The New Generation of the MCP

Microsoft claims that its new certification program will simplify the certification process and reduce training time and costs.

Are you confused about Microsoft's new generation of MCP (Microsoft Certified Professional) certifications? Microsoft released a detailed roadmap for both the MCTS certification and the MCPD certification which coincided with the release of SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005 in November 2005.

The new program is the result of customer feedback from both the MCP community as well as those who haven't pursued certification.

A series of achievements marks the progression through the program. The two main achievements include mastering the Microsoft technology which is highlighted through the MCTS certification and mastering the skills for specific job roles which is highlighted through the MCITP certification. In addition, the Microsoft Certified Professional credentials come in two flavors: IT Professional or Professional Developer. A third achievement is the Architect series.

The first tier, known as the Technology Series, includes five Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist designations for SQL Server 2005, Visual Studio 2005, and BizTalk Server 2006. These are:

•  MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications - This requires passing two exams (70-536: TS: .NET Framework 2.0-Application Development Foundation and 70-528: TS: .NET Framework 2.0-Web-based Client Development)

•  MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications - This requires passing two exams (70-536 and 70-526: TS: .NET Framework 2.0-Windows-based Client Development)

•  MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Distributed Applications - This requires passing two exams (70-536 and 70-529: TS: .NET Framework 2.0-Distributed Application Development)

•  MCTS: SQL Server 2005 - This requires passing one exam (70-431: TS: SQL Server 2005-Implementation and Maintenance)

•  MCTS: BizTalk Server 2006 - This requires passing one exam (70-235: TS: Developing Business Process and Integration Solutions Using BizTalk Server 2006)

The MCTS series became available in January 2006. In order to prepare for these exams, MCTS training is a must.

The second tier involves the Professional series. This series offers two types of credentials: the Microsoft Certified IT Professional and the Microsoft Certified Professional Developer.

The MCITP series covering SQL Server 2005 has three options:

•  MCITP: Database Developer - This requires holding the appropriate MCTS (70-431) and passing two additional exams (70-441: PRO: Designing Database Solutions by Using SQL Server 2005, and 70-442: PRO: Designing and Optimizing Data Access by Using SQL Server 2005)

•  MCITP: Database Administrator - This requires holding the appropriate MCTS (70-431) and passing two additional exams (70-443: PRO: Designing a Database Server Infrastructure by Using SQL Server 2005, and 70-444: PRO: Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Administration Solution by Using SQL Server 2005)

•  MCITP: Business Intelligence Developer - This requires holding the appropriate MCTS (70-431) and passing two additional (70-445: PRO: Designing Business Intelligence Solutions by Using SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services; and 70-446: PRO: Designing a Business Intelligence Infrastructure by Using SQL Server 2005)

The MCPD series for Visual Studio 2005 involves:

•  MCPD: Web Developer - This requires passing three exams (70-528 and 70-536 which are from the TS series and 70-547: PRO: Designing and Developing Web Applications by Using the .NET Framework and Foundation)

•  MCPD: Windows Developer - This requires passing three exams (70-526 and 70-536 which are from the TS series and 70-548: PRO: Designing and Developing Windows Applications by Using the .NET Framework)

•  MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer - This requires passing one exam (70-549: PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications by Using the .NET Framework)

The Professional series titles were released in January 2006.

The third tier, the Architect series, hasn't changed as of the program's announcement in spring 2005.

As new technologies continue, more MCTS certification and Professional series titles continue to be released along with corresponding MCTS training options.

Exam guides and certification requirements guides are available for most exams on the Microsoft Certified Professional Web site. These guides list training materials that are available through Microsoft Certified Training Centers, the Microsoft e-Learning site, and Microsoft Press.

Interested in upgraded from MCDBA, MCAD, and MCSD? Upgrade paths have been mapped as follows for specific Professional series titles:

•  MCDBA and MCSD to MCIT: Database Administrator - This requires passing two exams (70-431 and 70-447: UPGRADE: MCDBA Skills to MCITP Database Administrator by Using SQL Server 2005)

•  MCAD to either the MCPD: Web Developer or MCPD: Windows Developer - This requires passing one exam (70-551: UPGRADE: MCAD skills to MCPD: Web Developer by Using the .NET Framework)

•  MCSD to MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer - This requires passing two exams (70-553: UPGRADE: MCSD .NET Skills to MCPD: Enterprise Application Developer by Using the .NET Framework: Part 1 and 70-554: UPGRADE: MCSD .NET Skills to MCPD: Enterprise Application Developer by Using the .NET Framework: Part 2)

Because Microsoft wants to reduce the total cost of certifying, training, and lost time, the exam prices have not been raised.

As far as Microsoft Partners goes, a synthesis with the Partner program is in the works. Exams and credentials that map to skills domains will makes sense for a particular Partner competency.

Another major change in the Partners program involves Partner exams that also qualify for the MCP program.

For example, exam 74-132: Designing a Portal Solution with Microsoft SharePoint Products and Technologies may be an elective for the MCSE on Windows 2003 depending on the technology mapping.