Just yesterday Microsoft surprised the IT Pro industry with a complete revamp of their technical certifications. They launched five new Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) and Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) certifications, three new Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) certifications and will be retiring 13 existing certs. It was also announce that the way you certify is changing, a change that is important you understand.
This blog will look to dissect the changes made by helping you understand what’s new, what’s retiring, how you can achieve these new certifications and the process of recertification.
What’s new?
New Certifications:
On September 26th Microsoft launched eight new certifications, and announced the retirement of 13 older certifications and changed the way you recertify. Let's take a look at what this means for you and your certifications:
The new certifications have been listed below:
- MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure - focusing on skills validation for Windows Server and Microsoft Azure
- MCSE: Mobility - focusing on skills validation for Windows Client and Enterprise Mobility Suite
- MCSE: Data Management and Analysis - focusing on skills validation for both on-premises and cloud-based Microsoft data products and services
- MCSE: Productivity - focusing on skills validation for Office 365, SharePoint, Exchange, and Skype for Business
- MCSD: App Builder - focusing on skills validation for Web and Mobile app development
- MCSA: Cloud Platform - focusing on
- MCSA: Web Applications - focusing on
- MCSA: Universal Windows Platform - focusing on
The new certification process:
In addition to the new certifications, Microsoft have now changed the way you certify. This is a throwback to the past where historically you could certify via a series of elective exams, rather than a set pathway.
Attaining a new MCSE/MCSD certifications can be achieved by holding the prerequisite MCSA certification and passing one elective exam from a choice of 5 to 10 options. Effectively Microsoft have now made it easier to secure MCSE and/or MCSD certifications as there is just one exam to pass, where previously there would have been two. Furthermore, all new MCSA exams require you to pass two elective exams from up to a choice of five.
Attaining a new MCSE/MCSD certifications can be achieved by holding the prerequisite MCSA certification and passing one elective exam from a choice of 5 to 10 options. Effectively Microsoft have now made it easier to secure MCSE and/or MCSD certifications as there is just one exam to pass, where previously there would have been two. Furthermore, all new MCSA exams require you to pass two elective exams from up to a choice of five.
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The recertification process:
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Retiring certifications: |
Additional to the 8 new certifications, Microsoft have announced the retirement of 13 current certifications. The list of certification set to retire is listed below:
- MCSE: Server infrastructure
- MCSE: Private Cloud
- MCSE: Data Platform
- MCSE: Business Intelligence
- MCSE: Enterprise Devices and Apps
- MCSE: SharePoint
- MCSE: Communication
- MCSE: Messaging
- MCSD: Application Lifecycle Management
- MCSD: Universal Windows Platform
- MCSD: Azure Solutions Architect
- MCSD: Web Applications
- MCSD: SharePoint Applications
Although these 13 certs are set to retire on the 31st of March 2017, some of the exams that make up these certifications will not. What this means is that although the Microsoft certification portfolio has been restructured, you will still be able to take some of those same exams, just as an elective for a new MCSE/MCSD certification.
You May Have a New Certification Already!
Microsoft have sought to make the transition between certifications as smooth as possible as they “recognise your efforts in keeping your existing certifications up-to-date”. If you currently hold an active MCSE and/or MCSD certification from the list below, then you’ll automatically earn the corresponding new MCSE or MCSD certification. You won’t even be required to pass any more exams!
- MCSE: Server infrastructure
- MCSE: Private Cloud
- MCSE: Data Platform
- MCSE: Business Intelligence
- MCSE: Enterprise Devices and Apps
- MCSE: SharePoint
- MCSE: Communication
- MCSE: Messaging
- MCSD: Universal Windows Platform
- MCSD: Web Applications
- MCSD: SharePoint Applications
Additionally, if you have completed a qualifying elective exam since January 1st 2016, then you will be eligible for the new MCSE or MCSD certifications without taking any additional exams, on the condition that you meet all the exam requirements.
If you currently have an inactive MCSE or MCSD certification, you have the choice of taking a recertification exam or a new exam from the electives list corresponding to that specialist certification.
Below we’ve offered some practical examples of certifications you may hold and the new certification equivalents you may have just earned:
Old Certifications | New Certifications |
MCSA: Universal Windows Platform + MCSD: Application Builder | |
MCSE: Cloud Platform | |
MCSE: Cloud Platform | |
MCSE: Productivity | |
MCSE: Data Management and Analytics | |
MCSA: Cloud Platform + MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure | |
| MCSA: Web Applications + MCSD: Application Builder |
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