MCPD stands for Microsoft Certified Professional Developer and is regarded as a high level and highly accredited certification. MCPD allows developers to demonstrate their ability to use Microsoft Visual Studio and the Microsoft .NET Framework to excel in a real-world job role. The MCPD cert, validates a comprehensive set of skills required to be successful on the job, and gives hiring managers and potential customers a reliable indicator of your job performance.
Building on top of the existing MCTS certification path, MCPD takes the candidates skills one step further and focuses on high level design and implementation to build .NET solutions. The MCPD certification exists for both
.NET 2.0 and .NET 3.5. Candidates choose the specific version of MCPD based on whether they use Visual Studio 2005 or Visual Studio 2008.
Candidates must first complete the MCTS certification path before they can achieve the MCPD. Depending on the MCPD chosen, you will have to pass a single exam or 2 for the Enterprise level.
Using MCPD ASP .NET Developer 3.5 as an example, candidates must pass the following exams:
- Exam 70-564: PRO: Designing and Developing ASP.NET Applications Using Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5
If you already hold the MCPD for .NET 2.0, you can take any of the following
upgrade exams to move to the .NET 3.5 version of the MCPD:
- Windows Developer: Exam 70-566: Upgrade: Transition your MCPD Windows Developer Skills to MCPD Windows Developer 3
- Web Developer: Exam 70-567: Upgrade: Transition your MCPD Web Developer Skills to MCPD ASP.NET Developer 3.5
- Enterprise: Exam 70-568: Upgrade: Transition your MCPD Enterprise Application Developer Skills to MCPD Enterprise Applications Developer 3.5, Part 1 AND Exam 70-569: Upgrade: Transition your MCPD Enterprise Application Developer Skills to MCPD Enterprise Applications Developer 3.5, Part 2
All Microsoft exams are conducted through the Prometric testing provider. You must book your exam online using the Prometric website, you'll also have to pay the fees online. Fess vary per country, but are usually close to the US fee of $125. Your actual exam will be based at one of the many testing centres around the world, where you must attend in person. You can choose the testing centre and time of the exam through the Prometric site. All professional Microsoft exams such as MCPD are computer based and consist of a variety of testing methods.
Once you have achieved your Microsoft certification, you'll receive the Welcome Pack through the post (make sure you login to the MCP Member Site and confirm your address so Microsoft will send the pack). You'll receive a badge, certification and even a letter from Mr Gates himself!