Microsoft Certification Exam Policies

• Candidate bans
• Candidate appeal process
• Retake policy
• Testing center closures due to security reasons
• Testing center appeal process
• Data forensics
• Out of country testing
• Candidate retesting at request of Microsoft
• Revoking certifications
• Beta testing
• Right of exclusion

1. Falsifying score reports

2. Cheating during the exam

3. Disclosing Microsoft intellectual property (IP)

4. Falsifying your identity or impersonating another individual

5. Using unauthorized material in attempting to satisfy your certification requirements

6. Bringing non-authorized items into the testing center

7. Violating the Microsoft Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) in any way

8. Violating the Prometric exam agreement in any way

1. Candidates can appeal their ban by submitting an appeal to mlsecure@microsoft.com.

2. A candidate may appeal a ban for falsifying a score report by submitting the original report (no scans or electronic copies) to:

   Microsoft Learning Security Team
   One Microsoft Way
   Redmond, WA 98052

3. The Microsoft Learning Security Team will review all requests and timely render a decision on such appeal.

1. General Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) Exam Retake Policy

   1. If a candidate does not pass an exam the first time, he/she may retake it after at least 24 hours have passed.

   2. If a candidate does not achieve a passing score the second time, the candidate must wait at least 14 days to retake the exam a third time.

   3. A 14-day waiting period will be imposed for all subsequent exam retakes.

   4. A candidate may not take a given exam any more than five times per calendar year. In order to take a given exam more than five times per year, a candidate must obtain prior permission from Microsoft.

   5. If a candidate has passed an exam, he/she cannot take it again.

2. MCP Beta Exam Retake Policy

   1. Beta exams may be taken only once.

   2. This policy supersedes the general retake policy.

3. Exam-specific Retake Policy exceptions

   1. In some cases, Microsoft may have special policies for specific exams.

1. Microsoft may suspend testing at any location where we deem there is a security or integrity problem.

2. Microsoft may suspend testing at sites that are related to test sites that pose security risks.

1. Microsoft reserves the right to ask any candidate to re-test for any suspected fraudulent activity or anomalous testing patterns at any time.

2. Re-testing will take place at a facility that is selected by Microsoft at a time agreed upon by Microsoft and the candidate.

1. Inclusion in beta testing is by invitation only.

2. Microsoft reserves the right to exclude countries and/or testing centers from the beta testing program.

• Read frequently asked questions about exam policies
• Read frequently asked questions about exam security

• Submission of any work that is not completely your own

• Providing or accepting improper assistance

• Using unauthorized materials in an attempt to satisfy Exam requirements (this includes using braindump material and/or any unauthorized publication of Exam questions with or without answers)

• Disseminating actual Exam content

• Possession of non-authorized items at the testing center during an Exam

• Misconduct as determined by statistical analysis

• Modifying and/or altering the original results/score report for this Exam or any other Exam records

• Fraudulently impersonating another to gain access to the Exam

• Violation of the current Exam Retake Policy

• Copying, publishing, selling, offering to sell, distributing in any way, or otherwise transferring, modifying, making derivative works of, reverse engineering, decompiling, disassembling, or translating any Exam or any part thereof

1. General MCP Exam Retake Policy

   1. If a candidate does not pass an exam the first time, he/she may retake it after at least 24 hours have passed.

   2. If a candidate does not achieve a passing score the second time, the candidate must wait at least 14 days to retake the exam a third time.

   3. A 14-day waiting period will be imposed for all subsequent exam retakes.

   4. A candidate may not take a given exam any more than five times per calendar year. In order to take a given exam more than five times per year, a candidate must obtain prior permission from Microsoft.

   5. If a candidate has passed an exam, he/she cannot take it again.

2. MCP Beta Exam Retake Policy

   1. Beta exams may be taken only once.

   2. This policy supersedes the general retake policy.

3. Exam-specific Retake Policy exceptions

   1. In some cases, Microsoft may have special policies for specific exams.

• The Volume Licensing program to companies that then issue the vouchers to their employees

• The Volume Licensing exam voucher purchase program to schools that participate in the Microsoft IT Academy Program and then issue the vouchers to their students

• The Volume Licensing exam voucher purchase program to companies that then issue the vouchers to their employees

• Read the privacy statement to learn more about the data collection and use practices of the MCP/MCT programs

1. DEFINITIONS
   The following terms shall have these defined meanings for the purposes of this Agreement:

   1. "Microsoft Certified Professional Program" ("MCP Program") shall mean the certification program described in this Agreement.

   2. "Microsoft Certified Professional" ("MCP") shall mean an individual who has complied with the certification requirements set by the MCP Program (including, but not limited to, satisfactorily passing the requisite "Microsoft Certified Professional Examinations"), and who, by maintaining current certification as an MCP, is entitled to use one or more of the MCP Designations in accordance with this Agreement.

   3. Microsoft Certified Professional Designation" ("MCP Designation" or "Designation") shall mean any of the titles established by Microsoft under the MCP Program that you may become authorized to use by passing one or more Microsoft Certified Professional Examinations and complying with the requirements of the MCP Program. MCP Designations include: Microsoft Certified Professional, Microsoft Certified Professional + Internet, Microsoft Certified Professional + Site Building, Microsoft Certified Database Administrator, Microsoft Certified Solution Developer, Microsoft Certified Trainer, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and/or Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer + Internet, Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator, and Microsoft Certified Application Developer. Microsoft may add additional MCP Designations to the MCP Program from time to time at its discretion.

   4. "Microsoft Certified Professional Examination" ("MCP Exam" or "Exam") shall mean any examination established by Microsoft that MCP candidates must satisfactorily pass to attain certification through the MCP Program.

   5. "Certification" shall mean satisfactorily passing the requisite MCP Exams, and meeting and maintaining compliance with those other requirements set out in this Agreement for entitlement to use any MCP Designation.

   6. "Microsoft Certified Professional Logo" ("MCP Logo" or "Logo") shall mean any of the Microsoft Certified Professional Logos, the terms for use of which are set out in the Logo Guidelines attached hereto, and for which artwork is available online at a secured Web site to which MCPs will have access ("the MCP Secure Web site"). Microsoft may alter or add additional MCP Logos, or revise the Logo Guidelines from time to time at its discretion, by posting the most current Logos and Logo Guidelines on the Microsoft Training and Certification Web site, and by posting the most current artwork for the Logos on the MCP Secure Web site. Current Logos (and artwork) will also be available from Microsoft at the address provided in the NOTICES section on this page.

   7. "Certification Welcome Kit" shall mean the attached packet of materials concerning the MCP Program.

2. PURPOSE
   Microsoft is, amongst other things, a leading publisher, distributor, and licensor of software products, and frequently releases new products into the marketplace. Because many Microsoft products are technically complex, some end users may require assistance from knowledgeable professionals in aspects of their deployment or use. In order to make such support generally available, Microsoft has developed the Microsoft Certified Professional Program, which grants certifications to individuals who have complied with all requirements, including passing certain Microsoft Certified Professional Examinations, for one or more of the applicable Microsoft Certified Professional Designations. Through the MCP Program, individuals may attain certification (and the right to use the MCP Designation) as a Microsoft Certified Professional, Microsoft Certified Professional + Internet, Microsoft Certified Professional + Site Building, Microsoft Certified Database Administrator, Microsoft Certified Solution Developer, Microsoft Certified Trainer, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and/or Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer + Internet, Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator, and Microsoft Certified Application Developer. Microsoft may add other MCP Designations from time to time as it deems appropriate. The certification requirements for each MCP Designation correspond to commensurate skills needed to develop, implement, support, and/or maintain solutions with relevant Microsoft products. Subject to the terms of this Agreement (including the Logo Guidelines), individuals who successfully meet certification requirements are entitled to become Microsoft Certified Professionals and to use any MCP Designations and MCP Logos corresponding to the certifications they have attained.

3. CERTIFICATION

   1. OBTAINING CERTIFICATION. To obtain certification in any of the applicable MCP Designations, you must have successfully complied with the initial certification requirements for that Designation. Certification requirements are available online on the Microsoft Training and Certification Web site, or by sending a request to Microsoft at the address provided in the NOTICES section on this page. By sending you the Certification Welcome Kit that accompanies this Agreement, Microsoft confirms that, according to its records, you have complied with the initial certification requirements for the applicable MCP Designation(s) indicated in the Certification Welcome Kit.

   2. MAINTAINING CERTIFICATION. To maintain your certification(s), you must comply with any and all applicable continuing certification requirements specified by Microsoft from time to time. You acknowledge and agree that Microsoft may, at its sole discretion, change the certification requirements (both initial and continuing), MCP Designations, and MCP Logos at any time. Microsoft will notify you by e-mail to the e-mail address you provide to Microsoft, of any changes in certification requirements for any certifications you hold. You will be allowed six (6) full calendar months from the date Microsoft sends you its e-mail notice in which to comply with any such changed certification requirements. Once granted, your certification(s) will remain valid if you stay in compliance with all applicable continuing certification requirements. Failure to comply with all applicable continuing certification requirements will result in termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8.

   3. NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT. All Microsoft Certification exams, including the content and wording of exam questions, constitute confidential Microsoft information protected by trade secret law. Anyone obtaining access to MCP Exams is obligated to maintain the confidentiality of this information. If an individual is caught violating the Non-Disclosure Agreement to which all examinees must agree before beginning an MCP Exam, the candidate will be permanently ineligible for any Microsoft Certification. The following shows the text of this agreement:

      NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT AND GENERAL TERMS OF USE FOR EXAMS DEVELOPED FOR THE MICROSOFT CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM

      This exam is Microsoft confidential and is protected by trade secret law. It is made available to you, the examinee, solely for the purpose of becoming certified in the technical area referenced in the title of this exam. You are expressly prohibited from disclosing, publishing, reproducing, or transmitting this exam, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, verbal or written, electronic or mechanical, for any purpose, without the prior express written permission of Microsoft Corporation. If you, the examinee, fail to comply with the above regulations, you shall be permanently ineligible for any further certification. Furthermore, you, the examinee, shall also be decertified from the Microsoft Certified Professional program and all current certifications associated with it.

4. AUTHORIZATION TO USE MCP DESIGNATIONS AND LOGOS
   Subject to and expressly conditioned upon compliance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, upon your successful completion of the initial certification requirements, and for so long as you remain in compliance with all applicable continuing certification requirements, Microsoft hereby authorizes you to use the MCP Designation(s) for which you have obtained certification, as indicated in the Certification Welcome Kit accompanying this Agreement, and to use any corresponding MCP Logo according to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the Logo Guidelines attached hereto as Exhibit A. All rights not expressly granted herein are reserved by Microsoft. You acknowledge Microsoft has sole ownership of the MCP Logos and Designations, and that nothing in this Agreement, or in your performance as an MCP, or that might otherwise be implied by law, shall operate to give you any right, title, or interest in the MCP Designations or Logos, other than the authorization specifically granted herein. You may not use or reproduce the Logos in any manner whatsoever other than as described herein, in the Logo Guidelines, and/or in any applicable artwork provided by Microsoft. You shall employ best efforts to use the MCP Logos and Designations in a manner that does not derogate from the rights of Microsoft in the MCP Logos and Designations, and shall take no action that may interfere with or diminish the rights of Microsoft in the MCP Logos or Designations, either during the term of this Agreement or afterwards. You agree to immediately cease all use of the MCP Designations and Logos upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

5. NO FURTHER CONVEYANCES
   You shall not assign, transfer, or sublicense this Agreement, or any right granted under this Agreement, in any manner. Any attempted assignment, transfer, or sublicense, by operation of law or otherwise, shall be null and void.

6. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
   IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR SPECIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS) ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO YOUR CERTIFICATION, FAILURE TO ACHIEVE CERTIFICATION, OR USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE MCP LOGOS OR DESIGNATIONS, OR ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THE TERMINATION OF YOUR CERTIFICATION, EVEN IF MICROSOFT HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. BECAUSE SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

7. NO REPRESENTATIONS; INDEMNIFICATION

   1. NO PARTNERSHIP, JOINT VENTURE, AGENCY, OR FRANCHISE. Neither this Agreement, nor any terms or conditions contained herein, shall be construed as creating a partnership, joint venture or agency relationship between you and Microsoft or as granting a franchise. You may not advertise, promote, or suggest in any manner that the services being provided to customers in connection with the MCP Logos and Designations are provided by, sponsored by, or associated with Microsoft, or that you are employed by, affiliated with, or sponsored by Microsoft, except to state that you have successfully completed all requirements for your particular certification(s), including having successfully passed any applicable Microsoft Certified Professional Exam(s) for a particular version(s) of Microsoft products. During the term of this Agreement, you shall insert the following language in each contract pursuant to which you will provide services involving Microsoft products: "Microsoft is not a party to this Agreement, and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to the services that are the subject of this contract. Each applicable Microsoft Certified Professional Designation (which may include one or more of the following titles: Microsoft Certified Professional, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, Microsoft Certified IT Professional, Microsoft Certified Professional Developer, Microsoft Certified Architect, Microsoft Certified Master, Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician, Microsoft Certified Learning Consultant, Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Microsoft Certified Database Administrator, Microsoft Certified Trainer, Microsoft Certified Application Developer, Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer, Microsoft Certified Business Management Solutions Specialist, Microsoft Certified Business Management Solutions Professional, Microsoft Office Specialist, or Microsoft Certified Application Specialist) indicates that I have successfully completed the corresponding Microsoft Certification requirements, which reflect commensurate skills required to implement, support, and maintain solutions with relevant Microsoft products. The services I provide under this contract are not provided, licensed, or sponsored by Microsoft."

   2. INDEMNIFICATION. You agree that Microsoft shall have no liability to you or any of your clients or customers and that you shall defend, indemnify, and hold Microsoft, its affiliate and subsidiary corporations and their respective employees, officers and directors harmless for any and all demands, claims, and/or liabilities (including but not limited to, personal injury or product liability claims arising out of: (i) your use of the MCP Logos) and/or the Microsoft Certified Professional Designations in a manner which is in any way inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement; and/or, (ii) the performance, promotion, sale, or distribution of your services as a Microsoft Certified Professional; or (iii) the termination of this Agreement by Microsoft, pursuant to the terms herein. In the event Microsoft seeks indemnification from you under this provision, Microsoft will promptly notify you in writing of the claim(s) brought against Microsoft for which it seeks indemnification. Microsoft reserves the right, at its option, to assume full control of the defense of such claim with legal counsel of its choice. If it so undertakes, any settlement of such claim requiring payment from you shall be subject to your prior written approval. You shall reimburse Microsoft upon demand for any expenses reasonably incurred by Microsoft in defending such a claim, including, without limitation, attorney's fees and costs, as well as any judgment on or settlement of the claim in respect to which the foregoing relates.

8. TERMINATION

   1. TERMINATION BY EITHER PARTY. Either party may terminate this Agreement at any time, with or without cause, on thirty (30) calendar days' prior written notice to the other party.

   2. TERMINATION BY MICROSOFT. Without prejudice to any rights Microsoft may have under this Agreement or in law, equity, or otherwise, and in addition to its rights under Section 8(a) above, Microsoft may terminate this Agreement immediately, including termination of any Certifications and MCP Designations to which this Agreement relates, and termination of your use of the corresponding MCP Logos, upon the occurrence of any one of the following events (the "Defaults"): (i) you fail to comply with the applicable continuing certification requirements for such certification; (ii) you otherwise fail to comply with any of the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the terms governing the use of the MCP Designations and Logos; (iii) you engage in misappropriation or unauthorized disclosure of any trade secret or confidential information of Microsoft (including, but not limited to, any MCP Exam materials or other Microsoft materials with respect to which you are under non-disclosure obligation), or pirate any Microsoft product, or otherwise infringe any other intellectual property right of Microsoft, or engage in any other activities prohibited by law; or (iv) a government agency or court finds that services you provided concerning the Microsoft products to which your certification relates are defective in any way. In the event any Default occurs, Microsoft will provide you with written notice of termination of this Agreement.

   3. OBLIGATIONS UPON TERMINATION. From and after termination of this Agreement, you shall immediately cease all use of any Microsoft Certified Professional Designation and Logo corresponding to the Certification to which this Agreement relates.

9. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

   1. BUSINESS PRACTICES. You agree that all business you conduct in your capacity as an MCP, and all services you provide concerning Microsoft products, shall be performed in a manner that (i) does not in any way harm the reputation of Microsoft; (ii) avoids deceptive, misleading, or unethical practices; (iii) avoids making any representations, warranties, or guarantees to customers on behalf of Microsoft for Microsoft products or otherwise; (iv) complies with all applicable U.S. export regulations and other applicable governmental laws and regulations; and (v) complies with copyright and other intellectual property and proprietary rights protections for Microsoft software, development tools, and other products, including, but not limited to, by not engaging in disassembling, decompiling, reverse engineering, or otherwise reducing or seeking to reduce the object code for Microsoft software and/or tools to a human readable (source code) form.

   2. TRADEMARK RESTRICTIONS. Nothing in this Agreement authorizes you to use any Microsoft trademarks, service marks, or logos except as expressly specified in this Agreement.

10. COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAW
    You agree that at all times you shall conduct your business in compliance with all applicable federal and local laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, laws regulating your professional status and designation. You should note that some states regulate the use of the term "engineer" and you should comply as applicable with any such laws in addition to this Agreement and the Logo Guidelines in the event you ever attained the Designation "Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer".

11. GENERAL

    1. GOVERNING LAWS. This Agreement shall in all respects be controlled by the laws of the State of Washington. You hereby consent to jurisdiction and venue in the state and federal courts sitting in King County, Washington. The parties agree to accept service of process by U.S. certified or registered mail, return receipt requested or by any other method authorized by Washington Law. If either party employs attorneys to enforce any rights arising out of or related to this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorney's fees, costs, and other expenses.

    2. MODIFICATION. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement may be modified only by the transmission from Microsoft to you of an e-mail notice, if your current e-mail address is in our records, setting out any modifications ("Modification Notice"). The modifications to the Agreement shall be effective thirty (30) days following the date on which the Modification Notice is transmitted by Microsoft. Any MCP who does not wish to accept the modified Agreement may send written notice of termination to Microsoft in accordance with Section 8(a) of this Agreement at the address below, or provide notice to Microsoft in any alternative manner specified by Microsoft in the Modification Notice.

    3. NON-WAIVER. No waiver of any breach of any provision of this Agreement by either party on one occasion shall constitute a waiver of any prior, concurrent or subsequent breach of the same or any other provision, and no waiver shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the waiving party.

    4. NON-DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT. You expressly undertake to retain in confidence all information and know-how transmitted to you by Microsoft that Microsoft has identified as being proprietary and/or confidential or that, by the nature of the circumstances surrounding its disclosure, ought in good faith to be treated as proprietary and/or confidential. You will make no use of such information and know-how except under the terms and during the existence of this Agreement. You expressly acknowledge that MCP Exam questions and materials are subject to these confidentiality and non-disclosure obligations, and may not be disclosed to or discussed with others, or posted or published in any forum or through any medium. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you shall have no obligation to maintain the confidentiality of information that (i) you received rightfully from another party prior to its receipt from Microsoft; (ii) Microsoft has disclosed to an unaffiliated third party without any obligation to maintain such information in confidence; or (iii) you independently develop. Further, you may disclose confidential information as required by governmental or judicial order, provided you give Microsoft prompt written notice prior to such disclosure, and comply with any protective order (or equivalent) imposed on such disclosure. Your obligation under this Section shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement and continue until the earlier of (i) such time as the information protected hereby is in the public domain through no fault of yours; or (ii) three years from the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

    5. SURVIVAL. Sections 6, 7, 8(c), and 11 of this Agreement shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

    6. NOTICES. All notices required by this Agreement to be sent to Microsoft must be addressed to the following address.

       Microsoft Certified Professional Program
       Microsoft Corporation
       One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399

       All notices required or permitted by this Agreement to be mailed to you will be sent to the address to which we shipped your Microsoft Certified Professional Certification Welcome Kit. All notices required or permitted by this Agreement to be sent to you via e-mail will be sent to the e-mail address you provided when you registered for your most recent MCP Exam, unless you have updated your e-mail address by sending an e-mail message to Microsoft at MCPHelp@microsoft.com.

• Learn more about how Microsoft Certification exams are developed

• Read frequently asked questions about challenging exam items

Steps for challenging exam items

• Download the exam item challenge form (Microsoft Word file, 48.5 KB)

• Use the form to describe in detail the specific reasons you are challenging an exam item. Include your contact information, your registration ID, the number and name of the exam, the date you took the exam, and the location of the testing center. Please provide as much detail as possible about the item to expedite review. Your challenge will not be accepted for evaluation unless the form is complete.

  Note Exam item challenges will be accepted only for exams that have not been scheduled for retirement.

• Within three calendar days of taking the exam, submit the form by e-mail to MCPHelp@microsoft.com with "Exam Item Evaluation" in the subject line. You must submit a separate form for each exam item you challenge.

• Your submittal will be acknowledged by e-mail. At that time, you will receive either the result of the evaluation or, if more time is needed for evaluation, an estimate of when you can expect a decision.

• Download the accommodation request form (Microsoft Word file, 72 KB)

• Find a Microsoft Regional Service Center near you