Apply and register
To apply and register for the Microsoft Certified Master program, follow this procedure. After each step, you will receive notification about your eligibility or acceptance into the program and your next steps.
Complete the brief application. A non-refundable US$125 application fee is required.
Upload your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) and other supporting documentation. Applicant credentials are reviewed by the Master program leads to determine eligibility.
Note If we are unable to determine your eligibility based on the documents you submitted, you might be contacted for a 30- to 60-minute interview.
Register: Pay in full, and choose your class dates after acceptance into the program. If accepted into the program, you receive details about the training session and a recommended reading list to help you prepare. There is a high correlation of success for those candidates who have completed the recommended pre-reading or have considerable experience with the concepts covered, compared with those who have not.
Special offers
Save on your training investment and take advantage of limited-time discounts off the price of Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) programs. Apply now, and upon acceptance:
Save US$1,000 on the Microsoft Certified Master: Windows Directory R2 program
Save US$3,550 on any other Microsoft Certified Master program of your choice
Note This offer applies to select MCM programs that are completed by December 31, 2010. No other offers can be combined with this offer.
Attend the training program
Each training session is held in Redmond, Washington. Candidates are responsible for all associated travel costs. It is highly recommended that candidates clear all engagements and commitments throughout the scheduled training due to the rigorous program schedule. During training, up to three computer-based Knowledge Exams will be administered, each of which covers subjects discussed in class. Candidates must successfully complete all lab exercises to obtain certification.
Additional policies:
Candidates can retake each of these exams up to two times after training is completed. There is a 45-day waiting period prior to the second attempt, and a 90-day waiting period prior to the third attempt. Retakes can be taken remotely.
For candidates who do not finish the training or pass the exams after the three attempts, the only way to earn the Microsoft Certified Master certification is to retake the training session (after further developing their skill sets, based on program manager feedback). Candidates who retake the training must pay the full program cost.
Pass the Qualification Lab Exam
The Qualification Lab Exam is administered on the final Saturday of the training session. Candidates who do not pass the lab exam the first time can schedule up to two subsequent attempts (to be taken remotely). The first retake is generally available within three months of the initial attempt. There is a six-month waiting period required prior to the second retake.
Note If you have a disability that might require special equipment or other accommodation in order for you to participate in the training program or complete the exams, contact mcmprog@microsoft.com prior to submitting your registration. The Microsoft Certified Master program is committed to making all reasonable efforts to accommodate candidates with disabilities.
Schedule
The following rotations (training sessions with exams) are currently scheduled for the Microsoft Certified Master program.
Important: Registration deadline for a rotation is two calendar weeks prior to the indicated rotation start date.
Program | July - September 2010 offerings | October - December 2010 offerings | January- March 2011 offerings | April - June 2011 offerings |
|---|
Microsoft Certified Master: Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 | July 12 – 31 September 13 – October 2
| | January 17 – February 5 | June 6 – 25 |
Microsoft Certified Master: Microsoft Communications Server "14" | | | | May 30 – June 18 |
Microsoft Certified Master: Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 | | October 11 – 30 | January 24 – February 12 | April 25 – May 14 |
Microsoft Certified Master: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 | See update below** | See update below** | See update below** | See update below** |
Microsoft Certified Master: Windows Server 2008: Directory (R2) | September 20 – October 3 | November 1 – 14 | February 7 – 20 | April 4 – 17 |
Note Training dates are subject to change at the sole discretion of Microsoft.
* Beta delivery. This delivery is being offered at a discounted fee of US$12,200 (includes the price of all three attempts of all required exams, including the final lab exam).
**SQL Server update: There is some exciting work underway to evolve the Microsoft SQL Server MCM program. Stay tuned for further updates from Microsoft Learning in the November timeframe.
Upgrade Rotation Schedule
Optional upgrade rotations are offered in Redmond, Washington, for people holding an MCM certification who want to upgrade their certification to the latest version. MCMs can register to remotely complete only the required series of Knowledge Exams and the Qualification Lab Exam without attending an upgrade rotation.
Program | July – September 2010 upgrade offerings | October – December 2010 upgrade offerings | January – March 2011 upgrade offerings | April – June 2011 upgrade offerings |
|---|
Microsoft Certified Master: Microsoft Exchange Server 2010 | | December 6 – 10 | March 14 – 18 | |
Microsoft Certified Master: Microsoft Communications Server "14" | | November 30 – December 11 | | |
Microsoft Certified Master: Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 | | | | June 6 – 18 |
Microsoft Certified Master: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 | See update below* | See update below* | See update below* | See update below* |
Microsoft Certified Master: Windows Server 2008: Directory (R2) | | | | |
Note Training dates are subject to change at the sole discretion of Microsoft.
* SQL Server update: There is some exciting work underway to evolve the Microsoft SQL Server MCM program. Stay tuned for further updates from Microsoft Learning in the November timeframe.
Pricing
Nonrefundable program application fee: US$125
Program fee: US$18,500 (includes the price of all three attempts of all required exams, including the final lab exam) for all programs except Microsoft Certified Master: Windows Server 2008: Directory (R2), which has a fee of US$13,950 (includes the price of all three attempts of all required exams, including the final lab exam)
For candidates who register and attend rotations starting in January 2011, pricing for upgrades and exam retakes will be as follows:
Upgrade rotations with exams:
Nonrefundable registration fee: US$125
Microsoft Exchange Server and Windows Server: US$7,500
Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Communications Server: US$8,500
Upgrade exams only (without rotation attendance):
Nonrefundable registration fee: US$125
Knowledge Exams: US$250 each
Qualification Lab Exam: US$2,500
Exam retakes (for those who do not pass the exams on the first attempt):
Note Candidates and MCMs who completed their rotations prior to January 2011 have until March 31, 2011, to complete any upgrade exams or exam retakes at no cost.
