Explore three levels of Microsoft Office certification鈥攁ssociate, 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 received training in a specialized area.
If you're looking to simultaneously obtain training and credentials that represent your fluency with the entire Microsoft Office 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 plus one elective exam: Word Expert Excel Expert PowerPoint Access or Outlook elective exam |
: 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
: Manage document options and settings; design advanced documents; create advanced references; create custom Word elements听
: Manage workbook options and settings; apply custom data formats and layouts; create advanced formulas; create advanced charts and tables听
: 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
: Create and manage a database; build tables; create queries; create forms; create reports听
): Manage the Outlook environment for productivity; manage messages; manage schedules; manage contacts and groups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 $104 in the United States [闭.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 careers.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 June 2025, the results yielded over 50,000 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 International鈥檚 2025 Careers and Hiring Guide shows that of the Microsoft Business Applications professionals surveyed, 59 percent had at least one Microsoft certification [].
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.
According to the 2025 Careers and Hiring Guide, 45 percent of survey participants said their salaries increased by an average of 19 percent when earning their Microsoft certification [闭.听
Payscale reports that the average Microsoft Office Specialist salary in the US is $62,000. Among the Microsoft Office Specialist jobs that Payscale lists with average salaries above $57,000 are: senior marketing data analyst ($98,547) and management and program analyst ($78,000) [闭.听
The length of time it takes to earn a Microsoft Office certification depends on your current skills. If you鈥檙e already proficient in Microsoft Office, you may be ready to complete the exam without any preparation. Alternatively, if you鈥檙e new to Office, you might spend days or weeks reviewing available resources, such as study guides, exam prep videos, and practice assessments. You can expect to receive your exam results within 24 hours of completing the exam鈥攁nd often within a matter of minutes.
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
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 certification dashboard.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 certification dashboard 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 shareable certificate for your study by enrolling in the Microsoft 365 Fundamentals Specialization.
Certiport. 鈥, https://store.certiport.com/mos-exam-voucher/p/12002011.鈥 Accessed June 26, 2025.
Glassdoor. 鈥, https://www.glassdoor.com/Job/lahore-microsoft-office-specialist-jobs-SRCH_IL.0,6_KO7,34.htm." Accessed June 26, 2025.
Nigel Frank International. 鈥, https://www.nigelfrank.com/insights/2025-careers-and-hiring-guide-live/.鈥 Accessed June 26, 2025.
Payscale. 鈥, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Certification=Microsoft_Office_Specialist_(MOS)/Salary.鈥 Accessed June 26, 2025.
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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.