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Missouri Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association

Certification

By Josh Scott | Mar 17, 2026 3:25 PM

What are the benefits of becoming certified? Develop a sense of personal and professional satisfaction. Demonstrate a commitment to excellence in the profession. Provide growth of professional knowledge and expertise. Enhance the perception of the profession. Increase the potential for employment opportunities or incentives. Participate in a nationally registered program. What does it mean to be a certified athletic administrator? Certification serves as an edge for career advancement, a vehicle for meeting continuing education requirements, or a means for salary advancement. It establishes a comprehensive plan for self-improvement and sets you apart from the competition. How to Start: Review the NIAAA Leadership Development Program and Certification for descriptions of all LTC classes. Visit the national certification page for more details. Select the level you are interested in and follow the "Learn More" instructions. Contact for Assistance: Mike McGurk, CMAA MIAAA Certification Coordinator Cell: 816-365-6471 | Email: Mike.McGurk@lsr7.net Certification Level Requirements Registered Athletic Administrator (RAA) Bachelor's Degree or higher from an accredited institution. Approval of Personal Data Form (PDF). Completion of LTC 501, 502, 503. Read and abide by the NIAAA Code of Ethics. Registered Middle School Athletic Administrator (RMSAA) Bachelor's Degree or higher from an accredited institution. Approval of Personal Data Form (PDF). Completion of LTC 501, 502, 503, 504, 700, & 701. Read and abide by the NIAAA Code of Ethics. Certified Athletic Administrator (CAA) Bachelor's Degree or higher. Two (2) or more years of experience as an athletic administrator. Employed by (or retired from) a school, school district, or state association in a capacity where athletic administration is/was a responsibility. Completion of LTC 501, 502, 503, 504, and 506. Successful completion of the CAA examination. Read and abide by the NIAAA Code of Ethics. Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA) Attained CAA designation. Completion of LTC 501, 502, 503, 504, 506, 508, and 510. Completion of minimum of six (6) LTC electives (one from 600 level, one from 700 level, and three additional). Primary responsibility must be/have been athletic administration. Complete a graduate-level written project, oral presentation, or submit a Quality Program Award. Read and abide by the NIAAA Code of Ethics. History of the Certification Program The program was conceived in 1984 and implemented during the 1988-1989 school year. The first CAA exam was given in December 1988 to 102 administrators. Since then, over 7,000 administrators have received the CAA distinction. In 1999, the RAA and CMAA levels were added to meet the wide range of professional needs. In 2001, the NIAAA Certification Program was granted "full registration" by the National Certification Commission.