Certification

CAP Accreditation Progress --

Fri, 19 Jan 2018 19:03:02 GMT

I received this email from Certification Administration Board Chair Elizabeth White-Peters just now.

PSA: CAB News

Congratulations to our own Barbara Weathers, Certification Program Manager, for achieving another step in the accreditation process. It’s our pleasure to announce that the initial phase in the CAB mission has been met & exceeded expected due dates by >2 weeks! Now, we wait for the NCCA to notify us of the next steps & timeline. More to come...thanks to all of CAB from day 1 to reach this milestone successfully..on to the next. Getting closer!

Please applaud each other for all of of our efforts to achieve this landmark! This has been a huge TEAM effort...
Elizabeth

Exciting CAP News (cross post)

Wed, 1 Nov 2017 12:59:15 GMT

Have your heard the exciting news from IAAP? We are working hard to obtain accreditation of the Certified Administrative Professionals (CAP) exam! What does this mean for you?

Increased recognition world-wide of the CAP credential
More employers will recognize the value and importance of the credential\
More opportunities for college credit
Ensures the future growth of the CAP Program
Creates distinction between your credential and other similar credentials that are not accredited

Earning NCCA accreditation will raise the bar for current and future CAP designees by enabling the Certification Program and the Certification Administrative Board to demonstrate it has met the stringent standard set by the credentialing community. It will help CAP stand out as the only accredited certification for administrative professionals world-wide. Please contact IAAP headquarters at certification@iaap-hq.org with any questions.

Put in the time studying only to feel like I knew nothing when I took the e

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:08:20 GMT

Did anyone else put countless hours into studying only to sit down for the test and feel as if all the material you learned just suddenly disappeared from your brain? I also could not stop overthinking every question. Having been an executive admin for over five years now, I kept swaying between two answers for a lot of the questions. I would feel confident it was one answer but then start thinking of different circumstances and scenarios where another answer would apply. I should probably not have tried to apply answers to my on-the-job experiences and just been more general with it. Just feeling a bit discouraged. I wanted to be able to feel confident I passed but that is not how I feel at all.

CAP recertification portal

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 19:13:11 GMT

Does anyone know how to delete a journal entry from the CAP recertification portal? I accidentally entered one of my courses twice and cannot figure out how to delete one of the entries.

2026 Spring CAP Candidate - How are you feeling?

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 15:52:17 GMT

Scheduling for the Spring 2026 CAP Exams opens next week on March 5. For those registered to take the exam, how are you feeling? Do you feel prepared? Nervous? Confident? Overwhelmed? Maybe all of the above? This is the moment when all of your preparation meets reality. Those feelings are completely normal. Please share where you are at. What’s going well with your studying? Where are you feeling unsure? You are not doing this alone. I am confident I speak for everyone with CAP behind their name when I say we are here for you and we are your biggest cheerleaders.

CAP 2026 Spring Exam

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 17:12:51 GMT

I have decided to retake the CAP test in the Spring, as I was only shy 23 points in my Fall exam. I am in the study group with Marie Herman, CAP, OM, ACS, MOSM; marie.herman@mrhenterprises.com and hope to achieve my goal, this time around. I have a hard time when it comes to studying, due to my ADHD, but I am not going to let that stop me from achieving my goal of becoming a Certified Administrative Professional. I originally wanted to become a High School History teacher, since I obtained a Bachelor's of Liberal Arts Degree focusing on History, with an Associate's Degree in both Political Science and Geography. With all the laws changing, and moving to technology to teach kids, I decided to go into local government. I started small (Fire Department Secretary), but eventually worked my way up to the Administrative Assistant position with the City Secretary's office. It was the encouragement of the then City Secretary and then Assistant City Secretary, that I took the step to becoming a Certified Administrative Professional. I am showing my little one, that you can achieve anything that you set your mind (and heart) on.

How are you studying (or how did you study) for the CAP exam?

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 21:41:20 GMT

Hello everyone. I’m planning to sit for the Spring 2026 exam and intend to join a study group. I’d love to hear what else worked well for you - resources, study strategies, routines, or tips you wish you’d known earlier. I would also appreciate some clarification regarding the exam format. Can the exam be taken remotely from home, or does it require going to a testing center? For context, I’m in Nigeria. Thanks in advance!

Studying for the Spring CAP exam

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 22:10:36 GMT

I embarked on a new chapter of Administrative assistant a couple of years ago by joining the Fire-Rescue Department in my city. I had been doing administrative work for quite some time but never for Fire. It has been a whole new world of experiences and language and I love it. One of the new experiences was signing up for an administrative group through the county's fire chiefs' association. Part of the membership included a membership to IAAP. Through that membership, I learned about the certification. Our firefighters are all paramedics, a lot have master's degrees. They are constantly training and recertifying themselves and keeping their skills honed. I feel as their support, I should be working just as hard to hone my skills and training. And so, it begins my journey to become certified. Yikes!

Preparing to Pass the Spring 2026 CAP Certification

Sat, 13 Dec 2025 20:44:04 GMT

I realize that the subject sounds confident but truthfully I woke up twice this week telling myself that I can just wait until the fall to take the exam. But I know if I did that, I wouldn't take it in the fall either. After the moments of self doubt pass I know that if I put my mind to it, I will pass. In October I found out that the person I support is leaving (in January) and at this time there is no indication that they will replace the position. Could mean something, could mean nothing but I would rather control my destiny. Certification is step (along with a few others) in that direction. Cherry on top, I am over 60. Ageism is out there so I'm hoping that certification will strengthen my case as a viable candidate when looking for a new position. If the spring 2026 CAP certification is also your goal, I wish you all of the best and I thank you in advance for your support. We're going to be just fine! Regards, Tony Cabrera

CAP Exam

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 02:14:50 GMT

Getting ready to take the CAP exam in the Fall! Feeling a little overwhelmed and tired already from the additional work but am motivated to continue on through a desire for excellence, in alignment with my own values and for the greater good of all those with whom I work. Studying with Marie Herman and on my own for the next six weeks--here's to the journey ahead!

Investing in Myself: My CAP Exam Journey Begins

Thu, 4 Dec 2025 01:37:24 GMT

Hi everyone! I'm excited to share that I've officially begun preparing for the Spring 2026 CAP Exam. Earning the CAP certification has been a personal goal of mine for quite some time, and I'm grateful that the timing is finally right to fully commit to it. For me, this journey is about growth - expanding my knowledge, strengthening my confidence, and continuing to elevate the work I love as an Administrative Professional. I'm feeling hopeful, motivated, and admittedly a little nervous, but I'm ready for the challenge and eager to prove to myself that I can do this. Adding the CAP credentials to my professional signature will be a meaningful milestone in my career, and I look forward to sharing the progress along the way. Thank you all for your support!

Preparing for Spring 2026 CAP Exam

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 17:43:54 GMT

A few weeks ago, I signed up for the Spring 2026 CAP exam and have started my studying. However, I feel like I am fighting my internal detail-focused personality in the sense that I am wondering if I an drilling down too far into the details while studying. I am only through PO #2 and have over 100 flash cards I am trying to memorize. LOL! Is there a study group I can join to ask questions and/or seek guidance from those further on the journey so that my focus can be more intentional? Thank you!

Spring 2026 CAP Exam Preparation

Mon, 8 Dec 2025 19:58:33 GMT

I have decided to join Marie Herman's study group to prepare myself for the Spring 2026 CAP exam. I have worked in administration of some form for as long as I can remember. I had never heard of the CAP certification prior to coming to work for my current employer, and I'm very thankful for this opportunity to further my career and professional growth. I am excited to see what I can accomplish through the teachings of the study group and support from my instructor and fellow students.

New to CAP Study Group

Mon, 8 Dec 2025 19:58:25 GMT

Hi everyone! I'm Rebecca. I'm also new to this forum, organization and have signed up for the CAP Study Group with Marie. I plan to take the CAP exam in the spring. I learned about IAAP years ago while working for another organization from a supervisor who I very much admired and respected. She went on to bigger and better well-deserved positions. I would like to earn the CAP certification for myself and my own sense of accomplishment. I look forward to "meeting" you all!

Signed up for CAP study group

Mon, 8 Dec 2025 17:26:16 GMT

Very excited to be starting a new journey into the CAP world. I am currently working as a certified Permit Technician for the Kirkland Fire Department in the Prevention Bureau. While I do all things related to Fire Permit Tech work, I am also the Admin for this division. I am looking forward to hopefully obtaining my CAP credential this spring.

Why I'm taking the Spring 2026 CAP Exam

Tue, 9 Dec 2025 01:23:23 GMT

Hi everyone! My name's Rachel Banks, and I've been an administrative assistant for about 2.5 years. I'm taking the CAP exam to improve my administrative skills and enhance my future employment prospects. Even though I studied graphic design and marketing in college, I also believe there's no straight, perfect path to where you want to be in life. Having the CAP under my belt will show potential employers that I have a strong administrative assistant skillset in addition to graphic design and marketing.

What lead me to taking the 2026 Spring CAP Exam

Tue, 9 Dec 2025 17:27:33 GMT

Hello, I'm Calla and I'm 34, still not knowing what my future looks like but I know gaining more certifications such as CAP, will help me gain insight to this new career field I have landed. My drive is my young son; he's 16 months old. I want to give him the very best I can. About 3 years ago, I had a major shift in my career. I had gained my bachelor's in environmental Geology and quickly hired as an Environmental Scientist involved in environmental protection of water resources and regulations. I had a great career, but it came with extreme stress. It affected my health in many ways both physically and mentally. It was draining and not quite what I anticipated from the title of the job. I can look back now and miss some aspects but I'm relieved to have removed myself and merely gained experience from that window of my life. I jumped ship landing a job with TN State Parks as an Event Sales Planner, as quickly as I left and I realized I did not know anything about the job I had taken. I adapted quickly in a very fast paced position, nearly 200 emails a day, short response time expectations, contracts, and a variety of many other job duties. Somehow, I had just as much stress but in an entirely different domain. Different kind of stress. Yet it was more exciting and fulfilling, so worth it. A few hiccups arose as my job fell into the hands of 3 different supervisors in a matter of one year, resulting in many different leadership models, organization methods and expectations. It was more than just three individuals because there had to be interim periods of management (or lack thereof) as a new supervisor was hired. Chaos that brought adaptability to manage the job without leadership. Organizational strategies and planning became strengths, knowing to take on tasks autonomously. However, the unpredictability drained me as I yearned for consistency. I was newly married, wanting a family, things to be predictable like coming home at the same time every day. Stressors still affecting my health, doctors delivering news that the possibility to grow a family and become pregnant could be a low possibility. About a year ago, I was offered the job and that same day I found out I was pregnant. It was a marvelous day. I settled into a new job and as a new mom. The job is peacefully and quiet. There is a lot to learn and as part of a much smaller team, these administrative duties fall all on my shoulders. Sometimes I miss the quick paced unpredictable days. As time has passed, I've reflected on where I am at now, I crave more. I want to be the best I can at this position and to be opened to other job opportunities. This position can keep me busy and content, but I want to feel fulfilled and more knowledgeable in a field I did not attend school for. A direction I never saw coming in the first place. I want to break the paygrade I feel I may be locked in for many years to come, keeping an open mind that something better may be out there if I apply myself. I'm happy but I can be more than this. All I can do is try.

Spring of 2026 CAP Exam

Tue, 9 Dec 2025 02:32:55 GMT

Hi everyone. I'm excited to be a part of Marie Herman's Spring 2026 study group. I've been a Fire Administration Specialist for almost 5 years. I worked for multiple public school districts in the past and stepped out of my comfort zone when joining public safety. I'd like to take the CAP exam to learn more and truly conquer "ALL THINGS" under the Administration umbrella. I wish everyone the best of luck and to stay focused on their goals. Happy Studying.

FALL CAP Exam 2025

Tue, 8 Jul 2025 03:28:32 GMT

I am taking the CAP Fall Exam in order to widen my resume and show my boss why I'm still the best for the job I have ;) It's important to me to never stay stagnent, and this is a great way to improve! I hope to continue to gain more confidence as I PASS this exam (postive thoughts). I'm preparing by taking Marie's study group and I already made over 100 flash cards that I read every few nights. I cant wait to take the test!

The Agony of the Wait - CAP Results

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 21:22:16 GMT

You've spent countless hours studying for the exam. You've now take the exam and the wait begins. Don't fret! Celebrate! You poured into yourself. You did it! Plan your next goal. No matter where in the testing window you took your exam, the results are all released at relatively the same time - 30 Days (ish) from the close of the testing window. For the Fall 2025 exam, the window closed on October 28th. Which means results should be expected somewhere around December 1st. Want to know more about how the exam is scored? Check out this video: https://youtu.be/I5Fg5Ltu6JE?si=lXz-aiZ39WbrcMZd