.The Microsoft Certified Professional program provides the best method to prove your command of current Microsoft products and technologies. Anyone who must prove his or her technical expertise with Microsoft products should consider the program, including systems engineers, product developers, support technicians, system and network administrators, consultants, and trainers.
The following table describes each certification in more detail.
| Certification | Description |
| Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer + Internet (MCSE + I) | MCSEs with a specialty in the Internet are qualified to enhance, deploy, and manage intranet and Internet solutions that include a browser, proxy server, host servers, database, messaging, and commerce components. An MCSE + Internet-certified professional also manages and analyzes Web sites. |
| Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) | MCSEs are qualified to effectively plan, implement, maintain, and support information systems in a wide range of computing environments with Windows NT Server and Microsoft BackOffice products. |
| Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) | MCSDs are qualified to design and develop custom business solutions with Microsoft development tools, technologies, and platforms, including Microsoft Office and Microsoft BackOffice. |
| Microsoft Certified Product Specialist + Internet (MCP + I) | MCPs with a specialty in the Internet are qualified to plan security, install and configure server products, manage server resources, extend servers to run Common Gateway Interface (CGI) scripts or Internet Server Application Programming Interface (ISAPI) scripts, monitor and analyze performance, and troubleshoot problems. |
| Microsoft Certified Product Specialist (MCPS) | MCPSs demonstrate in-depth knowledge of at least one Microsoft operating system. Candidates may pass additional Microsoft certification exams to further qualify their skills with Microsoft BackOffice integrated family of server products, development tools, or desktop programs. |
| Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) | MCTs are instructionally and technically qualified to deliver Microsoft Official Curriculum through Microsoft Authorized Technical Education Centers. |
The certification requirements differ for each certification and are specific to the products and job functions addressed by the certification. To become a Microsoft Certified Professional, you must pass rigorous certification exams that provide a valid and reliable measure of technical proficiency and expertise.
The following table describes exam requirements.
| Certification | Exam requirements |
| MCSE + I | Pass seven core exams and two elective exams. |
| MCSE | Pass four operating system exams and two elective exams. |
| MCSD | Pass two core technology exams and two elective exams. |
| MCP + I | Pass three core exams. |
| MCP | Pass one operating system exam. In addition, individuals seeking to validate their expertise in a desktop program must pass the appropriate elective exam. |
| MCT | Required to meet instructional and technical requirements specific to each Microsoft Official Curriculum course they are certified to deliver. |
For more information, see the Microsoft Training and
Certification Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/train_cert/.
To help prepare for the MCP exams, you can use the preparation guides that are available for each exam. Each Exam Preparation Guide contains exam-specific information, such as a list of the topics on which you will be tested and information about credit toward certification. These guides are available on the Training and Certification Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/train_cert/.
| Important Microsoft Official Curriculum (MOC) helps you to prepare for Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) exams. However, no one-to-one correlation exists between MOC courses and MCP exams. |
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Last Updated: August 14, 1998