New Microsoft Developer Certs: MCTS, MCPD, MCITP... replacing MCAD, MCSD, MCDBA
With the release of ASP.NET 2.0 and SQL Server 2005, Microsoft released a new series of certificates and… new acronyms. Here we go for another round on the certification treadmill. I’ve been on that treadmill a few times… MCSD on .NET, MCAD, MCSD on VB6, MCDBA, and even an MCP+SB! The Microsoft Learning website is a good starting point for looking into the certification maze. I took a look through the new tests and the new acronyms. For most web developers getting their first certification, this looks like a good order to take the tests en-route to the premier MCPD Enterprise Applications Developer. (upgrade paths are at the bottom)
Fresh Certification Path
1. MCP - Passing any one test will get you the MCP certification. Why not start with the foundation test?
Exam 70–536: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 - Application Development Foundation
2. MCTS:Web - Then take this test to get the Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications certification:
Exam 70–528: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 - Web-Based Client Development
3. MCPD:Web - <optional> To quickly get another acronym, take this test to add the Professional Developer: Web Developer certification:
Exam 70-547: PRO: Designing and Developing Web Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework
4. MCTS:Distributed - Then take this one test to add the Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Distributed Applications certification:
Exam 70–529: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 - Distributed Application Development
5. MCTS:Win - Then take the next test to add the Technology Specialist: .NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications certification:
Exam 70–526: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 - Windows-Based Client Development
6. MCPD:Enterprise - Finally, add this test for the premier Professional Developer: Enterprise Applications Developer certification:
Exam 70–549: PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework
SQL Server
SQL Server elective tests were not included in this round of developer certification. In fact, no "elective" tests were included. There is a separate certificate for SQL Server.
MCTS:SQL - Passing this test will get you the Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2005 certification:
Exam 70–431: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - Implementation and Maintenance
MCITP:SQL Dev - Then add these two tests for the IT Professional: Database Developer certification:
Exam 70–441: PRO: Designing Database Solutions by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Open License 6.0
Exam 70–442: PRO: Designing and Optimizing Data Access by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005
There are two other paths for SQL Server certification: MCITP:DBA and MCITP:Business Intelligence Developer (data warehousing).
Other Certs
There are also cert paths for MCTS:Mobile (1 test), MCTS:BizTalk (1 test), MCTS:Office Live Communications Server (1 test), and MCPD:Win (1 more test).
Upgrade Paths
Upgrade or start over? What tests do you take for the new certs if you have already passed some .NET 1.0 certification exams? Well, that's going to be your decision. Take some pride in the fact that you're already certified on the .NET 1.0 platform, so adding .NET 2.0 certification will show breadth of skills, ability to learn, and the motivation to stay current in your skills.
You may decide that you want to review all of the material and take all of the exams for the new certs... or you can take a pragmatic approach and get the new certs using the upgrade exams. If this describes you, count the total # of tests you'd need for each approach and take the approach with the fewer tests. If you're an acronym collector, use the approach that will give you the most certifications.
Here are the upgrade paths:
MCTS:Web - exam 70-551, upgrade from MCAD
MCTS:Win - exam 70-552, upgrade from MCAD
MCPD:Enterprise - exams 70-553 & 70-554, upgrade from MCSD (yes that is 2 tests to upgrade your MCSD)
MCITP:DBA - exam 70-447, upgrade from MCDBA