, individuals will receive study materials from NCRA which they can use to prepare for the exam.

The cost of obtaining NCRA certification varies depending on how an individual chooses to take the exam (online or by mail). For those taking the exam online, there is an initial registration fee of $125 plus a $100 proctoring fee per part of the exam taken online (written/skills/oral). For those taking the exam by mail, there is an initial registration fee of $150 plus a $50 proctoring fee per part of the exam taken by mail (written/skills/oral). Additionally, all applicants are required to pay an annual membership fee with NCRA in order to maintain their certification status ($90 for students; $180 for professionals).

9. International Association of Word Processors Certification in Word Processing

The International Association of Word Processors (IAWP) Certification in Word Processing is a certification program that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the use of word processing software. It is designed to provide employers with an objective measure of a candidate's knowledge and skills in the area of word processing.

The IAWP certification process consists of two parts: an online assessment and a hands-on practical exam. The online assessment covers topics such as formatting, editing, and proofreading documents, using mail merge features, creating tables and charts, working with graphics, and more. The practical exam requires applicants to demonstrate their ability to perform various tasks related to word processing on a computer.

The entire certification process typically takes about three months from start to finish. To get started, applicants must first register for the IAWP Certification Program by completing an online application form and paying the associated fee. Once registered, applicants can begin preparing for the assessments by studying relevant material provided by the organization or taking courses offered through third-party providers.

Once prepared, applicants can take the online assessment at any time within six months after registration. After passing the online assessment, applicants will be eligible to take the practical exam which must be taken at an authorized testing center within 12 months after passing the online assessment. Upon successful completion of both exams, candidates will receive their IAWP Certification in Word Processing certificate.

The cost for registering for the IAWP Certification Program is $250 USD plus applicable taxes and fees. This fee covers both exams as well as access to study materials and practice tests prior to taking each exam.

10. International Association of Business Communicators Certified Business Communicator

The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Certified Business Communicator (CBC) is a professional certification for business communicators. It is designed to recognize and validate the skills and knowledge of those working in the field of business communication.

The IABC CBC is a three-level certification program that requires applicants to demonstrate mastery of core competencies in areas such as writing, public speaking, media relations, digital communications, crisis management, and organizational development. The program includes an online assessment and a series of workshops and seminars. To be eligible for the certification, applicants must have at least three years of experience in business communication or related fields.

It typically takes six months to complete the IABC CBC program. Applicants must first take an online assessment to determine their level of knowledge and skill in the areas tested. After passing this assessment, they can then register for one or more workshops or seminars that will help them develop their skills further. Finally, applicants must submit a portfolio demonstrating their mastery of the core competencies tested by the online assessment.

The cost for the IABC CBC program varies depending on how many workshops or seminars are taken and how many levels are completed. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,000 USD to complete all three levels of the program.

Do You Really Need a Clerk Typist Certificate?

A Clerk Typist Certificate is an important tool for those who are looking to enter the field of clerical work. It provides a formal qualification that shows employers that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in a clerk typist role.

The certificate validates your ability to type accurately, use computer programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel, and perform basic clerical tasks such as filing, sorting documents, and making copies. It also demonstrates your commitment to entering the field of clerical work, since earning a certificate requires dedication and hard work.

For those considering a career in clerical work, having a Clerk Typist Certificate can be an invaluable asset for securing employment. In addition to demonstrating your technical skills, it can also show potential employers that you take your job seriously and are prepared to put in the necessary effort to succeed. Furthermore, having certification may open up opportunities for higher level positions with increased pay or more responsibility.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a Clerk Typist Certificate depends on your individual goals and ambitions within the field of clerical work. If you are certain that you want to pursue this career path then having certification could be beneficial in helping you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs. On the other hand, if you’re still unsure whether this is the right career path for you then it might be worth exploring other options before committing to obtaining certification.

Related: Clerk Typist Resume Examples

FAQs About Clerk Typist Certifications

1. What is a Clerk Typist Certification?

Answer: A Clerk Typist Certification is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates mastery of the skills required to work as a clerk typist, such as typing, data entry, filing, and other administrative duties.

2. How do I become certified?

Answer: In order to become certified as a Clerk Typist, you must pass an exam that assesses your knowledge of the job requirements and skills needed to be successful in the role. You may also need to complete an approved training program or have a certain amount of work experience in the field.

3. What are the benefits of becoming certified?

Answer: Becoming certified can help demonstrate your commitment to excellence in your field and show potential employers that you have what it takes to excel in this role. It can also open up new opportunities for career advancement and salary increases.

4. Is there an age limit for certification?

Answer: No, there is no age limit for certification; however, some programs may require applicants to be at least 18 years old or older.

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

Answer: Yes, most certifying organizations require applicants to have completed certain courses or training programs prior to taking the exam. Additionally, some organizations may require applicants to pass a background check or have relevant work experience in order to take the exam.