Certification and Development
THE CAREER ADVANTAGE
If you're looking for ways to help you get ahead in the workplace, stop here. We at IAAP offer two professionals ratings for office professionals. The Certified Professional Secretary and Certified Administrative Professional ratings are the industry recognized standards of proficiency. You'll improve your professional qualifications, increase your skills and knowledge and raise your self-esteem by taking and passing the exams. You may also obtain college credit and, according the latest survey from OfficeTeam, get up to a 7 percent increase in salary. The CPS and CAP exams are based on the premise that an administrative professional should have basic knowledge of office systems, technology, office administration, and management, and know how to apply the principles of good human relations and communications. Some of the examinations are based on knowledge acquired by the office professional through formal education and informal reading. Employers also expect their admin to be thoroughly familiar with current techniques in office practice and procedures and aware of developments in office systems and technology. Why wati? Do something for yourself and your career today. Get certified! |
| CPS | CAP |
The CPS Examination is a three-part exam, covering the areas office technology, office systems and administration and management | The Advanced CAP Examination is a four-part exam covering the areas of office technology, office systems & administrative management and advanced organizational management |
Future Exam Dates and Deadlines
Following are the dates and deadlines for future CPS and CAP exam administrations:
| Exam Dates | Deadline Dates |
| | November 6-7, 2009 | | August 15, 2009 |
| | May 7-8, 2010 | | February 15, 2010 |
| | November 5-6, 2010 | | August 15, 2010 |
The CPS and CAP exams are administered on the first consecutive Friday and Saturday every May and November.
Part 4 of the CAP exam is administered on Friday afternoon. Parts 1-3 of the CPS and CAP exams are administered on Saturday.
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.
Below are links for applying to take the exams, forms to be submitted and information for review materials and courses.
Certification Application Packet (PDF)
Certification Review Guide (PDF)
Exam Centers Listing (PDF)
Job Function & Employer's Statement (PDF)
Reveiw Materials and Courses
Statistics
There are several review courses being offered throughout the state
Georgia Power Chapter Review Course (2008 Fall Course Cancelled)
"New Course Information Coming Soon"
The Appalachian Chapter has a review course in progress, but will begin another review course in January, 2009; the course contact is Pat Evans, CPS/CAP, (706) 253-5225.
Cherokee Rose Chapter is offering an accelerated Certification Review Course CAP Review Course. The class will be held on March 14th and the mock exam will be hled on April 18th - just in time for the May 2008 exam.
The Mock Exam Review will be held via WEBINAR! Saving your time and gas!
Module IV: (CAP only) is being offered for $125
Please not that the deadline to register and pay for the Review course and Mock Exam is February 13, 2009. For additional information, please e-mail contact Michelle Williams, michelle.williams@gatrans.com.
The Coca-Cola Company Chapter - Certification Review Course
Please contact Sharon A. Morris CAP (404-676-5830).
Athens Chapter - Certification Review Course
Advance your career with the Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) Exam Review Course from the University of Georgia! http://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/ppd/courses/certified_secretary.html
This course is designed in three modules (just as the exam is designed). Each module will include handout materials, discussion groups and a mock CPS exam at the end of each module. Receive a discount when you register for all three modules!
Module I: Office Systems and Technology
Saturdays, July 26 and August 9, 9am-5pm, 14 hours/1.4 CEUs, $129, register for all three at the same time for $369, #66702
Module II: Office Administration
Saturdays, August 23 and September 13, 9am-5pm, 14 hours/1.4 CEUs, $129, register for all three at the same time for $369, #66703
Module III: Management
Saturdays, October 4 & 25, 9am-5pm, 14 hours/1.4 CEUs, $129, register for all three at the same time for $369, #66704
Location: All modules will take place at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education on the UGA campus. For more information or to register, click here.
For additional information or to register by phone please call the Department of Professional and Personal Development at the Georgia Center at 706-542-3537 or e-mail Teresa.Nunn@georgiacenter.uga.edu
The test sites for the state of Georgia follow:
Atlanta - Georgia Power
Atlanta - Georgia-Pacific Corp
Columbus - AFLAC
LaGrange - Ayers Memorial United Methodist Church
Lawrenceville - Gwinnett Co. Government
Macon - Macon State College
Marietta - Cobb Electric Membership Corporation
RecertificationThe Key to Continued Professionalism
Professional certification attests to the competence of those in a given profession. To ensure maintenance of these high standards, periodic reassessment is used to verify that competencies are maintained. For CPS and CAP holders, that reassessment is accomplished through a program of recertification.
CPS and CAP holders must recertify every five years to keep their professional certification status. Points are earned in the categories of Education, Experience, Leadership, and an Elective category. A total of 90 points are required every five years.
The CPS and CAP ratings make a powerful statement of both meeting initial high standards and maintaining those standards through recertification.
All individuals applying for CPS candidacy January 1, 1988, or later are required to recertify. All CAP holders are required to recertify.
Individuals not keeping current through recertification will have their rating marked inactive.
A certificate, valid for five years, and a recertification pin will be issued each time a CPS or CAP holder is recertified.
Detailed information concerning recertification is available in the Recertification Application and/or by contacting the certification department at headquarters.
Recertification points for education programs
An Excel spreadsheet is provided in the link below to assist in tracking recertification points as they are earned.
Recertification Spreadsheet
2009 Certification Conference - October 18-21, in Portland, OR
Hotel reservations can be made now at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront.
For online reservations, click the link above. You will be directed to the property's home page with the code already entered in the appropriate field on the right hand side of the website for reservations.
Room rate $189 single or double occupancy plus applicable taxes
To book over the phone, contact the worldwide reservations line at 800.228.9290. When calling, be sure to mention the IAAP code (iaa) or the name and dates of the group.
Complete Conference details will be available in the spring of 2009. Conference registration will open June 1 for those who hold an active CPS or CAP rating and, space permitting, August 1 for those not certified.
Future Dates and Sites
2010: Louisville, KY, October 17-20, Hilton Seelbach Hotel
The Academy
Another benefit of certification is the opportunity to join The Academy. The Academy is similar to a college/university alumni association. To belong to The Academy the individual must hold an active CPS or CAP rating. Annual dues are $15 for IAAP members and $30 for nonmembers. Membership benefits include receiving the Academy News, published electronically four times per year and only available to active Academy members, a special reception at the annual Certification Seminar and a recognition ribbon at the International Convention & Education Forum.
Academy Application