I have the MOS certifications for Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Project (2000 all of them). I had an employer ask to see them once, but never a client. I don't think they hurt to have them, but I don't think they are necessary. The reality is that anyone can probably go on a two-day course, do the test, pass, get the certification, not touch the program for a year and then not remember how to do anything in it. And in cases like that, does the certification mean anything. For example, I haven't used Project in about five years so I doubt I'd pass the test today. I did that test when I was working for a project manager and had to use Project. I did Word, Excel and PowerPoint at Office Team back when they offered the testing to qualified candidates for free (if you scored high enough on their tests, they paid for your MOS testing) - it helped them in their marketing efforts and they got their money back when they sent me out on temp assignments - I did a 6 month temp job for them that would have become permanent if my boss had gotten around to doing the paperwork before her boss in Montreal eliminated the job. I was really annoyed but in hindsight, it was a good thing because I'm immensely happier doing what I'm doing now.

I wonder if credentialitis is dying. I hope so, but probably not because in an employers' market, they really want to see that kind of stuff. And with the current economy, we are in an employers' market. Prospective employees are not calling the shots anymore.

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Julia