CCAPA Certification Program

We all have different professional needs, learning styles, and goals, and that is why the CCAPA is a different option.

A professional certification sets you apart from the competition when a potential employer looks at your resume. Employers value and desire applicants and employees who continuously update their skills.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Membership

All applicants wishing to register as a CCAPA student must already be a member of the Association of Administrative Professionals (the AAP). Refer to the membership page for general membership forms.

Once your AAP membership is confirmed by the Treasurer you will have access to our Members Only section. Through there you will be able to enrol in the CCAPA program.

Education

The CCAPA program is for those that are not interested in the full leadership/management Centre of Expertise that is required for the full CCAP certification.

The AAP administers the CCAPA program, but the courses are provided by Canadian accredited universities and colleges across the country. We have partnered with several Canadian universities and colleges and have pre-approved their applicable courses. The CCAPA courses are the same courses that are part of the CCAP program, however, instead of seven courses only four are required. The list of our educational partners and their course lists can be found on our Educational Partners page.

Courses cover the four Centres of Expertise. There are four courses required to complete the CCAPA program consisting of one
compulsory course and three elective courses. Courses are taken through the AAP’s online portal. Courses can be taken in any order.

Centre of Expertise Related Courses
COMPULSORY – 1 course
Communications
  • Business Writing
ELECTIVES – 3 courses
Project Management
(choose one)
  • Project Management
  • Event Management
Technology/Computer Skills
(choose one)
  • Social Media
  • Website Design/Management
  • Advanced levels of Microsoft Programs (certification as Microsoft Expert is accepted)
Business Operations
(choose one)
  • Financial Accounting
  • Statistics
  • Marketing
  • Public Relations
  • Economics

 

Experience

There is no minimum number of years of experience to enrol in the CCAP program. Experience can be accumulated while you are working through the program. However, to be awarded the certification you must have a minimum of three years’ work experience or two years’ experience if you have a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). Work experience must be verified by a supervisor/manager.

Verification of the mastery of the core competencies below must be provided prior to obtaining the CCAPA certificate.

Work Competencies to be Validated**

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Examples:

  1. Financial/ accounting /budgets
  2. Project/Event Management
  3. File and Information Management
  4. Research, analytical, critical thinking and problem solving
  5. Meeting coordination (all aspects)

TECHNOLOGY
Examples:

  1. Computer skills (Microsoft Office, spreadsheets),
  2. Internet Research
  3. Live Meeting/ Skype
  4. Other research expertise
  5. Social media
  6. Website management
  7. Electronic calendar/ scheduling

LEADERSHIP/ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS
Examples:

  1. Human Resources
  2. Professionalism
  3. Time management/prioritizing
  4. Reliable and dependable
  5. Team player
  6. Leadership/Management skills
  7. Confidentiality

COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
Examples:

  1. Report/proposal writing,
  2. Public relations
  3. Business communications (both oral and written)
  4. Email protocol
  5. Presentations
  6. Interpersonal communications expertise to maintain successful professional relationships

These work competencies must be verified by a current or previous supervisor (or someone in a position to professionally confirm) that the CCAPA student has demonstrated expertise in each of the four categories in a work component equaling a minimum of two working years.

These core competencies were identified by employers across the country as being crucial to the role of an advanced-level administrative professional.

Templates for the verification letters can be found in the Certification Information section of the Members Only section.

CERTIFICATION RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS

The AAP encourages members to continuously upgrade their skills through continuing education. To remain consistent with other professional associations who require their members to renew their professional designation on a regular basis, we provide our CCAPA
graduates with a process to regularly renew their certification and maintain professional currency. Since April 1, 2010, students who
enrol in and graduate from the CCAPA program must complete a certification renewal process every three years.

For more information about certification renewal please go to our Certification Renewal page.