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Employee Relations » Certified Professional Secretary Training


Certified Professional Secretary Training


  • Certified Professional Secretary® (CPS®)
  • Certified Administrative Professional® (CAP®)

All clerical employees of the State of Tennessee, including those employed by The University of Tennessee, are eligible for a 9% salary increase upon obtaining the CPS rating. (Add eligibility information when finalized.)

The International Association of Administrative Professionals® (IAAP®) is the world’s largest association for administrative support staff, with 600 chapters and 40,000 members and affiliates worldwide. For more than 60 years, IAAP has provided up-to-date research on office trends, cutting-edge publications, outstanding seminars and conferences, and top-notch resources to help administrative professionals enhance their skills and become more effective contributors to their employers.

Professional certification shows employers, clients and associates that you are committed as a professional. Certification is a mark of excellence that you carry with you everywhere you go. A recent IAAP membership profile study shows that CPS holders earn an average of $2,228 more per year than those who do not have certification.

IAAP administers the CPS/CAP exams on the first full weekend of May and November each year, on a worldwide scale. The Knoxville Chapter of the IAAP conducts classes to help individuals prepare. These are held every Tuesday night on the UT Agriculture Campus, August through April, to prepare students to sit for the May exam. There are three textbooks, which also are a tremendous help. These books are available by order from the UT Book and Supply Store, or from other bookstores in the area. There is also a CD-ROM available. It is not necessary to take the classes in order to obtain the books or CD, if you prefer to study on your own.

For further information, visit the IAAP web site at www.iaap-hq.org, or contact Cheryl Hodge, CPS/CAP, Employee Relations Unit, UT Human Resources, (865) 974-6018.