Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA)

Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) Certification

Demonstrate your ability to design, implement, and manage the administration of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 databases successfully. The Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) certification shows customers and employers you can effectively lead their database administration programs, and provides you with the option to upgrade your certification to support Microsoft SQL Server 2005 as business needs dictate.

Level:

One year of experience working with Microsoft SQL Server

Audience:

IT professional

Type:

Microsoft Certification

Overview

MCDBA candidate profile
The Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) certification is appropriate for individuals who derive physical database designs, develop logical data models, create physical databases, create data services by using Transact-SQL, manage and maintain databases, configure and manage security, monitor and optimize databases, and install and configure Microsoft SQL Server. The MCDBA certification validates a unique set of skills that are required to succeed in a variety of job roles, such as database administrator, database analyst, and database developer. Candidates should have at least one year of experience working with Microsoft SQL Server.

For individuals who administer, develop, or analyze Microsoft SQL Server 2005 or SQL Server 2008 databases, we offer Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification paths that reflect current job roles.

Additionally, a Microsoft Certified Master (MCM) certification is available for senior-level IT professionals who seek in-depth and comprehensive training on implementing database solutions by using Microsoft SQL Server 2008.

Why get certified?
Earning a Microsoft Certification validates your proven experience and knowledge in using Microsoft products and solutions. 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, becoming certified 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.

Certifications

To earn the Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) credential, you must pass four exams (in any order):

  • One Microsoft SQL Server Administration exam

  • One SQL Server Design exam

  • One Microsoft Windows 2000 Server or Windows Server 2003 exam

  • One elective exam

Note Many of the exams in this certification track are retired. If a required exam is retired and you have not yet passed that exam, you cannot complete the certification track. You must fulfill all listed requirements to earn the certification. If you passed a required exam before it retired, it can be applied toward certification. The credential will not expire.

Exams on SQL Server Administration: Choose one

Exam number

Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.

Exam 70-228

Administering Microsoft SQL Server 7.0

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. This exam cannot be used to fulfill this requirement if you choose Exam 70-290 or 70-291 for the Windows 2000 Server/Windows Server 2003 requirement.

Exam 70-028

Exams on SQL Server Design: Choose one

Exam number

Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.

Exam 70-229

Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 7.0

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. This exam cannot be used to fulfill the SQL Server Design requirement if you choose Exam 70-290 or 70-291 for the Windows 2000 Server/Windows Server 2003 requirement.

Exam 70-029

Exams on Windows 2000 Server or Windows Server 2003: Choose one

Exam number

Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment

Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure

Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Server

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.

Exam 70-215

Elective exams: Choose one

Exam number

Implementing and Administering a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.

Exam 70-216

Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure

TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Web-Based Client Development

Note Candidates who are MCAD-certified may substitute Exam 70-551 to satisfy this requirement. Candidates who are MCSD-certified may substitute Exam 70-553 to satisfy this requirement.

TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Windows-Based Client Development

Note Candidates who are MCAD-certified may substitute Exam 70-552 to satisfy this requirement. Candidates who are MCSD-certified may substitute Exam 70-553 to satisfy this requirement.

TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Distributed Application Development

Note Candidates who are MCSD-certified may substitute Exam 70-554 to satisfy this requirement.

Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.

Exam 70-305

Developing and Implementing Windows-based Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.

Exam 70-306

Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and the Microsoft .NET Framework

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.

Exam 70-310

Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Microsoft Visual C# .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.

Exam 70-315

Developing and Implementing Windows-Based Applications with Microsoft Visual C# .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.

Exam 70-316

Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Microsoft Visual C# .NET and the Microsoft .NET Framework

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.

Exam 70-320

Designing and Implementing Distributed Applications with Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.

Exam 70-015

Designing and Implementing Data Warehouses with Microsoft SQL Server 7.0

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. This exam cannot be used to fulfill the elective requirement if you choose Exam 70-290 or 70-291 for the Windows 2000 Server/Windows Server 2003 requirement.

Exam 70-019

Designing and Implementing Distributed Applications with Microsoft Visual FoxPro 6.0

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.

Exam 70-155

Designing and Implementing Distributed Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0

Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification.

Exam 70-175

Upgrade Paths

Upgrade from MCDBA to MCTS on SQL Server 2005

As a Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA), you have the option of upgrading your credential to reflect your Microsoft SQL Server 2005 expertise by earning a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) credential.

Current certification

Certification goal

Required exam

MCDBA

MCTS on SQL Server 2005

Exam 70-431: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance

Upgrade to MCITP Database Administrator

Once you have earned the MCTS credential by following the upgrade path described above, you have completed the prerequisite for the MCITP Database Administrator credential.

Current certification

Certification goal

Required exam

MCDBA

and

MCTS on SQL Server 2005

MCITP: Database Administrator

Exam 70-447: Upgrade: MCDBA Skills to MCITP Database Administrator by Using Microsoft SQL Server 2005

Frequently Asked Questions

 

View all answers

A.

No. In response to customer requests for certifications that are more targeted and up-to-date, we offer Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): Database Administrator, MCITP: Database Developer, and MCITP: Business Intelligence Developer on Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and Microsoft SQL Server 2008.

A.

All Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS), Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP), and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) certifications retire when Microsoft discontinues mainstream support for the related technology. After a credential retires, it still appears on your transcript but is listed as "inactive." In most cases, an upgrade path is available for people who have that credential, which allows them to demonstrate their skills on the newest version of the technology without completing all exams associated with the new credential. The following credentials will not be retired: Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST), Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA), Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD), and Microsoft Certified Applications Developer (MCAD).

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