(MCAD)
MCAD Overview
The MCAD certification meets a distinct industry demand for a certification that enables developers to show they can successfully implement functional specifications and build, deploy, and maintain Windows and web applications.
MCAD candidate profile
Consider earning an MCAD certification if your current or desired job role includes developing, testing, deploying, and maintaining department-level applications, components, web or desktop clients, or database and network services that are based on Microsoft tools and technologies. Candidates should have one to two years of experience in building, deploying, and maintaining applications. Related job titles include programmer, programmer/analyst, and software developer.
Are you a developer who uses Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 or Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 and Microsoft Visual Studio 2008? Consider becoming a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) or Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD).
Why get certified?
Earning a Microsoft Certification validates your proven experience and knowledge in using Microsoft products and solutions. Designed to be relevant in today\\\'s rapidly changing IT marketplace, Microsoft Certifications help you utilize evolving technologies, fine-tune your troubleshooting skills, and improve your job satisfaction.
Whether you are new to technology, changing jobs, or a seasoned IT professional, becoming certified demonstrates to customers, peers, and employers that you are committed to advancing your skills and taking on greater challenges. In addition, certification provides you with access to exclusive Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) resources and benefits, including opportunities to connect with a vast, global network of MCPs.
Whether you are just beginning to explore the benefits of Microsoft Certification, or need to pass just one more exam to achieve a Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification, the Second Shot offer (regular exam price plus 15 percent) allows you to retake a Microsoft IT professional, developer, or Microsoft Dynamics exam if you do not pass it on the first attempt.
MCAD Certification
To earn your MCAD certification, you must pass three exams (in any order):
-
One exam on web applications development or Windows applications development
-
One exam on web services and server components
-
One elective exam
Note Many of the exams in this certification track are retired. If a required exam is retired and you have not yet passed that exam, you cannot complete the certification track. You must fulfill all listed requirements to earn the certification. If you passed a required exam before it retired, it can be applied toward certification. The certification will not expire.
|
Exams on web or Windows applications development: Choose one |
Exam number |
|---|---|
|
Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. |
Exam 70-305 |
|
Developing and Implementing Windows-Based Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. |
Exam 70-306 |
|
Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Microsoft Visual C# .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. |
Exam 70-315 |
|
Developing and Implementing Windows-Based Applications with Microsoft Visual C# .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. |
Exam 70-316 |
|
Exams on web services and server components: Choose one |
Exam number |
|---|---|
|
Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and the Microsoft .NET Framework Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. |
Exam 70-310 |
|
Developing XML Web Services and Server Components with Microsoft Visual C# and the Microsoft .NET Framework Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. |
Exam 70-320 |
|
Elective exams: Choose one |
Exam number |
|---|---|
|
Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. |
Exam 70-229 |
|
Designing and Implementing Solutions with Microsoft BizTalk Server 2000, Enterprise Edition Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. |
Exam 70-230 |
|
Designing and Implementing Solutions with Microsoft Commerce Server 2000 Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. |
Exam 70-234 |
|
TS: Developing Business Process and Integration Solutions Using Microsoft BizTalk Server |
|
|
Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. If you use Exam 70-306 or 70-316 to satisfy the core exam requirement, you can use either Exam 70-305 or 70-315 as an elective. |
Exam 70-305 |
|
Developing and Implementing Windows-based Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. If you use Exam 70-305 or 70-315 to satisfy the core exam requirement, you can use either Exam 70-306 or 70-316 as an elective. |
Exam 70-306 |
|
Developing and Implementing Web Applications with Microsoft Visual C# .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. If you use Exam 70-306 or 70-316 to satisfy the core exam requirement, you can use either Exam 70-305 or 70-315 as an elective. |
Exam 70-315 |
|
Developing and Implementing Windows-Based Applications with Microsoft Visual C# .NET and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. If you use Exam 70-305 or 70-315 to satisfy the core exam requirement, you can use either Exam 70-306 or 70-316 as an elective. |
Exam 70-316 |
|
Implementing Security for Applications with Microsoft Visual Basic .NET Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. |
Exam 70-330 |
|
Implementing Security for Applications with Microsoft Visual C# .NET Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. |
Exam 70-340 |
|
TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance |
|
|
Developing E-Business Solutions Using Microsoft BizTalk Server 2004 |
1This exam retired on October 31, 2010.
MCAD Upgrade Paths
Upgrade from MCAD to MCTS
As an MCAD, you can upgrade your certification to reflect your expertise in using Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 by earning a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification.
Note You can take the required exams in any order.
|
Current certification |
Certification goal |
Required exam(s) |
|---|---|---|
|
MCAD |
MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications |
Exam 70-558: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCTS Windows Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework |
|
MCAD |
MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications |
Exam 70-559: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCTS Web Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework |
|
MCAD |
MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Web Applications and MCPD: Web Developer on Visual Studio 2005 |
Exam 70-551: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD Web Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework |
|
MCAD |
MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Windows Applications and MCPD: Windows Developer on Visual Studio 2005 |
Exam 70-552: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD Windows Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework |
|
MCAD |
MCTS: .NET Framework 2.0 Distributed Applications and MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer on Visual Studio 2005 |
Exam 70-551: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD Web Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework Exam 70-552: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD Windows Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework Exam 70-529: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Distributed Application Development Exam 70-549: PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework |
Upgrade from MCAD to MCPD
If you are an MCAD: Windows Developer, you can upgrade to a Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) certification by selecting one of the following two paths.
Note You can take the required exams in any order.
|
Current certification |
Certification goal |
Required exam(s) |
|---|---|---|
|
MCAD: Windows Developer |
MCPD: Windows Developer |
Exam 70-552: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD Windows Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework |
|
MCAD: Windows Developer |
MCPD: Windows Developer |
Exam 70-551: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD: Web Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework Exam 70-526: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Windows-Based Client Development Exam 70-548: PRO: Designing and Developing Windows-Based Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework |
If you are an MCAD: Web Developer, you can upgrade to a Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) certification by selecting one of the following two paths.
Note You can take the required exams in any order.
|
Current certification |
Certification goal |
Required exam(s) |
|---|---|---|
|
MCAD: Web Developer |
MCPD: Web Developer |
Exam 70-551: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD Web Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework |
|
MCAD: Web Developer |
MCPD: Web Developer |
Exam 70-552: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD: Web Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework Exam 70-528: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Web-Based Client Development Exam 70-547: PRO: Designing and Developing Web-Based Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework |
Select one of the following five paths to upgrade from MCAD to MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer.
Note You can take the required exams in any order.
|
Current certification |
Certification goal |
Required exams |
|---|---|---|
|
MCAD |
MCPD: Enterprise Application Developer |
Exam 70-558: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCTS: Windows Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework Exam 70-528: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Web-Based Client Development Exam 70-529: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Distributed Application Development Exam 70-549: PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework |
|
MCAD |
MCPD: Enterprise Application Developer |
Exam 70-559: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCTS Web Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework Exam 70-526: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Windows-Based Client Development Exam 70-529: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Distributed Application Development Exam 70-549: PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework |
|
MCAD |
MCPD: Enterprise Application Developer |
Exam 70-551: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD Web Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework Exam 70-526: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Windows-Based Client Development Exam 70-529: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Distributed Application Development Exam 70-549: PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework |
|
MCAD |
MCPD: Enterprise Application Developer |
Exam 70-552: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD Windows Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework Exam 70-528: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Web-Based Client Development Exam 70-529: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Distributed Application Development Exam 70-549: PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework |
|
MCAD |
MCPD: Enterprise Application Developer |
Exam 70-551: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD Web Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework Exam 70-552: Upgrade: MCAD Skills to MCPD Windows Developer by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework Exam 70-529: TS: Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 – Distributed Application Development Exam 70-549: PRO: Designing and Developing Enterprise Applications by Using the Microsoft .NET Framework |
Frequently Asked Questions
View all answers
A.
An MCAD for Microsoft .NET uses Microsoft technologies to develop and maintain department-level applications, components, web or desktop clients, or back-end data services, or works in a team that develops enterprise applications. An MCSD for Microsoft .NET is a lead developer who designs and develops cutting-edge enterprise solutions with Microsoft development tools, technologies, platforms, and the Microsoft .NET Framework. The scope of responsibility for an MCSD encompasses and goes beyond that of an MCAD.
A.
The MCAD certification will not retire. It will continue to hold its value in the marketplace as long as there is a need for IT professionals with these skills.
Still have questions? Try one of the following frequently asked questions (FAQ) pages:
