Top 10 Senior Executive Assistant Certifications

Certifications are important for a senior executive assistant in the job market because they demonstrate a mastery of specific skills and knowledge related to the role. Certifications give employers assurance that senior executive assistants possess the necessary qualifications and abilities to perform their duties, which can make them stand out in a competitive job market. They also give employers confidence that an individual has taken the initiative to build upon their existing knowledge base and stay up-to-date on best practices and industry standards. Additionally, certifications can help senior executive assistants remain competitive by increasing their earning potential or helping them move up within an organization.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Senior Executive Assistants, and explain how they can help further their career.

What are Senior Executive Assistant Certifications?

Senior Executive Assistant Certification is a professional certification program designed to help executive assistants and administrative professionals develop their skills and advance their careers. This certification provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in executive assistant roles. The certification includes training in areas such as communication, problem-solving, project management, time management, organization and customer service. By obtaining this certification, individuals can demonstrate their commitment to excellence in the field of executive assisting and demonstrate their knowledge of best practices for executive support. With this certification, individuals can gain recognition from employers as a highly skilled professional who is capable of managing complex tasks and providing high-level support to executives. In addition, this certification can open doors to new opportunities for career growth and advancement within the organization.

Pro Tip: Before pursuing a senior executive assistant certification, make sure that you have the necessary experience and skills required to carry out this role. It is also important to research the different types of certifications available to ensure that you select the one best suited to your career goals.

Related: What does a Senior Executive Assistant do?

Top 10 Senior Executive Assistant Certifications

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

1. Certified Professional Executive Assistant (CPEA)

Certified Professional Executive Assistant (CPEA) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the advanced knowledge and skills of executive assistants. It is an internationally recognized credential that demonstrates an individual’s commitment to excellence in the field.

The CPEA certification is offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). To qualify for the CPEA, applicants must have at least five years of experience as an executive assistant or related position, must have completed a minimum of 60 hours of continuing education related to the field, and must pass a comprehensive exam.

To get certified, you will need to complete an application form and pay a fee. The fee varies depending on your IAAP membership status; it is $395 for non-members and $295 for members. Once your application has been approved, you will be invited to take the CPEA exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as communication, technology, management principles, and organizational skills. You will have three hours to complete the exam.

Once you have successfully passed the exam with a score of at least 70%, you will receive your CPEA certification from IAAP. Your certification will be valid for three years; after this period you may renew your certification by completing additional continuing education credits or retaking the exam.

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 reward administrative professionals who demonstrate excellence in their field. CAP certification is based on the IAAP's Core Competencies for Administrative Professionals, which are divided into four areas: communication, problem solving and decision making, technology, and management.

To become certified as a CAP, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam. The eligibility requirements include having at least two years of experience in an administrative role or completing an approved educational program. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering the four core competencies mentioned above.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the CAP exam. To get ready for the exam, applicants should review study material provided by IAAP and take practice tests. Additionally, applicants can join local study groups or find online resources to help them prepare for the test.

The cost of becoming a Certified Administrative Professional varies depending on several factors such as whether you are an IAAP member or not and what type of study materials you use. Generally speaking, it costs around $400-$500 to become certified as a CAP. This includes registration fees, membership fees (if applicable), and the cost of study materials or courses.

3. Certified Senior Executive Administrator (CSEA)

Certified Senior Executive Administrator (CSEA) 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 executive administrators. The CSEA credential is an internationally recognized symbol of excellence in the field of administrative management.

The CSEA program consists of two parts: a comprehensive online assessment that tests your knowledge and skills in areas such as communication, problem solving, project management, customer service, and technology; and a hands-on project that allows you to demonstrate your ability to apply what you’ve learned. To earn the CSEA credential, applicants must pass both components with a minimum score of 70%.

The entire process takes approximately six months to complete. Once an applicant has passed both components, they will be awarded their CSEA certification.

The cost for the CSEA program varies depending on which package you choose. The basic package includes access to the online assessment and one-on-one coaching sessions with an IAAP-certified coach for $1,495 USD. The premium package includes access to the online assessment plus additional resources such as webinars and study guides for $2,495 USD.

4. Certified Executive Administrative Professional (CEAP)

Certified Executive Administrative Professional (CEAP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the expertise and experience of executive administrative professionals. This certification is administered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

The CEAP program consists of three levels: Certified, Advanced Certified, and Master Certified. To become certified, applicants must have at least five years of administrative experience and pass an exam that covers topics such as office technology, customer service, communication skills, business writing, project management and more.

The Advanced Certified level requires applicants to have at least ten years of administrative experience and pass an additional exam that covers advanced topics such as leadership development, strategic planning and change management. The Master Certified level requires applicants to have at least fifteen years of administrative experience and pass a third exam that covers topics such as financial analysis, budgeting and human resources management.

It typically takes about 6-9 months to complete the CEAP program depending on how quickly you can study for the exams. The cost for the CEAP program varies depending on which level you are applying for but typically ranges from $250-$400 USD per exam.

5. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is an industry-recognized certification program that validates a person’s skills in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access. It is designed to help individuals demonstrate their proficiency in the most commonly used Microsoft Office programs.

The certification process takes about 3-4 months to complete and consists of two parts: the exam and the practice test. To become certified, you must pass both parts of the exam with a score of 700 or higher. The cost for taking the exam varies depending on which version of Microsoft Office you are testing for; however, it typically ranges from $99-$150 USD.

To get started with your MOS certification, you will need to register with Certiport and create an account. Once registered, you can purchase an exam voucher and schedule your exam at any Certiport testing center near you. After completing the exam and passing with a score of 700 or higher, you will receive your official MOS certificate within 4-6 weeks.

6. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a globally recognized certification for project managers. It is administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). The PMP certification demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and experience in leading and directing projects. It is designed to ensure that project managers have the skills and knowledge to successfully manage projects of any size or complexity.

To become certified, individuals must meet certain educational and professional requirements, pass an exam, and agree to adhere to PMI’s Code of Ethics. To be eligible for the exam, applicants must have either a secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree or global equivalent) with at least 5 years of project management experience with 7,500 hours leading and directing projects; or a four-year degree with at least 3 years of project management experience with 4,500 hours leading and directing projects.

The PMP exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions which must be completed within four hours. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of PMI. For members, it costs $405 USD; for non-members it costs $555 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official PMP certification from PMI. This certification is valid for three years after which time you will need to complete 60 PDUs (professional development units) in order to renew your certification.

7. Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate a high level of knowledge, skills and abilities in the field of administrative support. To become certified, individuals must pass an exam that covers topics such as office management, communications, financial management, and technology.

The process to become certified typically takes several months. First, you must complete an application and pay the required fees. Once your application is approved, you will receive instructions on how to register for the CPS exam. After registering for the exam, you will have access to study materials and practice tests that can help you prepare for the test. Once you have completed your studies and are ready to take the exam, you will need to schedule a date and time with IAAP to take it.

The cost of becoming certified can vary depending on which country or region you are in. Generally speaking, it usually costs around $200-$400 USD for registration fees and other associated costs such as study materials or practice tests.

Once you have successfully passed the CPS exam, you will be awarded with a certificate from IAAP recognizing your achievement as a Certified Professional Secretary (CPS). This certification is valid for three years before needing to be renewed.

8. Certified Legal Secretary (CLS)

Certified Legal Secretary (CLS) is a professional certification offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The certification recognizes individuals who have achieved mastery in the field of legal secretarial work. It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and skills in areas such as legal terminology, document preparation, court filing procedures, office management, and other related topics.

The Certified Legal Secretary program consists of two parts: an online course and a proctored exam. The online course covers topics such as legal terminology, document preparation, court filing procedures, office management and more. After completing the coursework, applicants must pass a proctored exam to become certified.

It typically takes around 4-6 months to complete the CLS program depending on how quickly you can complete the coursework. To get started with the CLS program you will need to register with IAAP and pay a fee for the course materials which typically range from $200-$400 USD. Once registered you will receive access to the online course materials which you will need to complete before taking the proctored exam.

Once you have completed your coursework and passed your exam you will be awarded your Certified Legal Secretary (CLS) certificate from IAAP. This certificate is valid for 5 years after which time it must be renewed by taking additional courses or passing another exam.

9. Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI)

The Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) is a global organization that provides professional certifications for human resources professionals. It offers six different certifications, including the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). These certifications demonstrate an individual’s expertise in the field of human resources management.

To obtain certification through HRCI, you must take an exam that covers topics such as employee relations, compensation and benefits, recruitment and selection, training and development, labor law compliance, and more. The exam is offered at various testing centers throughout the United States. Depending on the certification you are seeking, it may take anywhere from four to eight hours to complete the exam.

In order to be eligible to sit for the HRCI exams, you must meet certain prerequisites outlined by HRCI. Generally speaking, these requirements include a minimum of two years of professional experience in human resources or a related field as well as a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution.

The cost of taking an HRCI exam varies depending on which certification you are pursuing; however, most exams range from $300-$400 USD. Additionally, there is a one-time application fee of $50 USD that must be paid when registering for any HRCI exam.

Once you have passed your HRCI exam and met all other requirements for certification, your certification will be valid for three years before needing to be renewed. Renewal requires completion of continuing education credits as well as payment of renewal fees ranging from $100-$200 USD per year depending on your certification level.

10. International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) is a professional organization that provides education, certification, and networking opportunities for administrative professionals. IAAP is dedicated to the advancement of the administrative profession by providing resources, tools, and training to help members reach their goals.

IAAP offers two levels of certification: Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) and Master Administrative Professional (MAP). To become certified at either level, you must pass an exam administered by IAAP. The CAP exam covers topics such as communication, customer service, office management, technology skills, and more. The MAP exam focuses on advanced topics such as project management, organizational development, and strategic planning.

To prepare for the exams, IAAP offers study materials such as textbooks and online courses. These materials are available for purchase from IAAP’s website or through third-party retailers. Additionally, there are practice tests available to help you get familiar with the format of the exams.

It typically takes between three to six months to complete the necessary coursework and prepare for the exams. After passing both exams successfully, you will be awarded your certification from IAAP.

The cost of becoming certified depends on which materials you choose to use for preparation. Generally speaking, it costs around $500-$1000 USD in total to become certified at either level with IAAP.

Do You Really Need a Senior Executive Assistant Certificate?

The short answer is: it depends. A Senior Executive Assistant Certificate may be beneficial in some situations, but it is not a requirement for all executive assistant roles. It can give you an edge in the job market if you are competing with other applicants who do not have this certification. However, if you already have strong skills and experience as an executive assistant, then the certificate may not be necessary.

It is important to consider the specific requirements of your target position when deciding whether or not to pursue a Senior Executive Assistant Certificate. For example, if the role requires a high level of technical expertise or specialized knowledge, then having this certification could be helpful in demonstrating that you have the necessary qualifications for the position. On the other hand, if the job listing does not specify any particular certifications, then it's likely that employers would prefer to see a combination of relevant work experience and/or education rather than just a certificate.

Ultimately, obtaining a Senior Executive Assistant Certificate can give you an advantage over other candidates in certain circumstances. However, before pursuing this certification, it's important to consider how much time and money it will take and whether it will actually benefit your career goals in the long run.

Related: Senior Executive Assistant Resume Examples

FAQs About Senior Executive Assistant Certifications

1. What is a Senior Executive Assistant Certification?

Answer: A Senior Executive Assistant Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates knowledge and skills in the areas of office management, executive assistance, organization, communication, and customer service. The certification is designed to give individuals the necessary skills to excel as an executive assistant in any corporate environment.

2. How do I become certified as a Senior Executive Assistant?

Answer: To become certified as a Senior Executive Assistant, you must pass an exam administered by an accredited certifying body such as the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The exam covers topics such as office management, executive assistance, organization, communication, and customer service.

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

Answer: Becoming certified as a Senior Executive Assistant provides numerous benefits including improved job prospects, increased salary potential, recognition among peers and employers for your expertise in the field of executive assistance, and access to exclusive resources and networking opportunities.

4. How long does it take to complete the certification process?

Answer: On average it takes about 6-12 months to complete the certification process depending on how quickly you can study for and pass the exam administered by an accredited certifying body such as IAAP.

5. What type of jobs can I apply for with my Senior Executive Assistant Certification?

Answer: With your Senior Executive Assistant Certification you can apply for jobs such as executive assistant or administrative assistant at corporations or organizations where your knowledge and skillset will be valued and utilized properly.