Microsoft Certification's future lifecycle

Trika has published an in-depth post about the future lifecycle of every Microsoft certification.

Basically, the new word to keep in mind for every future Microsoft title is "currency". Every MS certifications will have a strict lifecycle and at the end of this period the title must be renewed or it will be retired. In summary:

  • Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications will be retired when Microsoft discontinues mainstream support for the technology (usually 7-10 years from the product's initial release)
  • Professional-series credentials (MCITP and MCPD) will require an update every three years from the date you earned the certification or your certification will lapse.
  • These new policies only apply to the MCTS, MCITP, and MCPD credentials, the “new generation” of certification. There are no plans to retire any of our existing credentials, nor will an update be required
  • f you have not refreshed your certification within the three-year window, your certification will remain in our system as “lapsed” for a grace period of one year, during which you can reinstate your certification with the refresh path of one exam. After the one-year grace period you would need to begin your certification path from the beginning.

Obviously, I can imagine lots of talks around this decision. Microsoft is asking to place lots of our forces to be updated on the latest technologies and I know that it's not always possible for many of us to study for new exams every years. If a title that comes from a lot of hard work will disappear from the official transcript, I think it could make cry someone...

I agree with the upgrade path but... why to disappear the logos?

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Print | posted on Tuesday, July 03, 2007 9:24 AM

Comments on this post

# re: Microsoft Certification's future lifecycle

Requesting Gravatar...
Don't cry!! Please, don't cry.
Left by Trika (Microsoft) on Jul 16, 2007 6:32 PM

# re: Microsoft Certification's future lifecycle

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Trika, thanks for the feedback but I'm sorry... I'm a logo nostalgic :)
Left by Stefano Demiliani on Jul 17, 2007 2:59 PM

# re: Microsoft Certification's future lifecycle

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Are you really Gary Neville??
Left by Pat on Jul 23, 2007 4:22 PM

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