List of Microsoft Certifications and Their Acronyms

Updated: May 17, 2004

Acronym and Meaning

Versions of Acronym

Description of Duties

Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD)

MCAD

MCADs use Microsoft technologies to develop and maintain department-level applications, components, Web or desktop clients, or data services.

Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA)

MCDBA on Microsoft SQL Server 2000

MCDBAs design, implement, and administer Microsoft SQL Server databases.

Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)

MCDST on Microsoft Windows XP

MCDSTs have the technical and customer service skills to troubleshoot hardware and software operation issues in Microsoft Windows environments.

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)

•	MCSA on Microsoft Windows Server 2003
•	MCSA: Messaging on Microsoft Windows Server 2003
•	MCSA: Security on Microsoft Windows Server 2003
•	MCSA on Microsoft Windows 2000
•	MCSA: Messaging on Microsoft Windows 2000
•	MCSA: Security on Microsoft Windows 2000

MCSAs administer network and systems based on the Windows platform.

Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD)

•	MCSD on Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0
•	MCSD on Microsoft .NET

MCSDs design and develop leading-edge business solutions with Microsoft development tools, technologies, platforms, and the Windows architecture.

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)

•	MCSE on Microsoft Windows Server 2003
•	MCSE: Messaging on Microsoft Windows Server 2003
•	MCSE: Security on Microsoft Windows Server 2003
•	MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000
•	MCSE: Messaging on Microsoft Windows 2000
•	MCSE: Security on Microsoft Windows 2000
•	MCSE on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0

MCSEs design and implement an infrastructure solution based on the Windows platform and Microsoft Servers software.

Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT)

MCT

MCTs are qualified instructors, certified by Microsoft to deliver Microsoft training courses to IT professionals and developers.