Explore three levels of Microsoft Office Certification鈥攕pecialist, expert, master鈥攁long with the benefits of and steps to getting certified.
Use the following article to learn about Microsoft Office Certification options, requirements, skills, benefits, and how to sign up. While a Microsoft certification indicates that you've passed an exam, a Microsoft certificate program includes education and verifies that you've recieved training in a specialized area.
If you're looking to simultaneously obtain training and credentials that represent your fluency with the entire Microsoft Office tools suite, consider enrolling in the Microsoft 365 Fundamentals Specialization.
The Microsoft Office Specialist certification is a credential that demonstrates your knowledge and skills in the Office apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, and Access. You can get certified at three levels of expertise: Associate, Expert, and Master.听
In the table below, we鈥檝e organized the Microsoft Office certifications by level and requirements, so that you can explore the options available to you:听
Certification level | You must pass |
---|---|
Microsoft Office Associate | Three of these four exams: Word Excel PowerPoint Outlook |
Microsoft Office Expert | Three associate exams plus two of three Expert exams: Word Expert Excel Expert Access Expert |
Microsoft Office Master | Three required exams: Word 2016 Expert: Creating Documents for Effective Communication Excel 2016 Expert: Interpreting Data for Insights PowerPoint 2016: Core Presentation Design and Delivery Skills One of two elective exams: Access 2016: Core Database Management, Manipulation, and Query Skills Outlook 2016: Core Communication, Collaboration, and Email Skills |
Read more: Microsoft Certification Path Guide: How to Create a Roadmap
: manage documents; insert and format text, paragraphs, and sections; manage tables and lists; create and manage references; insert and format graphic elements, manage document collaboration听
: manage document options and settings; use advanced editing and formatting features; create custom document elements; use advanced Word features听
: manage worksheets and workbooks; manage data cells and ranges; manage tables and table data; perform operations by using formulas and functions; manage charts听
: manage workbook options and settings; manage and format data; create advanced formulas and macros; manage advanced charts and tables听
manage presentations; manage slides; insert and format texts, shapes, and images; insert tables, charts, SmartArt, 3D models, and media; apply transitions and animations
: manage Outlook settings and processes; manage messages; manage schedules; manage contacts and tasks
: manage databases; create and modify tables; create and modify queries; modify forms in layout view; modify reports in layout view听
(Creating Documents for Effective Communication): manage document options and settings; design advanced documents; create advanced references; create custom Word elements听听
(Interpreting Data for Insights): manage workbook options and settings; apply custom data formats and layouts; create advanced formulas; create advanced charts and tables听
(Core Presentation Design and Delivery Skills): create and manage presentations; insert and format text, shapes, and images; insert tables, charts, SmartArt, and media; apply transitions and animations; manage multiple presentations听
(Core Database Management, Manipulation, and Query Skills): create and manage a database; build tables; create queries; create forms; create reports听
(Core Communication, Collaboration, and Email Skills): manage the Outlook environment for productivity; manage messages; manage schedules; manage contacts and groups听听
Need to build your skills in the Microsoft suite before taking the exam? Enroll in the Microsoft 365 Fundamentals Specialization and earn a shareable certificate for your study:
Each individual exam costs $100 in the United States.听
If you鈥檙e thinking about getting Microsoft Office certified, you may be wondering how a credential can benefit your career. Here鈥檚 a list of benefits to consider as you weigh your career options.听
Because of their global recognition, Microsoft Office certifications can make it easier to get hired, advance into a more senior position within your company, launch a career, or switch a career.听
To give you an idea of the demand for Microsoft Office-trained professionals, we conducted a search on Glassdoor for 鈥淢icrosoft Office specialist jobs鈥 in the US. As of October 2024, the results yielded over 53,000 job listings in which employers prefer candidates with Microsoft Office credentials or experience [. Jobs spanned industries like insurance, banking and finance, marketing, health care and medicine, and talent solutions. Job titles include Office 365 Support Specialist, Human Resources Specialist, Accounts Payable Specialist, and Sales Compensation Specialist.听
By preparing for and passing a certifying exam, you will be learning software skills to solve many of today鈥檚 real-world business challenges. Nigel Frank鈥檚 2022 Careers and Hiring Guide: Microsoft Business Applications Edition shows that of the 1,000 Microsoft Business Applications professionals surveyed, 30 percent experience 鈥渋mproved and increased industry knowledge,鈥 38 percent experience 鈥渋ncreased efficiency鈥 at their jobs,鈥 and 21 percent reported the 鈥渁bility to perform complex tasks more confidently鈥 [闭.听
Microsoft Office certifications are periodically updated to reflect businesses鈥 evolving needs. To maintain your certification, you鈥檒l be learning the latest technology skills employers are looking for and demonstrating your commitment to career development. The Microsoft Business Applications Guide shows that 26 percent of survey participants reported 鈥渕ore trust鈥 from employers, and 20 percent reported 鈥渢ransferable industry skills鈥 [].
According to the Microsoft Business Applications Guide, 68 percent of survey participants said their salaries increased when changing jobs with Microsoft credentials as a factor [闭.听
Payscale reports that the average Microsoft Office Specialist salary in the US is $57,000. Among the Microsoft Office Specialist jobs that Payscale lists with average salaries above $57,000 are: Senior Marketing Data Analyst ($100,000) and Sharepoint Administrator ($78,907) [闭.听
If you鈥檙e ready to earn your Microsoft Office Specialist certification, follow the steps below to streamline your process:听
Start by reflecting on your career goals, including the roles you鈥檇 like to perform and the Microsoft skills and credentials employers require. Refer to the table above, as well as , to select a certification level, including the required exams.听听
To register for and schedule an exam, visit the . Be sure to schedule your exam far enough in advance to allow time to train. In addition, create an account with Microsoft to access your .听
Once you schedule an exam, your next step is to prepare:听
Download and read the exam skills outline.听
Demo the exam experience through the .
Browse or other organizations for courses you can take to learn Microsoft Office apps.听
For a glimpse at getting started with Office apps, watch this video from 糖心vlog官网观看鈥檚 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals Specialization:
Taking and passing the exam is the final step in getting certified in one of the skill areas. Access your to view score reports and other exam information.听
A common question for people interested in Office credentials is: How long do Microsoft Office certifications last? Associate, Expert, and Specialty certifications expire after one year. You can renew them for free as early as six months before they expire, by:
Connecting your 听
Taking assessments that are shorter than the original exams
Prepare for your chosen exam while earning a certificate for your study by enrolling in the Microsoft 365 Fundamentals Specialization.
Glassdoor. 鈥淢icrosoft Office Specialist Jobs, ." Accessed October 2, 2024.
Nigel Frank International. 鈥, https://www.nigelfrank.com/insights/business-apps-careers-and-hiring-guide.鈥 Accessed October 2, 2024.
Payscale. 鈥, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Microsoft_Office_Specialist_(MOS)/Salary.鈥 Accessed October 2, 2024.
Editorial Team
糖心vlog官网观看鈥檚 editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...
This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.