• Potential for a promotion, pay increase, or bonus (ask your employer!)
• Relevant Knowledge and Skills for your current and future roles
• Verification for yourself and your organization that you know your stuff
• Credibility in your career
• Knowing you set a goal for yourself and achieved it

The CAP exam is designed from a “blueprint” called the Body of Knowledge. The test covers six topic areas, or domains, and breaks the information down into detailed, measurable Performance Outcomes (PO). Each domain represents a specific percentage of the exam and is based on a Job Task Analysis. The exam itself is 3 hours long and consists of approximately 200-225 multiple choice questions. It is a computer-based exam that is taken in person, delivered at approved proctored testing centers all over the world.

The Certification Administration Committee is an independent standing committee of the International Association of Administrative Professionals. The CAC awards the Certified Administrative Professional credential and is responsible for setting policy and standards related to the CAP Program.

The CAP Exam Panel, a panel governed by the Certification Administration Committee, reviews exam items and forms to ensure alignment to the CAP Body of Knowledge.

1. Meet the eligibility requirements and apply
2. Once approved, sit for and pass the CAP exam
3. Maintain it by fulfilling the recertification requirement

• No College Degree – Four years OR 7,072 hours* of relevant work experience
• Associates 2-year Degree – Three Years OR 5,304 hours* of relevant work experience
• Bachelors 4-year Degree – Two years OR 3,536 hours* relevant work experience

Relevant work experience must include the majority of the following:

• Verbal and written communication with both internal and external clients
• Business writing, proofreading, editing
• Records management
• Meeting planning, travel planning
• Project management
• Human resource activities, hiring, compliance
• Budgeting, accounting functions

*These numbers are based off a 34-hour work week or 1,768 hours per year. All relevant work experience needs to be earned within the last ten years in a paid position, internships and work study do not count towards eligibility.

• Download the CAP Body of Knowledge (BOK) and take the time to review each domain, performance outcome, and sub-point
• Use the CAP Body of Knowledge Self-Assessment to help you determine how best to begin preparing for the CAP exam.
• Create a written study plan, no matter what methods of study you use; this helps ensure you dedicate the time necessary to feel confident about taking the exam

• The IAAP CAP Study Guide and eReader are available for purchase through IAAP. Both were developed by subject-matter experts using the CAP Body of Knowledge.
• The CAP Practice Exam is now available. For those planning to sit for the CAP exam, this 200-question practice exam is an additional resource to help your test-taking skills within a timed multiple-choice computerized environment that you can take from home.
• CAP Core Resources, which are examples of reference texts subject-matter experts use when writing CAP exam questions*:
• Organizational Behavior: Improving Performance and Commitment in the Workplace, 5th Edition. Colquitt, J.A., LePine, J.A., and M. Wesson. 2017. McGraw-Hill.
• Essentials of Business Communication, 12th Edition. Guffey, M.E., and D. Loewy. 2022. Cengage
• The Administrative Professional: Technology and Procedures, 15th Edition. Rankin, D., and K. Shumack. 2017. Cengage Learning.
• The Office: Procedures and Technology, 7th Edition. Oliverio, M., Paserwark, W., White, B. 2018. Cengage Learning.
• Event Planning and Management: Principals, Planning and Practice, 3rd Edition. Downson, R., B. Albert, and D. Lomax. 2022. Kogan Page.
• Human Resources Management Essentials You Always Wanted to Know. Gilbert, J. 2020. Vibrant.
• Keep in mind, most candidates need several resources to thoroughly prepare for the exam. The IAAP CAP Study Guide in either of its formats is not meant to be a all-inclusive resource; rather a guide to ensure you are studying the subjects and competencies assessed by CAP.

The CAP Summit Experience offers candidates a one-of-a-kind opportunity to prepare for and take the CAP exam on-site at IAAP Summit in Los Angeles on July 26, 2025. With guided preparation, peer support, and a professional testing environment, this experience is designed to build confidence and set you up for success.

1. Organizational Culture and Leadership (20%)
2. Business Communication and Deliverables (16%)
3. Software, Data, and the Internet (10%)
4. Office and Records Management (17%)
5. Meeting, Event, and Project Management (19%)
6. Operational Functions (19%)

TRANSFERS AND RESCHEDULING:
Should you need to transfer/postpone your exam, you must submit a CAP Exam Transfer Request Form, including the $150 transfer fee no later than 30 days prior to first day of the testing window. You MUST transfer to the next available testing window. You are allowed ONE exam transfer; if the exam is not taken after the transfer, the exam fee is forfeited, and you must wait six months to submit another exam application.

Should you need to reschedule your testing center appointment, it must be done more than 6 days prior to your appointment through the scheduling link you receive via email.

RETESTING:
If you do not pass on your first exam attempt, you may take it a second time after paying the exam fee and submitting the application again. (education/work experience supporting documents are not required on the second application) If you do not pass your second exam attempt, you must wait at least one year before applying to take the exam a third time.

ACCOMMODATIONS:
Accommodations may be available to individuals who have documented disabilities pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The CAP Program provides reasonable testing accommodations to candidates whose documented disabilities or other qualifying medical conditions hinder their ability to take the examination under standard conditions.

Examples of requests for special testing accommodations that may be granted include modification of seating or other physical arrangements in the testing facility, an ADA accessible testing center location, a reasonable extension of testing time, or a sign language interpreter (to assist with audio or spoken components, if any), reader, or other auxiliary aid. You must submit medical documentation with your accommodation request. All accommodation requests must be submitted 30 days before the testing window opens and must be pre-approved by the CAP Program staff. Complete and submit an Accommodations Request Form.

Accommodations are provided to qualified candidates with disabilities to the extent that such accommodation does not fundamentally alter the examination or cause an undue burden to the CAP Program or the test administration site.

APPEALS:
An appeal may be made by a CAP applicant, candidate, or certified individual only regarding the following circumstances:

• The CAP Program’s interpretation of candidate eligibility from the time of candidate inquiry or the filing of the initial application through the time of conferring of the credential;
• Exam administration procedures, including denial of a request for accommodations;
• Testing conditions severe enough to cause a major disruption of the examination process;
• The exam score, including a request for rescoring of exam;
• The CAP Program’s interpretation of standards required for recertification or for extenuating circumstances that did not allow the certified individual to earn sufficient points to obtain recertification.

The Certification Administration Committee is an independent standing committee of the International Association of Administrative Professionals. The CAC awards the Certified Administrative Professional credential and is responsible for setting policy and standards related to the CAP Program.