Become Microsoft-certified in four simple steps

Follow these steps to earn your Microsoft Certification and position yourself for a successful career in IT.

Choose a Microsoft Certification.
First, decide which certification track is right for you. You can select a Microsoft Certification that focuses on a specific technology, such as Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft Visual Studio, or Windows 7. Or you can select a certification that focuses on a specific job role, such as desktop support technician, web developer, or enterprise administrator.

• View the complete list of certifications focused on specific technologies

• View the complete list of certifications focused on specific job roles

Prepare for your exam.
Preparation is key to passing your exam. Luckily, Microsoft Learning provides a trove of training resources to help you ramp up, including classroom training, online training, and books for independent study. If you do not pass your exam on the first try—don't worry. There is no limit to the number of times you can try.

• Find training resources

Schedule your exam.
Determine the first exam on the pathway to achieving your Microsoft Certification. You can find the required exams listed on the certification page that you selected in Step 1. IT exams are administered by Prometric, an independent testing organization with more than 3,000 locations worldwide. Microsoft Office Specialist exams are focused on Microsoft Office programs (such as Microsoft Office PowerPoint and Office Excel), and Windows operating systems (such as Windows 7). These exams are administered by Certiport, an independent testing organization.

• Register for your IT exam (prometric.com)

• Register for your Microsoft Office Specialist exam (certiport.com)

Take your exam.
The big day has arrived. Go to the testing center with the required two forms of identification (one must be a photo ID), and take your exam. Within six weeks, Microsoft will notify you of your certification status. If you passed your exam, congratulations—you are now a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP). Update your resume, join the MCP community, and tackle the next Microsoft Certification on your list.