Microsoft New Generation of Certifications: Frequently Asked Questions

The new Microsoft certification program is designed to emphasize both the primary technology skill set and the job role of the individual. By focusing on core technical or professional skills, individuals can work toward a certification that meets their needs.

The program provides shorter certification paths that are targeted to specific job roles or technologies, so individuals can more quickly acquire relevant credentials to prove their expertise. Additionally, organizations can quickly ensure that IT professionals have the best skills for their projects. These shorter certification paths are also more cost-effective.

The new framework makes it easier for managers to distinguish candidates that meet specific job criteria. Fewer credentials and logos make it easier to understand qualifications while still offering the level of distinction that is needed to use certification as a recruiting tool.

The program introduces three series of credentials:

The new program makes your certification path simpler and more targeted. The program allows you to choose a credential path as either Technology Specialist or Professional, and you will be able to display your specific skills directly on your certification logo.

The new program works in tandem with current credentials. Your current credentials will be recognized for as long as they are in demand. New lifecycle policies for MCTS, MCITP, and MCPD certifications help ensure that your Microsoft certification signifies that you have up-to-date, relevant skills on current Microsoft technologies.

Professionals who hold any currently recognized Microsoft certification do not need to renew their credentials. Your current credentials will be recognized as long as they are in demand, and they will continue to be supported by Microsoft.

Microsoft also continues to recognize specializations in Messaging and Security for the MCSA and MCSE certifications, with the exception of certifications that have already expired.

No. Continue pursuing your current credential. It is still the most relevant credential in the market for the products in which you are acquiring certification. An upgrade option toward the next credential will most likely be available.

The total time required to complete your certification will depend on how quickly you learn the new technologies and can pass the required exams. Generally, it will take less time to become certified because there are fewer exams to pass.

The new Microsoft Certification program is designed to emphasize both the primary technology skill set and the job role of the individual. By focusing on core technical or professional skills, individuals can work toward a certification that meets their needs.

The program provides shorter certification paths that are targeted to specific job roles or technologies, so individuals can more quickly acquire relevant credentials to prove their expertise, and organizations can quickly ensure that IT professionals have the best skills for their projects. These shorter certification paths are also more cost-effective.

The new framework makes it easier for managers to distinguish candidates that meet specific job criteria. Fewer credentials and logos make it easier to understand qualifications while still offering the level of distinction needed to use certification as a recruiting tool.

The program introduces three series of credentials:

The new program makes your certification path simpler and more targeted. The program allows you to choose a credential path as either Technology Specialist or Professional, and you will be able to display your specific skills directly on your certification logo.

The new program works in tandem with current credentials. Your current credentials will be recognized for as long as they are in demand. New lifecycle policies for MCTS, MCITP, and MCPD certifications help ensure that your Microsoft certification signifies that you have up-to-date, relevant skills on current Microsoft technologies.

Professionals who hold any currently recognized Microsoft certification do not need to renew their credentials. Your current credentials will be recognized as long as they are in demand, and they will continue to be supported by Microsoft.

Microsoft also continues to recognize specializations in Messaging and Security for the MCSA and MCSE certifications, with the exception of certifications that have already expired.

No. Continue pursuing your current credential. It is still the most relevant credential in the market for the products in which you are acquiring certification. An upgrade option toward the next credential will be available.

The new generation of certifications allows you the flexibility of focusing on technologies in addition to job roles. This development also enables you to distinguish yourself within specific job roles and technology specializations.

Microsoft is changing the certification program to better meet the needs of our customers. We heard from IT managers that the proliferation of credentials is making it more 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 specialization.

No. To enter the new program, you must pass the required exams for the new certifications.

No. Existing MCSA and MCSE credential holders will retain their certifications, and candidates currently working toward an MCSA or MCSE are encouraged to complete their certifications. No changes are planned for the MCSA and MCSE certification credentials for Windows Server 2003. When Microsoft releases the next version of the Windows client and server products, the new credentials will follow the new structure, with a Technology and Professional Series.

Your MCP credential is not affected by the new certifications. If you are interested in becoming certified, please review the credentials requirements.

No. Although Microsoft technologies will remain the primary focus, we recognize that our technologies are often used in heterogeneous environments. The Professional Series credentials require candidates to understand core job concepts and to have the ability to work across multiple environments while they focus mainly on Microsoft technologies.

The Technology Specialist exams go into greater depth on technology features, functions, and how-to skills than previous exams. The Professional exams focus on technology job-role skills—for example, deployment, planning, and project management skills. Candidates should have direct, hands-on experience with a technology and job role before taking these exams.

Not necessarily. However, Microsoft will continue to provide skills validation for technologies and job roles based on customer and partner demand.

Learn about our anti-piracy and value of certification efforts in the Exam Integrity and Security FAQ.

We will not offer a refresher exam for existing credential holders. The current plan is to gradually release performance-based testing into the core tracks and to include this new exam type in all future credentials as applicable.

No. In most cases, the Technology Specialist certifications will be available only for new Microsoft technologies, and current exams will remain linked to their respective credentials. However, there may be some exceptions, and Microsoft Learning reserves the right to make programmatic changes as necessary.

The Technology Specialist exams are targeted to a specific technology so that you can demonstrate your expertise in that area. A Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) is consistently capable of implementing, building, troubleshooting, and debugging a particular technology. The Technology Specialist has the depth of skills to fully support the technology.

A Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) or a Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) are consistently and fully capable of deploying, building, designing, optimizing, and operating technologies for a particular job role. They have demonstrated the comprehensive skills that are required to perform the job successfully, and they must remain current in best practices and technologies.

The Architect certification requires advanced and verifiable experience in IT (at least 10 years) and experience as a working architect (at least three years). The Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) credential does not rely on pre-packaged curriculum or traditional exams. Instead, candidates must demonstrate their skills and knowledge by creating architectures that solve complex business problems. Candidates must present these solutions to a review board of peer architects.

Your next move should be to get real-world architect experience. Microsoft will provide guidance about the skills that are required to become an MCA. Candidates for the certification will need to prove that they have been working in IT for 10 years and acting in an architect capacity for at least three years.

The program is currently available in a number of regions, and more regions are being added regularly. In addition, Microsoft has hosted review boards internationally and will continue to do so biannually.

Customer feedback indicates that database professionals relate more to an IT professional role than a developer role in terms of daily tasks and the skills that are required.

No. There are no plans to decertify MCSEs on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0.

Studies have shown that certified individuals realize many benefits. Among them are the following:

Microsoft has focused on three ways to help increase the value of certification:

Microsoft recently upgraded the certification Web site to make it easier for individuals and IT managers to find the information that they need to make certification decisions. We added several case studies to help IT managers understand the value of certification, and we added a verification service that individuals can use to help IT managers verify an individual's certification status. In addition, Microsoft has launched several promotions to help individuals become certified.

Although there are still some outdated perceptions about "paper MCSEs," those who have followed the evolution of the program over the past several years are aware of the stricter requirements for the latest Microsoft certifications. In addition, many people are aware of the substantial work by Microsoft and its test delivery partners to fight piracy. The perception of the value of Microsoft credentials is always increasing, especially as we introduce enhancements such as the performance-based testing that was released for Windows Server 2003.

MCTs are not required to acquire a new generation certification to maintain their MCT status. However, in order to teach some specialized courses, you may need to achieve specialized certifications.

Yes. Associated courses require MCTs to hold a credential to teach them. These requirements must be fulfilled approximately 90 days after the availability of each Professional Series credential. The MCT Program Competencies Web site provides course-specific requirements and deadlines for attaining new competencies.

You will not be authorized to deliver courses that require the new certifications. However, you will be immediately re-authorized to deliver courses when you attain the required credentials.

No. MCT competencies require only Professional credentials.

Certification provides increased value to your organization. Studies have shown that organizations with 25 percent or more of their staff certified demonstrate the following skills:

Yes. The "classic" Microsoft certifications demonstrate a high level of skill and knowledge. These credentials will continue to be recognized, and these products will continue to be used for several years in many enterprises and in small and medium-sized businesses.

Yes, the current logos for MCDST, MCSA, MCAD, MCSD, MCSE, and MCDBA will remain valid and usable by those who have achieved those credentials.

The new logo can be customized according to your achievements. The left side identifies one of the four credentials: Technology Specialist, Professional Developer, IT Professional, or Architect. The right side allows significant flexibility and clearly defines the job roles or technologies covered by your certification.

The Logo Builder tool, which is available now, enables individuals who are certified in the new technologies to create custom logos that are based on achievements—even multiple logos for different purposes. For example, you can use one comprehensive logo for your resumé and a more focused one for your business card.