Certifications & exams > Windows Server certifications
Windows Server certifications
If you’re designing, implementing, configuring, or managing a Windows Server infrastructure or desktops and devices in your organization, consider making the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) for Windows Server 2012 your certification goal. This page also lists other certifications available for Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2008.
Choose a certification below:
The foundation for your professional career
The globally recognized standard for IT professionals
The pinnacle of professional distinction
Other certifications
- MCITP: Enterprise Administrator on Windows Server 2008
Validates your ability to design, implement, and administer infrastructures on the Windows Server 2008 platform.
This certification will be retired on July 31, 2013. The MCSA: Windows Server 2008 certification and corresponding exams will remain in market.
Required exam | Optional training |
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and | |
and | |
and | |
and either | |
or | |
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See a list of retired exams and legacy certifications.
- MCITP: Server Administrator 2008
Validates your ability to handle the day-to-day management of an installation using the Windows Server 2008 platform.
This certification will be retired on July 31, 2013. The MCSA: Windows Server 2008 certification and corresponding exams will remain in market.
Required exam | Optional training |
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and | |
and | |
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- MCTS certifications
Validates your troubleshooting and deployment skills on the Windows Server 2008 platform.
These certifications will be retired on July 31, 2013. The MCSA: Windows Server 2008 certification and corresponding exams will remain in market.
Certification title | Required exam |
|---|
MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuration | |
MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuration | |
MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuration | |
*This exam also counts towards the MCSA: Windows Server 2008 certification. For more information, visit the MCSA page.
**This exam retires on July 31, 2013.
- MCA: Windows Server Directory
- Upgrade paths for Windows Server 2008 certifications
Upgrade these certifications to an MCSA: Windows Server 2012 certification
MCSA: Windows Server 2008
MCITP: Server Administrator
MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
MCITP: Virtualization Administrator
MCITP: Enterprise Messaging Administrator
MCITP: Lync Server Administrator
MCITP: SharePoint Administrator
MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator
Step | Title | Optional training | Required exam | Certification earned |
|---|
1 | Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012 | | | |
Upgrade these certifications to an MCSE: Private Cloud certification
MCSA: Windows Server 2008
MCITP: Server Administrator
MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
Title | Optional training | Required exam | Certification earned |
|---|
Monitoring and Operating a Private Cloud with System Center 2012 | | | |
and either | |
Configuring and Deploying a Private Cloud with System Center 2012 | | |
or | | |
Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization | | |
Upgrade these certifications to an MCSE: Server Infrastructure certification
MCSA: Windows Server 2008
MCITP: Server Administrator
MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
Step | Title | Optional training | Required exam | Certification earned |
|---|
1 | Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012 | | | |
2 | Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure | | |
3 | Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure | | |
Upgrade these certifications to an MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure certification
MCSA: Windows Server 2008
MCITP: Server Administrator
MCITP: Enterprise Administrator
Step | Title | Optional training | Required exam | Certification earned |
|---|
1 | Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012 | | | |
2 | Implementing a Desktop Infrastructure | | |
3 | Implementing Desktop Application Environments | | |
- Upgrade paths for Windows Server 2003 certifications
Consult the tables below for upgrade path information.
Upgrade your Windows Server 2003 certification
Current certification | Certification goal | Required exam |
|---|
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator on Windows Server 2003 | MCSA: Windows Server 2008 and MCITP: Server Administrator | and |
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator on Windows Server 2003 | MCITP: Enterprise Administrator on Windows Server 2008 | and and and either or or |
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer on Windows Server 2003 | MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration and MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration and MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure Configuration | |
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator on Windows Server 2003 | MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration and MCTS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure Configuration | |
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer on Windows Server 2003 | MCITP: Server Administrator | and |
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer on Windows Server 2003 | MCITP: Enterprise Administrator on Windows Server 2008 | and and either or or |
Frequently asked questions
MCITP Windows Server 2008 certifications
- Q.Can I still earn the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator certification and the MCITP: Server Administrator certification?
- A.
Yes, the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator certification and the MCITP: Server Administrator certification will continue to be awarded until July 31, 2013. After July 31, 2013, these certifications will be retired, but the MCSA: Windows Server 2008 certification will remain in market.
- Q.Can I earn both the MCITP: Server Administrator certification and the MCITP: Enterprise Administrator certification if I pass all the necessary exams for both certifications?
- A.
Yes, until July 31, 2013.
- Q.Am I a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) if I earn an MCSA, MCSE, MCTS, or MCITP certification?
- A.
When you pass a single exam, you become a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) and a member of the Microsoft Certification Program. You can share your transcript with others to prove that you passed that exam and show your progress towards a specific certification.
- Q.I'm part way through my MCITP on Windows Server 2008. Should I finish it, or should I wait for the new exams to release for the MCSE certifications?
- A.
If you are close to achieving an MCITP on Windows Server 2008, we encourage you to complete your certification, and then you can take advantage of a shorter path to upgrade your certification to the MCSE: Server Infrastructure certification or the MCSE: Desktop Infrastructure certification. By achieving multiple certifications, you show continued dedication to learning new skills and you increase your value to your organization.
