MCITP Overview

Now that the MCSE program is on its last legs, it's time to take a deeper look at the new MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) program. According to Microsoft, the MCITP certification program allows professionals to better highlight their area of expertise. Current skills and job role capabilities along with the ability to work with a comprehensive set of Microsoft tools and technologies are part of the appeal of earning one of these credentials.

As of early 2008, the following certifications are available.

As with any type of certification program, it's important to get the appropriate Microsoft MCITP training before attempting to take the certification exams. The training you should take depends largely on the particular MCITP certification you are pursuing as well as your current MCSE status.

For example, as an MCSE, you can transition your skills to certain MCTS prerequisites which may shorten your MCITP path. If you have an older (pre-2003) MCSE, you will have a longer path ahead of you as you must start from the beginning.

Each of the MCITP programs requires passing at least two certification exams: an MCTS exam and a Pro exam. Depending on the credential you are pursuing, there may be more than one of each of these exams to pass. For example, the IT Professional: Database Developer requires passing one prerequisite MCTS exam (70-431) and two Pro exams (70-441 and 70-442).

In addition to the new generation of certifications, it's also important to understand that continuous Microsoft MCITP training may be in your future, even after you've achieved your goals. That's because the new program requires an update every three years from the date that you earned your MCTS or MCITP credential.

The update process for an MCITP involves either passing a new MCTS exam that supports the particular professional series certification you are renewing or passing a specific refresh exam. If you do not do this, your MCITP credential will lapse.