Microsoft has revamped its Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) and Developer (MCSD) certifications in an effort to align its end-user and channel certifications.
The new plan sees MCSE certifications boiled down to just five: MCSE: Cloud Platform and Infrastructure, MCSE Mobility, MCSE Data Management and Analysis and MCSE Productivity. There is now only one MCSD certification called MCSD App Builder, which focuses on skills validation for web and mobile app development.
Rather than taking a recertification exam every two to three years, the new certifications will give users the opportunity every year to "re-earn the certification by passing an exam from the list of electives, demonstrating your investment in broadening or deepening your skills in a given Centre of Excellence," according to a Microsoft blog post.
The new certifications will come into effect on 1 April 2017. All MCSE and MCSD released prior to September 2016 will be retired on 31 March 2017. However, users with the following certifications will automatically be upgraded to at corresponding certification without having to re-sit an exam:
- MCSE: Server Infrastructure
- MCSE: Private Cloud
- MCSE: Data Platform
- MCSE: Business Intelligence
- MCSE: Enterprise Devices and Apps
- MCSE: SharePoint
- MCSE: Communication
- MCSE: Messaging
- MCSD: Universal Windows Platform
- MCSD: Web Applications
- MCSD: SharePoint Applications
Microsoft retired 12 competencies in its partner network in April, including Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Devices and Deployment, Digital Advertising, Distributor, Hosting, Identity and Access, Intelligent Systems, Learning, Midmarket Solutions Provider, OEM, Software Asset Management and Volume Licensing. These were partially replaced by a new competency aimed at growing partners' Windows 10 businesses.
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