Don’t wait to finish your MCTS or MCITP: Microsoft retiring exam tracks
July 19, 2012 at 11:45 am | Posted in Certification Paths, Microsoft | 34 CommentsTags: certification lifecycle, exam expirations, exam retirement
Disclaimer: Exam retirements are subject to change without notice. Please go to the official Microsoft Retired exams list to confirm or deny a specific test’s retirement date, as it may have changed since this post was originally published. Click https://transcender.wordpress.com/category/certification-paths/ to find the latest posts by date on this topic.
Microsoft’s 2003, 2007, or 2008 technologies may still be thriving in your workplace, but Microsoft places hard limits on the certification lifecycle. It’s easy to let deadlines get away from you when you feel like there’s no rush. Are you a test or two away from earning an MCTS or MCITP? If so, be sure to go over this list of exam expirations and schedule your test well before the deadline. This will make sure you aren’t caught in a time crunch, and have to fight off a slew of fellow last-minute test-takers to get a seat at your testing center.
ETA: Thanks to a sharp-eyed reader for pointing out that several exams scheduled to expire THIS month, July 31, 2012, are actually listed as Already Retired and so did not appear on our initial list:
- Upgrade: MCITP SQL Server 2005 to 2008
- Upgrade MCPD Windows Developer to MCPD Windows Developer 3.5
- 70-566 UPGRADE: Transition your MCPD Windows Developer Skills to MCPD Windows Developer 3.5
- 70-567 UPGRADE: Transition your MCPD Web Developer Skills to MCPD ASP.NET Developer 3.5
- 70-568 UPGRADE: Transition your MCPD Enterprise Application Developer Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer 3.5, Part 1
- 70-569 UPGRADE: Transition your MCPD Enterprise Application Developer Skills to MCPD Enterprise Application Developer 3.5, Part 2
Exams scheduled to expire September 30, 2012:
- Office SharePoint and Office Communications 2007
- Exchange Server 2007
Exams scheduled to expire January 31, 2013:
- Office SharePoint Server 2007
- 70-542: TS: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007 – Application Development
- Office Project 2007 and Project Server 2007
Exams scheduled to expire July 31, 2013:
- Windows Server 2008 R2
- Windows Server 2008
- 70-643: TS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring
- 70-647: Pro: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator
- 70-648: Upgrading your MCSA on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist
- 70-649: Upgrading your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist
- Windows Server 2003
- 70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment
- 70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
- 70-293: Planning and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
- 70-294: Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory Infrastructure
- 70-297: Designing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and Network Infrastructure
- 70-298: Designing Security for a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network
- 70-299: Implementing and Administering Security in a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network
- Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0
- 70-521: Upgrade: Transition your MCPD .NET Framework 3.5 Windows Developer Skills to MCPD .NET 4.0 Windows Applications Developer
- 70-523: Upgrade: Transition Your MCPD .NET Framework 3.5 Web Developer Skills to MCPD .NET Framework 4 Web Developer
- 70-536: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework – Application Development Foundation
- Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
- 70-502: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – Windows Presentation Foundation
- 70-503: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – Windows Communication Foundation
- 70-504: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 – Workflow
- 70-505: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, Windows Forms Application Development
- 70-561: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ADO.NET Application Development
- 70-562: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, ASP.NET Application Development
- 70-563: Pro: Designing and Developing Windows Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
- 70-564: PRO: Designing and Developing ASP.NET Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
- 70-565: PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications Using the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
For a complete list of exam expirations across all certification tracks, and more information on present and future certification tracks, visit Microsoft’s Certification Lifecycle page.
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blogmistress Ann
codeguru
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Team Kaplan IT Training
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Kaplan IT Training Blog 
Look at the exam requirements for 2012. If you are preparing for MCSE 2012 you are better off preparing for the new exams and new certifications than the old ones.
You are more valuable to an employeer if you know the new technolgy and have the new cert than the old one. Microsoft is going to be retiring a lot of prodcuts in less than two years, no sence in getting a cert that won’t be retired soon.
Take a look at how different Server 2012 is from Server 2008. – That’s why you’ll want to be MCSE 2012 instead of a MCITP for Server 2008.
Comment by Microsoft Certified Trainer— July 19, 2012 #
I agree, if you haven’t started with 2008 just go to 2012 exams. There was a special offer for taking 2008 exams and getting a free 2012 exam that was running a while back, it might be finished though.
Comment by Ayman El-Ghazali— July 20, 2012 #
Hello, i am particularly interrested in Exam 70-515:
TS: Web Applications Development with Microsoft .NET Framework 4 but it says it is expiring in july 2013. Does that mean that they will replace it with similar exam and new materials or it just dissapears. I mean will there be an alternative for this exam ? Is it worth buying the bok for it http://www.amazon.com/MCTS-Self-Paced-Training-Exam-70-515/dp/0735627401 and start studying even tho the exam is being retired in few months ?
Comment by Tzvetan Triov— January 21, 2013 #
Well, 70-515 is similar to 70-486, although it focuses more on MVC than 70-515 does. If you are looking to training, then I would recommend not pursuing 70-515 and instead move toward the 70-480 exam. That exam is currently under development.
Comment by codeguru— January 29, 2013 #
I think it is ludicrous that Microsoft is retiring all three MCITP UPGRADE exams (SQL 2005 to SQL 2008) on July 31st, 2012. Especially since they are not retiring the individual SQL 2008 MCTS and MCITP exams until July 31st, 2013. As well, the MCPD UPGRADE exams (VS 2005 to VS 2008) don’t retire until July 31st, 2013. Apparently, they want vying SQL 2005 MCITP folks to earn the SQL 2008 MCITP title by taking two exams instead of one upgrade exam.
Comment by Davin Mickelson— July 20, 2012 #
Davin, thanks so much for pointing this out. We missed listing these exams because they appear as “already retired” (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-lifecycle.aspx#tab3). So, have you already done the 2005 to 2008 upgrade, or are you waiting for the cloud cert?
Comment by blogmistress Ann— July 20, 2012 #
Hi, Ann!
I am taking the SQL 2008 MCITP: BI upgrade exam on Tuesday (armed with SQL Server Books Online and my Transcender practice exam). I will also be upgrading my MCPD: Enterprise from .NET 2.0 to 3.5 and then to a specialized 4.0 certification. I prefer that my transcription show history with the products.
I tried asking for the SQL MCITP UPGRADE exams’ retirement date to be moved to July, 2013 on the MSDN Certification forum, but it seems that the request has fallen on deaf ears. Funny thing – two of the MCTS SQL 2008 exams (70-432 & 70-448) are not slated for retirement at all.
BTW – I think the Transcender UPGRADE practice exams are a great bargain because they come with practice questions for both the the MCTS and the MCITP exams. The same goes for the developer UPGRADE practice exams.
Happy Friday!
Comment by Davin Mickelson— July 20, 2012 #
The point is not the exams per say! The point is microsoft employs 100’s to create a product, new OS, etc… and we have learn all that and get certified to prove our competency. If microsoft was a competent company, they would have made a good product that lasts long that everyone can use and us as admins and engineers can learn. I think all of this technology updating business has nothing to do with the technology itself. With a bad economy, i guess, microsoft has to make weak products so that they can keep updating their exams, certifications, etc… It is just going ridiculously too fast and it is useless, period.
Comment by ben— July 25, 2012 #
[…] Starting with another of the MCITP paths will also earn you a solid certification, but you’ll be working with Microsoft’s looming retirement dates for most of the relevant exams. Only consider these if you can pass all of the tests by July 13, 2013. (For more information, read this previous post on exam expiration.) […]
Pingback by Customer asks: Is now the time to study for Windows Server 2008 certification, or Server 2012? « The Transcender Team Weblog— September 27, 2012 #
[…] Customer asks: Is now the time to study for Windows Server 2008 certification, or Server 2012?, Don’t wait to finish your MCTS or MCITP: Microsoft retiring exam tracks, and Everything old is new again: the MCSE and MCSA are dead (long live the MCSE and […]
Pingback by MSCD – A New Certification with an Old Heart of Gold « The Transcender Team Weblog— February 8, 2013 #
if have do 70-515 certification and it get expired in july 30..does it means am no more microsoft certified developer and does my certification has no value???plssssss do reply fast pls
Comment by md saleh— March 5, 2013 #
When you pass Exam 70-515, you earn the MCTS: .NET Framework 4, Web Applications certification. The certification will NOT expire or become invalid after July 30. However, the test will not be available after that date, so you have to pass it before July. Similarly, if you are working toward the MCPD: Web Developer 4, then you need to pass ALL of the required exams before July 30. Microsoft says, “MCPD certifications will not be updated for versions later than Visual Studio 2010…The existing MCTS and MCPD certifications are currently valuable in the market and will remain valuable as long as companies are using the technology covered in your certification.” You can choose to upgrade your MCPD in the future to a MCSD by taking two extra exams. Hope this helps!
Comment by blogmistress Ann— March 5, 2013 #
Hi ANN,
Your comment was helpful to me. But can u tell me, If i am planning to complete Microsoft Certification Path In WEB.
I am working on Web based applications & i have developed some websites too. I have 2 years & 7 months professional working experience. 31 July 2013 has passed, so can u plz tell me whether 70-515 exam is available.
Thanks.
Comment by Jeet— August 12, 2013 #
They’ve suspended expiration on these exams. As of now, there is no retirement date set and yes, you CAN still take them:
http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/btl/b/weblog/archive/2013/02/08/update-on-visual-studio-2010-exam-retirement-dates.aspx#fbid=nLqPah77lP2
Study fast, and take it before they expire again! :-)
Comment by blogmistress Ann— August 12, 2013 #
Hi Jeet – it looks like Ann gave you the link you’ll need to look up any of the VS 2010 exam info. But yes, the 70-515 is still available to take at your local test center. Best of luck!
Comment by arotella— August 14, 2013 #
Hi, I am a fresher and i have joined CG India almost 1.5 years back, Will it be a worthful if i still go ahead with certification on MCITP next month,,,
Or any altearnate way so that if I go with any one certification which shall make worth, as I am working in Security and Messaging services partly…..plsss suggest and reply me, my dear brothers…plzzz
Comment by Irfan— March 10, 2013 #
Absolutely, you should finish your MCITP, especially if you’re so close. For more advice, I recommend you read our blog post “Customer asks: Is now the time to study for Windows Server 2008 certification, or Server 2012?” at https://transcender.wordpress.com/2012/09/27/customer-asks-is-now-the-time-to-study-for-windows-server-2008-certification-or-server-2012/
Comment by blogmistress Ann— March 11, 2013 #
Currently: Workplace contains Windows Server 2008 R2,My status: MCSE 2003 server.
Question: 1)
What would be the impact if i skip MCITP server administrator to MCSA 2012 In My Microsoft TRANSCRIPT in regards to Employees point of view?
2) IS both 15% and Second shot still available on MCITP 70-649 and MCITP 70-646 ?
Any suggestion to the question 1 and 2 to the point could be helpful ?
Comment by caprus— April 18, 2013 #
Regarding question 1), I don’t think you *can* skip MCITP:SA. You have to go through the MCSA 2008 before you can take the upgrade exam (70-417) to earn the MCSA 2012. At this time, the same tests (70-648 TS: Upgrading from Windows Server 2003 MCSA to, Windows Server 2008, Technology Specializations and 70-646) earn both the MCITP:SA and the MCSA 2008. You can get the details here: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/windows-server-certification.aspx#item-ID0EAAAAACBA. Hustle on the second shot deal; it expires May 31. http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/second-shot.aspx#fbid=LS1Kv09tZQS. Hope this helps!
Comment by blogmistress Ann— April 18, 2013 #
Hi Ann,
I have checked in Microsoft’s Certification Lifecycle page and also Microsoft retired exam, but can see nothing about exam 70-513, 70-515, 70-516 (MCPD: Web Developer 4 not MCPD: Web Developer). Please give me the reference.
Thanks,
Comment by Nguyen Tien Quynh— May 7, 2013 #
Quynh, I’m passing this question on to Josh, our MCPD expert. However, it is very possible that Microsoft changed some exam retirement dates since this article was posted on our blog. As of the most recent info I can find (http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/mcpd-certification.aspx#fbid=bFimCn-qjlo), the 3.5 exams are still slated to retire July 31, 2013, but the 4 exams are not showing an expiration date. Thanks for reading!
Comment by blogmistress Ann— May 8, 2013 #
Yep, I just confirmed – MS decided that the only 4.0 exams that will retire on July 31 are the 3.5 upgrade exams: 521, 523, and 536. I have updated our post to reflect that new information. Thanks for pointing out the discrepancy!
Comment by The Transcender Team— May 8, 2013 #
Hi there Transcender… can I ask what is the best way to contact Microsoft to confirm such things as exam expiry dates? (is there an email address etc). And secondly did they indicate when the other 4.0 exams will retire (good news that they’re not retiring 70-515 just yet).
Comment by Rob— June 30, 2013 #
Absolutely – I would drop a comment in the Born To Learn blog (http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/btl/b/default.aspx#fbid=nLqPah77lP2). According to the blog, “The following Visual Studio 2010 exams that were previously slated to retire on July 31, 2013 will now remain available for all candidates until further notice. No new retirement date has been set.” (http://borntolearn.mslearn.net/btl/b/weblog/archive/2013/02/08/update-on-visual-studio-2010-exam-retirement-dates.aspx#fbid=nLqPah77lP2) Hope this helps!
Comment by blogmistress Ann— July 1, 2013 #
Fantastic, thanks for confirming that and pointing me in the direction of the borntolearn blog. Great that Microsoft listened to the community and updated their dates.
Comment by shattersblog— July 2, 2013 #
Hi, I was planning on sitting 70-536 in about a months time and had signed up for multiple other courses(505, 561, 562, 502) and they are all retiring!? Will these courses be replaced/updated and called something else? I now have to consider whether to take the 536 exam earlier than I would like or just wait for the new exams. Please help
Comment by Polar19— July 17, 2013 #
If you are interested in the new .NET 4.5 exams, you should really check out what we wrote on it before (https://transcender.wordpress.com/2013/02/08/mscd-a-new-certification-with-an-old-heart-of-gold/#more-5560).
One thing you’ll notice right away is that the closest thing to the 536 is the 483 exam, but there is no real equivalency on the client-side, because now data is spread across exams and Windows 8 Store Apps replace Windows Forms.
As for your immediate question, the 70-536 exam will be unavailable to take in two weeks (unless you schedule before the end of the month). If you want to know this technology, then I recommend you take the upgrade exams instead. The 70-521 and 70-523 will be available until next year.
Comment by codeguru— July 17, 2013 #
Polar19, I suggest you call Prometric and ask how far in advance you can schedule an exam. Josh says he’s managed to sit for “retired” exams because some testing centers treat the retirement date as “you cannot schedule this exam after this date,” not “you cannot sit for the exam after this date.” Apart from that, I agree with his advice. Good luck!
Comment by blogmistress Ann— July 17, 2013 #
Thanks for the suggestions :)
Comment by Polar19— July 17, 2013 #
i wrote 536 exam and 562 exam . and now the 454 exam has expired , so i wanted to know what exam will be replacing the 564 exam ? we are left with incomplete certificates
Comment by nthaby— July 24, 2013 #
Hi – thanks for reading! Because there are so many variables (I don’t know what certification you’re pursuing or what your background is), you’d probably get a much faster (and more accurate) response posting your question to the Microsoft certification forums:
http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/dd3cddc7-c858-429d-846c-a8e08f7c601f/when-does-70536-expire
and
http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/home?searchTerm=When%20does%2070-536%20Expire&filter=alllanguages
Hope this helps!
Comment by blogmistress Ann— July 24, 2013 #
You can also sit for the upgrade exams. The 70-521 and 70-523 will be available until next year.
Comment by blogmistress Ann— July 24, 2013 #
Hi,
what about MCTS 70515?
Please reply
Comment by Anonymous— April 18, 2014 #
70-515 is still going strong with no expiration date visible on the exam details page. You can still earn the MCTS from this exam: https://www.microsoft.com/learning/en-us/mcts-certification.aspx
Comment by blogmistress Ann— April 18, 2014 #