Top 11 Staff Assistant Certifications

Certifications are important for a staff assistant in the job market because they provide evidence of an individual’s qualifications and skills. They demonstrate to employers that the individual has obtained a certain level of knowledge and expertise in their field. In addition, certifications can also help a staff assistant stand out from other applicants by showing that they have achieved a higher level of education or training than what is required for the position. This can increase their chances of being hired or promoted. Finally, having certifications may also lead to higher salaries as employers often recognize this additional qualification.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Staff Assistants and explains how they can help to advance a staff assistant's career.

What are Staff Assistant Certifications?

Staff assistant certification is a type of professional credential that recognizes the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful in a staff assistant role. It can help to validate an individual's qualifications and demonstrate their expertise in the field. The certification indicates that an individual has the necessary skills for a staff assistant role, such as communication, organization, problem-solving, customer service, and interpersonal skills. With this certification, employers can be assured that the candidate has received proper training on how to perform their duties correctly and efficiently. Additionally, having this certification may give job seekers an edge over other applicants who do not have it. It can also increase their chances of getting hired for a staff assistant position or advancing within the organization. Ultimately, staff assistant certification can help individuals gain greater professional success and recognition in the workplace.

Pro Tip: When pursuing staff assistant certification, make sure to research the requirements for the specific program you are interested in. Different certifications have different levels of training and experience required, so it is important to make sure that you meet all criteria before beginning the process.

Related: What does a Staff Assistant do?

Top 11 Staff Assistant Certifications

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

1. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program from Microsoft that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in using the Microsoft Office suite of applications. It is designed to validate an individual’s expertise in the use of Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access and OneNote.

It typically takes about 10-15 hours to complete the certification process and become a MOS certified professional. The certification process includes taking an online exam which tests your knowledge and skills on how to use the various features of Microsoft Office applications. The exam can be taken at any authorized testing center or through an online proctoring service.

The cost of getting MOS certified varies depending on the type of exam you are taking and where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $150 per exam to get certified. However, there are discounts available for students and other special offers that may reduce the cost of getting certified.

Overall, becoming a MOS certified professional is a great way to demonstrate your proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and can help open doors for career advancement opportunities.

2. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ Certification is an industry-leading certification program designed to validate the skills of IT professionals. It is a vendor-neutral certification that covers a wide range of topics, including hardware, software, networking, security, and troubleshooting.

The CompTIA A+ Certification consists of two exams: 220-1001 and 220-1002. The first exam covers mobile devices, networking technology, hardware, virtualization and cloud computing, and network troubleshooting. The second exam focuses on operational procedures, software troubleshooting and operational procedures for security.

In order to become CompTIA A+ certified, you must pass both exams. Each exam takes approximately 90 minutes to complete with a maximum of 90 questions per exam. You can expect to spend around 10 hours studying for each exam in order to be adequately prepared.

You can take the CompTIA A+ Certification exams at any Pearson VUE testing center or online using their OnVUE platform. The cost of the exams varies depending on where you take them but typically ranges from $219 - $229 USD per exam.

In total, it will take you approximately 20 hours of study time and up to $458 USD in costs to become CompTIA A+ certified.

3. 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 credential demonstrates that an individual has achieved a high level of expertise in the field of administrative support.

It takes approximately 12-18 months to prepare for and take the CAP exam. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as office technology, business communications, customer service, project management, and leadership.

To become certified as a CAP, you must first meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having at least two years of full-time work experience in an administrative support role or completing at least 60 semester hours from an accredited college or university. You also must pass the CAP exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost to take the CAP exam varies depending on your IAAP membership status. For non-members, it costs $295 USD; for members it costs $195 USD; and for students it costs $95 USD.

4. Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) is an internationally recognized certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The CPS certification is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of administrative professionals. It is a comprehensive program that covers topics such as office management, communication, technology, customer service, and business writing.

It typically takes six months to one year to complete the requirements for the CPS certification. To become certified, applicants must pass an exam that covers nine different areas of expertise: Office Management; Communications; Technology; Customer Service; Business Writing; Project Management; Human Resources; Financial Management; and Leadership/Supervision.

To get started on your path to becoming certified, you will need to join IAAP and pay a fee of $175 USD. After joining IAAP, you will be able to access study materials and take practice exams. Once you have studied for the exam and are ready to take it, you can register online or by mail for the exam. The fee for taking the exam is $225 USD.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official certificate from IAAP in about 6-8 weeks. You will also receive a digital badge that can be displayed on your website or social media accounts to show off your achievement!

5. Certified Legal Secretary (CLS)

Certified Legal Secretary (CLS) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of competency in the legal field. The program is managed by the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS), and it requires successful completion of an exam that tests knowledge of legal terminology, court procedures, and other aspects of the legal profession.

To become certified as a CLS, applicants must first complete an accredited training program or meet certain educational requirements. Applicants must also have at least two years' experience working in a law office or related environment. After meeting these requirements, applicants can register for the exam with NALS and pay a fee.

The CLS exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as civil litigation, criminal law, legal research and writing, contracts, torts, ethics, and more. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and costs $125 for NALS members and $150 for non-members. Upon successful completion of the exam, applicants will receive their official CLS certification from NALS.

6. Certified Professional Manager (CPM)

Certified Professional Manager (CPM) is a professional designation offered by the Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM). It is designed to recognize and reward individuals who demonstrate exceptional managerial skills and knowledge.

The CPM program requires applicants to have at least three years of experience in management, as well as an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. In addition, applicants must complete a series of courses and examinations that cover topics such as leadership, communication, operations management, human resources management and finance. Upon successful completion of the program, individuals receive the CPM certification.

The CPM program typically takes between one and two years to complete. The cost of the program varies depending on the number of courses taken and whether or not exams are taken online or in-person. Generally speaking, the cost ranges between $1,500 - $2,000 USD.

7. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a professional certification that recognizes the knowledge and skills of individuals who provide administrative support to medical offices, hospitals, and other healthcare organizations. This certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

To become certified as a CMAA, individuals must pass an exam administered by NHA. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as medical terminology, patient confidentiality, coding systems, insurance claims processing, scheduling appointments and more. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

In order to take the exam, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements including having at least one year of experience in a medical office setting or completion of an accredited medical administrative assistant program. Applicants must also submit an application fee along with proof of eligibility to NHA.

The cost for the CMAA certification exam varies depending on whether you are an NHA member or non-member. For members, the cost is $125 while for non-members it is $175. There may be additional fees if you need to retake the exam or if you need to reschedule your appointment.

8. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification program developed by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is designed to recognize the knowledge, skills, and abilities of individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in project management. The PMP certification is widely recognized and accepted as a measure of excellence in project management.

To become a PMP, you must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements, pass an exam, and agree to adhere to the PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. To qualify for the exam, you must have either:

• A four-year degree (bachelor’s or global equivalent) with at least three years of project management experience, with 4,500 hours leading and directing projects; or
• A secondary degree (high school diploma or global equivalent) with at least five years of project management experience, with 7,500 hours leading and directing projects.

The PMP exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions that must be completed within four hours. The cost of the exam varies depending on your country/region but generally ranges from $405-$555 USD for members of PMI ($555-$805 USD for non-members).

Once you have passed the exam, you will need to maintain your certification through continuing education activities such as attending conferences or taking courses related to project management. You will also need to pay an annual maintenance fee which is currently $60 USD for members ($150 USD for non-members).

9. Certified Executive Assistant (CEA)

Certified Executive Assistant (CEA) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of executive assistants. It is offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The CEA credential is an internationally recognized symbol of excellence in the administrative profession.

The CEA certification process consists of three parts: passing a written exam, submitting a portfolio demonstrating your experience and expertise, and completing continuing education requirements. The written exam covers topics such as office management, communication, leadership, technology, and customer service. The portfolio must include evidence of your experience in the field and demonstrate your ability to apply the knowledge you have gained through training or on-the-job experience. Finally, you must complete 12 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain your certification.

The cost for the CEA certification program varies depending on whether you are an IAAP member or not. For non-members, it costs $395 for the application fee plus $150 for each part of the exam ($450 total). For IAAP members, it costs $195 for the application fee plus $75 for each part of the exam ($225 total).

Overall, obtaining a Certified Executive Assistant (CEA) credential can take anywhere from 3 months to 1 year depending on how quickly you are able to complete all three parts of the process.

10. Certified Records Manager (CRM)

Certified Records Manager (CRM) is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the management of records and information. The CRM credential is awarded by ARMA International, an association of information professionals dedicated to advancing the practice of records and information management.

To become certified, applicants must demonstrate knowledge and experience in the management of records and information systems, as well as ethical standards for professional conduct. Applicants must pass a written examination that covers topics such as records retention, legal compliance, privacy and security issues, electronic records systems, and other related topics.

The certification process typically takes six months to complete. To begin the process, applicants must submit an application to ARMA International along with the required fee ($295 for members; $395 for non-members). Once accepted into the program, applicants will be provided access to study materials and resources to prepare for the exam.

The cost of becoming a Certified Records Manager includes the application fee ($295-$395) plus any additional fees associated with preparing for and taking the exam (such as books or online courses).

11. Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a level of mastery in the Six Sigma methodology. It is an internationally recognized certification that demonstrates an individual’s ability to lead projects and teams using the Six Sigma principles and tools.

The certification process typically takes around six months to complete, depending on the individual's current knowledge of Six Sigma and how much time they are able to dedicate to studying for the exam. The first step is to attend a training course, either online or in-person, which will provide an overview of the Six Sigma methodology and its associated tools. After completing the training course, individuals can then take the certification exam.

The cost of obtaining a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification varies depending on the provider and type of course chosen. Generally speaking, it can range from $500-$2500 USD per person for online courses, or up to $5000 USD per person for in-person courses.

In order to maintain their certification status, individuals must also participate in ongoing learning activities such as attending seminars or webinars related to Six Sigma topics. Additionally, they must renew their certification every three years by taking an updated version of the exam.

Do You Really Need a Staff Assistant Certificate?

The short answer to this question is “it depends.” A Staff Assistant Certificate can be beneficial in certain situations, such as when you need to demonstrate a level of proficiency or knowledge in a specific area. For example, if you are applying for a job that requires you to have a particular set of skills, having a certificate can show potential employers that you have the required skill set and can help differentiate yourself from other applicants.

However, it is important to remember that having a Staff Assistant Certificate does not guarantee success. Employers will also look at other factors such as your experience, education and overall qualifications when making their hiring decisions. Furthermore, the certificate may not be necessary in some cases; depending on your level of experience and qualifications, an employer may decide that you do not need the additional certification to demonstrate your knowledge or ability in the field.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a Staff Assistant Certificate will depend on your individual circumstances and career goals. If it is something that could help give you an edge over other applicants for certain jobs, then it may be worth obtaining one. However, if it is unnecessary for your current situation or would be too costly for you to pursue at this time, then it may not be necessary.

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FAQs About Staff Assistant Certifications

1. What is a Staff Assistant Certification?

Answer: A Staff Assistant Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and skills in providing administrative, clerical, and technical support to staff and clients.

2. How do I obtain a Staff Assistant Certification?

Answer: To obtain a Staff Assistant Certification, you must complete a training program or course that covers the necessary topics related to the field. You may also need to pass an exam in order to receive your certification.

3. What are the benefits of having a Staff Assistant Certification?

Answer: Having a Staff Assistant Certification can help you stand out among other job applicants and demonstrate your commitment to professional development. It can also give you access to higher-level positions in organizations and provide you with greater job security. Additionally, it can lead to higher salaries and more career opportunities.

4. Is there an expiration date for my Staff Assistant Certification?

Answer: Yes, most certifications have an expiration date of two years after they are issued. You will need to renew your certification every two years in order to maintain it in good standing.

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

Answer: Yes, some programs may require that applicants possess certain educational qualifications or experience in order to be eligible for the certification program. Additionally, many programs require that applicants pass an exam before receiving their certification.