Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD)

Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD)

Validate your job-relevant skills and mastery of Microsoft Visual Studio and the Microsoft .NET Framework by becoming a Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD). This credential provides hiring managers with an unbiased indicator of your capabilities as a developer, while offering you the option to upgrade your credential to support new releases as business needs evolve.

Level:

Two to three years of experience developing solutions by using Visual Studio and the Microsoft .NET Framework

Audience:

IT professional or developer

Type:

Microsoft Certification

The Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) credential validates a comprehensive set of skills that are necessary to deploy, build, optimize, and operate applications successfully by using Microsoft Visual Studio and the Microsoft .NET Framework. This credential is designed to provide hiring managers with a strong indicator of your potential job success. It requires two to three years of relevant experience and a commitment to remaining current in best practices and technologies.

Why get certified?
Earning a Microsoft Certification validates your proven experience and knowledge in using Microsoft products and solutions. Designed to be relevant in today's rapidly changing IT marketplace, Microsoft Certifications help you utilize evolving technologies, fine-tune your troubleshooting skills, and improve your job satisfaction.

Whether you are new to technology, changing jobs, or a seasoned IT professional, becoming certified demonstrates to customers, peers, and employers that you are committed to advancing your skills and taking on greater challenges. In addition, certification provides you with access to exclusive Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) resources and benefits, including opportunities to connect with a vast, global network of MCPs.

MCPD on Microsoft Visual Studio 2008

If you plan to develop applications by using Visual Studio 2008 and the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, the Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) on Visual Studio 2008 certifications can help you validate your skills and abilities. Candidates should have two to three years of experience using the underlying technologies that are covered in the exam. The available certification paths include the following:

  • Windows Developer 3.5 for developers who build rich client applications for the Windows Forms platform by using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.

  • ASP.NET Developer 3.5 for developers who build interactive, data-driven ASP.NET applications by using ASP.NET 3.5 for both intranet and Internet uses.

  • Enterprise Application Developer 3.5 for developers who build distributed solutions that focus on ASP.NET and Windows Forms rich-client experiences.

Windows Developer 3.5 on Visual Studio 2008

Exam number

MCTS Prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation

Exam 70-536

MCTS Prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – Windows Forms Application Development

Exam 70-505

MCPD Requirement: PRO: Designing and Developing Windows Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5

Exam 70-563

ASP.NET Developer 3.5 on Visual Studio 2008

Exam number

MCTS Prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation

Exam 70-536

MCTS Prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ASP.NET Application Development

Exam 70-562

MCPD Requirement: PRO: Designing and Developing ASP.NET Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5

Exam 70-564

Enterprise Application Developer 3.5 on Visual Studio 2008

Exam number

MCTS Prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation

Exam 70-536

MCTS Prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – Windows Forms Application Development

Exam 70-505

MCTS Prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ASP.NET Application Development

Exam 70-562

MCTS Prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ADO.NET Application Development

Exam 70-561

MCTS Prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – Windows Communication Foundation Application Development

Exam 70-503

MCPD Requirement: PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5

Exam 70-565

MCPD on Microsoft Visual Studio 2005

If you develop applications by using Visual Studio 2005 and the .NET Framework 2.0, consider earning the MCPD on Visual Studio 2005 certification. The available certification paths include the following:

  • Windows Developer for developers who build rich client applications that target the Windows Forms platform, using the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0.

  • Web Developer for developers who build interactive, data-driven Web applications that use ASP.NET 2.0 for both intranet and Internet uses.

  • Enterprise Application Developer for developers who build n-tier solutions that target both Web and client user experiences.

Windows Developer on Visual Studio 2005

Exam number

MCTS prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation

Exam 70-536

MCTS prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Windows-Based Client Development

Exam 70-526

MCPD requirement: PRO: Designing and Developing Windows Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

Exam 70-548

Web Developer on Visual Studio 2005

Exam number

MCTS prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation

Exam 70-536

MCTS prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Web-Based Client Development

Exam 70-528

MCPD requirement: PRO: Designing and Developing Web-Based Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

Exam 70-547

Enterprise Application Developer on Visual Studio 2005

Exam number

MCTS prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation

Exam 70-536

MCTS prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Windows-Based Client Development

Exam 70-526

MCTS prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Web-Based Client Development

Exam 70-528

MCTS prerequisite: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Distributed Application Development

Exam 70-529

MCPD requirement: PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

Exam 70-549

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

Upgrade from MCPD on Visual Studio 2005 to MCPD on Visual Studio 2008

If you hold a Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) on Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 certification, you can use the following upgrade path to earn your MCPD on Visual Studio 2008.

Current certification

Certification goal

Required exam(s)

MCPD: Windows Developer
(Visual Studio 2005)

MCPD: Windows Developer 3.5
(Visual Studio 2008)

Exam 70-566: Upgrade: Transition Your MCPD Windows Developer Skills to MCPD Windows Developer 3.5

MCPD: Web Developer
(Visual Studio 2005)

MCPD: ASP.NET Developer 3.5
(Visual Studio 2008)

Exam 70-567: Upgrade: Transition your MCPD Web Developer Skills to MCPD ASP.NET Developer 3.5

MCPD: Enterprise Application Developer
(Visual Studio 2005)

MCPD: Enterprise Application Development 3.5
(Visual Studio 2008)

Exam 70-568: Upgrade: Transition Your MCPD Enterprise Application Developer Skills to MCPD Enterprise Applications Developer 3.5, Part 1

Exam 70-569: Upgrade: Transition Your MCPD Enterprise Application Developer Skills to MCPD Enterprise Applications Developer 3.5, Part 2

Upgrade from MCAD to MCPD on Visual Studio 2008

If you are a Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) Windows Developer, choose one of the following upgrade paths to earn an MCPD certification.

Current certification

Certification goal

Required exam(s)

MCAD: Windows Developer
Upgrade option 1

MCPD: Windows Developer

Exam 70-552: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD Windows Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

MCAD: Windows Developer
Upgrade option 2

MCPD: Windows Developer

Exam 70-551: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD: Web Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

Exam 70-526: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Windows-Based Client Development

Exam 70-548: PRO: Designing and Developing Windows-Based Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

If you are a Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) Web Developer, choose one of the following upgrade paths to earn an MCPD certification.

Current certification

Certification goal

Required exam(s)

MCAD: Web Developer
Upgrade option 1

MCPD: Web Developer

Exam 70-551: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD Web Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

MCAD: Web Developer
Upgrade option 2

MCPD: Web Developer

Exam 70-552: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD: Web Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

Exam 70-528: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Web-Based Client Development

Exam 70-547: PRO: Designing and Developing Web-Based Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

There is no direct upgrade path from the MCAD credential to the MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer certification. However, you can apply the MCAD upgrade exams for MCPD: Windows Developer and MCPD: Web Developer to your exam path. Choose one of the five following paths to upgrade from MCAD to MCPD.

Current certification

Certification goal

Required exams

MCAD
Upgrade option 1

MCPD: Enterprise Application Developer

Exam 70–558: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCTS: Windows Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

Exam 70–528: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Web-Based Client Development

Exam 70–529: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Distributed Application Development

Exam 70–549: PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

MCAD
Upgrade option 2

MCPD: Enterprise Application Developer

Exam 70–559: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCTS Web Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

Exam 70-526: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Windows-Based Client Development

Exam 70-529: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Distributed Application Development

Exam 70-549: PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

MCAD
Upgrade option 3

MCPD: Enterprise Application Developer

Exam 70–551: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD Web Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

Exam 70-526: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Windows-Based Client Development

Exam 70-529: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Distributed Application Development

Exam 70-549: PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

MCAD
Upgrade option 4

MCPD: Enterprise Application Developer

Exam 70–552: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD Windows Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

Exam 70–528: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Web-Based Client Development

Exam 70-529: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Distributed Application Development

Exam 70-549: PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

MCAD
Upgrade option 5

MCPD: Enterprise Application Developer

Exam 70–551: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD Web Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

Exam 70–552: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD Windows Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

Exam 70-529: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Distributed Application Development

Exam 70-549: PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

If you are a Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) on Microsoft .NET, you can upgrade to an MCPD certification by taking two upgrade exams.

Current certification

Certification goal

Required exams

MCSD on Microsoft .NET

MCPD: Windows Developer

Exam 70-553: Upgrade: MCSD Microsoft .NET Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET

Exam 70-548: PRO: Designing and Developing Windows-Based Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

MCSD on Microsoft .NET

MCPD: Web Developer

Exam 70-553: Upgrade: MCSD Microsoft .NET Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET

Exam 70-547: PRO: Designing and Developing Web-Based Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework

MCSD on Microsoft .NET

MCPD: Enterprise Application Developer

Exam 70-553: Upgrade: MCSD Microsoft .NET Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET

Exam 70-554: Upgrade: MCSD Microsoft .NET Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework: Part 2

 

View all answers

Q.  Am I a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) if I earn a Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) certification?

A.

The term MCP is used both as a general term for all Microsoft Certified Professionals and as the name of a credential. As an MCPD, you become part of the Microsoft Certified Professional community, with access to all related benefits, information, and activities. You do not earn a credential titled "MCP." You should use the MCPD credential on your resume and in business collateral, thereby indicating your specialty and that you are a member of the MCP community at large.

Q.  I have heard the term "new generation" or "next generation" of certification. What does that mean?

A.

The Microsoft Certification program continually strives to develop credentials that meet the needs of our customers. We heard from IT managers that the proliferation of credentials made it difficult to understand which credentials best meet the needs of their businesses. Individuals told us that they wanted to be able to distinguish themselves from other IT professionals. In response, we created a framework that keeps the number of credentials to a minimum while still allowing individuals to highlight their specialization. Presented as the "new generation" of Microsoft Certifications when they first released, the credentials that Microsoft currently develops for new products are simpler and have a more targeted framework for IT managers to validate core technical skills, professional skills, and architectural skills than in the past. They also provide professionals in the IT industry with a more relevant, flexible, and cost-effective way to display their skills.

Q.  How long will my certification be valid?

A.

All new generation certifications, including Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS), Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP), and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD), retire when Microsoft discontinues mainstream support for the related technology. After a credential retires, it still appears on your transcript but is listed as "retired." In most cases, an upgrade path is available for individuals holding that credential to demonstrate their skills on the newest version of the technology without completing all exams associated with the new credential. This policy does not apply to legacy credentials, including Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and Microsoft Certified Applications Developer (MCAD). The legacy credentials do not retire; they continue to hold their value in the marketplace as long as there is a need for IT professionals with these skills.

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