Top 10 Receptionist Assistant Certifications

Certifications are important for a receptionist assistant in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has a strong knowledge base and technical skills to do the job. Certifications can also show employers that the individual is committed to continuing their professional development and staying up-to-date on industry trends. Having certifications can give a receptionist assistant an edge over other applicants when applying for jobs, as it shows employers that they have taken initiative to gain more knowledge and experience in their field. Additionally, certifications may be required by certain employers, so having them can open up more opportunities for potential job seekers.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Receptionist Assistants and explain how they can help advance their careers.

What are Receptionist Assistant Certifications?

Receptionist assistant certification is a professional credential that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to work as a receptionist in an administrative environment. This certification is offered by several professional organizations, including the National Association of Administrative Professionals (NAAP) and the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

The certification demonstrates that an individual has achieved a high level of expertise in their field, which can be beneficial for both employers and employees. For employers, it provides assurance that the employee is well-trained and knowledgeable about their job duties, which can help them provide better customer service. For employees, it can make them more competitive when applying for jobs or promotions. It also shows potential employers that they are serious about their career and are willing to go the extra mile to ensure they are up-to-date on industry trends and best practices.

In addition to providing recognition for those who have achieved a high level of proficiency in their profession, receptionist assistant certification also offers many other benefits. For example, it can provide access to professional development opportunities such as seminars and webinars that help keep individuals up-to-date on industry trends. It can also provide access to networking events where professionals in the field can share best practices with each other. Finally, many organizations offer discounts on products or services related to receptionist work for those who have achieved this certification.

Pro Tip: When considering a receptionist assistant certification, make sure to research the different types of certifications available and choose one that is best suited to your needs. Additionally, look for programs that include hands-on training, as this will give you the opportunity to gain real-world experience.

Related: What does a Receptionist Assistant do?

Top 10 Receptionist Assistant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Receptionist 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). It is designed to recognize and validate the skills and knowledge of administrative professionals in various roles, such as executive assistants, office managers, administrative coordinators, and administrative specialists.

The CAP exam consists of four sections: Business Writing & Communication; Technology Applications; Organization & Time Management; and Human Relations & Professionalism. The exam takes approximately five hours to complete.

To become certified, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having at least two years of full-time work experience in an administrative position or one year of experience if you have completed a college degree related to business administration. You must also pass the CAP exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost for the CAP program varies depending on your IAAP membership status. If you are not an IAAP member, the cost is $395 USD for the exam fee plus additional fees for study materials and other services. If you are an IAAP member, the cost is $295 USD for the exam fee plus additional fees for study materials and other services.

2. Certified Professional Receptionist (CPR)

Certified Professional Receptionist (CPR) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate excellence in reception services. The program was developed by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) and is administered by the IAAP Certification Board.

The CPR program consists of two components: an online course and a written exam. The online course covers topics such as customer service, telephone etiquette, office management, and communication skills. It typically takes about 8-10 hours to complete the course. Upon successful completion of the course, participants are eligible to take the written exam which tests their knowledge and understanding of receptionist duties and responsibilities.

To get Certified Professional Receptionist (CPR) certification, individuals must first register with IAAP and pay a fee for the course materials. Once registered, they can access the online course and take the written exam at any time that fits their schedule. After completing both components successfully, participants will receive their CPR certification from IAAP.

The cost for Certified Professional Receptionist (CPR) certification varies depending on whether you are an IAAP member or non-member. For members, it costs $150 USD while for non-members it costs $200 USD.

3. Certified Medical Receptionist (CMR)

A Certified Medical Receptionist (CMR) is a professional who works in the medical field and is trained to provide administrative, clerical and reception services. They are responsible for greeting patients, scheduling appointments, answering phones, filing paperwork, collecting payments and other duties.

It typically takes about 6 months to complete the training program required to become a CMR. This training program includes courses such as medical terminology, coding systems, medical office procedures and customer service. After completing the training program, you must pass an exam administered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) in order to receive your certification.

The cost of becoming a CMR varies depending on where you take the training program. Some programs may be offered through your local community college or vocational school at an affordable price while others may require you to pay for online courses or attend classes at a more expensive private institution.

Once you have completed the training program and passed the NHA exam, there is no additional cost associated with becoming a CMR. However, it is important to keep up with continuing education requirements in order to maintain your certification status.

4. Certified Office Manager (COM)

Certified Office Manager (COM) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to be successful in an office management role. The COM designation is awarded by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

The COM program requires applicants to complete a series of five courses covering topics such as office technology, communication, project management, customer service, and finance. Each course must be completed with a passing grade before moving on to the next. The courses are offered online or in-person and can take anywhere from six months to two years to complete.

Once all five courses are completed, applicants must pass a comprehensive exam administered by IAAP. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their Certified Office Manager designation.

The cost for the program varies depending on whether you choose online or in-person courses and how quickly you want to complete it. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $1,000-$2,500 USD for the entire program.

5. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program designed to validate proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. It provides industry-recognized credentials that demonstrate an individual’s ability to use the latest Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access.

The MOS certification is available for both the 2016 and 2013 versions of Microsoft Office. To become certified, individuals must pass a series of exams that test their knowledge and skills in each application. The exams are administered by Certiport, an authorized testing center.

The length of time it takes to get certified depends on the individual’s level of experience and familiarity with the applications being tested. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to prepare for and pass all the required exams.

To get certified, individuals must register for the MOS exam at a Certiport testing center and purchase an exam voucher. The cost of the voucher varies depending on which version of Microsoft Office is being tested (2016 or 2013). In general, exam vouchers cost between $90-$120 USD per exam.

Once all required exams have been passed successfully, individuals will receive their official MOS certificate via email within two weeks after completion. This certificate serves as proof that they have achieved the MOS certification status.

6. National Association of Legal Professionals (NALP)

The National Association of Legal Professionals (NALP) is a professional organization that provides education, resources, and advocacy for legal professionals. It was founded in 1979 to provide support and guidance to those working in the legal field. NALP offers certification programs, continuing education courses, job postings, and other resources for its members.

To become certified by NALP, an individual must meet certain educational requirements and pass an exam. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions about legal principles and procedures as well as practical knowledge related to the legal profession. It typically takes between three and six months to complete the exam preparation process.

The cost of becoming certified by NALP varies depending on the type of certification sought. Generally speaking, it costs around $300-$400 for each certification program. This fee covers the cost of materials such as study guides and practice exams as well as the exam itself.

In addition to certifications, NALP also offers a variety of other resources and opportunities for its members. These include networking events, job postings, webinars, conferences, and more. Membership fees vary depending on the level of membership chosen; however, they generally range from $50-$150 per year.

7. Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) is an internationally recognized professional certification for secretaries and administrative professionals. It is awarded by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) and is one of the most widely-recognized certifications in the field.

To become certified, candidates must pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as office management, communication, business technology, customer service, and other related areas. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 3 hours to complete.

The cost of the CPS certification varies depending on the country in which you are taking the test. In the United States, it typically costs around $300 USD. This fee includes access to study materials and practice tests to help you prepare for the exam.

In order to maintain your certification, you must complete at least 30 hours of continuing education credits every three years. These credits can be earned through attending workshops or seminars or by completing online courses related to administrative topics.

8. International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) is a professional organization dedicated to the advancement of administrative professionals. IAAP provides its members with access to resources and education, as well as opportunities for networking and career growth.

To become an IAAP member, applicants must meet certain qualifications. These include having at least two years of experience in an administrative role, having a high school diploma or equivalent, and passing the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) exam. The CAP exam covers topics such as office technology, communication skills, business writing, project management, customer service, problem solving and decision making.

The application process takes about four weeks from start to finish. To apply for membership, applicants must submit an online application form along with proof of their educational qualifications and work experience. Once approved, applicants will receive their official membership card and access to all of IAAP’s benefits.

The cost for IAAP membership varies depending on the type of membership chosen. The basic level of membership costs $99 per year while the premium level costs $199 per year. Both levels offer access to a variety of resources including webinars, workshops, discounts on courses and conferences, job postings and more.

9. American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP)

American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP) is a professional organization that provides education, certification, and career advancement opportunities for administrative professionals. The organization was founded in 1942 and has since grown to include more than 40,000 members worldwide.

Membership in ASAP requires a minimum of two years of experience in an administrative role. To join the society, you must submit an application and pay an annual membership fee. The fee is currently $99 per year.

Once you become a member, you can take advantage of the various benefits offered by ASAP including access to educational resources such as webinars and online courses, discounts on conferences and events, networking opportunities with other administrative professionals, and access to job postings.

In addition to membership benefits, ASAP also offers several certifications for administrative professionals. These certifications are designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a certain level of knowledge and expertise in their field. Certifications are available at both the basic and advanced levels. To obtain certification, applicants must pass an exam which covers topics such as office management, communication skills, customer service techniques, computer applications, project management skills, and more. The exam typically takes about four hours to complete and costs $125 for members or $200 for non-members.

10. Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM).

The Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM) is an international professional organization dedicated to advancing the practice of management and promoting the highest standards of professional excellence. It was established in 1994 by the International Association of Management (IAM). The ICPM offers a certification program for managers, both new and experienced, who want to demonstrate their commitment to excellence in their profession.

The ICPM certification program consists of three levels: Certified Professional Manager (CPM), Senior Certified Professional Manager (SCPM), and Master Certified Professional Manager (MCPM). Each level requires a combination of education, experience, and successful completion of an exam. To become certified at any level, applicants must have a minimum of two years’ experience in a managerial role.

The CPM certification requires applicants to have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience and pass the CPM Exam. The SCPM certification requires applicants to have a master’s degree or equivalent work experience and pass the SCPM Exam. The MCPM certification requires applicants to have a doctorate degree or equivalent work experience and pass the MCPM Exam.

It typically takes between six months and one year to complete the ICPM certification process depending on the individual's educational background and prior management experience. Applicants can prepare for the exams by taking courses offered through IAM or other accredited institutions that provide training specifically designed for ICPM exams.

The cost of becoming certified through ICMP varies depending on which level you are pursuing as well as whether you are taking courses through IAM or another institution. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,000-$2,000 for each level of certification including course fees, exam fees, membership fees, etc.

Do You Really Need a Receptionist Assistant Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your career goals. A receptionist assistant certificate can be useful if you are looking to enter the field of office administration or if you are seeking a job as a receptionist. It can demonstrate to potential employers that you have the skills and knowledge necessary for this type of position.

For those just starting out in their career, a receptionist assistant certificate may be beneficial because it provides evidence that you have completed specific coursework related to the role. It also serves as proof that you have taken the time to learn about the duties associated with being a receptionist and understand how best to carry them out. Additionally, having a certificate may help set you apart from other applicants when applying for a job since it shows that you are committed to honing your professional skills and taking initiative in furthering your education.

In some cases, employers may require applicants to possess certain certifications in order to be considered for a position as a receptionist assistant. Depending on the company, they may also require experience in customer service or other related fields before they will consider hiring someone without any formal certification. Therefore, if your goal is to become a receptionist assistant and an employer requires certification, then obtaining one could be important for getting the job.

At the end of the day, whether or not you need a receptionist assistant certificate depends on your individual situation and career goals. If becoming certified is necessary for achieving your objectives, then it would certainly be worth looking into obtaining one.

Related: Receptionist Assistant Resume Examples

FAQs About Receptionist Assistant Certifications

1. What is a Receptionist Assistant Certification?

Answer: A Receptionist Assistant Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates knowledge and proficiency in the field of reception work, including customer service, telephone etiquette, and office administration.

2. How do I get certified as a Receptionist Assistant?

Answer: To become certified as a Receptionist Assistant, you must complete an accredited training program and pass the associated exam.

3. What are the benefits of becoming certified as a Receptionist Assistant?

Answer: Benefits of becoming certified include increased job prospects, improved job security and higher wages due to the specialized skillset acquired through certification.

4. How long does it take to become certified as a Receptionist Assistant?

Answer: The length of time required for certification will vary depending on the type of program you choose and your individual learning pace; however, most programs can be completed within 6-12 months.

5. What qualifications do I need to become certified as a Receptionist Assistant?

Answer: Qualifications typically include high school diploma or equivalent, basic computer literacy, proficient written and verbal communication skills, excellent customer service skills, and ability to multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment.