Get Officially Certified
After completing the BuildUp curriculum, take the next step and earn industry-recognized certifications.
The Microsoft Office Specialist certification is the industry-recognized standard for validating your skills in Microsoft Office applications. It's recognized by employers worldwide and demonstrates proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Exam Cost
$104 per exam (retail)
Discount vouchers: ~$50
Available Exams
Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
Each app is a separate exam
Testing Centers
Certiport Authorized Centers
Schools, colleges, testing sites
Nonprofit & School Discounts
Schools and nonprofits can get site licenses with unlimited exams for a flat annual fee. Funding is available through the Perkins Act, Gates Foundation, DonorsChoose, and various state grants.
Google does not offer a direct certification for individual Workspace apps (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail) like Microsoft does. However, they provide excellent free training and the Google Certified Educator certification covers all Workspace tools.
Training Cost
FREE
All Google training is free
Educator Cert
Level 1: $10 | Level 2: $25
Covers all Workspace apps
Applied Digital Skills
Free project-based courses
Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail
- 1
Complete all 8 BuildUp modules first. This gives you the foundational skills needed for both Microsoft and Google certifications.
- 2
Practice with real projects. Use the critical thinking exercises from each module as practice — create real documents, spreadsheets, and presentations for your business.
- 3
Start with Google (it's free). Complete Google's Applied Digital Skills courses to build confidence before investing in the MOS exam.
- 4
Ask about discounts. If you're part of a school, nonprofit, or workforce program, you may qualify for discounted or free MOS exam vouchers.
- 5
Add certifications to your resume and LinkedIn. Both Microsoft and Google certifications are recognized by employers and can help you stand out in job applications.