Top 10 Personal Assistant Certifications

Certifications are important for personal assistants in the job market because they demonstrate a level of competence and knowledge that employers look for when selecting candidates. Certifications provide a way to validate skills, knowledge, and experience which can set a candidate apart from other applicants. They also show that the individual is committed to professional development and staying up-to-date with industry trends. This can be especially beneficial for those looking to specialize in specific areas such as executive or medical support. Ultimately, certifications can help potential employers better understand a candidate’s capabilities and trust their ability to perform the tasks required by the position.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Personal Assistants and explain how they can benefit a personal assistant's career.

What are Personal Assistant Certifications?

Personal assistant certification is a professional designation that demonstrates a competency in the skills necessary to be an effective and efficient personal assistant. It is designed to ensure that those working as personal assistants have the knowledge and abilities necessary to provide top-notch service for their employers.

With personal assistant certification, individuals can demonstrate their commitment to excellence in their work. It also serves as a way to differentiate oneself from other applicants when seeking employment, as employers may be more likely to hire someone who has achieved a certain level of certification.

The certification process usually involves taking classes, attending seminars, and passing exams on topics such as time management, organizational skills, communication strategies, problem-solving strategies, and customer service techniques. Having this certificate can help individuals stand out in the job market by showing potential employers that they possess the knowledge and skills needed for successful performance in a personal assistant role.

In addition to providing evidence of one's knowledge and abilities, having personal assistant certification can also give one access to networking opportunities with other professionals in the field. This could lead to job or career advancement opportunities or even open doors to new career avenues. With this certification, individuals can increase their value as an employee and have greater confidence in their ability to succeed at any given task.

Pro Tip: When considering personal assistant certification, make sure to research the specific credentials and certifications that are necessary for the job you are interested in. Additionally, look into any continuing education requirements or specialties that may be required to stay current and up-to-date on the latest trends in the field.

Related: What does a Personal Assistant do?

Top 10 Personal Assistant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Personal Assistants today.

1. Certified Professional Virtual Assistant (CPVA)

Certified Professional Virtual Assistant (CPVA) is a certification program designed to provide virtual assistants with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their profession. The CPVA program consists of 10 modules that cover topics such as communication, customer service, project management, time management, and more. The program also provides virtual assistants with access to resources such as webinars and online forums.

It typically takes around 6-8 weeks to complete the CPVA program depending on how much time you are able to dedicate towards it. To get started, you will need to register for the course and pay the fee which is currently $499 USD. Once registered, you will be provided with access to all of the modules along with a study guide that outlines what materials are covered in each module.

Once you have completed all of the modules, you will then be required to take an exam which tests your knowledge of the material covered in the program. Upon passing this exam, you will receive your official CPVA certification from the International Association of Virtual Assistants (IAVA). This certification is valid for two years and can be renewed by taking additional courses or exams offered by IAVA.

Overall, becoming a Certified Professional Virtual Assistant (CPVA) requires dedication and hard work but can provide many benefits such as increased job opportunities, higher salary potentials, and greater credibility within the industry.

2. Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is a professional certification that recognizes the proficiency and expertise of administrative professionals in the workplace. It is awarded by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), an international organization dedicated to the advancement of office professionals.

To become a CAP, individuals must meet certain eligibility criteria, including having at least two years of administrative work experience and completing at least 40 hours of approved training or education. They must also pass an exam that covers topics such as communication, customer service, technology, project management, and organizational skills.

The process for becoming a CAP usually takes about six months to complete. The first step is to submit an application to IAAP and pay the associated fee ($175). Once accepted into the program, individuals can begin their training or education requirements. After they have completed all requirements, they can take the CAP exam.

The cost of becoming a CAP varies depending on what type of training or education you choose to pursue. For example, if you choose to take online courses through IAAP’s website, the cost will be around $500-$600. If you prefer to attend classes in person or take courses from another provider, then your costs may be higher.

3. Certified Personal Assistant (CPA)

A Certified Personal Assistant (CPA) is a professional who provides administrative, organizational, and personal assistance to individuals. A CPA can help with tasks such as managing calendars, booking travel arrangements, organizing paperwork, and providing general support. The certification process for a CPA involves completing a course of study that covers topics such as communication skills, time management, customer service, and more.

The amount of time it takes to become certified in this field varies depending on the program you choose. Some programs may take only a few weeks while others may require several months to complete. Most certifications also require passing an exam at the end of the program in order to be fully certified.

In order to become certified as a CPA, you must first find an accredited program that offers the necessary courses. You can find these programs online or through your local community college or university. Once you have identified a program that meets your needs, you will need to register for classes and pay any associated fees.

The cost of becoming certified as a CPA will vary depending on the program you choose and any additional materials or supplies required for completion. Generally speaking, most programs range from $500-$1,000 USD for tuition and related expenses.

4. Certified Executive Assistant (CEA)

Certified Executive Assistant (CEA) is a professional certification for executive assistants who wish to demonstrate their commitment to the profession and gain recognition for their expertise. It is the only certification program of its kind in the world, developed by executive assistants for executive assistants.

The CEA certification program consists of two parts: an online course and an online exam. The online course covers topics such as communication, organizational skills, time management, project management, problem solving, and technology. The online exam tests your knowledge of the material covered in the course.

It typically takes between 8-12 weeks to complete the CEA certification program. To get started, you must first register with the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). Once registered, you will be given access to the CEA course materials and exam.

The cost of the CEA certification program varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of IAAP. For members, it costs $395 USD; for non-members it costs $495 USD.

5. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s skills in Microsoft Office applications. The MOS certification is offered for the following Microsoft Office applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access and SharePoint.

The MOS certification program consists of two exams: one core exam and one elective exam. The core exam covers the basics of the application while the elective exam focuses on more advanced features. To become certified, you must pass both exams with a score of 700 or higher on each.

It typically takes around 8-10 hours to complete both exams depending on your familiarity with the application being tested. You can take the exams at any authorized testing center or online through Certiport's website.

The cost for taking the MOS exams varies depending on where you take them and whether you are taking them online or in person. Generally speaking, it costs around $150 per exam if taken online and around $200 per exam if taken in person at an authorized testing center.

6. Google Suite Certification

Google Suite Certification is an online certification program that tests and validates a user's knowledge of the Google Suite of applications. It is designed to help users become more proficient in using Google products such as Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, and more. The certification is available for both individuals and organizations.

The certification consists of two exams: the Fundamentals exam and the Advanced exam. The Fundamentals exam covers basic concepts and features of the Google Suite applications. It takes approximately 2 hours to complete and costs $50 USD. The Advanced exam focuses on advanced topics such as collaboration tools, security settings, data analysis techniques, and automation processes. It takes approximately 4 hours to complete and costs $100 USD.

To get certified in Google Suite, you must first create a Google account if you don’t already have one. Then you can register for the exams at certifications.googleapps.com/home. Once you have registered for the exams, you will receive instructions on how to access them via email or through your Google account dashboard. After completing both exams successfully with a passing score of 80%, you will be awarded your official Google Suite Certification badge which can be used to demonstrate your proficiency in using these powerful applications.

7. Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP)

Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) is a certification program offered by Apple Inc. to individuals who demonstrate proficiency in supporting Mac computers and other Apple products. The ACSP certification is designed to ensure that technicians have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide quality customer service and technical support for Apple products.

The ACSP certification requires passing two exams: the Mac Integration Basics 10.10 exam and the OS X Support Essentials 10.10 exam. The Mac Integration Basics 10.10 exam covers topics such as setting up a Mac computer, configuring user accounts, troubleshooting hardware, network setup and configuration, working with iCloud services, and more. The OS X Support Essentials 10.10 exam covers topics such as system installation, system maintenance, troubleshooting, data management, networking concepts, system security, scripting basics, file sharing services, directory services administration, server administration tools, and more.

To become an Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP), individuals must first purchase an AppleCare Technician Training (ACTT) course from Apple or an authorized training provider. This course will provide instruction on how to use the tools needed to support Mac computers and other Apple products. Once the ACTT course is completed successfully, individuals can register for the two exams mentioned above through Pearson VUE or Prometric testing centers.

The cost of becoming an Apple Certified Support Professional varies depending on where you take your courses and tests from but typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD for both exams combined with training materials included in most cases. It usually takes around 3-4 months to complete all of the requirements for this certification depending on how quickly you are able to study and complete the exams successfully.

8. International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA)

The International Virtual Assistants Association (IVAA) is a professional organization that provides resources and support to virtual assistants around the world. It was founded in 2005 to provide a forum for virtual assistants to connect, network, and discuss their profession. IVAA also provides education and certification programs, as well as business resources such as marketing and legal advice.

To become a member of IVAA, you must complete an application form and pay the membership fee. The fee varies depending on the type of membership you choose (e.g., individual or corporate). Once your application is approved, it typically takes about two weeks for your membership to become active.

As an IVAA member, you will have access to exclusive benefits such as discounts on products and services from vendors who are members of the association, access to online forums where you can ask questions and get advice from other members, discounts on training courses and seminars, access to job postings from employers looking for virtual assistants, and more.

The cost of joining IVAA depends on the type of membership you choose. Individual memberships start at $99 per year while corporate memberships start at $299 per year.

9. NAPO Professional Organizer Certification

NAPO Professional Organizer Certification is a certification program offered by the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of professional organizers. The certification is earned through a combination of education, experience, and passing an exam.

To become certified as a NAPO Professional Organizer, you must first meet the eligibility requirements. These include having at least two years of professional organizing experience or one year of professional organizing experience plus completion of a minimum number of NAPO-approved continuing education courses. You must also be a current member in good standing with NAPO.

Once you have met the eligibility requirements, you can register for the exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as organization principles and practices, client relations, project management, marketing and business development, legal issues, technology tools and resources, and ethics. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and costs $225 USD for members ($400 USD for non-members).

Once you have passed the exam with a score of 70% or higher, you will be awarded your NAPO Professional Organizer Certification. This certification is valid for three years from the date it was awarded and can be renewed by completing additional continuing education courses or attending conferences/workshops approved by NAPO.

The cost to become certified as a NAPO Professional Organizer includes membership dues (if applicable), registration fees for the exam ($225 USD/$400 USD) plus any additional course fees if required to meet eligibility requirements.

10. National Notary Association Certification

The National Notary Association (NNA) is a professional organization that provides certification and education for notaries public. The NNA's certification program is designed to provide notaries with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their duties in a professional manner.

To become certified, applicants must complete an online course that covers the fundamentals of notary law, ethics, and best practices. The course typically takes 4-6 hours to complete and requires a passing score of 80% or higher on the final exam. Once the course is completed, applicants can apply for NNA Certification by submitting an application form along with payment of the registration fee.

The cost to become certified through the NNA is currently $45 for members and $60 for non-members. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with obtaining a surety bond or errors & omissions insurance coverage, which are required in some states.

Once your application has been approved, you will receive your official NNA Certificate of Completion within 7-10 business days. This certificate serves as proof of your successful completion of the course and demonstrates your commitment to professionalism as a notary public.

Do You Really Need a Personal Assistant Certificate?

The short answer to this question is no, you do not need a personal assistant certificate in order to be a successful personal assistant. However, having one can certainly help set you apart from the competition and give you an edge when seeking employment.

A certificate in personal assistance can provide potential employers with proof that you possess knowledge of the skills necessary to succeed in the role. This could include topics such as communication, organization, problem solving, time management, customer service and more. Having this certification on your resume is also a great way to show that you are committed to professional development and have taken the time to invest in your career.

Ultimately, whether or not you decide to pursue a personal assistant certificate will depend on your own goals and circumstances. If you are confident that your current skillset is sufficient for success in the role then there may be no need for further education or qualifications. However, if you feel that additional training may give you an advantage over other candidates then it may be worth considering.

Related: Personal Assistant Resume Examples

FAQs About Personal Assistant Certifications

1. What are the requirements for a Personal Assistant Certification?

Answer: The requirements for a Personal Assistant Certification vary by country and program. Generally, applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and possess excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills. Some programs may also require additional certifications such as CPR or First Aid.

2. How long does it take to get certified as a Personal Assistant?

Answer: The length of time to become certified as a Personal Assistant varies depending on the program and the amount of experience you have in the field. Generally, most programs can be completed within six months to one year.

3. What type of jobs can I get with a Personal Assistant Certification?

Answer: With a Personal Assistant Certification, you can find work in many different industries including healthcare, law, finance, and hospitality. Typical job duties include administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, filing paperwork, answering phones, organizing meetings and events, maintaining databases, and providing customer service support.

4. Is there an exam required for certification?

Answer: Yes, most programs require applicants to pass an exam in order to become certified as a Personal Assistant. This exam typically covers topics such as business etiquette, communication skills, customer service techniques, and computer applications used in the workplace.

5. Are there any continuing education requirements after becoming certified?

Answer: Yes, some programs may require ongoing education courses or workshops in order to maintain certification status. This helps ensure that personal assistants stay up-to-date on new technologies and best practices in the field of personal assistance.