Certification

IAAP CERTIFICATION

THE CAREER ADVANTAGE
IAAP offers two professional ratings for office professionals. The Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) ® and Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) ® ratings are the recognized industry standards of proficiency.

The CPS and CAP exams consist of knowledge of office systems, technology, office administration, and management.  The examinations are based on knowledge acquired by the office professional and formal education.   

By achieving the CPS and CAP ratings through IAAP you will improve your professional qualifications and increase your skills. 

Certification Corner - Linda Chapman, CAP

The American Council on Education merely makes a recommendation; therefore, this will not affect college credit since each school makes their own determination if credit will be awarded or not. At EFAM, a Madison College representative said they will allow at least 40 college credits if not more. 

Listed below are are links for applying for the CPS and CAP exams:

Recertification 
Since January 1, 1988 all CPS holders are required to recertify every five years in order to keep their rating active. CAP holders are also required to recertify every five years to keep their rating active.

Questions regarding certification?

Contact the IAAP Certification Department at 816-891-6600 x2225, x2227 or x2248: or email certification@iaap-hq-org.  

Tips to assist in applying & preparing for the CPS & CAP exams:
1.   New candidates should obtain the Certification Application Packet for complete requirements, application forms, fees, etc. 
 
(Eligible retake candidates will automatically receive a personalized registration form. Retake candidates should not use the Certification Application Packet to apply).

2.   All candidates should obtain the Certification Review Guide to be used to direct any course of study. It includes the outline, bibliography, and sample questions. Comparing the outline with your own background helps you determine what course of study will work best for you. 

3.   Obtain at least one or two comprehensive textbooks in the areas tested (these are listed in the bibliography). Check public libraries, college libraries, publishers, Amazon.com, etc., for these references.  It's important to use several sources when studying for the CPS and/or CAP exams. 

4.   Plan to spend eight to ten hours per week dedicated to intensive study of each area.  If you have a good background in the areas tested, a minimum of two to four weeks will be required for a review of materials. Without a good background, candidates may need three to six hours of course work at community college level in the areas covered on Parts 1-3 of the CPS and CAP exams.  For Part 4 of the CAP exam six to nine hours of upper division management courses are recommended, or the equivalent in on-the-job management training courses.

5.   Review materials are listed in the "References for Broad Overview" section of the Certification Review Guide. Prentice Hall has review manuals and an e-learning course, and makes both available to IAAP members at a discount.  Metcalf Educational Services has audio cassettes and audio CD-ROMs, an interactive CD course, mock exams, and flash cards.  Keep in mind the materials from Prentice Hall and Metcalf Educational Services are intended strictly for review of materials previously learned.  These materials are not intended to teach or to cover everything that will be on the exams.  

Future CPS/CAP Exam dates

Exam Dates                            Registration Deadline Dates

November 4-5, 2011                   August 15, 2011

May 5, 2012                              February 15, 2012

November 2012                         August 2012

The CPS and CAP exams are administered the first consecutive Saturday every May and November.

Note: Certain international centers have been approved to administer the CPS and CAP exams on days other than Friday and Saturday. Refer to the Exam Centers Listing for exam days.       

CPS/CAP Exam Fees