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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.
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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.
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All Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS), Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP), and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) certifications retire when Microsoft discontinues mainstream support for the related technology. After a credential retires, it still appears on your transcript but is listed as "inactive." In most cases, an upgrade path is available for people who have that credential, which allows them to demonstrate their skills on the newest version of the technology without completing all exams associated with the new credential. The following credentials will not be retired: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST), Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA), Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD), and Microsoft Certified Applications Developer (MCAD).
