Administrative Assistant Certification: Which Course Is the Right One?

Are you working as an administrative assistant or admin professional? If so, staying current and educated is a must! In order to remain relevant and pursue advancements in your career, you must continue to grow your skills and knowledge. Being complacent or having a know-it-all attitude can stall your career. This is why pursuing an administrative assistant certification is invaluable.

Even if you have a solid resume with ample work experience, attaining a certification could take your career to the next level. Let’s take a look at some options for an admin certification course and which one is the best fit for you. 

Becoming a Certified Administrative Professional

Holding a role as an administrative assistant is no easy task. In most cases, it’s not an entry-level or high-school diploma type of position. As an admin professional, you are responsible for assisting with and organizing the day-to-day functions of the office. If clients, vendors, or colleagues notice any missteps, it often falls on you. These positions are in high demand and often require advanced certification to be competitive. 

Becoming a certified administrative professional will set you apart from the competition. Certification will not only help you in the hiring process, but it also can help you to negotiate a higher wage and a more competitive benefits package. 

There are many online options available for an administrative assistant certification. Most local colleges offer a program that can be done online, in person, at night, or on a hybrid schedule. 

Additionally, there are a variety of certifications and educators that offer a strictly virtual learning option for admin professionals. This is not an exhaustive list, but some of the popular ones are: 

• American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP)

• Office Dynamics

• Red Cape Company 

• Executive Leadership Support 

Enrolling in an online option is best if you are already working in an administrative role. This will allow you to maintain your regular working hours and take courses at your leisure in the evenings or on weekends. In some cases, employers will give a few hours of additional time off a week for study. So, check with your employer to see if they offer any financial assistance or time off for continuing education related to your field. 

Acquiring the PACE Certification & More

PACE Certification

ASAP offers The Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence (PACE. This certification course is broken into four modules:

• Interpersonal communication 

• Task and project management 

• Computer and Internet technology 

• Management Skills 

Once enrolled, you are given one year to review all the modules, study your materials, and take the exam. The prestigious PACE program comes with an easy-to-navigate virtual learning center, an easy-to-follow study guide, a practice quiz for each module, and a practice exam. 

Certified Administrative Professional Certification

The Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) certification is another option for admin professionals. Their course covers office systems, management skills, office technology, and organizational skills training, followed by an exam. 

The exam for the CAP certification is administered through the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). 

Don’t Get Complacent 

The administrative world is continually evolving. Staying current with technology and continuing education is a must. 

By keeping your skill set fresh and up to date, you will secure your place as a valued strategic partner at work. You will also put yourself on track for more competitive pay and benefits packages and advance your career more quickly. 

With the right resources and training, you can transform your career. So don’t wait—enroll in an admin certification program today. 

Editor's Note: A previous version of this article mentioned Office Ninjas, which is currently on indefinite hiatus. We regret the error.