Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

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. CAP Exam Domains, Percentages & Item Count: 1. Organizational Culture and Leadership (20%) (40) 2. Business Communication and Deliverables (16%) (31) 3. Software, Data, and the Internet (10%) (20) 4. Office and Records Management (17%) (33) 5. Meeting, Event, and Project Management (19%) (38) 6. Operational Functions (19%) (38) Note: The percentages after each domain indicate how much of the exam covers that subject matter. For example, approximately one-fifth of the questions on the CAP exam relate to Organizational Culture and Leadership and its performance outcomes. These percentages add up to 101%, which is a product of rounding. No structural changes are subject to the rounding of percentages. Earning and maintaining your CAP is a three-step process. 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 To be eligible to take the CAP exam, you must meet one of the following education/experience requirements: 1. No College Degree – Four years OR 7,072 hours* of relevant work experience 2. Associates 2-year Degree – Three Years OR 5,304 hours* of relevant work experience 3. 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.