Our certifications have changed

We have increased the number of certifications to better reflect the way you work. There are 3 new certifications available–Search, Native & Display, and Shopping. To earn each certification, you’ll need to pass an online multiple-choice exam of 50 questions by achieving a score of 80% or more. Pass all 3 of them, and you’ll automatically receive our highest-level certification–the Microsoft Advertising Certified Professional (MACP) status, which proves your expertise across our Microsoft Advertising solutions.

Three certifications now available. For free.

Develop your skills, validate your competency, and then demonstrate that to others using our certification badges, specially designed to be shareable on social media such as LinkedIn.

CERTIFICATION
Search Advertising Learning Path
Build your knowledge and demonstrate your understanding of the search advertising ecosystem, including the Microsoft Advertising platform, solutions, and search best practices.
21 courses | 5 hour 04 minutes

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CERTIFICATION
Native & Display Advertising Learning Path
Build your knowledge and demonstrate your understanding of the native & display advertising ecosystem, including the Microsoft Audience Network and native & display best practices.
9 courses | 2 hour 42 minutes

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CERTIFICATION
Shopping Advertising Learning Path
Build your knowledge and demonstrate your understanding of shopping advertising, including the Microsoft Advertising platform, solutions, and shopping best practices.
12 courses | 4 hour 05 minutes

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Earn the Microsoft Advertising Certified Professional status

Pass all 3 certifications to automatically receive your Microsoft Advertising Certified Professional status–no additional exam required.

Were you MACP certified in April 2022? Learn about your path going forwardRight arrow icon

Microsoft Advertising certifications are informative, convenient, and free to everyone

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Pick your path and prepare for the exam

Complete the courses to get ready for the exam. Or, skip straight to it if you’re already an expert on the topic.

Pass the certification exam

Complete the 50-question exam with a score of 80% or more to pass. You can pause and resume at any time.

Download your certification badge

Claim your badge through Credly and use it to get recognized for your skills and knowledge.

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Pick your path and prepare for the exam

Complete the courses to prepare for the exam. Or, if you’re already an expert in the topic, skip straight to the exam.

Pass the certification exam

Complete the 50-question exam with a score of 80% or more to pass. You can pause and resume at any time.

Download your certification badge

Claim your badge through Credly and use it to get recognized for your skills and knowledge.

Earn badges for these additional Learning Paths

Some learning paths don’t have a certification, but you can still earn a badge! Just complete all of the courses in the learning path.

BADGE
Digital Advertising Fundamentals Learning Path
New to digital advertising? Get started with the fundamentals! This learning path provides an introduction to the digital marketing industry by starting with the foundations and then looking at search, shopping, and display advertising.
4 courses | 0 hour 38 minutes

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BADGE
Marketing with Purpose Learning Path
This learning path helps you accelerate growth by building a more trusted brand. It outlines marketing actions to take across the core building blocks of trust: Responsibility, values and includsion.
6 courses | 1 hour 50 minutes

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Certifications & Badges FAQS

I was already a Microsoft Advertising Certified Professional prior to the program changes. How do they affect me?

Individuals who were Microsoft Advertising Certified Professionals (MACP) as of April 4, 2022, will automatically receive the new Microsoft Advertising Search Certification and digital badge. You can expect to receive an email from Credly, Microsoft Advertising’s digital badging partner, on April 27, 2022, with instructions on how to claim your badge. This certification and badge will be valid for one year from the award date.

Nothing changes for your existing Microsoft Advertising Certified Professional certification—it will remain valid for the rest of your certification period (if applicable), and you can continue to use both your PDF certificate and the logo. Under the new program, you can also choose to earn your Native & Display and Shopping certifications.

How many exams are there, and do I have to take all of them to become certified?

We have increased the number of certifications to better reflect the way you work. We have 3 new certifications available: Search, Native & Display, and Shopping. You do not need to complete all 3 unless you wish to obtain your Microsoft Advertising Certified Professional (MACP) status.

Am I required to take an exam preparation course before taking an exam?

Although we recommend reviewing the Learning Path material and certification prep course before taking the exam, it is not mandatory.

What happens if I don't pass the exam?

You may retake it at any moment and as many times as needed. We recommend waiting at least one day between attempts to give yourself time to study and review the certification prep lessons or courses.

Once I earn a certification, will I have to retake the exam?

Each certification status is valid for one year. Prior to expiration, you will receive notification to retake the exam.

My business doesn’t care about Shopping and/or Native & Display. Why do I need to earn those badges to achieve my MACP status?

This status is designed to prove your expertise across all aspects of the digital advertising ecosystem, including Search, Native & Display, and Shopping. If you are not interested in earning a certification in one or two of these areas, you can still earn one for the others.

What is the difference between a certification and a badge?

Passing a certification exam for Search, Native & Display, and/or Shopping demonstrates your understanding of the advertising ecosystem, including the Microsoft Advertising platform, solutions, and best practices in that area. If you pass all 3 certification exams, you will be granted the Microsoft Advertising Certified Professional (MACP) status. There are Credly digital badges associated with each of the Microsoft Advertising certifications, as well as with the the completion of the Marketing with Purpose and Digital Advertising Fundamentals Learning Paths.

How can I share my badge?

You can share your awarded badge on various social media platforms such as LinkedIn. Visit the Credly Acclaim Help Center for more information on how and where you may do so.

What is the process for claiming a badge?

After you’ve earned a badge, you’ll receive a notification email from Credly’s Acclaim platform. If this is your first time claiming a Microsoft Advertising badge, follow these steps:

  1. Click the link in that email.
  2. Create an account on Credly’s Acclaim platform.
  3. Confirm your account by clicking the link in a confirmation email that is generated after you set up your account.
Claiming future badges is as easy as clicking the link in the notification email and logging in to your Credly Acclaim account.

My badge looks different. What changed?

We will occasionally update the look and feel of our badges. New designs have the same functionality as before, and we encourage you to show your skills by sharing your badge with your peers and on social channels.

Who should I contact if I have questions about a Microsoft Advertising badge?

If you believe you are eligible for a badge but have not received it, contact our support center. If you have questions about the Acclaim platform or on how to claim your badge, contact Credly support.