The Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) program helps enable the highest-achieving professionals in IT architecture to distinguish their expertise. If you have proven experience designing and delivering IT solutions for enterprise customers, and technical and leadership skills that surpass those of your peers, consider earning the MCA certification. By doing so, you can validate your advanced proficiency and join an exclusive, world-class community of experts.
Level:
Successful candidates generally have ten or more years of IT experience, and five or more years of specific architectural experience. Microsoft Certified Master certification is a prerequisite for all MCA Technology certifications.
Audience:
Practicing IT Architect, Microsoft Certified Master
Type:
Microsoft Certification
Earning a Microsoft Certification validates your proven experience and knowledge using Microsoft products. Designed to be relevant in today's rapidly changing IT marketplace, Microsoft Certifications help you utilize evolving technologies, fine-tune your troubleshooting skills, and improve your job satisfaction.
Whether you are new to technology, changing jobs, or a seasoned IT professional, earning a Microsoft Certification demonstrates to customers, peers, and employers that you are committed to advancing your skills and taking on greater challenges. In addition, certification provides you with access to exclusive Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) resources and benefits, including opportunities to connect with a vast, global network of MCPs.
By earning the MCA certification, you not only gain industry-leading certification, you also receive exclusive MCA benefits. These benefits include access to the MCA community and the member site, speaking and authoring opportunities, logo merchandise, and more.
The MCA certification is granted after the candidate successfully completes an interview with the MCA Review Board, a panel of Microsoft Certified Architects. During the interview, you must definitively display seven competencies of business acumen and technological proficiency.
Announcement and special offer for Infrastructure and Solutions ArchitectsMicrosoft is discontinuing the MCA: Infrastructure and the MCA: Solutions certifications. If you hold either certification, we are still committed to your career and professional development as an architect and are offering to fund one of two options:
A Certified IT Architect–Professional (CITA-P) certification from the International Association of Software Architects (IASA) and a one-year membership to IASA
or
A three-year membership in the Open Group’s Association of Open Group Enterprise Architects (AOGEA) program
The offer runs from May 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010.
Microsoft currently offers three MCA certifications:
MCA: Microsoft Exchange Server
MCA: Microsoft SQL Server
MCA: Windows Server: Directory
Microsoft plans to extend the MCA certifications to include two other technologies:
MCA: Microsoft Office Communications Server
MCA: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server
These certifications are designed for architects who specialize in using Microsoft technologies to provide expert solutions. Professionals who hold an MCA certification are generally recognized by Microsoft and the IT industry worldwide as individuals who hold the highest level of professional certification on Microsoft server products.
Note Before earning an MCA certification, you must earn a current Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) certification, which helps validate your in-depth expertise in a specific Microsoft technology.
Earn a current Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) certification.
Register for the Microsoft Certified Architect program.
Note The application fee for the MCA program is US$125. If you are accepted into the program, the fee to appear before the MCA Review Board is US$5,000 for board reviews scheduled to occur through December 2010, and US$7,500 for board reviews scheduled to occur during 2011.
Review the program resources.
After you register for the MCA program, you will be granted access to resources to help you prepare for your Review Board interview.
Prepare the required program documentation.
Prepare a dossier that includes your work history, an architectural solution case study, and a document showing how your skills and work experience directly apply to each of the seven architect competencies.
Submit your documentation and schedule your interview.
When you are ready to appear before the Review Board, submit your final documentation and schedule the Review Board interview.
The following Review Board slots are currently scheduled for the Microsoft Certified Architect program. All Review Boards will be held in Redmond unless otherwise noted.
Important: Registration deadline for a Review Board is two calendar weeks prior to the indicated Review Board date.
Program
July – September 2010 offerings
October – December 2010 offerings
January – March 2011 offerings
April – June 2011 offerings
Microsoft Certified Architect: Microsoft Exchange Server 2010
October 26 October 27 November 13 (at TechEd in Berlin, Germany)
February 22February 23
May 20 (at TechEd in Atlanta, Georgia)
Microsoft Certified Architect: Microsoft SQL Server 2008
November 15November 16
April 11April 12
Microsoft Certified Architect: Windows Server 2008: Directory (R2)
October 4November 15
February 21
April 18
Note Review Board dates are subject to change at the sole discretion of Microsoft.
Successfully complete your Review Board interview.
You will appear before a Review Board of peers, which consists of at least two MCAs. During this two-hour session, you will make a 30-minute presentation, followed by questions from the Review Board panel. You will receive performance results by email within two weeks.
View all answers
Q. How is the MCA certification different from other MCP certifications?
A.
Most Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) certifications are achieved through online, skills-based exams that are targeted to technology or job-role competencies. The MCA certification process requires candidates to submit evidence of their expertise and then defend that submission before a Review Board of Microsoft Certified Architects.
Q. How long does it take to achieve the MCA certification?
The time it takes varies, depending on the candidate. However, the estimated time for fully qualified architects to prepare their documentation and prepare for the Review Board interview process is typically 80 to 120 hours, over a period of three to six months.
Q. How can hiring managers verify my certification?
As with all Microsoft certifications, you can provide your employer access to an online version of your certification. In addition, when you earn the MCA certification, you have the opportunity to submit biographical information to appear on the MCA website.
Q. English is not my primary language. Can I participate in the MCA program?
Yes. Please provide details, and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.
Send us an email message
Q. I have a disability. What accommodations will be made?
The MCA program is committed to making all reasonable efforts to accommodate candidates who have disabilities.
Contact us for more information
Q. Is this program for Microsoft architects only?
The MCA program focuses on Microsoft technologies, although experience with other technologies is beneficial, especially when fully evaluating customer requirements and needs. In fact, experience integrating multiple technologies from various vendors is highly valued.
Q. Is training available?
No, we do not currently offer training. Experience is one of the most important factors in qualifying and preparing for the program. Architects who earn the MCA certification have at least 10—and many have more than 20—years of IT experience. Additionally, most Microsoft Certified Architects have more than five years of architectural experience.
Q. Are mentors available to help me prepare for my Review Board interview?
No, not at this time. Microsoft has piloted a number of initiatives to support candidates during the program, ranging from assigning one mentor to assist throughout the certification process to assigning multiple mentors to assist at defined stages. These programs have not shown a significant impact on candidate success.
Note Microsoft does provide resources, such as video clips and sample documentation, to help candidates set their expectations and prepare for their Review Board interview. Upon request, you can speak to an MCA to ask questions about the process.
If you have additional training questions, contact us
Q. How often does Microsoft organize Review Boards outside the United States?
Microsoft organizes Review Boards internationally on a biannual basis
Q. I have a question that is not covered in these FAQs; how can I get more information?
You can post your questions and read what others are asking in the Microsoft Certified Architect public newsgroup.
Visit the MCA public newsgroup
Q. What are the Microsoft Certified Architect program benefits?
The MCA program features an exclusive benefits package, which includes access to the MCA community and member site; speaking and authoring opportunities; and a choice of MSDN and TechNet subscriptions, logo merchandise, and more.
Q. When will my MCA welcome kit arrive?
Certified architects receive their welcome kits within four to six weeks of earning certification.
Q. What online resources are available?
After you are accepted into the program, you are granted access to a website that contains resources to help you prepare for the Review Board interview. After you earn the MCA certification, you receive access to a member site that provides special resources for certified architects.
Q. After I am certified, may I contact other certified architects? Are they allowed to contact me?
Yes. The member site contains contact information for certified architects, to enable you to network and collaborate. In addition, you will be added to an MCA listserv.
Q. After I am certified, how do I access the MCA program logo?
All MCA logos are available through our online Partner Logo Builder tool. The tool enables you to create customized logos that display your Microsoft Certifications, and it lets you personalize how you present your technical and professional qualifications.
Worldwide, more than 300 Microsoft Certified Masters (MCMs) and Microsoft Certified Architects (MCAs) specialize in specific technologies, and more than 125 specialize in infrastructure and solutions. Those who hold these industry-leading certifications live and work in many countries and regions, including the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific. All have varied backgrounds, interests, and extensive experience.
