Professional Certification

CPS® - Certified Professional Secretary

CAP - Certified Administrative Professional

The Certified Professional Secretary (CPS®) and Certified Administrative Professional Programs are administered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals® (IAAP®), headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri.

To attain the CPS rating, an administrative professional must meet certain education and work experience requirements and pass a comprehensive three-part examination.

The CPS examination:

The CPS Examination is a one-day exam, administered the first Saturday of each May and November, at over 250 locations across the United States, Canada and other countries. The exam has three parts:

Management – 36% behavioral science in business, 19% human resources management, 45% organizations and management;

Office Systems and Administration – 50% office technology, 25% office administration, 25% business communications;

Finance and Business Law – 30% economics, 35% accounting, 35% business law.

The CAP examination:

The CAP exam is a one and one-half day exam, which includes the three parts of the CPS exam and a fourth part – Organizational Planning. The exams are administered the first Friday and Saturday of each May and November. If you do not have the CPS, you are required to take all four parts to achieve the CAP designation. Those who have the CPS are required to take only the fourth part. The fourth part of the CAP exam covers:

Organizational Planning - team skills, strategic planning, advanced administration.

Candidates must take all parts of the examination on the first attempt. Candidates may use six consecutive attempts (three years), if necessary, in which to pass all parts of the examination. The three-year time limit starts the first time the examination is taken. Candidates must take the examination during the year approved or in the following year.

In today's ever-changing business environment, you need every advantage to stay on top. Professional certification shows employers, clients and associates that you are committed as a professional. Certification is a mark of excellence that you carry with you everywhere you go.

The CPS rating offers a significant, measurable, and attainable goal for career-oriented administrative professionals who want to be identified as exceptional. It provides the assurance, which comes from having met an accepted professional standard.

Attaining the CPS/CAP rating will enhance your career success through:

Job Advancement

Professional Skills

Salary

Esteem

College Credit

 Click here for more information and a Certification Application Packet

Recertification

By earning the CPS/CAP rating, you have received the most prestigious designations offered to administrative professionals. The achievement of the CPS or CAP rating is both a validation of current skills and a commitment to a life-long learning process. To help keep current in the administrative profession and to maintain professional competency throughout a career, CPS and CAP holders are required to update credentials through the recertification process.

 Click Here for information on Certification Updates

 Click Here for a Recertification Application Packet

Study Groups

The Valley of the Sun Chapter is not currently offering study sessions at this time.

Questions: Anyone interested in learning about certification can contact Susan Schultz at 602-261-8902 or certification@valleyofthesunchapter-iaap.org.

In the alternative, Valley West Chapter is currently conducting a study group via e-mail. Visit the Valley West Chapter Website under Certification for more information.