Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Requirements

To earn the Microsoft Office Specialist (Office Specialist) certification for Microsoft Office or Microsoft Project, you must pass one or more certification exams. Office Specialist exams provide a valid and reliable measure of technical proficiency and expertise by evaluating your overall comprehension of Office or Microsoft Project programs, your ability to use their advanced features, and your ability to integrate the Office programs with other software programs. Preparation guides for taking Office Specialist exams can be found on the Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Track page. Office Specialist exams are developed and validated by industry experts and the exam development process is accredited by the Buros Institute for Assessment Consultation and Outreach. Office Specialist exams are administered at Authorized Testing Centers worldwide.

Certification Tracks

The Office Specialist program offers certification tracks for a number of Microsoft Office editions. Select the appropriate Office track below to learn about the exam requirements for each track.

• Office 2003 Editions
• Office XP
• Office 2000

The Office Specialist program also offers certification for Microsoft Project 2002 and Microsoft Project 2000. Select the link below to learn more about Project certification.

• Microsoft Project

Office Specialist Exam Skill Standards and Preparation Guides

To view exam skill standards, click the exam name in the Exam Skill Standards column. Exam skill standards are organized in skill sets, which represent the more fundamental aspects of using each Office program. To view exam preparation guides, click the exam name in the Exam Preparation Guides column.

For a list of exams available in other languages, see the Localized Office Specialist Exams page.

Office 2003 Editions Track

Master Certification: Candidates must successfully complete three required exams and one elective exam.

Expert Certification: Candidates must successfully complete any one of the Expert exams.

Specialist Certification: Candidates must successfully complete any one of the Specialist exams.

Microsoft Office XP Track

Master Certification: Candidates must successfully complete three required exams and one elective exam.

Expert Certification: Candidates must successfully complete any one of the Expert exams.

Specialist Certification: Candidates must successfully complete any one of the Specialist exams.

Microsoft Office 2000 Track

Master Certification: Candidates must successfully complete three required exams and one elective exam.

Expert Certification: Candidates must successfully complete any one of the Expert exams.

Specialist Certification: Candidates must successfully complete any one of the Specialist exams.