Microsoft Office Certification
Get hired, demonstrate clear business impact, and advance your skills. With the Microsoft Office certification program, you can take your career to the next level.
Microsoft Office Specialist
Microsoft Office Specialist
MOS certification is for those looking to demonstrate proficiency in one or more Office programs. Productivity certification is for those looking to use Microsoft Office and deploy Microsoft Office cloud and hybrid solutions. Differentiate yourself with this competency as a proven expert in Office skills.
If you are pursuing the higher level MCSA Office 365 or MCSE Productivity certifications, becoming a certified Microsoft Office Specialist is a great entry point.
Key technologies
Microsoft Office 365
Microsoft Office
Exchange
Skype for Business
SharePoint
Select a certification level
MOS: Microsoft Office Specialist
Demonstrate that you have the skills needed to get the most out of Office by earning a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification in a specific Office program
Ideal Candidate
Students or professionals seeking core skills in the Office product suite.
Required Skills
No prerequisite.
What’s Involved
Complete and pass an exam from one of these MOS paths.
Continuing Education
Earn a MOS Expert or MOS Master certification by passing additional exams.
MOS Expert: Microsoft Office Specialist Expert
Demonstrate that you have a deeper level of skills in key Office programs by earning a Microsoft Office Specialist Expert certification.
Ideal Candiate
Students or professionals seeking advanced skills in the Office product suite.
Required Skills
Basic skills in Microsoft Office or MOS Specialist.
What’s Involved
Complete and pass an exam from one of these MOS paths.
Continuing Education
Earn a MOS Master certification by passing three additional exams and one elective exam.
MOS Master: Microsoft Office Specialist Master
Demonstrate that you have the deepest level of skills needed to proficiently use Office programs by earning a Microsoft Office Specialist Master certification.
Ideal Candidate
Students or professionals seeking core skills in the Office product suite.
Required Skills
Advanced skills in Microsoft Office or MOS Expert.
What’s Involved
Complete and pass three exams and one elective exam from one of these MOS paths.
Continuing Education
Explore additional certifications to further expand your technical expertise.
Select a certification technology
MOS: Microsoft Office Specialist on Microsoft Office 2016
This certification demonstrates that you have the skills needed to get the most out of Office by earning a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification in a specific Office program.
What’s Involved
Holding a MOS certification can earn an entry-level business employee as much as $16,000 more in annual salary than uncertified peers.*
*Anderson, Cushing, and John F. Gantz. Skills Requirements for Tomorrow's Best Jobs
Step 1 – SKILLS
No prerequisite.
Step 2 - EXAMS
Pass any of 5 exams to become certified in that program.
Step 3 – CERTIFICATION
Earn your MOS
on Microsoft Office 2016.
Step 4 – CONTINUING EDUCATION
Earn an MTA to broaden and advance skills.
MOS: Microsoft Office Specialist on Microsoft Office 2013
Office 2013 combines cloud and web technologies to extend the way you create and consume information and introduces a new cloud app model for you to build secure and flexible apps—all discoverable from the familiar Office interface.
What’s Involved
Holding a MOS certification can earn an entry-level business employee as much as $16,000 more in annual salary than uncertified peers.
*Anderson, Cushing, and John F. Gantz. Skills Requirements for Tomorrow's Best Jobs
Step 1 – SKILLS
No prerequisite.
Step 2 - EXAMS
Pass any of 7 exams to become certified in that program.
Step 3 – CERTIFICATION
Earn your MOS on Microsoft Office 2013.
Step 4 – CONTINUING EDUCATION
Earn an MTA to broaden
and advance skills.
Select a certification technology
MOS: Microsoft Office Specialist Expert on Microsoft Office 2016
This certification demonstrates that you have advanced skills in key Office programs by earning a Microsoft Office Specialist Expert certification
What’s Involved
Holding a MOS certification can earn an entry-level business employee as much as $16,000 more in annual salary than uncertified peers.*
*Anderson, Cushing, and John F. Gantz. Skills Requirements for Tomorrow's Best Jobs
Step 1 – SKILLS
No prerequisite.
Step 2 - EXAMS
Pass one exam. Be sure to explore the exam prep resources.
Step 2 - CERTIFICATION
Earn your MOS Expert on Microsoft Office 2016.
Step 4 – CONTINUING EDUCATION
Earn an MTA to broaden and advance skills.
MOS: Microsoft Office Specialist Expert on Microsoft Office 2013
Office 2013 combines cloud and web technologies to extend the way you create and consume information, and introduces a new cloud app model for you to build secure and flexible apps—all discoverable from the familiar Office interface.
What’s Involved
Holding a MOS certification can earn an entry-level business employee as much as $16,000 more in annual salary than uncertified peers.*
*Anderson, Cushing, and John F. Gantz. Skills Requirements for Tomorrow's Best Jobs
Step 1 – SKILLS
No prerequisite.
Step 2 - EXAMS
Pass two required exams. Be sure to explore the exam prep resources.
Step 3 - CERTIFICATION
Earn your MOS Expert on Microsoft Office 2013.
Step 4 – CONTINUING EDUCATION
Earn an MTA to broaden and advance skills.
Select a certification technology
MOS: Microsoft Office Specialist Master on Microsoft Office 2016
This certification demonstrates that you have the deepest level of skills needed to proficiently use Office programs by earning a Microsoft Office Specialist Master certification.
What’s Involved
Holding a MOS certification can earn an entry-level business employee as much as $16,000 more in annual salary than uncertified peers.*
*Anderson, Cushing, and John F. Gantz. Skills Requirements for Tomorrow's Best Jobs
Step 1 – REQUIRED EXAMS
Pass all three required exams.
Step 2 - ELECTIVE EXAMS
Pass all three required exams in step 1, plus one elective exam.
Step 3 - CERTIFICATION
Earn your MOS Master on Microsoft Office 2016
Step 4 – CONTINUING EDUCATION
Earn an MTA to broaden and advance skills.
MOS: Microsoft Office Specialist Master on Microsoft Office 2013
This certification demonstrates that you have the deepest level of skills needed to proficiently use Office programs by earning a Microsoft Office Specialist Master certification.
What’s Involved
Holding a MOS certification can earn an entry-level business employee as much as $16,000 more in annual salary than uncertified peers.*
*Anderson, Cushing, and John F. Gantz. Skills Requirements for Tomorrow's Best Jobs
Step 1 – REQUIRED EXAMS
Pass all three required exams, and then pass one of the elective exams in Step 2.
Step 2 - ELECTIVE EXAMS
Pass all three of the exams in step 1, plus one of the elective exams.
Step 3 - CERTIFICATION
Earn your MOS Master on Microsoft Office 2013.
Step 4 – CONTINUING EDUCATION
Earn an MTA to broaden and advance skills.
Frequently asked questions
For more specific questions addressing the certification exam policies, please visit the Exam policies and FAQ page.
Show All- Q. What is the exam format?
A. Exams are primarily performance-based and conducted in a "live," or simulated, environment. Exam candidates taking exams for MOS 2007 or 2010 are asked to perform a series of tasks to clearly demonstrate their skills. For example, a Word exam might ask a user to balance newspaper column lengths or to keep text together in columns. MOS 2013 presents the candidate with a project to build, with tasks and steps that build on each other.
- Q. How is the MOS 2013 format different from previous MOS exams?
A. MOS 2010 and earlier versions provide a variety of brief tasks to complete using Office application tools and functions. The new exam format for MOS 2013 presents a short project that the candidate must complete, using the specifications provided. This creates a real-world testing experience for candidates. For more information, check out the View the MOS 2013 demo video.
- Q. How long does a typical exam take?
A. A typical exam takes up to 90 minutes.
- Q. Where can I take a MOS exam?
A. All Microsoft Office Specialist exams are administered by Certiport. Direct your questions about exam schedules and pre-registration to the Certiport location where you intend to take the exam.
- Q. Are MOS exams available in different languages?
A. Yes, Microsoft offers localized exams for the MOS certification.
- Q. Where can I find my exam results?
A. Exam results are displayed on your screen immediately after you complete an exam. Those who pass will receive (by mail) an official certificate within approximately two to three weeks.