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Secretaries

Certification, Licensing, and Special Requirements

Certification or Licensing

Several professional associations provide certification to secretaries. The International Association of Administrative Professionals offers the certified administrative professional (CAP) designation to applicants who meet experience/education requirements and pass a rigorous exam covering a number of general secretarial topics. It also offers a technology applications specialty designation to those who have already earned the CAP designation. 

Two general legal secretary certifications are offered by NALS…the association for legal professionals. After some preliminary office training, you can take an examination to receive the accredited legal professional designation. This certification is for legal secretaries with education, but little to no experience. Legal secretaries with three years of experience can become certified as a professional legal secretary/certified legal professional (PLS/CLP). The PLS/CLP certification designates a legal secretary with exceptional skills and experience. Other specific legal secretary certifications are given by Legal Secretaries International Inc. You can become board certified in business law, civil litigation, criminal law, intellectual property, probate, or real estate. Applicants must have a minimum of five years of law experience and pass an examination.

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