Holders of the designation "Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer", Province of Quebec

On Tuesday, October 4th, 2005 the Quebec Court of Appeal denied Microsoft's motion seeking leave to appeal the decision of the Superior Court which held that only engineers, member of the Ordre d'ingenieurs, can use the designation "Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer" in the Province of Quebec.

Microsoft respects the Court's decision and has met with the Ordre d'ingenieur's to agree to a phase out plan. Non members of the Ordre d'ingenieurs of Quebec may not use the title "Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer" in Quebec without risking legal proceedings being commenced against them by the Ordre d'ingenieurs. In the Province of Quebec,the acronym, "MCSE" is the designated title by Microsoft and this designation cannot be elaborated even by MCSE's of other Canadian provinces, when working in the Province of Quebec.

Individuals in the Province of Quebec will still be able to take the MCSE examinations and become a full member of the current program, but Microsoft will no longer provide Quebec MCSEs with materials or certificates that contain the word "engineer".
MCSE's in the Province of Québec may use the MCP logo and add "MCSE" separately.

The MCSE designation will continue to be issued in its current form and used in the rest of Canada.

We remain committed to supporting you.

Q&A:

Q. Is Microsoft Canada complying with the ruling?

A. Microsoft Canada respects the court's ruling and is taking steps to ensure that Microsoft is in compliance with all activities within the province. For example, although individuals in Quebec will still be able to take the MCSE examinations and become a full member of the current program, Microsoft will no longer provide Quebec MCSEs with materials or certificates that contain the word "engineer".

Q. Will MS Canada introduce a new designation in Quebec that does not use the word engineer in the title?

A. Yes, MS Canada will use the designation "MCSE" and recommend to their holders in the Province of Quebec, not to elaborate this title.

Q. What happens to existing MCSEs in Quebec?

A. Existing MCSE's may use the acronym only MCSE, but may not expand on it.

Q. What will be the certified designation for Windows Vista?

A. Microsoft launched a new generation of certification in November, 2005, introducing Microsoft IT Professional and Microsoft Technology Specialist. Microsoft Windows Vista will not have a MCSE designation attached to it, but will use Microsoft IT Professional and Microsoft Technology Specialist. To learn more about the new generation of certification, please go to http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/newgen/default.mspx.

Q. Are you expecting similar challenges in other provinces?

A. No. Each province has its own unique legislation to address the use of the title "engineer" within the province; however, holders of the designation "Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers" from other provinces must cease using that title when working in Quebec and instead, they must use the designation "MCSE" without elaborating.

Q. What does this mean as far as changes to marketing materials? Will there be changes to marketing materials, website, business cards and who will pay for it?

A. MCSE's in the Province of Québec may use the MCP logo and add the "MCSE" separately. The MCP logo can be found on the Microsoft MCP LogoBuilder site. MCSE's are responsible for their individual changes.

Q. Does Microsoft encourage MCSEs to continue using the designation "Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers" in Quebec?

A. No. Each MCSE working in Quebec must cease using the designation "Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers" and instead must only use the designation "MCSE".