Microsoft SQL Server certifications

Prove your knowledge and skills in designing, building, and maintaining the next wave of cloud-ready database and information solutions.

Choose a certification below:

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)

Associate level

The foundation for your professional career

MCSA:
SQL Server 2012
MCSA:
SQL Server 2008
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)

Expert level

The globally recognized standard for IT professionals

MCSE:
Data Platform
MCSE:
Business Intelligence
Microsoft Certified Solutions Master (MCSM)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Master (MCSM)

The pinnacle of professional distinction

MCSM:
Data Platform

Other certifications

The lifespan of a certification varies, based on the certification track and certification technology. See a list of retired certifications.

Three MCTS certifications are available on Microsoft SQL Server 2008, each aligning with a market-relevant job role.

Certification title

Required exam

MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance

432

MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Database Development

433*

MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance

448

* This exam retires on July 31, 2013.

Three MCITP certifications are available on Microsoft SQL Server 2008, each aligning with a market-relevant job role.

MCITP: Database Administrator 2008

Take the exams listed below to earn your MCITP: Database Administrator 2008 certification.

Step

Certification title

Required exam

1

TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Installation and Maintenance

432

2

PRO: Designing, Optimizing and Maintaining a Database Server Infrastructure Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008

450*

* This exam retires on July 31, 2013.

MCITP: Database Developer 2008

Take the exams listed below to earn your MCITP: Database Developer 2008 certification.

Step

Certification title

Required exam

1

TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Database Development

433*

2

PRO: Designing Database Solutions and Data Access Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008

451*

*This exam retires on July 31, 2013.

MCITP: Business Intelligence Developer 2008

Take the exams listed below to earn your MCITP: Business Intelligence Developer 2008 certification.

Step

Certification title

Required exam

1

TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Business Intelligence Development and Maintenance

448

2

PRO: Designing a Business Intelligence Infrastructure Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008

452*

*This exam retires on July 31, 2013.

The MCM program for Microsoft SQL Server 2008 is designed to help provide the most experienced and talented IT professionals worldwide with validation and recognition of their in-depth technical expertise in Microsoft SQL Server.

Required exams:

88-970: SQL Server 2008 Microsoft Certified Master: Knowledge Exam

88-971: SQL Server 2008 Microsoft Certified Master: Lab Exam

Prerequisite experience:

Five or more years of experience with SQL Server 7.0 or later: installing, configuring, and troubleshooting

One or more years of experience with SQL Server 2005 or later: installing, configuring, and troubleshooting

Thorough understanding of SQL Server design and architecture

Thorough understanding of SQL Server core components and dependencies, such as online transaction processing (OLTP), high availability, disaster recovery, performance-tuning optimization, storage, security, manageability, and data distribution technologies

Ability to speak, understand, and write fluent English

Learn more about the MCM: Microsoft SQL Server 2008 certification

If you have proven experience designing and delivering IT solutions for enterprise customers, as well as technical and leadership skills that surpass those of your peers, and you have achieved a Microsoft Certified Master certification, consider earning the Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) certification.

The MCA: Microsoft SQL Server certification is designed for architects who specialize in using Microsoft technologies to provide expert solutions. It is the highest level of professional certification on Microsoft server products.

Learn more about the MCA: Microsoft SQL Server certification

If you have already earned a certification on SQL Server 2008, you are eligible to take advantage of a shorter upgrade path to achieve an MCSE or MCSA SQL Server 2012 certification.

If you have an MCTS on SQL Server 2008 or MCSA: SQL Server 2008 certification, you can upgrade to the MCSA SQL Server 2012 certification.

Step

Title

Required exam

Certification earned

1

Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012, Part 1

457
MCSA SQL Server 2012

2

Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012, Part 2

458

If you have an MCITP: Database Administrator or MCITP: Database Developer certification, you can upgrade to the MCSE: Data Platform certification.

Step

Title

Required exam

Certification earned

1

Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012, Part 1

457
MCSE: Data Platform

2

Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012, Part 2

458

3

Transition Your MCITP on SQL Server 2008 to MCSE: Data Platform

459

If you have an MCITP: Business Intelligence Developer certification, you can upgrade to the MCSE Business Intelligence certification.

Step

Title

Required exam

Certification earned

1

Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012, Part 1

457
MCSE: Business Intelligence

2

Transition Your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012, Part 2

458

3

Transition Your MCITP: Business Intelligence Developer 2008 to MCSE: Business Intelligence

460