Top 10 Executive Coordinator Certifications

Certifications are important for an executive coordinator in the job market because they demonstrate a level of knowledge and expertise that employers look for when hiring. Certifications can show potential employers that an executive coordinator has the necessary skills to handle complex tasks and understand the nuances of their role. They also signal to employers that an individual is committed to keeping up with industry trends and best practices. Finally, certifications can open up new opportunities, as many employers prefer to hire candidates who have earned them.

This article reviews top certifications for Executive Coordinators and explains how they can improve an executive coordinator's career prospects.

What are Executive Coordinator Certifications?

Executive Coordinator Certification is a professional development program designed to help individuals learn how to successfully coordinate and manage executive-level events. This certification provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to plan, organize, and direct successful executive-level events. The program focuses on developing strong organizational skills, communication techniques, and an understanding of protocol for working with top executives. It also helps individuals develop a comprehensive understanding of event planning from start to finish, including budgeting, marketing, logistics, coordination, and other essential elements.

The coursework in this certification program covers topics such as project management fundamentals, event management principles and practices, event marketing strategies, legal aspects of planning events, and more. Through this program participants gain valuable insight into how to create successful executive-level events that are organized efficiently while staying within budget. They also learn how to use technology effectively for event planning purposes as well as how to manage vendors and staff at the event.

The Executive Coordinator Certification can be beneficial for anyone who works in or wants to enter the field of executive-level event coordination or management. It provides them with the skills needed to successfully plan and coordinate high-profile executive events while increasing their job marketability by demonstrating their knowledge of the industry.

Pro tip: When considering executive coordinator certification, make sure to research the various certifications and requirements for each one. Look for programs that offer comprehensive training in a variety of topics related to executive coordination, such as office management, project management, event planning and communication skills. Also, be sure to check with your employer or industry organization to see if they have any specific certification requirements that you should meet.

Related: What does an Executive Coordinator do?

Top 10 Executive Coordinator Certifications

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

1. Certified Executive Coordinator (CEC)

Certified Executive Coordinator (CEC) is a professional certification for executive assistants and administrative professionals who are looking to advance their career. The CEC designation is designed to recognize the highest level of competency, knowledge and commitment to excellence in the field of executive support.

The CEC program consists of two parts: an online assessment and a review of your professional experience. The online assessment covers topics such as communication skills, project management, problem solving, customer service, and other essential job functions. Once you complete the assessment, you will receive feedback on your performance and be able to make improvements if needed.

The second part of the CEC program is a review of your professional experience. You must demonstrate at least three years of experience in executive support roles in order to qualify for the CEC designation. This includes positions such as Executive Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Office Manager or similar roles that involve providing direct support to executives or senior leaders.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CEC program from start to finish. During this time you will need to complete the online assessment and submit your professional experience for review by an independent panel of experts.

The cost for the CEC program varies depending on where you live but typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD.

2. Certified Professional Executive Coordinator (CPEC)

Certified Professional Executive Coordinator (CPEC) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of executive coordinators. The CPEC program provides executive coordinators with the opportunity to demonstrate their expertise in areas such as project management, organizational development, communication, problem-solving, and customer service.

The CPEC program requires a minimum of two years of experience in an executive coordination role. To obtain the certification, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as: business writing, event planning, office administration, interpersonal communication, and customer service.

The cost for the CPEC exam is $250 USD per attempt. The exam can be taken at any approved testing center or online through an approved proctoring service. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official Certified Professional Executive Coordinator certificate from the Association of Executive Coordinators (AEC). This certificate serves as proof that you have achieved a high level of proficiency in executive coordination and demonstrates your commitment to professional excellence in this field.

3. 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 certification is awarded to individuals who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in business communication, technology, office management, customer service, and other areas related to administrative work.

It typically takes six months to two years to complete the requirements for CAP certification. To get certified, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as business writing, office management, customer service, technology use in the workplace, and more. Applicants must also have at least three years of full-time administrative experience or equivalent part-time experience.

The cost for the CAP certification varies depending on which IAAP membership level you choose. The basic membership fee is $99 per year; however, there are additional fees associated with taking the exam ($295) and maintaining your certification ($95).

4. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is a globally recognized certification that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and experience in the field of project management. The PMP certification is designed to assess an individual’s ability to effectively manage projects, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, risk management and quality assurance.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to complete the requirements for PMP certification. To be eligible for the exam you must have either a four-year degree plus three years of project management experience or a high school diploma plus five years of project management experience. You must also complete 35 hours of formal education in project management topics such as scope, time, cost and quality management.

To get certified as a PMP you must pass the PMP exam. The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions and has a duration of 4 hours. The cost for taking the exam varies depending on your geographic location but generally ranges from $405-$555 USD.

Once you have passed the exam you will need to submit an application to PMI which includes details about your educational background and professional experience in order to receive your certification. The cost for submitting this application is $60 USD for members of PMI or $150 USD for non-members. Once your application has been approved you will receive your official PMP certificate within 8 weeks.

5. Certified Meeting Planner (CMP)

A Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) is a professional designation that signifies expertise in the meeting, convention, exhibition and event planning industry. The CMP program was developed by the Convention Industry Council to recognize individuals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills needed to plan and execute meetings, conventions and events.

To become a Certified Meeting Planner, you must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam. You must have at least three years of full-time experience in the meeting, convention or event planning industry within the past 10 years. Additionally, you must complete 25 hours of continuing education credits related to meeting or event planning within the past five years.

The CMP exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as strategic planning, risk management, budgeting and financial management, legal issues, technology applications and more. It takes approximately four hours to complete the exam.

The cost of becoming a Certified Meeting Planner varies depending on your membership status with the Convention Industry Council. Non-members pay $595 for the application fee plus $395 for each part of the exam (Part I: Core Knowledge; Part II: Domain Knowledge). Members pay $495 for the application fee plus $295 for each part of the exam.

Once you have passed both parts of the exam and met all other requirements, you will be awarded your CMP certification.

6. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s skills in using Microsoft Office applications. This certification is offered by Certiport, a Pearson VUE company. It is the only official Microsoft-recognized certification for Office applications and provides proof of proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office programs.

The MOS certification program consists of several exams that test an individual’s knowledge and skills in one or more of the following Office applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and SharePoint. The exams are based on the latest version of each application. To become certified, you must pass at least one exam for each application you wish to be certified in.

The amount of time it takes to get MOS certified depends on how much time you dedicate to studying and preparing for the exams. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months to prepare for all the necessary exams.

To get MOS certified, you must first register with Certiport and purchase an exam voucher from them. Once you have purchased your exam voucher, you can then schedule your exams with Certiport at any authorized testing center near you.

The cost of getting MOS certified varies depending on which exam(s) you take and how many vouchers you purchase at once. Generally speaking, most vouchers cost around $100 USD per exam; however, there may be additional fees associated with scheduling your exams at certain testing centers.

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 skills and knowledge of administrative professionals. The CPS certification demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the field of administrative support.

The CPS certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as office management, communication, technology, customer service, and other related areas. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

To be eligible for the CPS certification, applicants must have at least two years of full-time paid experience in an administrative position or one year of experience with a combination of education and/or training in an administrative field. Applicants must also submit proof of their work experience or education along with their application.

The cost for taking the CPS exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $200-$400 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with registering for the exam and submitting your application materials.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official Certified Professional Secretary certificate from IAAP which will be valid for five years. After five years, you must retake the exam to maintain your certification status.

8. Certified Business Manager (CBM)

Certified Business Manager (CBM) is a professional certification for business professionals who want to demonstrate their knowledge and skill in the areas of business management. It is offered by the Institute of Certified Business Managers (ICBM).

The CBM certification requires applicants to have at least three years of full-time business experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Applicants must also pass a comprehensive examination that covers topics such as finance, marketing, operations, human resources, and strategic planning.

To get the CBM credential, applicants must first apply online through ICBM’s website. Once accepted into the program, applicants will be required to complete a series of courses and exams before they can take the final CBM exam. The entire process typically takes between six months and one year to complete.

The cost for the CBM certification varies depending on which courses and exams are taken. Generally speaking, it costs around $2,000-$3,000 USD to become certified.

9. Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP)

Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) is an advanced certification offered by the Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA). It is designed to recognize professionals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the field of information technology.

The CITP certification requires that applicants possess at least five years of experience in the IT field and demonstrate mastery of a wide range of topics related to information technology management. The certification exam covers areas such as project management, systems analysis and design, database administration, software engineering, networking, security, and more.

In order to obtain the CITP certification, applicants must pass an examination administered by ICMA. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete. Applicants must also submit proof of their professional qualifications and experience in the form of a resume or CV.

The cost for taking the CITP exam is $495 USD for members of ICMA and $595 USD for non-members. Additionally, there is an annual fee of $100 USD for maintaining the certification after it has been obtained.

10. Accredited Executive Assistant Certification Program (AEACP)

The Accredited Executive Assistant Certification Program (AEACP) is an online certification program designed to help executive assistants and administrative professionals develop the skills necessary to succeed in their roles. The program is accredited by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

The AEACP consists of four courses which cover topics such as communication, time management, problem-solving, customer service, and more. Each course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete and can be done at your own pace. Upon completion of all four courses, participants must take a final exam to become certified.

To get certified through the AEACP, you must first register for the program on the IAAP website. Registration costs $250 USD and includes access to all four courses. Once registered, you will have 12 months to complete all four courses and take the final exam. After passing the exam with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive your certification from IAAP.

The cost of the AEACP is $250 USD for registration plus any additional fees associated with taking the final exam.

Do You Really Need a Executive Coordinator Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual situation and career goals. If you are looking to enter the field of executive coordination, then a certificate may be beneficial. It can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience required for the job. Furthermore, some organizations may even require a certificate before they will hire you.

On the other hand, if you already have experience in executive coordination or related fields, then a certificate may not be necessary. In fact, many employers value experience more highly than formal qualifications when it comes to hiring decisions. Additionally, having too many certificates can sometimes be seen as a sign of overqualification and make it difficult for employers to decide which one is most relevant to the job role.

Ultimately, it is up to you whether or not you pursue an executive coordinator certificate. You should consider what your career goals are and determine if such a qualification would help you meet them or provide any other benefits that would outweigh its cost and time investment.

Related: Executive Coordinator Resume Examples

FAQs About Executive Coordinator Certifications

Q1: What is an Executive Coordinator Certification?

A1: An Executive Coordinator Certification is a credential that demonstrates advanced knowledge and skills in the field of executive coordination. This certification typically requires passing an examination on topics such as organizing meetings, coordinating travel arrangements, managing office operations, and providing administrative assistance.

Q2: How do I become certified as an Executive Coordinator?

A2: To become certified as an Executive Coordinator, you must have at least two years of experience in the field and pass a certification exam. The exam covers topics such as planning events, managing communications, budgeting, and customer service.

Q3: What are the benefits of obtaining an Executive Coordinator Certification?

A3: Obtaining an Executive Coordinator Certification can help you stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs in the field. It also shows potential employers that you have strong skills and knowledge related to executive coordination. Furthermore, it provides professional development opportunities that can help boost your career growth.

Q4: Is there a cost associated with obtaining an Executive Coordinator Certification?

A4: Yes, there is usually a fee associated with obtaining an Executive Coordinator Certification. The cost varies depending on the provider but generally includes registration fees and the cost of taking the exam.

Q5: How long does it take to obtain an Executive Coordinator Certification?

A5: The amount of time it takes to obtain an Executive Coordinator Certification depends on how quickly you can study for and pass the exam. Generally speaking, it takes several weeks or months to prepare for the exam and complete all necessary paperwork before being officially certified.