The Institute for Certification, a department of IAAP®, offers the Certified Administrative Professional® (CAP®) and the Certified Professional Secretary® (CPS®) ratings, which are the recognized standard of proficiency for office professionals.
The Institute has two major goals: (1) to prepare and administer the semi-annual examinations; and (2) to promote the certification programs. These goals stem from the objective to upgrade the office profession by encouraging candidates to raise their standards of professionalism.
Although advantageous, membership in IAAP is not required to become a CAP or CPS holder. Since the first CPS examination in 1951, over 53,000 administrative professionals have achieved the CPS rating. The CAP exam was launched in May 2001. Full-time office professionals, students and business educators are eligible to apply to take the certification exams. Preparation for the exams is through self-study.®
Please review:
Certification Application Packet (PDF)
Certification Review Guide (PDF)
Job Function and Employer's Statement (PDF)
Study materials:
Metcalf Educational Services (Logan, UT)
By earning the CAP and/or CPS rating, you have received the most prestigious designation offered to office professionals. The achievement of the CAP and/or CPS rating is both a validation of current skills and commitment to a life-long learning process. To help keep current in your profession and to maintain a professional competency throughout your career, you are encouraged to update your credentials through the recertification process. The process is not difficult. In fact, if you have made a commitment to continuing education and are making every effort to keep pace with changes in the workplace, you have probably embraced the concepts of recertification on your own. Recertification is required to maintain the currency of your designation.
Please review:
Recertification Brochure (PDF)
