Top 10 Executive Personal Assistant Certifications

Certifications are important for an executive personal assistant in the job market because they demonstrate the individual’s commitment to their profession and knowledge of the field. They can provide a competitive edge when applying for positions and help potential employers assess an individual’s qualifications, skill set, and experience. Additionally, certifications can open doors to higher-paying positions and help build credibility with employers who may be unfamiliar with an individual’s work history. Finally, certifications can help boost confidence in a professional’s abilities by providing tangible proof of their skillset.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the most beneficial certifications for Executive Personal Assistants and how they can help advance their careers.

What are Executive Personal Assistant Certifications?

Executive Personal Assistant Certification (EPAC) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the skills and competencies of those who provide administrative support to executives. EPAC is targeted towards executive personal assistants, executive secretaries, administrative professionals, and other office professionals who provide direct support to senior management in corporate and business environments.

The EPAC certification program identifies and validates the knowledge and skills necessary for successful performance in the role of an executive personal assistant. This includes areas such as communication, problem solving, customer service, planning & organization, ethics & professionalism, technology proficiency, time management & stress management. The program provides a comprehensive assessment of an individual's knowledge and abilities in these areas through the use of online learning materials and a final exam.

Having an EPAC certification can be beneficial for individuals seeking career advancement or those who are looking to enter the field of executive personal assistance. It demonstrates that you have attained a certain level of expertise in the area and can be used as evidence of your professional qualifications when applying for positions or negotiating salaries. In addition, having this certification may give you an edge over other applicants when vying for a promotion or new job opportunities. Furthermore, it can help open doors to networking opportunities with peers in similar roles at other organizations.

Pro Tip: Consider obtaining an executive personal assistant certification to demonstrate your commitment to the profession and stay up-to-date on the latest best practices. Certification can provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in the role and help you stand out from other applicants.

Related: What does an Executive Personal Assistant do?

Top 10 Executive Personal Assistant Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Executive Assistant (CPEA)

Certified Professional Executive Assistant (CPEA) is a certification program designed to help executive assistants and administrative professionals demonstrate their expertise in the field. The CPEA certification is offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), which is an international organization dedicated to advancing the profession of administrative professionals.

To become certified, applicants must have at least five years of experience as an executive assistant or administrative professional, and must pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as office management, business communication, technology, customer service, project management, and organizational skills.

The certification process typically takes about three months from start to finish. Applicants must first register for the exam by submitting an application and paying a fee. Once approved, applicants will receive study materials and can begin studying for the exam. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their CPEA certificate.

The cost for the CPEA certification program varies depending on whether you are an IAAP member or non-member. For IAAP members, there is a $200 application fee plus a $300 examination fee; for non-members, there is a $400 application fee plus a $400 examination fee.

2. Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is a professional certification program 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 an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates mastery of the core competencies required for success in today’s administrative profession.

The CAP exam consists of four sections: Business Writing & Communications; Technology Applications; Organizational Management & Leadership; and Administration & Information Management. To be eligible to take the CAP exam, applicants must have at least two years of full-time work experience in an administrative role or an associate's degree in business or related field.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for and pass the CAP exam. During this time, candidates should review the exam content outline and study materials provided by IAAP, attend webinars or workshops, practice with sample questions, and use other resources available online.

The cost to take the CAP exam varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of IAAP. For members, it costs $375 USD while non-members must pay $450 USD.

3. Certified Executive Administrative Professional (CEAP)

Certified Executive Administrative Professional (CEAP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and promote the highest standards of excellence in executive administrative professionals. The certification is offered through the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

The CEAP program consists of three levels: Certified Professional Secretary (CPS), Certified Administrative Professional (CAP), and Master Administrative Professional (MAP). To earn the certification, applicants must complete a series of courses and exams that cover topics such as communication, business writing, problem solving, and technology.

It typically takes two to four years to complete the CEAP program. During this time, applicants must complete at least 80 hours of coursework and pass four exams. In addition, applicants must have at least three years of full-time work experience in an administrative position.

The cost for the CEAP program varies depending on the level you are pursuing. For example, the cost for CPS certification is $395 USD; CAP is $495 USD; and MAP is $595 USD.

To get started with the CEAP program, applicants must first become members of IAAP by paying an annual membership fee. After becoming a member, applicants can register for courses online or by mail. Once registered for courses, applicants will receive study materials that they can use to prepare for their exams.

4. Certified Executive Secretary (CES)

Certified Executive Secretary (CES) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The CES certification is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of executive secretaries and administrative professionals. It provides recognition for those who have achieved excellence in their field.

The CES certification requires successful completion of an exam that covers topics such as office management, communication, customer service, problem solving, technology, project management, leadership, and business writing. It typically takes about six months to prepare for the exam. Candidates should have at least three years of experience in an administrative role before taking the exam.

To get certified as a Certified Executive Secretary (CES), candidates must first register with IAAP and pay a fee of $150 USD. Once registered, candidates will receive study materials and access to online resources to help them prepare for the exam. After successfully passing the exam, candidates will receive their official certificate from IAAP.

The cost of getting certified as a Certified Executive Secretary (CES) varies depending on the country you are located in. In general, it costs around $150 USD to register with IAAP plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam.

5. 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 individuals who demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and skills required for successful performance in administrative roles.

The CPS certification requires passing a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as office management, communication, technology, customer service, and organizational skills. 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 administrative experience or equivalent part-time experience within the past five years. Applicants must also have completed at least 30 hours of approved continuing education courses related to administrative work within the past three years.

The cost to take the CPS exam varies depending on your IAAP membership status. For non-members, it is $295 USD; for members, it is $245 USD.

6. Microsoft Office Specialist Certification for Executive Assistants

Microsoft Office Specialist Certification for Executive Assistants is a certification program designed to demonstrate an individual’s proficiency in using Microsoft Office applications. The certification covers the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook and is designed to help executive assistants stay up-to-date on the latest office technologies.

The certification requires passing two exams: one for Word and one for Excel. Each exam takes about 90 minutes to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge of the software. You must pass both exams with a score of 700 or higher to earn the certification.

To get certified, you will need to register with Certiport, a testing center that administers Microsoft Office Specialist exams. You can find a list of authorized testing centers on the Certiport website. Once you have registered, you will be able to schedule your exams at any time convenient for you.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on where you take the exam and which version of Microsoft Office you are being tested on (e.g., Office 2016 or Office 2019). Generally speaking, it costs around $100 per exam plus any additional fees charged by the testing center.

7. International Association of Administrative Professionals Certification

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) Certification is a professional development program that recognizes individuals who demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to excel in administrative roles. It is designed for administrative professionals who want to demonstrate their expertise and commitment to the profession.

It takes approximately six months to complete the certification process, depending on how quickly you complete the required coursework and exams. To get certified, you must first join IAAP as a member and then register for the certification program. The program includes three courses: Administrative Professional Fundamentals (APF), Advanced Administrative Professional (AAP), and Certified Administrative Professional (CAP). Each course requires passing an exam with a score of 80% or higher. Once all three courses have been completed and passed, you will be awarded your certification.

The cost of the IAAP Certification Program varies depending on whether you are an IAAP member or non-member. For members, it costs $495 USD; for non-members, it costs $595 USD. This fee covers all three courses and exams as well as access to online study materials and other resources.

8. Project Management Institute’s Certified Associate in Project Management

The Project Management Institute’s Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) is a certification designed to demonstrate an individual’s understanding of the fundamentals of project management. It is intended for those who are just starting out in the field or who want to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in project management.

The CAPM requires a minimum of 23 contact hours of formal education in project management, which can be obtained through a variety of sources such as online courses, university classes, or workshops. After obtaining the required education, individuals must pass an exam administered by the Project Management Institute. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes three hours to complete.

In order to become certified, individuals must pay a fee that varies depending on their country and membership status with the PMI. The cost typically ranges from $225 USD for non-members to $300 USD for members. Once certified, individuals must renew their certification every five years by taking 60 professional development units (PDUs) and paying a renewal fee.

Overall, it typically takes about three months to become certified if you have already obtained the necessary education hours prior to taking the exam.

9. Advanced Certificate in Executive Assistance

Advanced Certificate in Executive Assistance is a program designed to provide individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to become an effective executive assistant. The program is typically offered by universities, colleges, or professional organizations. It usually takes between 6-12 months to complete the coursework, depending on the institution offering it.

The coursework for this certificate typically includes topics such as business writing, communication skills, organizational skills, office management, technology and software applications. It also covers areas such as project management and customer service. In addition to the classroom-based instruction, students may be required to complete internships or other hands-on experiences in order to gain practical experience in the field.

To get an Advanced Certificate in Executive Assistance, students must first meet the admission requirements of their chosen institution. This will usually include having a high school diploma or equivalent qualification. Once admitted into the program, students must then complete all of the required coursework and any other requirements set out by their institution.

The cost of an Advanced Certificate in Executive Assistance varies depending on the institution offering it. Generally speaking, tuition fees for this type of program can range from $2,000-$10,000 USD (or more). Additional costs may include textbooks and supplies as well as any associated fees for internships or other experiential learning activities.

10. Certified Legal Secretary (CLS)

Certified Legal Secretary (CLS) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of legal secretaries. It is offered by the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS). The certification is meant to demonstrate a mastery of the core competencies required for legal secretary work, including legal terminology, document preparation, calendaring, filing systems, court procedures, and office management.

To become certified as a CLS, applicants must pass a two-hour exam that covers these topics. The exam can be taken at any Prometric Testing Center in the United States or online through NALS. Applicants must also have at least two years of experience working as a legal secretary or paralegal.

The cost for taking the CLS exam varies depending on whether you take it at a testing center or online. At Prometric Testing Centers, the cost is $125; online exams are $95. There are also additional fees for retaking the exam if necessary.

Once you have passed the exam and met all other requirements for certification, you will receive your official CLS certificate from NALS. This certificate is valid for three years and can be renewed by taking an updated version of the CLS exam every three years.

Do You Really Need a Executive Personal Assistant Certificate?

The short answer is no, you do not need an executive personal assistant certificate in order to be a successful executive personal assistant. While having such certification may certainly provide additional credibility and demonstrate your commitment to the job, it is not a requirement for success.

In fact, many employers prefer to hire experienced executive personal assistants based on their skills and experience rather than relying solely on certifications. This is because an executive personal assistant's primary responsibility is to provide support to their employer and ensure that they are able to complete their tasks in an efficient and effective manner. Having a certification provides evidence of some level of knowledge, but it does not necessarily guarantee that the individual has the necessary skills or experience needed for the role.

However, if you are interested in gaining additional knowledge and credentials related to being an executive personal assistant, then getting certified can be a great way to do so. Such certification programs can provide you with training in areas such as communication, organization, problem solving, leadership development and more - all essential skills for any successful professional working in this field. Additionally, having such certification can help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs as well as give you access to exclusive networking opportunities.

In conclusion, while having an executive personal assistant certificate is not necessary for success in this role, it can certainly help open up new opportunities and further your career goals if that is something that interests you.

Related: Executive Personal Assistant Resume Examples

FAQs About Executive Personal Assistant Certifications

1. What are the benefits of becoming an executive personal assistant?

Answer: Becoming an executive personal assistant can provide you with a wide range of benefits, such as increased job security, professional development opportunities, improved communication and organizational skills, and higher earning potential.

2. What are the requirements to become certified as an executive personal assistant?

Answer: Requirements to become certified as an executive personal assistant vary by region and certification program. Generally speaking, most programs require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent, at least two years of experience in administrative support roles, and completion of a specified number of continuing education credits in relevant topics.

3. How long does it take to get certified as an executive personal assistant?

Answer: The length of time required to complete a certification program typically depends on the individual's prior knowledge and experience level. In general, it can take anywhere from six months to one year for someone who is new to the field to obtain their certification.

4. Is there any cost associated with becoming certified as an executive personal assistant?

Answer: Yes, there are usually costs associated with obtaining certification as an executive personal assistant. These costs may include registration fees for the certification exam, course materials, textbooks or other materials related to the program, and travel expenses if attending courses in person is necessary.

5. Are there any online programs available for those interested in becoming certified as an executive personal assistant?

Answer: Yes! Many universities offer online certificate programs that cover the fundamentals of being an effective executive personal assistant. Additionally, some colleges offer short-term certificate programs specifically designed for individuals seeking this type of certification.