A Guide to Microsoft Certifications and Training Programs

Earning a professional certification may help you develop your skills and show your expertise to potential employers. Microsoft offers a range of certification and training programs for different professions. Learning about these certifications and the process of obtaining them may help you determine which one for is best for you to pursue.

In this article, we explain what the Microsoft Certification and training programs are, review the benefits of these certifications, discuss how to get one and list the certifications available.

What is the Microsoft Certification training program?

Microsoft Certification training prepares people for success in using Microsoft products, such as Office, and applying related software skills, such as coding and database administration. While a bachelor's degree in computer science provides a foundational understanding of the information technology (IT) field, Microsoft's program has options for developing specialized knowledge in specific areas of the field. It includes multiple tiers of training, providing options for entry-level and experienced tech workers alike.

Related: FAQs About Microsoft Office Certifications (With Examples)

Benefits of Microsoft certification training

Besides being a generally helpful educational tool, the Microsoft Certification program offers many benefits applicable to both in your current workplace and your future job search. Potential benefits of these career certifications include:

Higher growth potential

Having a Microsoft Certification on your resume may show your expertise to employers, helping you find a new job, but it may also help you advance your career with your current employer. These qualifications may better qualify you for a promotion or give you support when negotiating your salary. The knowledge you can gain through the training and certification program may enable you to be more productive, improve your problem-solving skills and prepare you for leadership positions.

Visible qualifications

Earning a Microsoft Certification may distinguish you from other candidates when you're applying for jobs. While the relevant certifications depend on your area of expertise, including the name of the certification you earned may be more compelling to hiring managers rather than including your specific Microsoft skills. It shows a third-party verified your knowledge, reinforcing your skills. The certification programs also provide you with materials that you can include in online profiles to make your credentials easily visible.

Related: How To Show Proficiency in Microsoft Office on a Resume

Fluency in Microsoft Office

Many organizations look for candidates who have experience working with Microsoft Office. While your level of experience depends on the certifications you choose to pursue, a Microsoft Certification can further your knowledge to enable you to solve a variety of problems within the Office suite. The training available through the certification process may teach you about new features that you didn't previously know about or improve your understanding of how to use them, which may improve your general workplace skills. For example, you may learn how to develop charts that allow you to better analyze, interpret and explain data.

Increased flexibility

Adaptability is important in today's workplace to support flexibility, solve problems and resolve changes and challenges with technology. Earning a Microsoft Certification may help you learn different problem-solving strategies within the programs and verify your knowledge about these practices to potential employers. These skills are often transferable to other jobs, providing you with options if you want to make a career change.

Related: How To Decide if Professional Certifications Are Worth It

How to earn a Microsoft Certification

Here's the Microsoft Certification process:

1. Research the available certifications

Learn about the various Microsoft Certifications available. Microsoft recently changed the structure of its certification program to focus more on role-based certifications and paths, but there are certifications available for certain skills. For example, an office worker may choose to earn a certification relevant to Microsoft Office, but a data scientist may choose certifications relevant to their career.

2. Learn about the requirements

Review the requirements for earning your chosen certification. Most certifications require you to pass an exam, but some certifications may require passing multiple exams. These certifications typically have a fee for you to pay before you can take the exams, too.

3. Think about your experience

Confirm you have the appropriate skill level for your desired exam. Microsoft offers certifications at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. It's typically best to begin with lower-level courses and work toward advancing to higher courses. There may also be higher-level courses that require you to obtain beginner or intermediate certifications first before you can pursue them.

4. Prepare for the exams

Schedule the date and time to take your exam, and study before you attempt the exams for your certification. Microsoft offers resources for you to use to prepare for the exams, such as free materials through its Microsoft Learning platform and practice test. Depending on your skill level, you may also consider pursuing instructor-led training to improve your skills.

5. Complete the exams

Begin your exam on your scheduled test date and time. While options may vary depending on your certification and where you live, Microsoft offers testing centers and online proctoring services for these exams. It's also possible to request accommodations before your exam if you require them. Once you complete your exam, most of them provide instant results with proof of your certification.

6. Consider additional certifications

Think about further opportunities to earn certifications. For example, earning a beginner certification may qualify you to pursue an intermediate certification, or you may pursue a series of certifications related to a specific job. It's also important to remember your certifications may require renewal, especially if they relate to a certain role. Microsoft requires annual renewal for these certifications to ensure people in these fields keep current with the latest developments and maintain their skill levels.

Types of Microsoft Certifications

Microsoft Certifications largely relate to pursuing credentials related to a certain career path. It also offers a selection of certifications that may benefit any type of employee. Some examples of certifications and certification paths include:

Microsoft Certified

Microsoft Certified is a beginner-level group of certifications. These certifications show your fundamental knowledge of different aspects of Microsoft platforms, and these serve as a good replacement for the now-retired Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification. These certifications include:

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (CRM)

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (ERP)

• Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals

• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals

Microsoft Office Specialist

Microsoft Office Specialist is a type of certification demonstrating your advanced skills with the Microsoft Office Suite. There are a variety of these certifications available related to different types of Office products, versions of the products and skill levels. These certifications include:

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Associate (Office 2019)

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert (Office 2019)

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Excel Expert (Office 2019)

• Microsoft Office Specialist: PowerPoint Associate (Office 2019)

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Word Associate (Office 2019)

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate (Office 2019)

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Word Expert (Office 2019)

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Access Expert (Office 2019)

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Outlook Associate (Office 2019)

• Microsoft Office Specialist 2013 Master

• Microsoft Office Specialist 2016 Master

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Access 2016

• Microsoft Office Specialist: OneNote 2013

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Access 2013

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Excel 2016

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Excel 2016 Expert

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel 2013 Expert

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel 2013

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Outlook 2013

• Microsoft Office Specialist: PowerPoint 2013

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Word 2013 Expert

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Word 2016

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Word 2013

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Word 2016 Expert

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Outlook 2016

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft PowerPoint 2016

Microsoft Certified Trainer

Becoming a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) designates your expertise in Microsoft technology and your ability to instruct others about them. Joining this program is an annual process and involves having a certification in the courses you want to teach and passing an additional course from one of Microsoft's approved providers. This may be an exciting opportunity for people who are passionate about helping others develop their skills. Microsoft offers an extensive list of MCT certifications to choose from. Here are a few examples:

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert

• Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Business Central Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate

Administrator

Microsoft offers certifications for administrators, which it considers those who focus on Microsoft solutions. This includes anyone who investigates, implements, tracks and manages solutions. Certifications relevant to this role include:

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Voice Engineer Expert

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Messaging Administrator Associate

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Administrator Associate

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Teamwork Administrator Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect

• Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Information Protection Administrator Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty

AI engineer

An artificial intelligence (AI) engineer specializes in creating and implementing AI solutions within Microsoft. This may involve using machine learning, knowledge mining and cognitive services to complete. Certifications relevant to this career include:

• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals

Related: 10 Microsoft Azure Certifications To Advance Your Career

App maker

App makers use code techniques to create apps to improve business processes and tasks. For this career, Microsoft offers the Microsoft Certified: Power Platform App Maker Associate certification. Earning this certification requires passing one exam, and it demonstrates an understanding of creating apps to automate workflows, using apps to analyze and visualize data and managing apps to ensure the best potential with automation.

Business user

Business user certifications may benefit any people working within the Microsoft Office Suite on a daily basis. Certifications for this role demonstrating using Microsoft tools to improve business practices and encourage growth. They include:

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (CRM)

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (ERP)

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform App Maker Associate

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert (Office 2019)

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Associate (Office 2019)

• Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance and Identity Fundamentals

• Microsoft Office Specialist: PowerPoint Associate (Office 2019)

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Excel Expert (Office 2019)

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Word Associate (Office 2019)

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel Associate (Office 2019)

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Word Expert (Office 2019)

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Access Expert (Office 2019)

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Outlook Associate (Office 2019)

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals

• Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate

• Microsoft Office Specialist 2013 Master

• Microsoft Office Specialist 2016 Master

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Access 2016

• Microsoft Office Specialist: OneNote 2013

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Access 2013

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Excel 2016 Expert

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Excel 2016

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel 2013 Expert

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Excel 2013

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Outlook 2013

• Microsoft Office Specialist: PowerPoint 2013

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Word 2013 Expert

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Word 2016

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Word 2013

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Word 2016 Expert

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Outlook 2016

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft PowerPoint 2016

Data analyst

Data analysts use models to make data easier to understand. This allows organizations to use the data in meaningful ways. Available data analyst certifications include:

• Microsoft Certified: Customer Data Platform Specialty

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform App Maker Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Enterprise Data Analyst Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals

• Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate

Data engineer

Data engineers use data services to design and implement processes. They manage and monitor data and also ensure its privacy and security. Certifications for this career include:

• Microsoft Certified: Customer Data Platform Security

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals

Data scientist

Data scientists use data for business problem-solving. They may use machine learning techniques to create, implement and improve models to gather and organize data. Data scientist certifications include:

• Microsoft Certified: Customer Data Platform Specialty

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals

Developer

Developers specialize in cloud solutions. They participate in designing, creating, testing, improving and monitoring them. Available certifications for this profession include:

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps Developer Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty

• Microsoft Certified: Power Automate RPA Developer Associate

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Application Developer Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Developer Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Solution Architect Expert

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform App Maker Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals

• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals

• Microsoft Certified: Azure IoT Developer Specialty

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals

• Microsoft Certified: Power Apps + Dynamics 365 Developer Associate

• Microsoft Certified Educator

DevOps engineer

DevOps engineers provide services and products that meet both business objectives and user needs. This involves combining technologies with people and processes. Relevant certifications include:

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform App Maker Associate

• Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert

Functional consultant

Functional consultants help customers. Certifications for this career focus on helping them understand how to use Microsoft tools to better anticipate and prepare for their customers' needs. Relevant certifications include:

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps Solution Architect Expert

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Finance Functional Consultant Expert

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Customer Data Platform Specialty

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 265 Marketing Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Fundamentals

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Business Central Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Commerce Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (CRM)

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Solution Architect Expert

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (ERP)

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform App Maker Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Customer Service Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Field Service Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Functional Consultant Expert

Security engineer

Security engineers choose and implement security controls and mitigate against threats. This includes protecting data, access, identities, applications and networks. Some relevant certifications are:

• Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert

• Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Information Protection Administrator Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate

Solution architect

Solution architects have diverse knowledge. These certifications may show an understanding of securing networks, storage and computers. Available certifications include:

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps Solution Architect Expert

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Cosmos DB Developer Specialty

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Solution Architect Expert

• Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert

• Microsoft Certified: Azure for SAP Workloads Specialty

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 + Power Platform Solution Architect Expert

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