What is needed to earn your MCTS SQL Certification

The certification path for SQL 2005 is similar to that of other products that have adopted the new certification structure.  This is comprised of a number of MCTS and MCITP certifications, as well as there being an upgrade path from your MCDBA on SQL 2000 to SQL 2005.  As I stated in an earlier blog – there are actually three MCITP and two MCTS certifications available on SQL 2005. The patterns so far has been that are more MCTS than MCITP certifications – but then again, SQL is a unique beast all together.  I will cover the MCTS certifications in this blog and the MCITP and MCM in the next blog.

Let’s take a look at the MCTS Certifications on SQL 2005.  As I stated earlier, there are but two MCTS certifications available on SQL 2005;  MCTS: SQL Server 2005 and MCTS: SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence*.  If you are interested in earning either one (or both) of these MCTS Certifications, than you must pass the relevant exam.  Fortunately, there is but one exam for either certification.  If you want to earn the MCTS:SQL Server 2005, you must pass the 70-432: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance¹ exam.  There is also only one exam for the MCTS: SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence certification as well, the 70-445 TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance².    See – nothing to it, a simple exam to pass and voila – a new MCTS is added to your transcript! (if only all things were so easy).

There is one thing to keep in mind with this new generation of Microsoft Certifications – these certifications actually have a retirement point.  The new certifications (MCTS and MCITP) will retire when mainstream support for the product/technology is discontinued from Microsoft.  So sorry, you can’t remain an MCTS: SQL Server 2005 when SQL 2011 is released -(but as an aside – if you are an MCDBA, MCSE, MCDST,MCSA, you will keep those certifications).

* Information from:  http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/mcts/default.mspx

¹ Exam review guide available here: https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-431.aspx

²  Exam review guide available here:  https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/exams/70-445.mspx

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