How Do I Get Certified in Microsoft Office?

Sure, everyone knows how to use Microsoft Word to create a simple document and many can also use Excel to create beautiful presentations, but there is so much more to the Microsoft Office programs that many people don't know about. In fact, did you know that you can use Microsoft Word to build an entire website, or create catalogs, books, flyers, and so much more? No matter what your profession, it helps to know about all the things you can do with Microsoft Office and you can also become certified by earning a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification. In this article, you will learn how to get certified in Microsoft Office.

Do you Have to Pass an Exam to Get Certified in Microsoft Office?

In order to get MOS or MOS Expert certified, you will have to pass the "designated authorized exam(s)". You can choose between earning certification in just one Microsoft program or more, including Word, PowerPoint, or Excel. There are many training courses available online to help you prepare for the exams and although many colleges and universities also offer courses for many skill levels, you don't need a degree.

Step by Step Instructions to Obtain Microsoft Office Certification

Step 1: Learn Basic Computer Skills

If you are seeking MOS certification, you will first need to have basic computer skills, which you can get by taking a basic computer course or it may be included in an MOS training course. However, if you already know a lot about computer operations, you can skip this part.

Step 2: Complete a Microsoft Office Training Course

Even though you may think you know enough about Microsoft Office programs, you should still enroll in one of these courses as they offer professional training that helps you learn how to use these programs the right way as well as show you all the features they provide. Keep in mind that courses are available for a specific Office program, such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, or Outlook.

Step 3: Select an Office Program for Certification

It is important to note that while you can get certified in one or all of the Microsoft Office programs, such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc., each has its own individual test, which you must pass in order to obtain certification for that program. The most popular of the bunch is MOS Word certification as it is the best choice for those who create documents like press releases, newsletters, blog posts, and more. Thus, if your work requires you to give presentations, then you might choose to get an MOS PowerPoint certification. MOS Access certification is best for those in charge of creating and managing databases. Finally, getting MOS Outlook certification is great to have on its own or in addition to other MOS certifications, if you use Microsoft Outlook as a secure e-mail system.

Step 4: Take the Certification Exams and Pass

The last step is to take and pass the certification exam or exams. Keep in mind that these tests are only valid if they are conducted by an authorized Microsoft testing site. Each exam can take around 90 minutes to complete. During the test, you will be asked to utilize the appropriate tools to complete certain tasks within the program. If you pass, congratulations, you will soon receive your certifications award by mail.

For more information click here to speak to a support agent at Microsoft now.