{"id":24,"date":"2026-08-27T13:10:45","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T13:10:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iaap-cap.org\/?page_id=24"},"modified":"2026-11-10T11:03:35","modified_gmt":"2026-11-10T11:03:35","slug":"cap-exam-eligibility-requirements","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/iaap-cap.org\/index.php\/cap-exam-eligibility-requirements\/","title":{"rendered":"Education & Experience Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Do You Qualify?
Here’s How to Find Out.<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The CAP exam requires a combination of education and professional experience \u2014 because this credential is built on real-world knowledge, not just classroom learning. The requirements are designed to be accessible for administrative professionals at various stages of their careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To be eligible, you must meet one of the following combinations:<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Education Level<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Required Work Experience<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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No college degree<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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4 years (or 7,072 hours*) of relevant work experience<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Associate \/ 2-year degree<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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3 years (or 5,304 hours*) of relevant work experience<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Bachelor’s \/ 4-year degree<\/h6>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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2 years (or 3,536 hours*) of relevant work experience<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

*Hour calculations are based on a 34-hour work week (1,768 hours\/year). All experience must be paid work earned within the last 10 years. Internships and work-study do not count toward eligibility.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Education Level<\/strong><\/th>Required Work Experience<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
No college degree<\/td>4 years (or 7,072 hours*) of relevant work experience<\/td><\/tr>
Associate \/ 2-year degree<\/td>3 years (or 5,304 hours*) of relevant work experience<\/td><\/tr>
Bachelor’s \/ 4-year degree<\/td>2 years (or 3,536 hours*) of relevant work experience<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

*Hour calculations are based on a 34-hour work week (1,768 hours\/year). All experience must be paid work earned within the last 10 years. Internships and work-study do not count toward eligibility.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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What Counts as Relevant Work Experience?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your work experience must include the majority of the following responsibilities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n