What does it really mean to earn the Certified Administrative Professional credential — and what does it take to get there? In this season premiere of Beyond the Desk: Admin Advocates, hosts Rachel Suman and Melissa Mahoney sit down with IAAP's credentialing manager Katie Mercier, CAP, for a conversation that's equal parts personal and practical. Katie brings a rare perspective: she's not only the expert behind the program, she's a former admin who earned her CAP and knows firsthand what it means to claim that credential for yourself. Together, they explore what the CAP signals to the world, the courage it takes to sit for an exam, and an exciting new way to do it — surrounded by your peers at IAAP Summit 2026 in Los Angeles. Whether you've been thinking about your CAP for years or just heard about it for the first time, this episode meets you where you are.

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