Microsoft is once again making substantial improvements to its IT training certification program. Whilst these changes are meant to make the Microsoft certification program easier to use, there are some drawbacks involved and whoever has or is looking at getting Microsoft training will want to understand the way the program is changing. It should also be noted that professionals who currently have Microsoft certifications must also be knowledgeable of these new changes, because they will have an impact upon a few Microsoft certificates.
What Improvements Are Being Made?
Microsoft is phasing out both of the MCITP title and the MCTS title. These particular certifications are going to be substituted with the MCSE and MCSA titles, which were the titles that Microsoft had been formerly using for the longest period.
Nonetheless, Microsoft is doing a lot more than just changing the names around. Also, it is reducing its rating for the MCITP title, rendering it equivalent to the MCSA title but not to the MCSE title, which is widely considered to be the premium form of Microsoft accreditation.
Microsoft is yet again making re-certification a requirement for individuals who want to retain the new MCSE or MCSD certification. Even though this is a requirement that angered a lot of certification holders when Microsoft initially tried to introduce it, more and more people are beginning to realize that continuous, rapid changes in the technology world make it extremely hard for an individual to continue to hold to the same level of certification with no ongoing education. MCSE certifications must be renewed every 3 years and MCSD certifications every 2 years. MCSA certifications are going to have no re-certification requirements.
Why the Changes?
Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles were not appreciated by both certificate students or those who were seeking to employ graduates from Microsoft's certification program. A good number of employers were and are still not computer savvy and for that reason did not understand the differences between Microsoft's new certifications forms and the company's old ones. This caused it to be difficult for those who were searching for a job, because these individuals were required to explain to possible employers just what the new forms of certification meant and why they were every bit as appropriate as the old ones.
One more reason why the initial program change was not appreciated is the fact that Microsoft declared that the new certificates would need to be routinely renewed. However, the company was vague regarding what exactly needed to be accomplished to obtain certificate renewal and also when the certificates would expire. Obviously, this approach created a large amount of uncertainty for individuals who were considering getting started with the Microsoft training program.
How to Upgrade Existing Certificates
Almost all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification paths offer special upgrade exams. These examinations concentrate on evaluating the know-how of the student on the new and changed features of a new technology edition. The prerequisite for these particular upgrade exams is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Moreover, should you currently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you will automatically obtain a corresponding MCSA certification.
What Are The Advantages Associated with Upgrading a Microsoft Certificate?
Given that Microsoft just recently changed the certification rules, it isn't essential for anyone to right away upgrade his or her certification. There are plenty of businesses who are more than happy to employ a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, especially if this person has experience and can demonstrate that he or she is staying up-to-date with new developments connected with his or her line of work.
Even so, in the future it would be good for people to have new upgraded certifications that represent Microsoft's new standards and technologies. While it may require some time and money to obtain a new certification, it is worth the effort. Additionally, the skills accumulated under Microsoft's previous program do count for something and can be put towards the study requirements for the new kind of accreditation (through special upgrade examinations). The call to upgrade existing certifications will become more urgent when enterprises start using the more recent Microsoft technologies (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 etcetera).
Microsoft's new certification program has alarmed some people who are considering taking a Microsoft training program or have already taken such a course. While the changes are not small or light in nature, they will be for the most part beneficial and in the long run will help to correctly represent exactly how much training and expertise one has in any given field of IT. Anyone that is at this time taking a Microsoft training course for one of the more modern technology versions will already be using the brand-new program and so have nothing to worry about. Simultaneously, those who have old(er) certificates (or what is now referred to as legacy certification) can keep using their old certifications with no problems, despite the fact that sooner or later transitioning to a current certification is unquestionably highly recommended.
What Improvements Are Being Made?
Microsoft is phasing out both of the MCITP title and the MCTS title. These particular certifications are going to be substituted with the MCSE and MCSA titles, which were the titles that Microsoft had been formerly using for the longest period.
Nonetheless, Microsoft is doing a lot more than just changing the names around. Also, it is reducing its rating for the MCITP title, rendering it equivalent to the MCSA title but not to the MCSE title, which is widely considered to be the premium form of Microsoft accreditation.
Microsoft is yet again making re-certification a requirement for individuals who want to retain the new MCSE or MCSD certification. Even though this is a requirement that angered a lot of certification holders when Microsoft initially tried to introduce it, more and more people are beginning to realize that continuous, rapid changes in the technology world make it extremely hard for an individual to continue to hold to the same level of certification with no ongoing education. MCSE certifications must be renewed every 3 years and MCSD certifications every 2 years. MCSA certifications are going to have no re-certification requirements.
Why the Changes?
Microsoft's MCITP and MCTS titles were not appreciated by both certificate students or those who were seeking to employ graduates from Microsoft's certification program. A good number of employers were and are still not computer savvy and for that reason did not understand the differences between Microsoft's new certifications forms and the company's old ones. This caused it to be difficult for those who were searching for a job, because these individuals were required to explain to possible employers just what the new forms of certification meant and why they were every bit as appropriate as the old ones.
One more reason why the initial program change was not appreciated is the fact that Microsoft declared that the new certificates would need to be routinely renewed. However, the company was vague regarding what exactly needed to be accomplished to obtain certificate renewal and also when the certificates would expire. Obviously, this approach created a large amount of uncertainty for individuals who were considering getting started with the Microsoft training program.
How to Upgrade Existing Certificates
Almost all new MCSE, MCSD and MCSA certification paths offer special upgrade exams. These examinations concentrate on evaluating the know-how of the student on the new and changed features of a new technology edition. The prerequisite for these particular upgrade exams is always one or more valid MCTS or MCITP certifications. Moreover, should you currently hold a MCITP certification for Windows Server 2008 or Windows 7 you will automatically obtain a corresponding MCSA certification.
What Are The Advantages Associated with Upgrading a Microsoft Certificate?
Given that Microsoft just recently changed the certification rules, it isn't essential for anyone to right away upgrade his or her certification. There are plenty of businesses who are more than happy to employ a person with either a MCITP or MCTS certification, especially if this person has experience and can demonstrate that he or she is staying up-to-date with new developments connected with his or her line of work.
Even so, in the future it would be good for people to have new upgraded certifications that represent Microsoft's new standards and technologies. While it may require some time and money to obtain a new certification, it is worth the effort. Additionally, the skills accumulated under Microsoft's previous program do count for something and can be put towards the study requirements for the new kind of accreditation (through special upgrade examinations). The call to upgrade existing certifications will become more urgent when enterprises start using the more recent Microsoft technologies (eg. Windows Server 2012, SQL Server 2012, SharePoint 2013, Exchange 2013 etcetera).
Microsoft's new certification program has alarmed some people who are considering taking a Microsoft training program or have already taken such a course. While the changes are not small or light in nature, they will be for the most part beneficial and in the long run will help to correctly represent exactly how much training and expertise one has in any given field of IT. Anyone that is at this time taking a Microsoft training course for one of the more modern technology versions will already be using the brand-new program and so have nothing to worry about. Simultaneously, those who have old(er) certificates (or what is now referred to as legacy certification) can keep using their old certifications with no problems, despite the fact that sooner or later transitioning to a current certification is unquestionably highly recommended.
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