Apply and register
To apply for and register to attend an MCM program rotation, follow this procedure. After each step, you will receive notification about your eligibility or acceptance into the program and your next steps.
Complete the brief application. A non-refundable US$125 application fee is required.
Upload your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) and other supporting documentation. Applicant credentials are reviewed by the MCM program leads to determine eligibility.
Note If we are unable to determine your eligibility based on the documents you submitted, you might be contacted for a 30- to 60-minute interview.
Register: Pay in full, and choose your class dates after acceptance into the program. If accepted into the program, you receive details about the training session and a recommended reading list to help you prepare. There is a high correlation of success for those candidates who have completed the recommended pre-reading or have considerable experience with the concepts covered, compared with those who have not.
Note The above registration process does not apply to registering for the required MCM: SQL Server 2008 exams or the MCM: Exchange 2010 exams. To register, simply go to the Prometric website to schedule your MCM Knowledge Exam. To register for the optional MCM: Exchange 2010 training, use the above registration process and link.
Attend the training program
Each Microsoft-delivered training rotation session is held in Redmond, Washington. Candidates are responsible for all associated travel costs. It is highly recommended that candidates clear all engagements and commitments throughout the scheduled training due to the rigorous program schedule. During training, up to three computer-based Knowledge Exams will be administered, each of which covers subjects discussed in class. Candidates must also successfully complete all lab exercises to obtain certification.
Additional policies:
Candidates can retake each of these exams up to two times after training is completed. There is a 45-day waiting period prior to the second attempt, and a 90-day waiting period prior to the third attempt. Retakes can be taken remotely.
For candidates who do not finish the training or pass the exams after the three attempts, the only way to earn the MCM certification is to retake the training session (after further developing their skill sets, based on program manager feedback). Candidates who retake the training must pay the full program cost.
Note The MCM: Microsoft SQL Server and MCM: Microsoft Exchange Server programs do not require mandatory attendance of training to obtain certification. Training is highly recommended but not required.
Pass the Qualification Lab Exam
The Qualification Lab Exam is administered on the final Saturday of the training session. Candidates who do not pass the lab exam the first time can schedule up to two subsequent attempts (to be taken remotely). The first retake is generally available within three months of the initial attempt. There is a six-month waiting period required prior to the second retake.
Note If you have a disability that might require special equipment or other accommodation in order for you to participate in the training program or complete the exams, contact mcmprog@microsoft.com prior to submitting your registration. The MCM program is committed to making all reasonable efforts to accommodate candidates with disabilities.
Note Candidates who choose not to attend the optional training rotation for MCM: Exchange Server can schedule their Lab Exam after passing the Knowledge Exam at Prometric, as can MCM: SQL Server candidates.
Schedule
The following rotations (training sessions with exams) are currently scheduled for the MCM program.
Important: Registration deadline for a rotation is two calendar weeks prior to the indicated rotation start date.
Program | July – September 2011 offerings | October – December 2011 offerings | January – March 2012 offerings | April – June 2012 offerings |
|---|
MCM: Microsoft Exchange Server 20101 | September 12–October 1 | | January 9–281 | April 15–May 5 |
MCM: Microsoft Lync Server 2010 | September 19–October 8 | November 28–December 17 | February 27–March 17 | April 23–May 12 |
MCM: Microsoft SharePoint Server 20102 | September 12‒October 1 | October 31–November 19 | January 8–March 232 | April 8–June 222 |
MCM: Microsoft SQL Server 20083 | Training rotations are not offered directly through Microsoft for this certification program. |
MCM: Windows Server 2008 R2: Directory | | October 10–23 | February 6–19 | |
1Training attendance for the MCM: Exchange program is highly recommended but is not required to obtain MCM certification. See the New Path to MCM: Exchange Server page for a list of preparation resources.
2Microsoft is offering a new format for the MCM: SharePoint rotation. Starting in January 2012, the rotation will include one week of required in-person training in Redmond, Washington, followed by 10 weeks of required virtual classroom attendance two times per week for four hours each session. Access to practice labs and the administration of one attempt for each required certification exam are included.
3Training and other readiness activities for the MCM: SQL Server certification are highly recommended but are not required to obtain an MCM certification. See the New Path to MCM: SQL Server page for a list of preparation resources.
Note Training dates are subject to change at the sole discretion of Microsoft.
Upgrade Rotation Schedule
Optional upgrade rotations are offered in Redmond, Washington, for people holding an MCM certification who want to upgrade their certification to the latest version. MCMs can register to remotely complete only the required series of Knowledge Exams and the Qualification Lab Exam without attending an upgrade rotation.
Note Rotation attendance is required for the MCM: SharePoint 2010 upgrade.
Program | July – September 2011 offerings | October – December 2011 offerings | January – March 2012 offerings | April – June 2012 offerings |
|---|
MCM: Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 | | | | April 2–7 |
MCM: Microsoft Lync Server 2010 | | | | |
MCM: Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 | There are no additional upgrade rotations scheduled for this program. Candidates who want to upgrade must attend a full training rotation and pass the required exams. |
MCM: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 | Upgrade training rotations are not offered directly through Microsoft for this certification program. Candidates who want to upgrade must pass the Knowledge Exam for MCM: SQL Server 2008 now offered at select Prometric locations. |
MCM: Windows Server 2008 R2: Directory | There is no upgrade training offered for this program. Candidates who want to upgrade must pass two required exams available through Prometric. |
Note Training dates are subject to change at the sole discretion of Microsoft.
Pricing
Full rotations with exams:
Nonrefundable program application fee: US$125
Program fee: US$18,500 for all programs except MCM: Windows Server 2008 R2: Directory, which has a fee of US$13,950. Pricing includes first attempt for each required exam.
Exam retakes (for those who do not pass the exams on the first attempt):
Upgrade rotations with exams:
Nonrefundable registration fee: US$125
Microsoft Exchange Server: US$7,500
Microsoft Lync Server and SharePoint Server: US$13,950
Upgrade exams only (without rotation attendance):
Nonrefundable registration fee: US$125
Knowledge Exams: US$250 each
Qualification Lab Exam: US$2,500
Note As a benefit of MCM certification, current MCMs can attend a full training rotation of the technology in which they are certified, or an upgrade rotation, at the upgrade rotation price.
Note Requirements have changed for MCM: SQL Server 2008 and for MCM: Exchange Server 2010, and training is optional.
