What Is a Microsoft Copilot Certification?

Microsoft Copilot is an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tool that can help you become more productive and efficient, improving your overall work experience.

It’s expected that all computer-related positions, including those that involve working with Microsoft Copilot, will increase by 12 percent between 2023 and 2033 [1]. This compares with an increase of 4 percent for all other occupations across the country over the same period [1].

What is Microsoft Copilot?

Microsoft Copilot is an AI productivity tool that uses large language models (LLMs) to understand, summarize, predict, and generate content with input from user prompts.

Microsoft Copilot works with Microsoft 365 to help you with everyday work in apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and other Microsoft-powered apps. You can use Copilot to help you generate text in Word documents and emails in Outlook, create PowerPoint presentations, or obtain suggestions about formulas or insights about your data in Excel.

You might encounter Copilot when using Microsoft products in a personal or professional setting to support your work, so it may be a good option to earn a Microsoft certification that you can list on your resume to boost your skills and experience for potential employers.

Popular Microsoft certifications and credentials that use Copilot

Microsoft launched Copilot in November 2023, so it’s relatively newer than other programs that can provide you with certifications in these computer-related fields. While Microsoft doesn’t offer certifications specifically for Copilot, you can earn Microsoft certifications for Microsoft products that use Copilot to obtain a better understanding of Copilot’s integration into Microsoft products.

Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals

Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals is a beginner-level certification that can help you build a good understanding of Microsoft 365. The certification covers topics such as Microsoft 365 apps and services, security and privacy issues, cloud computing, and pricing and licensing for Microsoft 365.

Requirements: None, but having some knowledge of Microsoft 365 and cloud computing may be beneficial.

Cost (US): $99

Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Administrator Associate

The Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Administrator Associate certification is for administrators who manage and maintain collaborations and communications using Microsoft Teams. Microsoft Teams utilizes Copilot to summarize chats for up to 30 days, answer questions using real-time meeting transcripts for users, or capture key points from Teams calls, among other options. 

Requirements: None, but it’s recommended that you have working knowledge of Microsoft 365 services, including Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365.

Cost (US): $165

Microsoft Applied Skills: Prepare security and compliance to support Microsoft 365 Copilot

Microsoft Applied Skills: Prepare security and compliance to support Microsoft 365 Copilot is an applied skills credential that demonstrates your ability to prepare Microsoft 365 security and compliance for Microsoft Copilot. You can learn how to configure identity governance and device management, as well as manage compliance settings and access to information, for Copilot.

Requirements: None, but you should be familiar with Microsoft 365 services such as Microsoft Defender XDR, Microsoft Entra, Microsoft Intune, and Microsoft Purview.

Cost (US): $0

Get started with Microsoft 365 Copilot

This Microsoft introductory course on Microsoft 365 Copilot isn’t a certification but could be a good introduction if you’re considering a Microsoft Copilot certification. The beginner-level course is built for administrators and business users who want to learn the basics of Microsoft 365 Copilot and how it can help them across different Microsoft 365 apps.

Requirements: None

Cost: $0

How to get a Microsoft Copilot certification

Follow these steps to determine if a Microsoft certification is something you should pursue to boost your professional journey.

1. Choose your certification.

Microsoft offers a wide variety of certifications, including some that can enhance your knowledge of Copilot, so it’s important to review the different certifications available to you. You may decide to pursue a certification that includes information about Copilot or perhaps decide to go in another direction.

2. Meet prerequisites.

Some certifications have no prerequisites, while others may recommend that you have previous experience. It’s important to review all prerequisites before moving forward and make a plan for how to meet requirements so you can qualify for a certification.

3. Create a study plan.

As with exams you may have taken in high school or college, it’s important to create a study plan for certification exams. Consider creating a study plan that takes into account how much time you can give to studying, when you can study, and your own learning style.

Microsoft may also provide independent study guides depending on the certification, so it might be a good idea to include time in your study plan to review these guides.

4. Enroll in courses.

Courses can help you learn what you need to know to pass a certification exam, so consider enrolling in different courses according to the certification you decide to pursue. Microsoft has several options for you to choose from, covering topics such as Microsoft Copilot or Microsoft 365. You can also review third-party options like Coursera to learn more about Microsoft 365 and how Copilot works with its apps.

5. Schedule your exam.

Certifications will require you to pass an exam, so go online to find out how to schedule a certification exam. Review how much the exam will cost, as well as when and where you can take it. 

Microsoft also includes information about how much time each exam will take, so factor that in when scheduling your exam.

Learn more about Microsoft Copilot on Coursera

Microsoft Copilot certifications can help you become proficient in this useful productivity tool. Boost your knowledge of Copilot or prepare for Microsoft certifications with courses on Coursera.

You can start with the Microsoft 365 Copilot for Leaders Specialization offered by Vanderbilt University on Coursera, which covers topics such as generative AI for leaders and personal productivity with Copilot.

Software specialists can learn more about Copilot with the Microsoft Copilot for Software Development Specialization on Coursera. The course includes how to code with Copilot, build applications, and navigate AI fundamentals.