Microsoft Office Certification: Benefits + How to Get Started

Key takeaways

The Microsoft Office Specialist certification is a credential that demonstrates your knowledge and skills in the Office apps.

• Each individual Microsoft Office certification exam costs $104 in the United States [1], and you will take three exams at the Associate level, five exams at the Expert level, or four exams at the Master level.

• A Microsoft certification can help you receive employer recognition, gain skills for industry-specific roles, keep your knowledge current, and earn a higher salary.

• You can get Microsoft Office certifications by selecting the level you need, scheduling the exam, preparing with practice exams or training courses, and keeping your certification current yearly.

Explore Microsoft Office certification options, requirements, skills, benefits, and how to sign up. 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. In as little as two months, you’ll have the opportunity to gain a fundamental understanding of Microsoft’s productivity-enhancing apps like Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Upon completion, you’ll earn a shareable certificate to add to your resume.

Microsoft Office certification overview 

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. 

In the table below, we’ve organized the Microsoft Office certifications by level and requirements so that you can explore the options available to you:  

Skills measured on each Microsoft Office certification exam

• MO-100 Microsoft Word (Office 2019): 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

• MO-101 Microsoft Word Expert (Office 2019): Manage document options and settings; use advanced editing and formatting features; create custom document elements; use advanced Word features

• MO-200 Microsoft Excel (Office 2019): Manage worksheets and workbooks; manage data cells and ranges; manage tables and table data; perform operations by using formulas and functions; manage charts

• MO-201 Microsoft Excel Expert (Office 2019): Manage workbook options and settings; manage and format data; create advanced formulas and macros; manage advanced charts and tables

• MO-300 Microsoft PowerPoint (Office 2019): Manage presentations; manage slides; insert and format texts, shapes, and images; insert tables, charts, SmartArt, 3D models, and media; apply transitions and animations

• MO-400 Microsoft Outlook (Office 2019): Manage Outlook settings and processes; manage messages; manage schedules; manage contacts and tasks

• MO-500 Microsoft Access Expert (Office 2019): Manage databases; create and modify tables; create and modify queries; modify forms in layout view; modify reports in layout view

• 77-726 Microsoft Word Expert (Office 2016): Manage document options and settings; design advanced documents; create advanced references; create custom Word elements

• 77-728 Microsoft Excel Expert (Office 2016): Manage workbook options and settings; apply custom data formats and layouts; create advanced formulas; create advanced charts and tables

• 77-729 Microsoft PowerPoint (Office 2016): Create and manage presentations; insert and format text, shapes, and images; insert tables, charts, SmartArt, and media; apply transitions and animations; manage multiple presentations

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Access (Office 2016): Create and manage a database; build tables; create queries; create forms; create reports

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Outlook (Office 2016): Manage the Outlook environment for productivity; manage messages; manage schedules; manage contacts and groups

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:

Is Microsoft Office certification free?

Each individual exam costs $104 in the United States [1]. You will pay for three exams at the associate level, five exams at the Expert level, and four exams at the Master level.

Is a Microsoft Office certification worth it? 

If you’re thinking about getting Microsoft Office certified, you may be wondering how a credential can benefit your career. Here’s a list of benefits to consider as you weigh your career options. 

1. Employers around the world recognize Microsoft credentials. 

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. 

To give you an idea of the demand for Microsoft Office-trained professionals, Lightcast’s Digital Skills Outlook 2024 shows that Microsoft Office is the top in-demand digital skill across 15 key countries, including the United States, followed by Microsoft Excel [2]. In the finance sector, both are among the top three in-demand skills, with Microsoft Excel appearing in 14.68 percent of all job postings analyzed and Microsoft Office close behind at 10.26 percent [2]. 

2. Certifications correspond to industry-defined roles. 

By preparing for and passing a certifying exam, you will be learning software skills to solve many of today’s real-world business challenges. According to Skillsoft’s IT Skills and Salary Report, Microsoft certifications were the most pursued credentials in 2024 and had the highest number of certified professionals worldwide [3].

3. Maintaining your Microsoft Office certification keeps your skills current. 

Microsoft Office certifications are periodically updated to reflect businesses’ evolving needs. To maintain your certification, you’ll be learning the latest technology skills employers are looking for and demonstrating your commitment to career development.

4. You could command a higher salary with Microsoft Office specialist careers.

According to Skillsoft, 20 percent of survey respondents received a raise after obtaining certification, and Microsoft certification holders earned about $3,000 more per year[3,4]. 

Payscale reports that the average Microsoft Office Specialist salary in the US is $63,000. Among the Microsoft Office Specialist jobs that Payscale lists with average salaries above this amount are: marketing project manager ($81,533) and management and program analyst ($86,495) [5]. 

How long does it take to get Office certified?

The length of time it takes to earn a Microsoft Office certification depends on your current skills. If you’re already proficient in Microsoft Office, you may be ready to complete the exam without any preparation. Alternatively, if you’re 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, and often within a matter of minutes.

How to get Microsoft Office Specialist certification 

If you’re ready to earn your Microsoft Office Specialist certification, follow the steps below to streamline your process: 

1. Select the level of Microsoft Office certification you need.

Start by reflecting on your career goals, including the roles you’d like to perform and the Microsoft skills and credentials employers require. Refer to the table above, as well as Microsoft’s certification dashboard, to select a certification level, including the required exams. 

2. Schedule your exam. 

To register for and schedule an exam, visit the Certiport Authorized Testing Center Locator. 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. 

3. Prepare for the exam. 

Once you schedule an exam, your next step is to prepare:

• Download and read the exam skills outline.

• Demo the exam experience through the sandbox.

• Browse Microsoft’s training hub or other organizations for courses you can take to learn Microsoft Office apps. 

For a glimpse at getting started with Office apps, watch this video from Coursera’s Microsoft 365 Fundamentals Specialization:

4. Take the exam. 

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. 

Read more: Where to Put Certifications on Resume: Guide + Examples

5. Maintain your Microsoft Office certification. 

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 certification dashboard to your Microsoft Learn account 

• Taking assessments that are shorter than the original exams

Strengthen your skill set with guided learning tools

Join Career Chat on LinkedIn to stay current with the latest trends in your career field. Continue your learning journey in Microsoft apps with our other free digital resources:

• Test a skill: Microsoft Excel Skill Assessment

• Watch on YouTube: Using Excel Search, Help, and Community Tools

• Hear from an expert: 6 Questions with a Microsoft Data Analytics Leader

Accelerate your career growth with a Coursera Plus subscription. When you enroll in either the monthly or annual option, you’ll get access to over 10,000 courses. 

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