Certification - Microsoft Certified Professional

[Overview] [Benefits] [Why hire an MCSE?] [Why hire an MCSD?]  [Requirements]

 

Overview: The Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) credential is for professionals who have the skills to successfully implement a Microsoft product or technology as part of a business solution in an organization. Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) candidates are required to pass one current Microsoft certification exam that provides a valid and reliable measure of technical proficiency and expertise. (A current exam is any that has not been retired.)

 

Individual Benefits:

Earning a Microsoft certification acknowledges your expertise in working with Microsoft products and technologies. The information technology (IT) industry, your employer, clients, and peers will recognize your MCP credential as a symbol of the skills and knowledge you’ve gained through experience. Microsoft certification shows that you are a technical leader with the ability to successfully implement Microsoft business solutions for your organization or client.

As an MCP, you also receive the following benefits:

Company Benefits:

Microsoft products give businesses the agility, speed, and reliability they need to turn the accelerating pace of change into a competitive edge—and win. Microsoft certification ensures that businesses are able to identify experts who know how to use those powerful tools and solutions to the best of their advantage. In a 2001 survey of 225 technical and non-technical hiring managers representing companies in a variety of industries, 89 percent of respondents said they recommend Microsoft certification for candidates seeking an IT position at their company. Download the following case studies to read about their success.

Why Hire an MCSE?

Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers (MCSEs) are among the most technically proficient professionals available to help your organization make a successful transition to the Windows 2000 operating system and to ensure that you reap the ongoing benefits that Windows 2000 and Active Directory are designed to deliver.

IDC White Paper
Industry analyst IDC asked more than 500 Microsoft Certified Partners and Value-Added Provider Partners what was the greatest benefit from a business perspective of having Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers (MCSEs) trained on Microsoft Windows® 2000. Eighty percent responded that less time to deploy Windows 2000, lower implementation risk, or an increase in their sales hit rate were the primary benefits.

Unisys Case Study
Unisys, a leading Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for Support Services, considers MCSE certification in Windows 2000 a must-have credential for consultants in its Microsoft technology practice. This case study documents Unisys's success with certified staff.

Why Hire an MCSD?

Avanade Case Study
Updated July 2003: At Avanade, Microsoft training and certification are key factors for recruiting, motivating, and promoting staff, as well as for winning and implementing corporate contracts. Read this new case study about how Avanade finds value in certification. Avanade is a joint venture between Microsoft and Accenture that leverages the Microsoft platform to deliver enterprise technology solutions.

Compaq Case Study
Compaq Global Services, the professional and support services arm of Compaq Computer Corporation, designs, implements, and manages enterprise-wide solutions for customers worldwide. To help set itself apart from the competition, Compaq places strategic importance on boosting its proportion of Microsoft Certified Solution Developers (MCSDs). It encourages experienced developers to become certified, then rewards them with challenging and stimulating projects that build enthusiasm and loyalty and reduce attrition.  

Extreme Logic Case Study
Extreme Logic, a leading Microsoft Certified Solution Provider and Microsoft Certified Technical Education Center (Microsoft CTEC), traces client wins to its high proportion of MCSDs on staff. It relies on the MCP program to ensure that employees have the technical and project-based skills to maximize their value to the company. MCSDs are given preferential consideration for job interviews, and employees are given free training to help earn their certifications. Developers praise the prestige and benefits of the MCP program, and the company.

 

Requirements:

Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) candidates are required to pass one current Microsoft certification exam that provides a valid and reliable measure of technical proficiency and expertise (a current exam is any that has not been retired).

MCP exams are developed with the input of professionals in the industry and reflect how Microsoft products are used in organizations throughout the world. The exams are administered by Pearson VUE and Thomson Prometric independent testing organizations with locations worldwide.

Note: Exam 70-058: Networking Essentials is an exception to the one exam requirement. Passing this exam alone will not certify an individual as an MCP.