CPS/CAP Certification
Professional certification is the mark of excellence and can enhance your career growth.
Certification provides opportunities to enhance your career success through:
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Job Advancement – certification gives you a competitive edge for promotion and hiring.
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Professional Skills – You will learn more about office operations and build skills by studying for and taking the CPS or CAP exam.
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Salary – A recent IAAP membership profile study shows that CPS holders earn an average of $2,228 more per year than those who do not have certification.
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Esteem – Attaining certification demonstrates to your employer and yourself that you are committed as a professional.
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College Credit – Many colleges and universities offer course credit for studying for and passing the CPS and CAP exams.
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Certification Conference – Receive the benefit of annual state-of-the-art education and networking with other professionals in the administrative field.
The CPS rating is the achievement of the internationally recognized standard of proficiency as an administrative professional. The CAP rating will go a step beyond.
About the Examinations
The CPS examination contains three parts and takes one day. The CAP exam is a four part, one and one half day exam. The exams are administered on the first Saturday of May and November each year. Exam locations are available in communities throughout the United States, Canada and other countries. Structure of the exams are:
Part 1: Finance and Business Law (CPS and CAP exams)
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30% Economics
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35% Accounting
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35% Business Law
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135 questions; 2 hours 30 minutes
Part 2: Office Systems and Administration (CPS and CAP exams)
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50% Office Technology
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25% Office Administration
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25% Business Communications
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165 questions; 2 hours
Part 3: Management (CPS and CAP exams)
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36% Behavioral Science in Business
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19% Human Resources Management
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45% Organizations and Management
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165 questions; 2 hours
Part 4: Organizational Planning (CAP exam)
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Team Skills
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Strategic Planning
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Advanced Administration
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100 - 150 items; 3.5 hours
Click here to download the Application Packet
Application Deadlines and Confirmations
Application, fees and supporting documents must be postmarked by these deadline dates:
Examination Dates
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May 4-5, 2007
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November 2-3, 2007
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May 2-3, 2008
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November 7-8, 2008
Deadline Dates
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February 15, 2007
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August 15, 2007
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February 15, 2008
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August 15, 2008
Part 4 of the CAP exam is adminstered on Friday afternoon. Parts 1-3 of the CPS and CAP exams are adminstered on Saturday.
Applications postmarked after the deadline dates will be processed for the next examination.
Confirmation will be sent within four weeks of receipt of application. An examination admission
card will be sent approximately four weeks prior to the examination.
Frequently Asked Questions
