Windows Server Certification

Help meet the global demand for skilled IT professionals who can support Windows Server 2008—the latest Windows Server operating system. By earning a Microsoft Certification, you gain hands-on experience, in-depth knowledge, and industry-recognized validation, to help build employers' confidence in your skills.

Earning a Windows Server 2008 certification shows hiring managers and project leads that you have the expertise to confidently evaluate, design, maintain, and troubleshoot Windows Server 2008 solutions. It also demonstrates your ability to use new features, including Web tools, virtualization technologies, security enhancements, and management utilities.

Certifications designed to meet changing roles

You spoke and we listened. As a result, we designed Windows Server 2008 certifications to validate both technology and job skills that are relevant in today's IT marketplace. We also offer career paths to help you identify the training and certifications you need to excel in your current role and meet your career goals.

Use the following table to choose the right certification for you—Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS), Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP), or a more advanced certification.

Your profile

Recommendations

Currently working with Windows Server 2008—or planning to be

Certified on Windows Server 2003; planning to work with Windows Server 2008

Highly skilled server technology expert; already holds certification on Windows Server

Working with Windows Server 2003; planning to continue

You can earn the MCSA or MCSE on Windows Server 2003. These certifications will not retire and will continue to hold their market value as long as organizations seek professionals skilled in Windows Server 2003.

Working with Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

The Microsoft Windows 2000 Server exams are retired; however, the MCSA and MCSE certifications will not retire and will continue to hold their market value as long as organizations seek professionals skilled in Windows 2000 Server.

Interested in earning up-to-date certifications that focus on messaging or security

Consider the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) or Microsoft IT Professional (MCITP) certifications on a related technology, such as Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007, Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2006, or Microsoft Forefront.

We do not offer messaging or security specializations for Windows Server 2008 certifications.

New to Microsoft Certification; currently working with Windows 7 or Windows Vista

As a first step, consider earning the MCTS: Windows 7, Configuring or MCTS: Windows Vista Configuration certification. These one-exam certifications are an excellent introduction to the Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) community. It adds a Windows 7 or Windows Vista certification to your resume and fulfills a requirement or elective for many of the Windows Server certifications.

The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) credential is the foundation of Windows Server 2008 certifications and a prerequisite for earning the MCITP on Windows Server 2008 certification. Earn all three MCTS certifications to show your breadth of expertise across different products, or pursue just one certification. Use the following table to identify the certification that best fits your current role and career goals.

Note The MCTS certifications will be retired when Microsoft discontinues mainstream support for the related technologies.

Your profile

Certification

Exam

You work—or plan to work—with Active Directory and Directory Services, Active Directory server roles, certificate management, and Group Policy.

MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration

Exam 70-640: TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring

You work—or plan to work—with IP addressing and services, names resolution, file and print services, network access and remote access, and monitoring network services.

MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration

Exam 70-642: TS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring

You work—or plan to work—with Windows deployment services, terminal services, Web services, and media services.

MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration

Exam 70-643: TS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring

The Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) credential provides the ideal way to demonstrate your ability to use Windows Server 2008 to excel in a specific, market-relevant job role. We offer two paths: each builds on MCTS prerequisites and is relevant to professional roles in today's IT marketplace. Use the following table to identify the certification that best fits your current role and career goals.

Note The MCITP certifications will be retired when Microsoft discontinues mainstream support for the related technologies.

  • Learn about Microsoft Certification lifecycle policies

    MCITP certification

    Exams

    MCITP: Server Administrator

    Validates your ability to handle day-to-day management of the server operating system, file structure, and directory services; handle software distribution and updates; monitor servers; provide tier-2 troubleshooting support; support engineering and change-management projects; build and configure servers; implement auditing policy; perform scheduled vulnerability-assessment scans; and monitor logs for firewalls and intrusion-detection systems.

    Exam 70-646: PRO: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator

    MCTS prerequisites:

    Exam 70-640: TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring

    and

    Exam 70-642: TS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring

    MCITP: Enterprise Administrator

    Validates your ability to design Windows Server infrastructures; evaluate and recommend new technology solutions; serve as an escalation point for infrastructure issues; develop client and server best practices for other teams, such as engineering, development, and operations; keep policy current for authentication, identity, and access management; provide guidance in implementing security policies that affect the infrastructure on multiple levels; participate in application reviews on security; and ensure that the applications adhere to standard security guidelines and practices.

    Exam 70-647: PRO: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator

    MCTS prerequisites:

    Exam 70-640: TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring

    and

    Exam 70-642: TS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring

    and

    Exam 70-643: TS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring

    and either

    Exam 70-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring

    or

    Exam 70-620: TS: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client

    or

    Exam 70-624: TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops

Upgrade your MCSA or MCSE certification on Windows Server 2003

If you are a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) or a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Windows Server 2003, you can apply your skills and knowledge to earn multiple Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) or Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certifications on Windows Server 2008.

Having a Windows Server 2003 certification is also valuable in today's competitive IT marketplace. If you have started your certification on Windows Server 2003, we encourage you to continue your studies and earn either the MCSE or MCSA credential on Windows Server 2003. These credentials are relevant for current business needs and prepare you to upgrade your certification to Windows Server 2008.

Note There is no upgrade path from messaging or security specializations to Windows Server 2008 certifications.

Current certification

Certification goal

Exams(s)

MCSA on Windows Server 2003

MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration

and

MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration

Exam 70-648: TS: Upgrading Your MCSA on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008

MCSE on Windows Server 2003

MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration

and

MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration

and

MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration

Exam 70-649: TS: Upgrading Your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008

MCSA on Windows Server 2003

MCITP: Server Administrator

Exam 70-648: TS: Upgrading Your MCSA on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008

and

Exam 70-646: PRO: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator

MCSA on Windows Server 2003

MCITP: Enterprise Administrator

Exam 70-648: TS: Upgrading Your MCSA on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008

and

Exam 70-643: TS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring

and

Exam 70-647: PRO: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator

and either

Exam 70-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring

or

Exam 70-620: TS: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client

or

Exam 70-624: TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops

MCSE on Windows Server 2003

MCITP: Server Administrator

Exam 70-649: TS: Upgrading Your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008

and

Exam 70-646: PRO: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator

MCSE on Windows Server 2003

MCITP: Enterprise Administrator

Exam 70-649: TS: Upgrading Your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008

and

Exam 70-647: PRO: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator

and either

Exam 70-680: TS: Windows 7, Configuring

or

Exam 70-620: TS: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client

or

Exam 70-624: TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops

Windows Server 2003 certification in progress

If you will continue to work with Windows Server 2003, review the requirements that remain for you to earn the MCSA or MCSE on Windows Server 2003.

Learn about the MCSA credential

Learn about the MCSE credential

Upgrading from Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

The technology gap between Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2008 is too great to make a concise exam path feasible. If you are certified on Windows 2000 Server, you have the option of earning a Windows Server 2003 certification and then following the Windows Server 2008 upgrade path, or beginning the Windows Server 2008 direct path.

Current certification

Certification goal

Exam(s)

MCSA on Windows 2000 Server

MCSA on Windows Server 2003

Exam 70-292: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.

MCSE on Windows 2000 Server

MCSE on Windows Server 2003

Exam 70-292: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.

and

Exam 70-296: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSE Certified on Windows 2000

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.

MCSE on Windows 2000 Server

MCSA on Windows Server 2003

Exam 70-292: Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.

Get answers to questions about Windows Server certifications

Microsoft Certified Master (MCM)

If you are a highly skilled technical expert on Microsoft Windows Server, consider earning a Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) certification. This certification provides in-depth and comprehensive training that includes presentations, white-board discussions, and goal-based labs.

In order to be accepted into the MCM program, applicants must meet or exceed the prerequisite, which includes:

  • Extensive hands-on experience with Windows Active Directory design, architecture, installation, and other core activities, such as component topology, Active Directory distributed file system, Group Policy, Right Management Services, Hyper-V, scripting PKI, etc.

  • Completion of a MCSE or MCITP credential with emphasis on Windows Server or enterprise administration

  • Successfully pass exam 70-219 or exam 70-297

  • Learn more about the MCM: Windows Server 2008: Directory credential

Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA)

If you have proven experience designing and delivering IT solutions for enterprise customers, and technical and leadership skills that surpass those of your peers, and have achieved a Microsoft Certified Master credential, consider earning the Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) credential.

The MCA: Windows Server: Directory credential is designed for architects who specialize in using Microsoft technologies to provide expert solutions and is the highest level of professional certification on Microsoft server products.