Workforce Training

Office Administration Certifications

Certified Administrative Professional

As businesses evolve, so do the roles and responsibilities of administrative professionals. Many administrative professionals now give themselves a competitive edge by earning the industry-recognized Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) certification from the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

A 100% online course, offered through Wake Tech's partner Ed2Go, can be started and completed at any time. It will help you understand administrative fundamentals, including financial responsibilities and project management, and master the CAP body of knowledge. Gain the technical skills and knowledge needed to earn this valuable industry credential and become prepared to take the IAAP certification exam.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that the median annual wage for administrative assistants was $47,460 in 2024. Among the office and administrative support occupations listed by the BLS, those that require specialized skills offer the highest levels of pay and future opportunities. According to labor market research firm Lightcast, the job postings requesting these skills the most were for administrative, executive and paralegal assistants.

The Microsoft Office Specialist Associate designation is earned through performance-based examination. By acquiring this credential, you may set yourself apart from other candidates. Demonstrate to potential employers your level of expertise and show that you have the skills necessary to use Microsoft products to increase business efficiency in a range of scenarios.

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Frequently asked questions

No. However, as the modern office becomes more technology-driven, having formal training is key to advancing your skill set and staying ahead of the curve. Employers want candidates who can hit the ground running in their organization without further training, which certification proves.
CAP is an assessment-based certification for office and administrative professionals. As an industry-recognized certification, it designates that you understand the duties, responsibilities and knowledge required of an administrative professional in today's workplace.

To be eligible for the Certified Administrative Professional exam, candidates must meet the following requirements:

  • No college degree - four years of relevant work experience
  • Associate degree - three years of relevant work experience
  • Bachelor's degree - two years of relevant work experience

Relevant work experience includes typical duties for office and administrative professionals including the following:

  • Conducting business communication, including emails and memos
  • Overseeing office functions and record-keeping
  • Managing projects, budgets and meeting schedules
  • Coordinating between staff and clients

According to labor market research firm Lightcast, most job postings request that office and administrative support professionals have skills that include administrative support, scheduling, customer service and appointment setting.

A Microsoft Office Specialist certification demonstrates a candidate's competence and shows potential employers that he or she is capable of using Microsoft Office software in a variety of circumstances.

According to Microsoft, you must successfully pass three of the following exams to receive the Microsoft Office Specialist Associate certification:

  • MO-100: Microsoft Word (Word and Word 2019)
  • MO-200: Microsoft Excel (Excel and Excel 2019)
  • MO-300: Microsoft PowerPoint (PowerPoint and PowerPoint 2019)
  • MO-400: Microsoft Outlook (Outlook and Outlook 2019)