Upgrading Microsoft Certifications

I am a Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD.) Seeing as some of the folks at work are looking to get their certifications, I spent some time today reviewing possible tracks to upgrade my credential to Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) or Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD.)  I was happy to discover that I am eligible to upgrade my MCSD credential with the option of one or two exams.

If you (like me) are an MCSD, you can earn certifications in MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications, MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications, MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Distributed Applications, and MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer on Visual Studio 2005 by passing Exam 70–554 and Exam 70–553. 

Alternatively, you can receive your MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer by passing a single exam, Exam 70–554, but you will need to earn your MCPD: Web Developer and MCPD: Windows Developer certifications first. This option is certainly the faster track if you have already satisfied the two prerequisite certifications (which I have not.) 

You will note the exams called out above are geared around Visual Studio 2005 and the .NET Framework 2.0.  There are also equivalent MCTS and MCPD certifications for Visual Studio 2008 and the .NET Framework 3.5.  I’ve been inside of VS 2008 and .NET Framework 3.5 for some time now so I may just test my skills against the latest and greatest.  It seemed to make sense but you never know.

It’s been over 4 years since I last tested.  If anyone has advice or feedback, I would love to hear it — even if it’s merely “good luck.”