Top 10 Executive Assistant Certifications

Certifications can be invaluable for executive assistants in the job market. They demonstrate a level of expertise and knowledge that employers look for when hiring an executive assistant, as well as a commitment to professional development. Additionally, certifications can help executive assistants stand out among other applicants and show they have the necessary skills and qualifications to perform their role successfully. Certifications often provide access to exclusive resources, such as industry events or networking opportunities, which can give executive assistants an advantage over other candidates. Finally, certifications may also lead to higher pay or more desirable job offers.

This article reviews some of the best certifications for Executive Assistants and explains how they can help advance an executive assistant's career.

What are Executive Assistant Certifications?

Executive assistant certification is a professional designation that provides an in-depth understanding of the skills, knowledge and abilities needed to effectively perform the duties of an executive assistant. It is designed for individuals who are interested in developing their administrative and organizational skills, as well as their ability to provide support to senior-level executives. The certification offers a comprehensive overview of the executive assistant role, which includes tasks such as managing calendars and schedules, preparing documents, organizing meetings and events, communicating with stakeholders, managing projects and more.

The certification program can help individuals become more knowledgeable and confident in their roles as executive assistants by providing them with the necessary skills to be successful. It can also serve as a valuable tool for employers who wish to hire highly qualified professionals with specialized knowledge of the executive assistant field. Additionally, it may open up opportunities for advancement within an organization or increase the chances of finding employment elsewhere. Finally, having a certification can demonstrate professionalism and commitment to staying current on best practices in the industry.

Pro Tip: When considering executive assistant certification, look for programs that provide hands-on experience with the software and tools used by modern EAs. This will ensure you have the knowledge and skills to be successful in your role.

Related: What does an Executive Assistant do?

Top 10 Executive Assistant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Executive Assistants today.

1. 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 administrative professionals who have achieved excellence in their field. It is the highest level of recognition for administrative professionals and demonstrates a commitment to professional development and career advancement.

The CAP certification program consists of four parts: an online knowledge assessment, a written exam, an oral exam, and a portfolio review. The entire process typically takes three to six months from start to finish.

To become certified, applicants must meet the following requirements: be at least 18 years old; have at least three years of full-time work experience in an administrative role; have completed 120 hours of approved education in business topics such as office management, communication skills, and technology; and pass all four parts of the CAP certification program.

The cost for the CAP certification program varies depending on which components are included. The total cost can range from $600 to $1,200 USD depending on if you take the online knowledge assessment or not.

2. Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) is a professional certification for secretaries, administrative assistants, and other office professionals. It is offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The CPS certification demonstrates a commitment to the profession and mastery of essential office skills.

The CPS certification requires passing an exam that covers topics such as office management, communication, customer service, technology, project management, and more. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and can be taken online or in person at one of IAAP’s testing centers. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

In order to qualify for the CPS certification, applicants must have at least two years of full-time experience in an administrative role or equivalent part-time experience within the past five years. Applicants must also have completed 30 hours of continuing education within the past five years or hold a degree from an accredited college or university.

The cost for taking the CPS exam varies depending on where you take it. Online exams cost $180 for IAAP members and $220 for non-members; in-person exams cost $200 for IAAP members and $240 for non-members. There may also be additional fees associated with taking the exam in person such as proctoring fees and travel costs.

3. Certified Executive Administrative Professional (CEAP)

Certified Executive Administrative Professional (CEAP) 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 experienced administrative professionals. The CEAP certification demonstrates that an individual has achieved a high level of proficiency in the administrative field, including areas such as office management, communication, technology, customer service, and organizational development.

The CEAP certification process typically takes 6-12 months to complete. To become certified, applicants must first submit an online application with proof of their current administrative experience. Once approved, applicants must then pass a three-part exam that covers topics such as office management, communication, technology, customer service, and organizational development.

The cost for the CEAP certification varies depending on the IAAP membership status of the applicant. For non-members it is $350 USD; for members it is $250 USD; and for student members it is $150 USD.

4. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program designed to validate the skills and knowledge of individuals who use Microsoft Office applications. The MOS certification covers all major versions of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and OneNote. It is designed to provide employers with an objective measure of an individual's proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications.

The MOS exam consists of multiple-choice questions that assess a candidate's ability to perform specific tasks within each application. Candidates must pass one or more exams related to the version of Microsoft Office they are certified in. The number of exams required for certification varies depending on the version of Microsoft Office being used.

The length of time it takes to get your MOS certification depends on how much experience you have working with Microsoft Office applications and how much time you dedicate to studying for the exams. Generally speaking, most people can complete their MOS certification within six months if they study regularly and take practice tests before taking the actual exam.

To get your MOS certification, you will need to register for and take one or more exams through Certiport, an official testing center for Microsoft certifications. You can find a list of authorized testing centers at www.certiport.com/locator/. Once you have registered for an exam, you will receive instructions on how to prepare for it and where to go on test day.

The cost of taking a MOS exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $90-$150 USD per exam. Additionally, some test centers may charge additional fees such as proctoring fees or registration fees which could increase the overall cost of getting your MOS certification.

5. Project Management Professional (PMP)

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

It typically takes around six months to prepare for the PMP exam. To become certified, individuals must complete 35 contact hours of formal project management education and pass a 200-question multiple-choice exam.

To get started on your path to becoming a PMP, you will need to create an account with the PMI, pay the $129 application fee, and submit your application for review. Once approved, you can register for the exam through Prometric or Pearson VUE. The cost of the exam is $405 for members of PMI and $555 for non-members.

6. Certified Legal Secretary (CLS)

Certified Legal Secretary (CLS) is an internationally-recognized professional certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The program is designed to recognize and reward the knowledge and skills of legal secretaries and other administrative professionals who work in law offices.

The CLS program consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical skills assessment. The written exam tests the candidate’s knowledge of legal terminology, legal writing, document production, office procedures, and other related topics. The practical skills assessment evaluates the candidate’s ability to perform specific job tasks such as filing documents, organizing files, preparing correspondence, and more.

It typically takes around three months to complete the CLS program. Candidates must first register with IAAP and pay a fee that covers both the written exam and practical skills assessment. After registering, candidates can prepare for the exams by studying course materials provided by IAAP or through self-study using online resources. Once they have completed their studies, they can schedule their exams at an approved testing center.

The cost of taking the Certified Legal Secretary exam varies depending on where you take it; however, it generally ranges from $200-$400 USD.

7. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a credential that demonstrates a person's proficiency in medical office management. It is designed for individuals who are responsible for managing the administrative functions of a medical office or clinic. The CMAA certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as medical terminology, coding and billing, scheduling and appointment management, insurance processing, patient records management, and other administrative duties. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

The cost of the exam varies depending on the applicant's location but typically ranges from $125 to $150. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the exam at certain locations.

The NHA recommends that applicants have at least one year of experience working in a healthcare setting before taking the exam. However, it is not required in order to take the exam or become certified.

Once an individual has passed the CMAA exam, they will receive their certification within four weeks of passing the test. The certification is valid for three years and can be renewed by taking continuing education courses or retaking the CMAA exam.

8. Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS)

Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) is a certification program that demonstrates an individual’s proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook. The MOUS certification is offered by Microsoft and is one of the most recognized certifications for office productivity applications.

The MOUS certification requires passing a series of exams that test an individual’s knowledge and skills in using Microsoft Office applications. To get certified, you must pass four exams: one core exam and three elective exams. The core exam covers basic concepts related to the use of Microsoft Office applications while the elective exams are more specialized and focus on specific features or tasks.

The MOUS certification process typically takes several months to complete depending on how quickly you can prepare for and take the necessary exams. You must also pay a fee for each exam that you take. The cost varies depending on which country you are taking the exam in but typically ranges from $75 to $150 per exam.

Once you have passed all four exams, you will receive your official MOUS certificate from Microsoft which will be valid for two years before needing renewal.

9. International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) Certification

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) Certification is a program designed to recognize and reward administrative professionals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, skills, and abilities in the field. The certification is designed to validate the professional competency of administrative professionals in the areas of business communication, technology, customer service, office management, and leadership.

To obtain IAAP Certification, applicants must complete an online application that includes a detailed work history and references. Once approved for certification, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as business writing, customer service techniques, office management principles, technology applications for administrative professionals, and leadership skills. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

The cost of IAAP Certification varies depending on the applicant's membership status with IAAP. For non-members the cost is $195 while members receive a discounted rate of $175. Additionally there is an annual renewal fee of $50 for both members and non-members.

Once certified by IAAP, individuals will receive recognition from their peers as well as access to exclusive resources such as career development tools and networking opportunities with other certified administrative professionals.

10. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ certification is a globally recognized industry standard for IT professionals. It is an entry-level certification that validates the knowledge and skills necessary to perform maintenance, installation, and troubleshooting of computer systems.

The CompTIA A+ certification consists of two exams: 220-1001 (Core 1) and 220-1002 (Core 2). Both exams must be passed in order to become certified. The Core 1 exam covers PC hardware, mobile device hardware, networking technology, and basic security concepts. The Core 2 exam covers operating systems, software troubleshooting, security, operational procedures, and customer service.

It typically takes between three to six months to complete the CompTIA A+ certification process depending on an individual’s study habits and experience level. To get started with the CompTIA A+ certification process, individuals should first purchase the appropriate exam voucher from a CompTIA authorized training provider or testing center. Once they have purchased their voucher they can then register for their exams online at CertMaster or through their preferred testing center.

The cost of the CompTIA A+ certification varies depending on where you take your exams; however it typically costs around $400 USD for both exams combined.

Do You Really Need a Executive Assistant Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual needs and goals. An executive assistant certificate can be a valuable addition to your resume and can help you stand out in the job market, but it may not be necessary for everyone. If you have several years of experience as an executive assistant or have other qualifications that demonstrate your skills in this area, then a certificate may not be necessary.

On the other hand, if you are new to the field or do not possess related qualifications yet, then an executive assistant certificate can be a great way to show employers that you are knowledgeable and well-equipped for the job. It is also helpful if you want to move up in your career and take on more challenging roles. Earning an executive assistant certificate can provide evidence of your proficiency in important areas such as communication, organizational skills, customer service, problem solving, and project management.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether or not obtaining an executive assistant certificate is right for you. Consider what kind of job opportunities you are looking for and how having a certificate will help you reach those goals. There are numerous online courses available that offer flexible options for earning an executive assistant certification that can fit into any budget or schedule.

Related: Executive Assistant Resume Examples

FAQs About Executive Assistant Certifications

1. What is an Executive Assistant Certification?

Answer: An Executive Assistant Certification is a professional credential that recognizes the knowledge, skills, and abilities of individuals who are responsible for providing administrative support to executive-level personnel. This certification requires individuals to demonstrate their ability to handle a range of tasks such as calendar management, travel coordination, document preparation, meeting management, and other related activities.

2. Who should pursue an Executive Assistant Certification?

Answer: Professionals who work in roles such as administrative assistant, office manager, executive secretary, or personal assistant may benefit from earning an Executive Assistant Certification. This certification can help those in these roles stand out in the competitive job market and demonstrate their commitment to staying up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in this field.

3. How do I earn an Executive Assistant Certification?

Answer: To earn an Executive Assistant Certification, you must typically pass a comprehensive exam that tests your knowledge of various topics related to executive assistance such as communication strategies, project management techniques, information technology concepts, and organizational systems. You may also need to meet certain experience or education requirements depending on the certifying organization.

4. How long does it take to become certified?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become certified depends on the certifying organization and your individual pace of study. Generally speaking, most programs require between 6 months and 1 year of dedicated study before taking the final exam.

5. What are some benefits of having an Executive Assistant Certification?

Answer: Having an Executive Assistant Certification can give you a competitive edge when applying for jobs in this field because it demonstrates that you have met certain standards set by industry experts and possess the knowledge necessary for success in this role. Additionally, it can open doors for career advancement opportunities due to increased credibility with employers and potential salary increases due to increased job security