By Rob Hosking, Executive Director for Administrative and Customer Support, Robert Half
If you’re an administrative professional, you already know the job looks nothing like it did even a few years ago. You’re now coordinating cross‑team projects, streamlining processes, supporting AI‑powered tools, troubleshooting tech and often serving as the go‑to for keeping digital workflows running.
And as the role expands and becomes more skill‑rich, certification has become newly relevant as a way to validate the broader expertise the modern administrative job now requires.
Earning a certified administrative professional credential shows employers that you've invested in developing your skills and can back up your experience with verified knowledge. But that raises an important question: Is an administrative assistant certification really worth the time and money?
It depends on where you are in your career and where you want to go. An administrative certification can certainly bolster your resume as you start a job search, meet a goal for your annual performance review or simply show your expertise in certain areas of your job. But it comes with a commitment of time, effort and continuous education to stay current.
To help you decide if certification is right for you, we’ve put together this snapshot of popular accreditations that could prove a promising step forward in your career.
Administrative certification: What to know in 2026
International Association of Administrative Professionals
The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) offers the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) program, accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. It requires passing an exam demonstrating competence in organizational communication, business writing and document production, technology and information distribution, records management, event and project management, HR activities, and operational functions.
To take the exam, you’ll need either four years of work experience as an administrative professional, an associate’s degree and three years of relevant work experience, or a bachelor’s degree and two years of experience. The IAAP recommends you spend at least three to six months preparing for the test and offers study courses and a practice exam at an additional cost. Once you pass, you’ll need to recertify every three years.
IAAP also offers a certification for those newer to the administrative professional role. The Certified Administrative Professional (in progress)—also known as CAP(ip)—is for graduates with a two-year degree but without the necessary years of professional experience.
Additionally, IAAP also offers specialty certifications in human resources, meeting and event planning, organizational management, project management, records management and technology applications.
Microsoft Office Specialist
The Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certifications are a great start for an administrative professional, showcasing your skills in Microsoft Office 365 and Office programs such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
You’ll earn a certification for each exam you pass, and multiple certifications allow you to stack more prestigious awards. For example, if you pass three Associate exams, each covering one of Office’s programs, you will be awarded the Microsoft Office Specialist: Associate certification. Pass two Expert exams to receive the Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert certification.
There are no prerequisites for these administrative certifications, and numerous study guides and practice tests are available for purchase online. Register to take the exams through Certiport, which oversees the Microsoft Office specialist tests and has authorized testing centers throughout the country. You can also take the test online while being monitored by a virtual proctor.
Note that the Office 2016 exams are scheduled to retire on June 30, 2026. After this date, candidates must test on the Microsoft 365 or Office 2019/2021 versions.
AI and technology certifications
As artificial intelligence (AI) tools become part of everyday office work, more administrative assistants want to show they can use these technologies effectively. There are several administrative certifications for professionals who want to demonstrate their AI literacy.
The AWS Certified AI Practitioner covers foundational concepts in AI, machine learning (ML) and generative AI, with a focus on how these technologies are used in business settings. It's a broad, employer-recognized credential that's well-suited for administrative professionals who want to demonstrate a well-rounded understanding of AI concepts and use cases.
For something more hands-on and less exam-focused, Google AI Essentials is a practical course that teaches how to use AI tools for everyday work tasks. You'll earn a Coursera completion credential, though it's not a proctored certification in the traditional sense. Google also offers the Cloud Generative AI Leader certification for those seeking a more business-oriented credential in AI adoption and responsible use.
These credentials are still relatively new, so they won't carry the same weight as established administrative certifications like the CAP or MOS. But they signal to employers that you're keeping pace with how work is changing—and that matters.
Other administrative certifications
If your role includes responsibilities in any of the areas below, you can also pursue certifications offered by the associations that represent those specialties.
Project Management Professional (PMP): If you’re the one who takes on big projects for your team, consider the PMP certification from the Project Management Institute. The PMP validates your competence to lead and direct projects and teams, deploying skills like strategic planning, monitoring, communication and risk management.
Certified Meeting Professional (CMP): If your work requires you to organize meetings and events, the CMP—offered through the Events Industry Council—may be a good addition to your resume. It covers expertise in meeting design, site selection, contract negotiations, budgeting and financial management, marketing, and risk management and compliance.
SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP): Administrative professionals working in the HR space can benefit from the Society for Human Resource Management’s primary certification, the SHRM-CP. You’ll be tested on basic HR competencies, including strategic planning, talent acquisition, employee engagement, compensation and benefits, learning and development and inclusion. The certification also digs deeper into employment law and regulations, employee and labor relations, business acumen, data management and ethics.
Facility Management Professional (FMP): The International Facility Management Association offers several certification programs. The FMP is the most basic, designed for individuals who are tasked to manage facilities as part of their job or who want to pursue a career in facilities management. The FMP certification covers operations and maintenance, project management, finance and business aspects, and leadership and strategy.
Should you go for it?
The investment of time, effort and money to pursue an administrative or related certification is considerable, and certification alone won't guarantee a promotion or raise. But it could give you a competitive edge in your job search, the confidence to take on more advanced work and the skills to keep pace with an administrative role that’s becoming increasingly tech‑driven and AI‑enabled.
Ultimately, the value of certification comes down to your goals and where you want your career to go—and whether leveling up your skills now will move you closer to the opportunities you’re aiming for.
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