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The Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) program is an IT professional certification for Microsoft products. Candidates are required to pass a Microsoft certification exam.

There are higher-level certifications such as the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification. To attain this higher certification, one must pass more than a handful of tests dealing with server operating systems and network infrastructure engineering. MCP exams are a subset of those for higher-level exams such as MCSE and MCSA, thus every MCSE is an MCP. The most commonly held certifications are MCP, MCSE, and MCSA.

Some employers require MCP certifications for specific jobs. MCP curriculum revolves around operating systems made by Microsoft. Other operating system vendors have their own certification programs such as the Sun Certified Professional program, the Red Hat Certification Program, and the Cisco Career Certifications program.

Each exam costs approximately US$125. Exams usually take between 2 and 3 hours to complete and consist of between 50-90 multiple choice, drag and drop and solution building questions. Microsoft has recently announced a return to simulated content within exams and students are also required to perform certain common administrative tasks appropriate for the topic at hand.

Certification Programs

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (or MCSE) is the best-known certification. As of 2006, the MCSE is available for two different products, Windows 2000 and Windows Server 2003, with different sets of exams. Some Windows 2000-level exams are considered applicable to the Windows Server 2003 track.

For both tracks, candidates must pass a design exam and elective exams (for Windows 2000, one design and two electives, for Windows 2003, one of each), for a total of seven exams. The topic of these exams include network security, computer network infrastructure, Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SQL Server, and other topics of both general networking interest as well as specific Microsoft products.

Microsoft Certified Application Developer

The Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) certification is the entry-level programming certification. The curriculum covers many topics related to the Microsoft .NET development platform. The requirements for this certification lead directly into the MCSD certification.

Microsoft Certified Solution Developer

The Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) certification is the highest level programming certification offered by Microsoft. To fulfill the requirements of the certification, a total of five exams (four core exams, one elective exam) must be passed. Some of the core exams are also requirements for the MCAD. Microsoft has declared that this certification will be focussed towards the needs of developers using .NET Framework 1.0 and 1.1 versions. Developers using .NET Framework 2.0 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 are expected to consider undergoing Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) certifications.

Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator

The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification certifies a user's knowledge in system administration of Microsoft Windows operating systems and is easier than, but not a subset of, the MCSE. The MCSA is achieved upon passing a predetermined set of four exams.

Whereas the MCSE is supposed to certify a person's ability to "plan, design, and implement Microsoft Windows server solutions and architectures in medium- to large-sized companies", the MCSA certifies a holder's ability to "implement, manage, and maintain the typically complex computing environment of medium- to large-sized companies".

Like the MCSE, the MCSA is available as "MCSA on Windows 2000" and "MCSA on Windows 2003" as of 2005. There exist two specializations for both tracks: Messaging and Security.

Microsoft Certified Database Administrator

The Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) credential is for database administrators, who implement and administer Microsoft SQL Server databases. The certification is appropriate for individuals who derive physical database designs, develop logical data models, create physical databases, create data services by using Transact-SQL, manage and maintain databases, configure and manage security, monitor and optimize databases, and install and configure SQL Server.

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