Certification Overview

Certifications are available for most Microsoft technologies and skill levels from business workers to IT professionals, developers, technology trainers, and system architects. Pursuing a certification, provides you with up-to-date, relevant skills that can not only lead to a more fulfilling career, but offer valuable Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) benefits, including access to the MCP member site and a vast, global network of other certified professionals.

Start your journey today.

Business worker

If you use or are looking for a job opportunity that uses Microsoft Office and Windows Vista, consider earning a Microsoft Business Certification.

Technology practitioner

A range of certifications are available for IT professionals and developers with all skill levels, from entry-level technology specialists to solution architects.

Relevance

Microsoft Certifications are continually evaluated and updated to ensure their relevance in the marketplace. As a result, earning a certification not only helps you stay up-to-speed on the latest developments in Microsoft technologies and platforms, but enables you to demonstrate to employers your on-the-job skills.

Journey

Whether you are new to technology, changing jobs, or a seasoned IT professional, when you earn a certification, you are showing employers your commitment to advancing your skills and taking on greater IT challenges. See where certification fits into your career path:

Community

Microsoft Certification provides you access to MCP exclusive resources and benefits, including the chance to connect with a wide network of other certified professionals throughout the world.

Microsoft Certifications are broadly grouped in series that map to job roles. If you are new to technology, you might want to start by exploring our specialist certifications. Seasoned IT professionals and developers should consider advanced Professional or Master series certifications.

Specialist Series

The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) series credential demonstrates in-depth knowledge of a key Microsoft product or technology, validating your ability to implement, build, troubleshoot, and debug a particular Microsoft technology, such as Windows Server, Microsoft .NET Framework, or Microsoft SQL Server. Choose from more than 30 certifications, with more being added as new technologies are introduced.

Earning an MCTS certification typically requires that you successfully pass one to three exams and have at least one year of relevant experience.

Professional Series

The Professional Series credential validates a comprehensive set of job-related skills, such as project management, system design, operations management, and planning. Demonstrate your focus on a single job role, thereby providing a reliable indicator of on-the-job performance. Typically, a Professional Series certification requires that you pass one to three exams and have one or more technology certifications.

Choose from two Professional Series certifications, which are based on job roles:

Master Series

Earning a Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) certification shows that you can successfully design and implement solutions that solve highly complex business challenges. The courses are taught by experts from Microsoft and Microsoft partner organizations that offer exclusive, advanced technical training.

MCM certifications involve expert-level classroom training, labs that incorporate real-world customer scenarios, and both computer- and lab-based exams. Choose from certifications that focus on specific technologies, such as Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Windows Server 2008 – Directory, and Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007.

Architect Series

A Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) is considered an industry expert in IT architecture, with five or more years of advanced experience and proven technical expertise and leadership. To obtain the MCA credential, you must demonstrate competencies of business acumen and technology proficiency during a Review Board interview with a panel of industry experts. Three certification tracks are available:

Certifications by Product or Technology

Choose a technology, and then explore the range of available certifications, from entry-level through advanced Master and Architect.

Server certifications

Developer tools certifications

Microsoft Office certifications

Additional certifications

Explore the full range of certifications including those for Microsoft Dynamics and business workers wanting to validate their skills using Microsoft Office.

Count your peers: Microsoft Certified Professionals around the world

The Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCP) program was established in 1992. To date, more than 2 million people have achieved Microsoft Certification. Join this vast network, and enjoy the benefits of connecting, collaborating, and sharing resources with other highly skilled individuals.