FastTrack - Certified Professionl Secretary
and Certified Administrative Professional

Professional Certification: The Career Advantage

The Certified Professional Secretary® (CPS) and Certified Administrative Professional® (CAP) are professional designations awarded through the auspices of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) and are considered to be a milestone in the office professional field.  These certifications validate the achievement of the internationally recognized standards of proficiency for an administrative professional.

Both designations are attained by a combination of work experience in the office professional field and by successfully passing an IAAP examination - For the CPS, the exam focuses on Office Administration, Office Systems Technology, and Management.  For the CAP, the exam focuses on Advanced Organizational Management.

A first-time test taker has the option to sit for all four parts in one seating to obtain the CAP or they could sit for the three-part CPS to attain that rating and then to attain the CAP, sit at the next test administration of part 4 only.

The RVCC/CCE Certification Review Programs are built around the premise that the participant will first attain the CPS designation and the CAP.

RVCC/CCE Certification Review Program Information:  Click here to learn more about the 72-hour CPS Review Program and the 36-hour CAP Review Program.

Certification Review Programs are available through CCE, with a mid-April start-up for the November exam and a late October start-up for the May exam.

Recertification Process: Once you attain the CPS/CAP you are required by IAAP to update your credentials every five years.  The process is not difficult; the attached sample worksheets will help you document your professional development activities.

American Counsel on Education College Credit Recommendations for the CPS & CAP: Click here if, after you become certified, you are interested in learning about the possibility of attaining college credits. 

For more information on certification review programs or the re-certification process, contact Julia West Johnson, Associate Dean of Corporate & Continuing Education(CCE) at jwest@raritanval.edu or Carol Mauermeyer, CPS/CAP, Faculty Coordinator of Certification Review Programs at cmauerme@raritanval.edu.