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.

Certification Emblematic Merchandise

We are pleased to announce new certification emblematic merchandise is now available to purchase through the IAAP Bookstore.  There are CPS, CAP, and CPS/CAP paperweights; CPS, CAP, and CPS/CAP desktop business card holders; and jeweled CPS and CAP pins (these do not replace the official pins provided by International when an individual attains the CPS or CAP rating).

Exam Fees Effective with November 2009 Exams

**Individuals with an active CPS rating may apply to take Part 4 only of the CAP exam.

Future Exam and Deadline Dates

2009 - 2010 Exam Dates Deadline Dates
November 6-7, 2009 August 15, 2009
May 7-8, 2010 February 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.

 The deadline for applying to take the November 6-7, 2009, CPS or CAP exam is August 15, 2009. 

New candidates will find the Certification Application Packet at http://www.iaap-hq.org/prodev/certification/CertAppPacket.pdf. Eligible retake candidates will receive a personalized Registration Form by the end of July.

Candidates applying after the deadline will pay a $50 late fee. Late applications will be accepted only until August 31, 2009; this is a receipt date, not a postmark date.  Applications received after August 31, 2009 will automatically be processed for the May 2010 exams.

2009 Certification Conference

Registration for the 2009 Certification Conference, Sharp Skills for Tough Times, will open June 1 for those with an active CPS or CAP rating.  Space permitting, regular registration for those not certified will open August 1.

Location:  Portland OR

Hotel: Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront

Room Rate: $189 single or double plus applicable taxes

Registration Fees:

Early Bird – June 1-July 31 (active CPS and CAP holders only)

$525 IAAP members / $605 nonmembers

Regular Registration – August 1-September 21

$615 IAAP members / $725 nonmembers

Watch for additional details and registration here.

Recertification

Remember to share with CPS and CAP holders the changes to the recertification program effective January 1, 2009.

Categories from which to earn the required 90 points:

Education – up to 90 hours; a minimum of 30 hours is required

Experience – a maximum of 30 points

Leadership – a maximum of 30 points

Elective – a maximum of 30 points

Changes in accepting recertification packets and fees:

Effective January 1, 2009, those CPS and CAP holders who do not recertify by their time limit may have a 120-day grace period to submit their complete recertification paperwork. Those individuals will pay the initial $75 recertification fee plus a $100 late fee.  All recertification points need to be earned within the original five year time limit, and if approved, recertification will be back-dated to that time.  This new process is not retroactive.

To assist members and guests to attain these needed points, make sure to work with your program chairman to request recertification points for your chapter and division educational programs.  The educational programs must be at least one-hour in length and must cover topics relevant to the exam outline; (business meetings are not eligible for recertification points).

Details on requesting recertification points for chapter and division educational programs can be found here. Please submit the request to certification@iaap-hq.org at least two (2) weeks prior to the program.  Programs cannot be approved after the fact.   All program requests received at certification@iaap-hq.org are acknowledged within 24 hours (unless received on the weekend).  If you do not receive that e-mail confirmation, please send a follow-up message.