Recognized globally as the standard for IT excellence
Validates deep expertise across broad solutions
Demonstrates up-to-date skills on changing technologies
On-premise or in the cloud, the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification helps make you indispensable to organizations moving to the cloud. Expand your skills, gain direct-from-the-source knowledge, and grow your career—become an MCSE.
What people are saying
"The past and the future combine for a great new set of certifications. The MCSE is the most recognized industry certification in the world, and by modernizing it Microsoft Learning shows that they are in tune with the latest industry trends. Microsoft Learning has again shown that they are forward-thinking industry leaders in IT certifications. By taking the certifications I already have as the basis for their new MCSE program, they are also demonstrating respect for the work that we as IT Pros have done in getting to where we are, and wanting to help us along the path to the next-generation certifications." - Mitch Garvis (MCT, Microsoft MVP, senior IT consultant at SWMI Consulting Group)
"Today’s IT solutions require multiple technologies to solve a business problem. To qualify someone, you’d need to ensure they had technical knowledge in not just one but across an array of technologies, in on-premises, private cloud, public cloud, and hybrid environments. Microsoft’s new certification platform takes the guesswork out of this by certifying candidates not on the individual technologies but on the holistic solutions." - Andy Nelson (director of learning, New Signature)
"Bringing back MCSE is great. The term 'solutions expert' and the knowledge required to pass the new MCSE exams require a lot more work" - Len Havron (solutions engineer)
"MCSE today is the entire solution" - Phil Pritchet (senior Microsoft consultant)
"I've been an MCSE for over 10 years. I want to get the Private Cloud MCSE to prove to others that I'm qualified for the cloud" - Farhan Sattar (MCT)
"I certified in MCSE NT 4.0 and it changed my career. I want to get the new MCSE because I want to be one of the people engaged in this new frontier" - Chine Ngbemeneh (business manager)
View all answers
Q. Why are you changing the Microsoft Certification Program and what are the key changes?
A.
We reinvented our certifications to maintain their market relevance as the industry shifts to the cloud. Microsoft Certifications now validate broader and deeper skills required to build solutions on-premise or in the cloud. We added recertification requirements to ensure that IT professionals and developers who hold our certifications are up-to-date on our continually evolving technology.
Learn about the changes
Find out how hiring a Microsoft Certified Professional can benefit your company
Q. Why did you change the name of Microsoft Certifications?
The names—Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD), and Microsoft Certified Solutions Master (MCSM) were changed to better reflect the experience, knowledge, and skills that IT professionals and developers need to build and manage technology solutions that may include multiple technologies, whether on-premise or in the cloud.
Q. Expert-level certifications don't include a product version number. How will I show what product versions my certification covers?
Your transcript has a section that shows all the exams you have passed. Each exam title will include the technology version in the name.
Q. What is the difference between the new Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certifications and the old Microsoft Certified System Engineer certifications?
The new Microsoft Certified Solution Expert (MCSE) credential focuses on the ability to design and build technology solutions, which may include integrating multiple technology products and may span multiple versions of a single technology. It also demonstrates a candidate's commitment to remaining current on the latest technologies through recertification.
To find out more about the expiration and inactivation policies, go to the Certification Lifecycle page.
See previous Microsoft Certified System Engineer certifications information
Q. How can I find out when new MCSE certifications are released?
Sign up to be notified of new MCSE certifications and news.
Q. Where do I go to get information about the retired Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer certification?
Candidates who achieved a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer certification have demonstrated the ability to design, implement, and administer infrastructures for business solutions based on Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows 2000 Server. Implementation responsibilities include installing, configuring, and troubleshooting network systems. Note The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer certifications validate skills on technology that is no longer supported by Microsoft’s mainstream support. We recommend you pursue a certification on current technology.See previous Microsoft Certified System Engineer certifications information.
Still have questions? Try one of the following frequently asked questions (FAQ) pages.
