Microsoft Corp. this week rolled out its plans for MCSA and MCSE training and certification offerings in conjunction with its new Windows Server 2003 operating system, which will become available in the first half of this year.
Candidates for the Windows Server Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification will be required to pass three core exams and one elective exam. (Click here for a list of the exams.) In addition, Microsoft said it will provide an upgrade exam that will allow holders of the MCSA on Windows 2000 to earn the Windows Server 2003 credential.
Candidates for the Windows Server Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) will be required to pass six core exams and one elective exam. (Click here for a list of the exams.) There will also be two upgrade exams to allow Windows 2000 MCSE holders to become Windows Server 2003-certified. In addition to passing those exams, Windows 2000 MCSE-holders will be required to pass the MCSA upgrade exam in order to upgrade to the Windows Server 2003 MCSE.
Microsoft said holders of the MCSA and MCSE on Windows 2000 will not be required to pass Windows Server 2003 exams to retain their certifications.
Holders of the MCSE and MCSA on NT will not be required to pass Windows 2000 exams before moving up to the Windows Server 2003 certifications, Microsoft said.
Microsoft said exams for all the new certifications will be released in the second half of this year.
Microsoft said early versions of the Windows Server 2003 training courses (based on Release Candidate 2 of the operating system) will be available in March. Final versions will be available in late April.