Top 10 General Office Assistant Certifications

Certifications can be very important for general office assistants in the job market, as they demonstrate a level of proficiency and knowledge of specific skills. Employers often look for certifications that show a candidate has taken the time to gain a deeper understanding of the role and demonstrates their commitment to professional development. Certifications also demonstrate that an individual has achieved a certain level of expertise in their field and is capable of performing tasks at a higher level than an untrained worker. In addition, certifications are often associated with higher salaries, so having one can help make your resume stand out from the competition.

The purpose of this article is to examine how certifications for General Office Assistants can help advance their career prospects.

What are General Office Assistant Certifications?

General office assistant certification is a type of professional credential that shows employers that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform basic administrative tasks in an office setting. It can help you stand out from the competition when applying for a job and provides proof that you have the ability to handle common clerical duties such as filing, data entry, phone reception, customer service, and other related tasks. The certification also shows potential employers that you are committed to your career and have taken the initiative to gain additional skills. Having a general office assistant certification may give you an edge over applicants who lack such credentials, allowing you to get hired more quickly or be promoted sooner.

Pro Tip: When considering a general office assistant certification, look for programs that are accredited by a recognized body, such as the National Association of Administrative Professionals. This will ensure that your certification is recognized and accepted by potential employers.

Related: What does a General Office Assistant do?

Top 10 General Office Assistant Certifications

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

1. 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 exam covers topics such as communication, customer service, business writing, problem solving, information management, technology applications, financial management, and project management.

It typically takes between three to six months to prepare for the CAP exam. Preparation includes studying for the exam using IAAP-approved study materials and taking practice exams. The cost of the exam varies depending on whether you are an IAAP member or not; however it typically ranges from $250-$400 USD. To become certified you must pass a four-hour multiple choice exam with a score of at least 70%. Once certified, you will receive a certificate and digital badge that can be used to showcase your credentials.

2. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program that validates an individual’s skills in the Microsoft Office suite of applications. It is designed to provide employers with a reliable and consistent way to assess an individual’s proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office programs.

The certification consists of three exams: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. To become certified, you must pass all three exams. The exams are administered by Certiport, which is a testing center authorized by Microsoft.

The length of time it takes to get certified depends on your experience level with the Microsoft Office suite of applications. If you are already familiar with the programs, it may take as little as one day to complete all three exams. However, if you are new to the programs or have limited experience using them, it may take several weeks or months of practice before taking the exams.

To get certified, you must first register for an exam at a Certiport testing center. You can find a list of testing centers on their website. Once registered, you will be given access to study materials and practice tests that will help prepare you for the exam.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on where you take the exam and how many exams you need to take. Generally speaking, each exam costs between $100 and $150 USD per exam.

3. Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) is a professional certification for secretaries and administrative professionals. It is the highest level of recognition for secretaries and administrative professionals in the United States, and it is offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

The CPS certification requires passing an exam that covers topics such as office management, communication skills, business writing, customer service, technology, and problem-solving. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that must be completed in four hours.

In order to become a Certified Professional Secretary (CPS), you must first become a member of IAAP. Membership costs $99 per year and provides access to study materials, practice tests, and other resources. After becoming a member, you can register for the CPS exam online or through mail. The cost for the exam is $195 for members and $295 for non-members.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your CPS certificate from IAAP within 6-8 weeks. You will also receive an official lapel pin to wear as a symbol of your accomplishment. The certification is valid for five years before needing to be renewed with continuing education credits or retaking the exam.

4. Certified Legal Secretary (CLS)

Certified Legal Secretary (CLS) is a professional designation awarded to legal secretaries who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in the legal field. The certification is offered by the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS).

To obtain the CLS certification, applicants must meet certain educational and experience requirements. Applicants must have a minimum of two years of full-time work experience as a legal secretary or paralegal, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. They must also pass an exam administered by NALS.

The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as legal terminology, court procedures, office management and technology. It takes approximately three hours to complete the exam.

The cost for taking the exam is $125 for members of NALS and $175 for non-members. Once certified, CLS holders are required to renew their certification every two years by completing continuing education courses and paying an annual renewal fee of $50.

5. Executive Administrative Professional (EAP)

Executive Administrative Professional (EAP) is a certification that recognizes an individual’s expertise in the areas of executive and administrative support. It is designed to recognize the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform administrative duties at the highest level.

The EAP certification requires a minimum of two years of experience in executive or administrative support roles. To be eligible for the certification, applicants must have completed a minimum of 45 hours of continuing education related to executive and administrative support topics within the past three years.

To obtain the EAP certification, applicants must submit an application and fee to the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The application fee is $225 USD. Once the application has been approved, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as communication, technology, project management, customer service, problem solving and decision making. The exam fee is $200 USD. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their EAP certification from IAAP.

Overall, it typically takes 3-6 months to complete all requirements for obtaining your EAP certification from IAAP.

6. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary for success in medical administrative roles. It is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), an organization dedicated to providing quality healthcare education and certifications.

The CMAA certification program consists of two parts: a written exam and a practical skills assessment. The written exam covers topics such as medical terminology, coding, billing, insurance, patient records management, office procedures, and customer service. The practical skills assessment evaluates candidates’ ability to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.

The CMAA certification program typically takes about six months to complete. Candidates must first register with NHA and pay the associated fees before they can take the exam. After registering, candidates can access study materials online or purchase them from NHA’s website. Once they have studied for the exam, they must schedule an appointment to take it at an authorized testing center.

The cost of the CMAA certification program varies depending on whether you choose to purchase study materials or not. Without purchasing any materials, the cost of registration and taking the exam is $199 USD. With study materials included, the cost rises to $299 USD.

7. Certified Professional Manager (CPM)

Certified Professional Manager (CPM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the achievements of experienced managers and executives. It is administered by the International Association of Management (IAM). The CPM program was created to provide an objective measure of managerial competency and to recognize those who have achieved a high level of excellence in their field.

The CPM program consists of three stages: the pre-certification assessment, the certification exam, and post-certification activities. The pre-certification assessment includes an online self-assessment that evaluates your knowledge and experience in management. Once you have passed this assessment, you will be eligible to take the certification exam.

The certification exam consists of multiple choice questions covering topics such as project management, leadership, communication, decision making, financial management, human resources management, and organizational development. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and must be taken at an approved testing center.

Once you have successfully completed the certification exam, you will receive your CPM designation. You will also be required to participate in post-certification activities such as attending conferences or workshops related to management topics.

The cost for the entire CPM program varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $1,000-$2,000 USD.

8. Certified Office Manager (COM)

Certified Office Manager (COM) 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 office managers in a wide range of roles. The COM designation is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates mastery of the core competencies required for successful office management.

The COM certification program consists of three levels: Certified Office Manager (COM), Advanced Certified Office Manager (ACOM), and Master Certified Office Manager (MCOM). Each level requires successful completion of an exam that covers topics such as office operations, communication, customer service, technology, project management, and business law.

It typically takes 6-12 months to complete the COM certification program. The cost varies depending on the level you are pursuing and whether or not you are an IAAP member. Generally speaking, it costs between $400-$600 USD to become certified at any level.

To get started with the COM certification program, you must first join IAAP as a member. Once you have joined IAAP, you can register for the exam online or through their customer service department. After registering for your exam, you will be given access to study materials and practice tests to help prepare for the exam. Once you have successfully passed your exam, you will receive your official COM certificate from IAAP.

9. National Association of Legal Assistants Certification (NALA-C)

The National Association of Legal Assistants Certification (NALA-C) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in the legal field. It is one of the most respected and widely recognized credentials for legal assistants, paralegals, and other legal support staff.

The NALA-C certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as legal research, writing, communication, ethics, technology, and other areas related to the practice of law. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately four hours to complete. Applicants must also meet certain educational or work experience requirements in order to be eligible for the certification.

In order to obtain the NALA-C certification, applicants must first register with NALA and pay a fee of $395. Once registered, applicants will receive an application packet containing instructions on how to prepare for the exam and how to submit their application materials. After submitting their application materials, applicants will be notified if they have been accepted into the program.

Once accepted into the program, applicants will be required to take a proctored examination at an approved testing center. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their NALA-C certificate within six weeks. The cost of taking the exam is included in the initial registration fee; however, there may be additional fees associated with taking it at an approved testing center depending on location.

10. International Association of Administrative Professionals Certification (IAAP-CPP).

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) Certified Professional Secretary (CPP) certification is a professional credential that recognizes the knowledge and skills of administrative professionals. It is designed to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the administrative profession, including office management, communication, technology, customer service, and problem-solving.

It typically takes six to nine months to complete the requirements for the CPP certification. The program consists of four courses: Office Technology & Procedures; Business Communications; Human Relations & Professionalism; and Management & Leadership. Each course requires 40 hours of study in order to be eligible for the exam.

To get certified, applicants must first submit an application to IAAP and pay a fee. After submitting the application, applicants must complete all four courses within six months and pass an online exam with a score of 70% or higher. Once all requirements have been met, applicants will receive their CPP certification from IAAP.

The cost for the CPP certification varies depending on whether you are an IAAP member or non-member. For members, the cost is $395 USD while non-members pay $495 USD. This fee includes access to all four courses and one attempt at the online exam.

Do You Really Need a General Office Assistant Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual and their goals. If someone is looking to enter a professional office environment, then a certificate in general office assistant could be beneficial. A certificate provides an official recognition of the knowledge and skills acquired in completing a course of study. It can also be used as evidence of proficiency on job applications or when seeking promotions.

On the other hand, if someone is not looking to pursue a career in a professional office setting, then a certificate may not be necessary. Depending on the type of job they are seeking, they may already possess the necessary skills and knowledge to perform those tasks without any additional certifications. Additionally, some employers may require applicants to possess certain credentials or qualifications that would make obtaining a certificate more necessary than in other scenarios.

Ultimately, it’s up to each individual to decide whether or not they need a general office assistant certificate based on their own personal career goals and objectives.

Related: General Office Assistant Resume Examples

FAQs About General Office Assistant Certifications

1. What is a General Office Assistant Certification?

Answer: A General Office Assistant Certification is a credential awarded to individuals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to perform various administrative tasks in an office environment. It typically involves completing a certification program that covers topics such as communication, customer service, filing and record keeping, computer basics, and office procedures.

2. Who should pursue a General Office Assistant Certification?

Answer: Individuals who are looking to develop their career in an office setting or those seeking entry-level jobs in an administrative role may benefit from obtaining this certification. It can also be helpful for employers who are looking to hire qualified staff with the necessary skillset.

3. What kind of courses are included in a General Office Assistant Certification program?

Answer: Courses generally include topics such as communication, customer service, filing and record keeping, computer basics, and office procedures. Other classes may include accounting principles, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, email systems, internet navigation and research methods.

4. How long does it take to complete a General Office Assistant Certification program?

Answer: The length of time needed to complete the program will vary depending on the individual student's pace and prior experience with the material covered in the coursework. Generally speaking however it usually takes between 6 months to 1 year to complete all required courses for this certification.

5. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a General Office Assistant Certification?

Answer: Most programs do not require any specific prerequisites other than basic computer literacy and familiarity with Microsoft Office applications (Word/Excel/PowerPoint). However some programs may require completion of certain courses or passing of exams prior to enrollment into the program itself.