GETTING MICROSOFT CERTIFIED

Microsoft offers certifications on server, desktop, application, database and developer platforms. A Microsoft Certification validates your expertise in a Microsoft technology. As a Microsoft Certified Professional, you’ll have access to community resources and tools that allow you to exchange ideas with peers, increase your knowledge and skills, and broaden your career opportunities.
Achieving IT certifications through the Microsoft Certification Program shows a person's competence in a specific Microsoft technology, and it can result in all kinds of work-related and personal benefits.
Currently, the Microsoft Certification Program is divided into five main categories:
• Server: Windows Server, Exchange Server, Lync (now focused on Office 365 and Skype), SharePoint and Microsoft Azure certifications
• Desktop: Windows, devices certifications
• Applications: Office, Office 365 and Microsoft Dynamics certifications
• Database: SQL Server certifications
• Developer: Visual Studio, SharePoint, Applications and Microsoft Azure certifications

Certifications within the Microsoft Certification Program include the following credentials:
• Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)
• Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)
• Microsoft Solutions Developer (MCSD)
• Microsoft Specialist
• Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

After you pass your first qualifying Microsoft certification exam, you are deemed a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP). MCP status provides access to a benefits and exams dashboard, with certificates and transcripts, downloadable certification logos, promotional offers and lots more. You also get the MCP designation on your Microsoft transcript. It's important to understand that only the MCSA, MCSE, MCSE and Specialist certifications qualify as MCP certs. Neither MTA nor MOS certifications qualify for MCP status, and none of the exams are prerequisites for MCSA, MCSE, MCSD or Specialist certifications.
In addition to the certifications outlined above, Microsoft offers its MCT: Microsoft Certified Trainer and MCE: Microsoft Certified Educator credentials to those interested in teaching others about Microsoft technologies and products.
Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) certification validates IT professional and developer technical expertise through rigorous, industry-proven, and industry-recognized exams. MCP exams cover a wide range of Microsoft products, technologies, and solutions.
When you pass your first qualifying MCP exam, you automatically become a Microsoft Certified Professional and gain access to MCP benefits. You also join a community of millions of MCPs, with thousands more joining every month. After you become an MCP, you’re on your way to distinguishing yourself through expert certifications including Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), and Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD).
MCP-qualifying exams include all of the exams required in the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), MCSE, MCSD, and Microsoft Specialist certifications. Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) exams and Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exams do not qualify for MCP certification.
Many people ask “How to become a Microsoft Certified Professional?” It is explained in a very simple way as follows:
• Plan: Choose the right certification path, based on your goals, passion, and market demand.
• Train: Find the training methods that best fit your learning style and your schedule.
• Test: Schedule your exams in advance, and take advantage of promotions.
• Leverage benefits: Take advantage of your benefits as a Microsoft Certified Professional.
• Discover opportunities: Use your new skill sets and credentials for promotion or a new job.

Microsoft Certification benefits for MCPs include many valuable career tools, such as:
• Certification Planner Track your progress and view options for completing your certification
• Certificate Manager View, download, or purchase paper copies of certificates for the Microsoft Certifications you earn.
• Official transcript download and sharing tool
• Certification logos Download official certification logos.
• MCP eStore Purchase apparel and accessories with certification logos.
• Promotional offers Access special offers on Microsoft training and certification products and discounts.
• Member resources Find training or evaluation software, look for job opportunities, and much more.

Does MCP Certifications Expire?
Microsoft Certifications do not expire. They simple lose value with time. For example, an MCSE on Windows NT 4 was all the rage in 1998. In 2009, that certification will not go far in a job interview. Microsoft publishes "upgrade" exams to help keep you up to date in your certification. The upgrade exams test you thoroughly on the new features of the OS. If you were starting for scratch or with a very outdated MCSE, you will have to take all the exams. This will not only test your knowledge of the new features, but also the basics that the certification requires.

Here is some Question and Answers pulled from a Microsoft site:
Que: How long will the certification be valid?
Ans: For our newest credentials, such as Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist (MCTS), Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP), and Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD), the credential retires along with the product support for the technology being tested. The credential will still appear on your transcript but will be listed as retired. In most cases, an upgrade path (usually one exam) will be available for individuals who have that credential so that they can demonstrate their skills on the newest version of the technology without completing all exams associated with the new credential.
The legacy Microsoft credentials, such as Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) do not expire, but as Microsoft releases new versions of the associated technology, these credentials are likely to be valued less by the industry.
Que: Do hiring managers really value certification?
Ans: During a recent poll of IT hiring managers, 55 percent said that they consider employee certification as a criterion for hiring, and 63 percent of hiring managers said that they believe certified employees are more productive than noncertified employees.

Microsoft Server Certifications
The Microsoft Server certification track includes MTA, MCSA and MCSE credentials. Within the MTA Server track there is one certification — namely, IT Infrastructure. To obtain it, a candidate needs to pass one of five exams, which cover topics that include fundamentals for server administration, networking, security, mobility and devices, and cloud.
The MCSA Server track includes Windows Server 2016, 2012 and 2008 and Linux on Azure certs. All the Windows Server tracks require three exams each. But only two exams are required for the Linux on Azure certification and the MCSA: Cloud Platform, each of which also serves as a prerequisite for the next item.

Microsoft Desktop Certifications
The Microsoft Desktop certification path includes Microsoft Specialist, MTA and MCSA certifications. The Microsoft Specialist in Windows 10 requires passing one exam. The MTA Desktop certification path has one certification — IT Infrastructure — just like the MTA Server track mentioned previously. The MTA IT Infrastructure track is earned by passing one of five exams on Windows Server administration, networking, security, mobility and device fundamentals, or cloud.
MCSA Desktop certification includes a single credential for Windows 10 as of Jan. 1, 2017. Earning the MCSA: Windows 10 requires passing two exams.
Microsoft Database Certifications
Microsoft's Database certification path includes the MTA, MCSA and MCSE. The MTA Database track requires one exam. There are two certs in the MCSA Database track at the moment – namely, the MCSA: SQL Server 2012/2014 and the MCSA: SQL 2016, both of which require three exams. The newer credential is recommended for those just starting down the database trail, because the older is likely to retire in the next year or two.
Microsoft Developer Certifications
The Microsoft Developer certification path includes MTA and MCSD certifications. The MTA Developer certification recognizes individuals who are entry-level software developers. The certification requires candidates to pass one of three exams. Possible topics include software development fundamentals, HTML5 app development fundamentals, and software testing fundamentals.
You can check out the link for more: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/default.aspx