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The new Generation of Certification introduces three series of credentials:

Technology Specialist (MCTS): This series validates core technology and product skills, such as how-to or implementation skills.

• SQL Server 2005
• .NET Framework 2.0

IT Professional and Professional Developer (MCITP and MCPD): This series validates specific job-role skills outside of core technology, such as operational processes and procedures and analyzing business problems.

• Database Developer
• Database Administrator
• Business Intelligence Developer
• Web Developer
• Windows Developer
• Enterprise Applications Developer

Architect (MCA): This series validates the skills that are required to successfully affect business IT. These skills include technical breadth, technical depth, communication, strategy, organizational politics, process, and leadership.

Architect Series: The Microsoft Certified Architect program allows companies to easily identify experienced, trusted, IT architects that have completed a rigorous industry-driven peer validation procedure.

Professional Series: Professional credentials validate a comprehensive and current set of skills required to be successful in the job, providing a reliable indicator of performance.

Technology Series: Technology Specialist certifications let you target specific Microsoft technologies and gain in-depth skills for working with those technologies.

Certification Benefits
Increased opportunities on the job: Certification can bring salary and bonus increases, as well as increased project involvement and promotion.

Increased wealth of knowledge: Certification is a springboard for learning new technologies in a structured and comprehensive way.

Increased value to the organization: According to Microsoft, "Organizations with 25 percent or more of their staff certified have been shown to deploy projects on time and within budget more often, rely less on external support, have less downtime, and have higher user satisfaction with their IT staff."

Not on the new Microsoft Certification Track? Current Microsoft Certified Individuals do not need to renew their credentials. They will continue to be recognized as long as they are in demand, and will continue to be supported by Microsoft. If you are currently taking a path to receive a credential, it is recommended you continue on that certification path.