Top 11 Word Processor Certifications

Certifications for word processors are important in the job market because they demonstrate to potential employers that an individual has the knowledge and skills needed to perform the job tasks. Certifications can also give employers confidence that a candidate is capable of handling more complex tasks, such as formatting documents or troubleshooting technical issues. Additionally, certifications help provide assurance to employers that a word processor is up-to-date on industry standards and best practices. Furthermore, certifications can make a candidate stand out from other applicants and can provide an advantage when competing for open positions.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Word Processors and explains how they can help to advance a word processor's career.

What are Word Processor Certifications?

Word processor certification is a type of professional certification designed to demonstrate proficiency in the use of word processing software. This type of certification is most often earned through completing an online course or attending a workshop or seminar, and it can be beneficial for anyone who works with word processors in their job.

Having a word processor certification provides proof that an individual has the knowledge and skills necessary to create professional-looking documents quickly and accurately. It also signifies that the individual is capable of working with more complex features such as creating tables, formatting text, inserting images, and using mail merge functions.

For those who work in industries like publishing, marketing, sales, or education, having a word processor certification could help them stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs or promotions. It can also provide employers with assurance that the individual is knowledgeable about how to use the latest technology to produce quality documents efficiently.

Pro Tip: When looking to become certified in word processing, be sure to research the software you will be using and make sure it is up to date. Make sure you have a good understanding of basic computer functions and have a strong command of grammar, punctuation, and formatting. Look for online courses or tutorials that will help you learn the program quickly and effectively so that you can pass any certification exam.

Related: What does a Word Processor do?

Top 11 Word Processor Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Word Processors today.

1. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification is a globally recognized certification that validates an individual’s skills and knowledge in Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and OneNote. It is designed to give individuals the confidence and expertise needed to use Microsoft Office products efficiently in their day-to-day work.

The MOS certification consists of three levels: Core, Expert and Master. Each level requires passing one or more exams depending on the program being tested. The Core certification requires passing one exam while the Expert certification requires passing two exams and the Master certification requires passing three exams.

The time it takes to get certified depends on how quickly you can study for and pass the required exams. Most people can complete their MOS certification within six months or less if they are dedicated to studying for the exams.

To get your MOS certification, you must first purchase a voucher from Microsoft which will allow you to take an exam at a local testing center. Once you have purchased your voucher, you will need to register for an exam at a Pearson VUE testing center near you. You can find these centers by searching online or by calling your local Pearson VUE office. After registering for an exam, you will be given a date and time when you can take it at the testing center.

The cost of getting your MOS certification varies depending on which level of certification you are getting and how many exams you need to take in order to get it. Generally speaking, each exam costs around $150 USD so if you are taking all three levels of exams then it could cost up to $450 USD in total.

2. Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) in Word

Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) is a certification program offered by Adobe that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated advanced proficiency in one or more of Adobe’s products. It is the highest level of certification available from Adobe and requires a comprehensive knowledge of the product, including its features, functions, and workflows.

The process to become an ACE typically takes several months to complete. The first step is to pass an online assessment that tests your knowledge of the product. After passing the assessment, you must then complete a project-based exam that tests your ability to use the product in real-world scenarios. Finally, you must submit a portfolio of past projects that demonstrate your proficiency with the product.

The cost for becoming an ACE varies depending on which product you are certifying for, but generally ranges from $99-$299 USD per exam. Additionally, there may be additional costs associated with preparing for and taking the exams such as study materials or practice tests.

3. Apple Certified Pro - Pages

Apple Certified Pro - Pages is an Apple certification program that recognizes individuals who demonstrate a high level of proficiency in using Apple’s Pages word processing application. This certification is designed to help users become more proficient in the use of Pages and its features, as well as increase their understanding of the application’s workflows and best practices.

The certification process typically takes between one and two hours to complete. To get certified, users must take an online assessment that tests their knowledge of Pages’ basic functions, advanced features, and interface elements. After completing the assessment, they will receive a score indicating whether or not they have passed the exam.

In order to obtain Apple Certified Pro - Pages certification, users must pay a fee of $99 USD. This fee covers the cost of taking the assessment and receiving your certificate upon successful completion. Once you have received your certificate, you will be able to display it on your website or other digital platforms to demonstrate your expertise with Pages.

4. Corel WordPerfect Office Professional Certification

Corel WordPerfect Office Professional Certification is a certification program offered by Corel Corporation, the makers of WordPerfect Office Suite. It is designed to provide users with the skills and knowledge necessary to use the software at an advanced level. The certification covers topics such as document creation, formatting, editing, tables, graphics, macros, and more.

The certification process takes approximately 6-8 hours to complete and consists of three parts: a written exam, a practical exam and an online tutorial. The written exam tests your knowledge of WordPerfect Office Suite features and functions. The practical exam requires you to demonstrate your ability to use the software in real-world scenarios. Finally, the online tutorial provides hands-on instruction in how to use various aspects of the software.

To get certified you must first purchase a Corel WordPerfect Office Professional Certification package from Corel's website or from an authorized reseller. This package includes all materials needed for the exams as well as access to the online tutorial. Once purchased you can take the exams at any authorized testing center or online through ProCert Labs.

The cost of the Corel WordPerfect Office Professional Certification package varies depending on where it is purchased but typically ranges between $200-$400 USD.

5. IBM Lotus Symphony Professional Certification

IBM Lotus Symphony Professional Certification is an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates a professional’s expertise in using IBM Lotus Symphony software. This certification validates the individual’s ability to design, develop, and deploy solutions using IBM Lotus Symphony.

The certification requires the successful completion of one exam, which tests the individual's understanding of the features and functions of IBM Lotus Symphony. The exam covers topics such as creating and managing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, mail merges, macros, and more.

In order to get certified in IBM Lotus Symphony Professional Certification, you must first pass the required exam with a score of 70% or higher. The exam typically takes between 1-2 hours to complete.

The cost for taking the exam varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $100-$200 USD.

6. Google Docs Certified Professional

Google Docs Certified Professional is a certification program offered by Google to demonstrate proficiency in the use of Google Docs. This certification is designed for individuals who are looking to become more proficient in using Google Docs for their work or personal needs.

The certification consists of an online exam that tests your knowledge on various aspects of Google Docs, including creating and managing documents, collaborating with others, and formatting documents. The exam takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and covers topics such as creating documents, formatting text and images, sharing documents, and working with tables.

In order to get the certification, you must pass the exam with a score of 80% or higher. After passing the exam, you will receive a certificate from Google indicating that you have successfully completed the certification program.

The cost of the Google Docs Certified Professional exam is $25 USD.

7. OpenOffice Writer Certified Professional

OpenOffice Writer Certified Professional is an online certification program for OpenOffice Writer, a popular open source word processing software. It is designed to help users gain expertise in using the software and demonstrate their proficiency to employers. The program consists of a series of tests that cover different aspects of the software, such as creating documents, formatting text, working with tables and graphics, and more.

The certification program takes approximately six hours to complete. To get certified, you must pass all the tests with a score of 80% or higher. You can take the tests at your own pace and retake them if necessary.

The cost of the certification program varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $50-$100 USD to get certified.

Once you have completed the certification program, you will receive an official certificate from OpenOffice that verifies your proficiency in using OpenOffice Writer. This certificate can be used to demonstrate your skills to potential employers or clients.

8. Apache OpenOffice Writer Certified Expert

Apache OpenOffice Writer Certified Expert is a certification program that is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in using the Apache OpenOffice Writer software. The Apache OpenOffice Writer software is a powerful word processor that is used by many businesses and organizations around the world. This certification program allows individuals to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in using this software.

The Apache OpenOffice Writer Certified Expert program requires applicants to pass an online exam that tests their proficiency in using the software. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions, as well as practical tasks such as creating documents, formatting text, and manipulating images. The exam typically takes about two hours to complete.

In order to become certified, applicants must first register for the program on the Apache OpenOffice website. Once registered, applicants can then purchase a voucher code which will allow them to take the online exam. The cost of the voucher code varies depending on the country where it is purchased from but typically costs between $50-$100 USD.

Once applicants have completed the online exam and received their score, they will receive an official certificate from Apache OpenOffice confirming their status as an Apache OpenOffice Writer Certified Expert. This certificate can be used to demonstrate expertise in using this powerful word processing application when applying for jobs or other opportunities related to writing and editing documents.

9. QuarkXPress Certification Program

QuarkXPress Certification Program is an official certification program offered by Quark, Inc. This program is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated their expertise in the use of QuarkXPress software.

The program consists of two levels: Certified User and Certified Expert. The Certified User level requires a successful completion of the online assessment exam and the Certified Expert level requires a successful completion of both the online assessment exam and a hands-on practical exam.

The online assessment exam consists of multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge of QuarkXPress features, functions, and best practices. It takes approximately 2 hours to complete the online assessment exam and you must score at least 80% in order to pass.

The hands-on practical exam is a timed exercise that tests your ability to create a document using QuarkXPress tools and techniques. It takes approximately 4 hours to complete the hands-on practical exam and you must score at least 80% in order to pass.

In order to get certified, you must first register for the certification program on the Quark website. Registration fees vary depending on your chosen level of certification (Certified User or Certified Expert). Once you have registered, you will receive instructions on how to access the online assessment exams and hands-on practical exams.

Once you have successfully completed all required exams for your chosen level, you will be awarded with an official certificate from Quark recognizing your achievement as either a Certified User or Certified Expert in QuarkXPress software.

10. AbiWord Certified Professional

AbiWord Certified Professional (ACP) is a certification program offered by AbiSource, the company behind the open-source word processor AbiWord. The ACP certification is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in using and troubleshooting AbiWord.

The ACP certification requires applicants to pass an online exam. This exam covers topics such as installation, configuration, customization, troubleshooting, and usage of AbiWord. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and takes approximately one hour to complete.

To get the ACP certification, you must first register for the exam on the AbiSource website. After registering for the exam, you will receive an email with instructions on how to access it. Once you have completed the exam and passed it with a score of 80% or higher, you will be awarded your ACP certification.

The cost of taking the ACP exam is $50 USD. This fee can be paid via PayPal or credit card at the time of registration for the exam.

11. SoftMaker Office Suite Professional Certification

SoftMaker Office Suite Professional Certification is a certification program offered by SoftMaker, a German software company. The program is designed to help individuals demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in using the SoftMaker Office Suite of applications.

The certification exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases, and graphics. The exam takes approximately one hour to complete and can be taken online or at an authorized testing center.

To obtain the certification, applicants must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. Once the exam has been passed, applicants will receive an official certificate from SoftMaker that can be used to demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in using the SoftMaker Office Suite.

The cost of the SoftMaker Office Suite Professional Certification varies depending on where you take the exam. If you choose to take it online, it costs $99 USD; if you take it at an authorized testing center, it costs $149 USD.

Do You Really Need a Word Processor Certificate?

No, you do not need a Word Processor Certificate to be successful in life or to be considered for a job. While having this type of certificate can show potential employers that you have basic knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite, there are many other ways to demonstrate your skills to an employer.

For example, if you are applying for a job that requires knowledge of Word Processing, then having a portfolio of projects that showcase your ability to use this software can be just as effective as having the certificate. Similarly, if the position requires advanced knowledge of Word Processing, then taking online courses and reading tutorials can help prepare you for the job without needing the certification.

Ultimately, what matters most is how well you understand and use the technology required by the job and how effectively you can apply it to solve problems. With enough practice and dedication, anyone can become proficient at word processing without needing an official certificate.

Related: Word Processor Resume Examples

FAQs About Word Processor Certifications

Q1: What is a Word Processor Certification?

A1: A Word Processor Certification is a credential that demonstrates mastery of the skills and knowledge necessary to use word processing software such as Microsoft Word, OpenOffice, or Google Docs. It can be obtained by taking an online or in-person course, or by passing an exam.

Q2: What are the benefits of obtaining a Word Processor Certification?

A2: Having a Word Processor Certification can help make you more marketable to potential employers and increase your earning potential. It also shows that you have the technical skills needed to use popular word processing software efficiently.

Q3: How long does it take to obtain a Word Processor Certification?

A3: The amount of time it takes to obtain a Word Processor Certification varies depending on the program chosen. Some programs offer accelerated courses that can be completed in as little as one week, while others may require several weeks or months of study and practice.

Q4: Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a Word Processor Certification?

A4: Most programs do not require any prerequisites for enrollment. However, having some basic computer literacy (such as being able to use a mouse and keyboard) and knowledge of common word processing tasks will make the process easier and faster.

Q5: How much does it cost to obtain a Word Processor Certification?

A5: The cost of obtaining a Word Processor certification varies depending on the program chosen. Some programs may offer free courses while others may charge tuition fees. It is important to research different programs before deciding which one is right for you.