Top 11 Office Specialist Certifications

Certifications for an office specialist are important in the job market because they demonstrate a level of proficiency and knowledge that employers are looking for. They provide proof that the individual has taken the time and effort to learn specific skills and knowledge related to their profession. Employers know that hiring someone with certifications is likely to lead to increased efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction within their organization. Certifications also attract more potential employers and can help an office specialist stand out from other job applicants. They can also open up more opportunities for promotions or career advancement.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Office Specialists and explain how they can aid in an office specialist's career growth.

What are Office Specialist Certifications?

Office Specialist Certification is a program that provides an opportunity for professionals to demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office programs. This certification program can help professionals understand the basic concepts of using Microsoft Office applications, as well as how to efficiently and effectively use these tools to complete tasks. This certification can also be used to advance one's career by validating their current skillset or helping them acquire a new position within their organization.

The Office Specialist Certification program is designed to test an individual’s proficiency in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access. The exam covers topics such as creating documents, formatting text and objects, working with tables and charts, managing email accounts and calendars, performing calculations with formulas and functions, creating databases and forms, automating processes with macros and much more. By taking the Office Specialist Certification exam, individuals have the chance to prove their mastery of these programs on a global level.

Having an Office Specialist Certification can provide numerous benefits for professionals looking to advance their careers. It gives employers assurance that employees are proficient in using Microsoft Office applications; this increases efficiency in the workplace which saves time and money for companies. In addition, having this certification shows potential employers that you have taken initiative towards developing your skillset which allows you to stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs or promotions. Finally, having this certification may give you access to higher pay grades which can result in greater job satisfaction.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the different types of office specialist certifications available and the requirements for each, so that you can choose the certification that best fits your professional goals. Additionally, look into any additional training or experience that may be required to obtain a particular certification.

Related: What does an Office Specialist do?

Top 11 Office Specialist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Office Specialists today.

1. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s skills in Microsoft Office applications. It is offered by Certiport, a Pearson VUE company, and is the official MOS certification program for Microsoft Office.

The MOS certification covers the most popular Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access and OneNote. To become certified in any of these programs, you must pass one or more exams that assess your knowledge and skills in each application.

It typically takes between two to four weeks to complete the necessary training and preparation for the exam(s). You can take the exams online or at a local testing center. The cost of taking the exam varies depending on which country you are located in but generally ranges from $59 - $150 USD per exam.

To get started with MOS certification, you need to create an account with Certiport and purchase an exam voucher through their website. Once you have purchased your voucher, you will be able to register for your desired exam(s) and schedule it at a local testing center or take it online via their secure web-based system.

2. Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS)

Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) is an official certification program from Microsoft that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated expertise in using Microsoft applications. This certification validates a person’s ability to use Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

To become MCAS certified, you must pass one or more exams that test your knowledge and skills in a particular application. The exams are available online and can be taken at any time. Each exam typically takes about two hours to complete.

The cost of the exams varies depending on the specific application being tested. Generally speaking, each exam costs between $50 and $150 USD.

In order to get MCAS certified, you must first register for an exam with Microsoft and then take the exam at a testing center or online. Once you have passed the exam(s), you will receive your MCAS certification which is valid for two years from the date of issue.

3. Microsoft Office 365 Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Office 365 Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) is a certification program that validates an individual’s expertise in deploying, configuring, and managing Microsoft Office 365 services. The MCSE certification demonstrates a professional’s ability to deliver cloud-based productivity and collaboration solutions using the latest versions of Microsoft Office 365 tools and technologies.

In order to become certified as an MCSE, you must pass one or more exams related to the technology you are seeking certification for. For example, if you want to become an MCSE in Office 365, you will need to pass the MS-100: Microsoft 365 Identity and Services exam.

It typically takes about 3-6 months of studying and preparation before taking the exam(s). During this time it is important to gain hands-on experience with the technology so that you can apply what you have learned during your studies.

The cost of becoming an MCSE varies depending on the number of exams required for certification and which version of Office 365 you are certifying for. Generally speaking, each exam costs between $165-$200 USD per exam.

Overall, obtaining an MCSE certification requires dedication and hard work but it can open up new career opportunities for those who obtain it.

4. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ certification is an industry-recognized credential that validates the knowledge and skills of IT professionals. It is a vendor-neutral certification that covers a wide range of topics, including hardware, networking, mobile devices, operating systems, software troubleshooting and security. It is the most popular certification for entry-level IT professionals and is widely accepted by employers worldwide.

The CompTIA A+ certification requires two exams: 220-901 and 220-902. The exams cover topics such as installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance and basic networking. Each exam takes 90 minutes to complete and consists of multiple choice questions.

To get CompTIA A+ certified, you must pass both exams with a score of at least 700 out of 900 points. The cost for each exam varies depending on the testing center but typically ranges from $150 to $300 per exam.

In total, it usually takes around 20 hours to prepare for the CompTIA A+ certification exams. This includes reading through study materials, taking practice exams and studying any other resources you can find online or in books.

5. IC3 Digital Literacy Certification

IC3 Digital Literacy Certification is a certification program designed to help individuals demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of computing, digital literacy, and the Internet. It is offered by Certiport, a provider of certification programs for technology-based skills. The IC3 Digital Literacy Certification consists of three exams: Computing Fundamentals, Key Applications, and Living Online.

The Computing Fundamentals exam covers topics such as computer hardware components and peripherals, storage devices, operating systems, software applications, file management and security. The Key Applications exam covers topics such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases and presentation software. The Living Online exam covers topics such as web browsing and communication tools.

It typically takes about 2-4 hours to complete all three exams. To get the IC3 Digital Literacy Certification you must first register with Certiport to take the exams. You can then schedule an appointment at an authorized testing center near you or take the exams online through Certiport's online proctoring service.

The cost of the IC3 Digital Literacy Certification varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $100-$150 USD per exam or $300-$450 USD for all three exams combined.

6. Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)

Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) is a certification program developed by Adobe Systems Inc. to recognize individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in using Adobe software. The ACA program is designed to help employers, educators, and students validate their digital skills and demonstrate their proficiency in Adobe products such as Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.

The ACA certification is available for both Mac and Windows versions of the Adobe Creative Cloud applications. It takes approximately 6-8 hours to complete the exam and become certified. To get the certification, you must take an online or in-person exam that tests your knowledge of the features and functions of Adobe products.

The cost of the exam varies depending on which version you are taking: Mac or Windows. The cost for the Mac version is $180 USD while the cost for the Windows version is $150 USD. Additionally, some educational institutions may offer discounts on the exams if they are taken through them.

7. Google Apps Certified Deployment Specialist

Google Apps Certified Deployment Specialist is a certification offered by Google to demonstrate expertise in deploying and managing Google Apps for Business. It covers topics such as setting up users, configuring security settings, troubleshooting, and more.

It typically takes about two to three months to complete the certification process. To get the certification, you must pass two exams: the Google Apps Certified Deployment Exam and the Google Apps Certified Administrator Exam. Both exams are administered online through Pearson VUE.

The cost of the exams varies depending on your location and currency exchange rates. In the United States, each exam costs $100 USD.

8. Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP)

Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) is an Apple certification program that allows IT professionals to demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in supporting Apple products. It is designed for technicians, help desk specialists, and other support personnel who use Apple products in their daily work.

The ACSP certification requires the successful completion of a two-part exam: the Apple Service Fundamentals Exam and the Mac Integration Basics Exam. The exams are administered online and can be taken at any authorized testing center or through an online proctoring service. The exams cover topics such as troubleshooting, repair, installation, networking, system configuration, security, and more.

It typically takes around 8-10 hours to complete both exams, depending on your experience level with Apple products. The cost of the exams varies depending on where you take them; they range from $150-$250 USD each.

To get certified as an ACSP, you must first pass both exams with a score of 80% or higher. Upon successful completion of the exams, you will receive your official ACSP certification from Apple.

9. CIW Web Foundations Associate Certification

The CIW Web Foundations Associate certification is a professional certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and skills in the areas of web development, web design, and web security. It is designed to demonstrate a basic understanding of the Internet and its related technologies.

This certification typically takes about two months to complete, depending on how quickly you can study and complete the course material. To get certified, you must first pass a series of exams that cover topics such as HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, SEO fundamentals, web accessibility standards, and more.

In order to become certified as a CIW Web Foundations Associate you must purchase the CIW Web Foundations Series from Pearson VUE or another approved provider. The cost for this certification varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $300-$400 USD.

10. CorelDRAW Graphics Suite Certified Professional Program

The CorelDRAW Graphics Suite Certified Professional Program is a comprehensive certification program designed to recognize and validate the skills of professionals who use CorelDRAW Graphics Suite. This program is designed to help users demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in using CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, as well as gain recognition from employers, peers, and the design industry.

In order to become a CorelDRAW Graphics Suite Certified Professional, you must complete an online exam that tests your knowledge of the software. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as creating vector graphics, working with text, manipulating objects, applying effects, and more. It takes approximately 90 minutes to complete the exam.

To get started on the certification process, you must first purchase a voucher from Corel's website for $99 USD. After you have purchased the voucher code, you will be able to register for the exam at Pearson VUE (a testing center) or online via their website. Once you have completed the exam successfully, you will receive your certificate within 4-6 weeks.

The cost of becoming a CorelDRAW Graphics Suite Certified Professional is $99 USD for the voucher code plus any applicable taxes or fees associated with taking the exam at Pearson VUE or online via their website.

11. QuarkXPress Certified Professional Program

The QuarkXPress Certified Professional Program is a certification program offered by Quark Inc. that allows users to demonstrate their expertise in the use of the QuarkXPress software. The program consists of two exams, each of which must be passed in order to become certified.

The first exam is an online assessment that tests knowledge of the basic features and functions of QuarkXPress. This exam takes approximately 1 hour to complete and must be taken before attempting the second exam.

The second exam is a hands-on test that requires users to perform tasks using QuarkXPress software on a computer provided by Quark Inc. This exam takes approximately 4 hours to complete and must be taken at one of the designated testing centers around the world.

In order to become certified, both exams must be passed with a score of 80% or higher. Once certified, users will receive a certificate and digital badge which they can display on their website or social media profiles.

The cost for taking both exams is $400 USD.

Do You Really Need a Office Specialist Certificate?

No, you do not need an Office Specialist Certificate in order to work in an office. While having a certificate may be beneficial in certain situations, it is not essential to securing a job or advancing your career.

In many cases, employers are more interested in the skills and experience you bring to the table than any sort of piece of paper you may have. If you can demonstrate that you possess the necessary office skills such as filing, data entry, customer service, and other related tasks then you should be able to find a job without the certificate.

In some cases, having an Office Specialist Certificate may be advantageous. It could help set you apart from other applicants when applying for jobs or provide additional credibility when seeking promotions or advancements within a company. It could also be helpful if you are looking to transition into a different field where office skills are required but lacking in your current experience.

However, even if an employer does require an Office Specialist Certificate, there are plenty of online courses available that can help prepare you for the exam and give you the knowledge and skills necessary to pass it with flying colors. So if this is something that interests you and would benefit your career goals then I would definitely recommend looking into obtaining one.

Related: Office Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Office Specialist Certifications

1. What is an office specialist certification?

An office specialist certification is a credential that demonstrates a person has the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively perform administrative tasks in an office setting. It can be obtained through specialized training and assessments, such as those offered by Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS).

2. What types of jobs can I get with an office specialist certification?

With an office specialist certification, you could qualify for roles such as administrative assistant, executive assistant, legal secretary, medical secretary, customer service representative, receptionist or data entry clerk.

3. Are there any prerequisites to become certified?

No, there are no prerequisites to become certified as an office specialist. However, some employers may require applicants to have prior experience in a related field or demonstrate proficiency in certain computer applications.

4. How much does it cost to become certified?

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the organization offering the certification and the type of assessment chosen. Generally speaking, it can range anywhere from $50 to $200 USD per exam.

5. How long does it take to become certified?

It depends on the type of assessment chosen and how much time you are willing to dedicate towards studying for the exam(s). Generally speaking, most people can expect to complete their certification within a few weeks or months if they study diligently and practice regularly.