Demonstrate your range of expertise, real-world skills, and mastery of Microsoft technologies by earning a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification.
Level:
Two or more years of experience as an IT professional
Audience:
IT professional
Type:
Microsoft Certification
The Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification helps validate that an individual has the comprehensive set of skills necessary to perform a particular job role, such as database administrator or enterprise messaging administrator. MCITP certifications build on the technical proficiency measured in the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications. Therefore, you will earn one or more MCTS certifications on your way to earning an MCITP certification.
MCITP candidates are IT professionals capable of deploying, building, designing, optimizing, and operating technologies for a particular job role. They make the design and technology decisions necessary to ensure successful technology implementation projects.
Earning a Microsoft Certification helps validate 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 helps demonstrate 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 an MCITP certification, you distinguish yourself as an IT professional with the skills and proven job-role capabilities to effectively work with Microsoft technologies.
Certification
Required exam(s)*
Windows Client
MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Support Technician 7
Exam 70-680
Exam 70-685
MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator 7
Exam 70-686
MCITP: Consumer Support Technician
Exam 70-620
Exam 70-623
MCITP: Enterprise Support Technician
Exam 70-622
Windows Server
MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
Exam 70-640
Exam 70-642
Exam 70-643
plus either
or
Exam 70-6241
and
Exam 70-647
MCITP: Server Administrator
Exam 70-646
MCITP: Windows Server 2008 R2, Virtualization Administrator
Exam 70-659
Exam 70-6522
Exam 70-669
Exam 70-693
Microsoft SQL Server
MCITP: Database Administrator 2008
Exam 70-432
Exam 70-450
MCITP: Database Developer 2008
Exam 70-433
Exam 70-451
MCITP: Business Intelligence Developer 2008
Exam 70-448
Exam 70-452
MCITP: Database Administrator
Exam 70-431
Exam 70-443
Exam 70-444
MCITP: Database Developer
Exam 70-441
Exam 70-442
MCITP: Business Intelligence Developer
Exam 70-445
Exam 70-446
Microsoft Office Project Server
MCITP: Enterprise Project Management with Microsoft Office Project Server 2007
Exam 70-632
Exam 70-633
Exam 70-634
Microsoft Exchange Server
MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator 2010
Exam 70-662
Exam 70-663
MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator
Exam 70-236
Exam 70-237
Exam 70-238
*Multiple required exams can be taken in any order.
1This exam retires on October 31, 2010.
2If you take Exam 70-652 to count toward your Windows Server 2008 R2, Virtualization Administrator certification, it will not appear on your transcript until September 2010.
View all answers
Q. Is there a recertification policy for the MCITP certification?
A.
We no longer require a "refresh" or recertification of the MCITP certification within three years. To better meet our customers’ needs, we now retire a certification when mainstream support for the related technology phases out. If you earned an MCITP certification before the policy change, no action is required—the updated policy applies to your certification, which will remain valid until mainstream support for the related technology ends.
Q. Does MCSA equate to MCITP: Server Administrator and does MCSE equate to MCITP: Enterprise Administrator?
No, not exactly. The MCITP on Windows Server 2008 certification requires a new skill set—in some cases, a more robust one—that differs from the skill set needed for MCSA and MCSE certifications.
MCITP: Server Administrator certification covers more operations-related job skills than the MCSA certification.
MCITP: Enterprise Administrator maps to an actual job role profile, whereas the MCSE certification does not. The latter combines technology and job skills.
Q. Are the MCTS and MCITP certifications replacing the MCSA and MCSE certifications?
No. The MCSA and MCSE certifications are not being replaced. There is no change to the Microsoft Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003 tracks and certifications. The MCTS and MCITP certifications are for Windows Server 2008.
Q. Am I a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) if I earn an MCITP certification?
Yes and no. The term MCP is used both as a general term for all Microsoft Certified Professionals and as the name of a certification. As an MCITP, you become part of the Microsoft Certified Professional community, with access to all related benefits, information, and activities. You do not earn a certification titled "MCP." You should use the MCITP certification on your resumé and in business collateral, which indicates your specialty and shows that you are a member of the MCP community.
Q. How long will my certification be valid?
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 certification 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 certification, which allows them to demonstrate their skills on the newest version of the technology without completing all exams associated with the new certification. The following certifications 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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