## Microsoft Certified Professional Program

The Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) 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 Four Certifications

The following table describes the four certifications, based on specific areas of technical expertise.

Certification | Description
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 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 Trainer (MCT) | MCTs are instructionally and technically qualified to deliver Microsoft Official Curriculum through Microsoft Authorized Technical Education Centers.

### Certification Requirements

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
Microsoft Certified Product Specialist (MCPS) | Pass one operating system exam. In addition, individuals seeking to validate their expertise in a desktop program must pass the appropriate elective exam.
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) | Pass four operating system exams and two elective exams.
Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) | Pass two core technology exams and two elective exams.
Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) | Required to meet instructional and technical requirements specific to each Microsoft Official Curriculum course that they are certified to deliver. Inside the United States and Canada, call (800) 636-7544 for more information on becoming a Microsoft Certified Trainer. Outside the United States and Canada, contact your local Microsoft subsidiary.

### MCSE Track

To complete this track, we recommend that you do the steps outlined in the following table.

Step | Pass this exam | Preparation
1 | 70–58, Networking Essentials | Course 578, Networking Essentials—Self-Paced Training Kit
2 | Administering Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 self-administered assessment | Course 803, Administering Microsoft Windows NT 4.0
3 | 70–67, Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 and any client exam, such as exam 70–73, Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 or exam 70–63, Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows 95 | Course 803, Administering Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Course 922, Supporting Windows NT Core Technologies Course 798, Supporting Microsoft Windows 95
4 | 70–68, Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 in the Enterprise | Course 689, Supporting Windows NT Server 4.0 Enterprise Technologies
5 | Two elective exams 1 | Elective exams are available for the following: Microsoft SQL Server™, BackOffice Internet-related products, Microsoft SNA Server, Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft Systems Management Server, and TCP/IP.

For a complete list of client and elective exams, see the Microsoft Training and Certification Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/train_cert/ or click the Certification button on the toolbar.

1 Elective exams are available for the following: Microsoft SQL Server™, BackOffice Internet-related products, Microsoft SNA Server, Microsoft Systems Management Server, TCP/IP.

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Last Updated: December 1, 1997