MCTS Certifications

• Server 2005 Certification Requirements
• SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence
• SQL Server 2008 Certification Requirements

Server 2005 Certification Requirements

The Technology Specialist certifications enable professionals to target specific technologies and distinguish themselves by demonstrating in-depth knowledge and expertise in their specialized technologies.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialists in Microsoft SQL Server 2005 (MCTS: SQL Server 2005) implement and maintain databases using specific instructions and specifications. They have thorough knowledge of the product, understand how to use the tools and Transact-SQL language, and know how to explore the user interface. Technology Specialists typically pursue careers as database administrators, database developers, or business intelligence developers. They may also be developers and systems administrators who do not work with SQL Server daily but who want to show their breadth of technology experience.

Microsoft Skills Assessments for SQL Server 2005 help database administrators, database developers, and business intelligence developers focus their exam preparation training and find learning resources.

• Take a Microsoft Skills Assessment
• New Generation of Certification FAQ

How to earn your MCTS: SQL Server 2005

MCTS candidates must pass one exam that focuses on the implementation and maintenance of SQL Server 2005. The following table lists Official Microsoft Learning Products and Microsoft Press books that are designed to help you prepare for the required exams. See the individual exam preparation guides for exam availability.

SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence

The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications enable professionals to target specific technologies and distinguish themselves by demonstrating in-depth knowledge and expertise in their specialized technologies.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialists in Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence (MCTS: SQL Server 2005 BI) implement and maintain business intelligence solutions. They have thorough knowledge of the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence Development tool suite. They have knowledge of database schemas and of debugging, monitoring, and troubleshooting Business Intelligence solutions, and they know how to work with Microsoft .NET Framework. They can write database queries, use SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) data mining algorithms, and create and deploy SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) reports. Additionally, they author and deploy SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) packages. Typically, Technology Specialists pursue careers as database administrators, database developers, or business intelligence developers. They may also be developers and systems administrators who do not work with SQL Server daily but who want to show their breadth of technology experience.

Microsoft skills assessments for SQL Server 2005 help business intelligence developers focus their exam preparation training and find learning resources.

• Take a Microsoft skills assessment
• New generation of certification FAQ

How to earn your MCTS: SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence

MCTS candidates must pass one exam that focuses on the implementation and maintenance of SQL Server 2005. See the following table for related training resources.

SQL Server 2008 Certification Requirements

The Microsoft SQL Server 2008 certification tracks are built upon a foundation of three focused Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certifications—all of which are designed to demonstrate your custom skill set and in-depth understanding of the features and functionality of key technology areas in SQL Server 2008.

• Advantages of MCTS certification
• MCTS certifications for Microsoft SQL Server 2008
• Candidate profile
• How to earn your MCTS certification on SQL Server 2008
  
  

Advantages of MCTS certification

• An MCTS certification highlights your areas of specialty, so your expertise will stand out to hiring managers and project leads.
• By earning multiple MCTS certifications, you can demonstrate your breadth of knowledge of SQL Server 2008; you can also build on your MCTS certifications to earn a Professional Series credential.
• The MCTS certifications also give you access to the MCP community and benefits, such as a personal profile on Microsoft.com and access to the Microsoft Knowledge Base.
• You are required to pass only one exam, making it possible for you to earn a meaningful certification within your time constraints and budget.

MCTS certifications for Microsoft SQL Server 2008

Three MCITP certification paths build on Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) prerequisites and align with job roles that are relevant in the marketplace.

• MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance
• MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Database Development
• MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance

Candidate profile

Candidates for any of the MCTS certifications are professionals who work with SQL Server 2008, or who anticipate doing so in the near future. They should have at least one year of experience using the underlying technologies that are covered in the corresponding exam.

How to earn your MCTS certification on SQL Server 2008

To achieve any of the MCTS certifications on SQL Server 2008, you must pass a single exam, as shown in the following table.

Upgrade options

If you are a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) on SQL Server 2005, you can take advantage of our upgrade paths to earn multiple certifications with a single exam.

• Learn about the upgrade options for MCITP credential holders on SQL Server 2005

Lifecycle policy

MCTS certifications are retired when Microsoft discontinues mainstream support for the related technology.

• Learn about the new generation of Microsoft Certification lifecycle policies

Certification paths