Mar 05, 2019

Wow, haven’t Microsoft hit the ground running with their new role-based training courses and Certifications! They started in the second half of last year with the Azure courses taking lead position (see my previous blog Introducing Microsoft Azure Role Based Certifications), but Microsoft have now released a whole slew of new courses and certifications, with more being added as time goes on. So let’s take a look at the current state of affairs Microsoft certification wise, and stay tuned also for an update to the Microsoft Windows Server certifications at the end of this article.

Please note that the information provided in this article is as current as I can make it at the date of writing (28^th Feb 2019) but that any future release dates given are subject to change.

Well just to recap a bit, the new courses and certifications are much more role-based focussed – i.e. the courses are more modular in nature and more certifications aimed at specific job roles to suit individual requirements, with the certifications now including hands-on labs to showcase practical and specific skill sets. The diagram below illustrated this new role-based focus in the Microsoft certifications:

Apps and Infra

The Azure courses were the first to be released in the new role-based format, and now replace the retired courses 20532, 20533 and 20535. We start with the optional AZ-900 exam

• AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam (optional) (available now):
  • AZ-900T01 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (1 Day)

Whilst not a certification exam, when you pass the AZ-900 exam you will get a digital Achievement badge from Microsoft.

The Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate certification courses and exams are available now and consists of 2 exams:

• AZ-100: Microsoft Azure Infrastructure and Deployment
  • AZ-100T01 Managing Azure Subscriptions and Resources (1 Day)
  • AZ-100T02 Implementing and Managing Storage (1 Day)
  • AZ-100T03 Deploying and Managing Virtual Machines (1 Day)
  • AZ-100T04 Configuring and Managing Virtual Networks (1 Day)
  • AZ-100T05 Manage Identities (1 Day)
• AZ-101: Microsoft Azure Integration and Security
  • AZ-101T01 Migrate Servers to Azure (1 Day)
  • AZ-101T02 Implementing and Managing Application Services (1 Day)
  • AZ-101T03 Implementing Advanced Virtual Networking (1 Day)
  • AZ-101T04 Secure Identities (1 Day)

If you have passed the 70-533 exam (retired 31^st Dec. 2018), you only need to do the AZ-102: Microsoft Azure Administrator Certification Transition exam. This exam will retire on 30^st June 2019.

The Microsoft Azure Developer Associate certification courses and exam are available now and consists of 1 exam:

• AZ-203 Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure
  • AZ-200T01A Select the appropriate Azure technology development solution (1Day)
  • AZ-201T02A Develop for Azure storage (1 Day)
  • AZ-200T03A Develop Azure Platform as a Service solutions (1 days)
  • AZ-200T04A Implement security in Azure development solutions (1Day)
  • AZ-201T01A Develop for an Azure Cloud Model (1 Day)
  • AZ-201T02A Implement Azure development integration solutions (1 Day)
  • AZ-201T03A Develop Azure Cognitive Services, Bot and IOT solutions (2 Day)

The AZ-200 and AZ-201 stream courses are valid for now but will eventually be combined into the one AZ-203 Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure course, possibly scheduled for release sometime in April 2019.

If you have passed the 70-532 exam (retired 31^st Dec. 2018), you only need to do the AZ-202: Microsoft Azure Developer Certification Transition exam. This exam will retire on 30^st June, 2019.

There is a new Microsoft Azure Security Engineer Associate certification and exam, currently scheduled for release mid or end of March 2019. Course content and duration (possibly 5-days?) is unknown at this time.

The Microsoft Certified: Microsoft Azure Solution Architect Expert certification is available now and Microsoft Solutions Architects must have expertise in compute, network, storage and security so they can design solutions that run on Azure. This certification consists of 2 Exams:

• AZ-300: Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies
  • AZ-300T01 Deploying and Configuring Infrastructure (1 Day)
  • AZ-300T02 Implementing Workloads and Security (1 Day).
  • AZ-300T03 Understanding Cloud Architect Technology Solutions. (1/2 Days)
  • AZ-300T04 Creating and Deploying Apps (1/2 Day)
  • AZ-300T05 No longer available – retired January 31^st 2019.
  • AZ-300T06 Developing for the Cloud (1 Day)
• AZ-301: Azure Architect Design
  • AZ-301T01 Design for Identity and Security (1 Day)
  • AZ-301T02 Design a Data Platform Solution (1 Day)
  • AZ-301T03 Design for Deployment Migration and Integration (1 Day)
  • AZ-301T04 Design an Infrastructure Strategy (1 Day)

If you have passed the 70-535 exam (retired 31^st Dec. 2018), you only need to do the AZ-302: Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Certification Transition exam. This exam will retire on 30^st June, 2019.

The Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert certification exam is available now, and particularly note that as an Expert certification, exam candidates must be proficient with Agile practices, must be familiar with both Azure administration and Azure development and be experts in at least one of these areas. To earn this certification, you must earn either the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate or the Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate certifications PLUS pass the following exam.

• AZ-400: Microsoft Azure DevOps Solutions
  • AZ-400T01 Implementing DevOps Development Processes (1-day)
  • AZ-400T02 Implementing Continuous Integration (1-day)
  • AZ-400T03 Implementing Continuous Delivery (1-day)
  • AZ-400T04 Implementing Dependency Management (1-day)
  • AZ-400T05 Implementing Application Infrastructure (1-day)
  • AZ-400T06 Implementing Continuous Feedback (1-day)
  • AZ-400T07 Designing a DevOps Strategy (1-day)

Data and AI

The Data and AI category is a late addition to be released, and for most of the courses in this category Microsoft have only released basic overview material as yet, with what is known so far listed below. We again start with the optional AZ-900T01 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam.

• AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam (optional) (available now):
  • AZ-900T01 Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (1 Day)

Whilst not a certification exam, when you pass the AZ-900 exam you will get a digital Achievement badge from Microsoft.

The Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate certification is currently scheduled to be released in approx. late April or early May 2019. It consists of the following exam/course:

• DP-100: Designing and Implementing a Data Science Solution on Azure.
  • DP-100T01 Designing and Implementing a Data Science Solution on Azure (3 day)

The Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate certification is also currently scheduled to be released in approx. late April or early May 2019. It consists of the following exam/course:

• AI-100: Designing and Implementing an Azure AI Solution
  • AI-100T01 Designing and Implementing an Azure AI Solution (3 Days)

The Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate certification is also currently scheduled to be released in approx. late April or early May 2019. It comprises 2 exams/courses:

• DP-200: Implementing an Azure Data Solution
  • DP-200T01 Implementing an Azure Data Solution (3 days)
• DP-201: Designing an Azure Data Solution
  • DP-201T01 Designing an Azure Data Solution (2 days)

There is no Expert level certification listed as yet for the Data & AI category.

Modern Workplace

Lots of new certifications in this category, some already released some still awaiting release. The Modern Workplace category includes not only the Microsoft 365 subjects, but now includes the new Windows 10, Exchange, SharePoint Server, Microsoft 365 Teamwork and Microsoft 365 Security courses and certifications.

We start off with the optional 2-day MS-900: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals course and exam.

• MS-900: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (optional)
  • MS-900T01 Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (2 Days)

Whilst not a certification exam, when you pass the MS-900 exam you will get a digital Achievement badge from Microsoft.

The Microsoft Certified: Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator Expert certification is available now and because it is an Expert level certification, requires ONE of the following certifications:

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate
• Microsoft 365 Certified: Teamwork Administrator Associate
• Microsoft 365 Certified: Messaging Administrator Associate
• Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate
• MCSE Productivity Solutions Expert

PLUS both of the following certification exams (and their associated courses):

• MS-100: Microsoft 365 Identity and Services
  • MS-100T01 Office 365 Management (2 days)
  • MS-100T02 Microsoft 365 Tenant & Service Management (1 day)
  • MS-100T03 Microsoft 365 Identity Management (2 days)
• MS-101: Microsoft 365 Mobility and Security
  • MS-101T01 Microsoft 365 Security Management (1 day)
  • MS-101T02 Microsoft 365 Compliance Management (2 days)
  • MS-101T03 Microsoft 365 Device Management (1 day)

If you have your MCSE: Productivity certification, that certification plus passing exams MS-100 and MS-101 will earn you the Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert certification.

The Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate certification courses and exams are out now, and consist of 2 exams (and their associated courses):

• MD-100: Windows 10
  • MD-100T01 Installing Windows 10 (1 day)
  • MD-100T02 Configuring Windows 10 (2 days)
  • MD-100T03 Protecting Windows 10 (1 day)
  • MD-100T04 Maintaining Windows 10 (1 day)
• MD-101: Managing Modern Desktops
  • MD-101T01 Deploying the Modern Desktop (2 days)
  • MD-101T02 Managing Modern Desktops and Devices (2 days)
  • MD-101T03 Protecting Modern Desktops and Devices (1 day)

If you have passed the 70-698: Configuring Windows 10 (retiring June 30^th, 2019), you only need to take MD-101 to earn the new certification.

The Microsoft Certified: Messaging Administrator Associate certification courses and exams are available now, and consist of 2 exams (and their associated courses):

• MS-200: Planning and Configuring a Messaging Platform
  • MS-200T01 Understanding the Modern Messaging Infrastructure (2 Days)
  • MS-200T02 Managing Client Access and Mail Flow (2 Days)
  • MS-200T03 Managing Messaging High Availability and Disaster Recovery (2 Days)
• MS-201: Implementing a Hybrid and Secure Messaging Platform
  • MS-201T01 Defining a Hybrid Messaging Strategy (2 Days)
  • MS-201T02 Managing Messaging Security, Hygiene, and Compliance (2 Days)

If you have passed the 70-345: Designing and Deploying Microsoft Exchange Server 2016, then you only need to take the MS-202: Microsoft 365 Messaging Administrator Certification Transition exam. This exam will be retired on September 30^th, 2019.

The Microsoft Certified: Teamwork Administrator Associate certification courses and exams are currently scheduled to be released mid-April 2019, and consist of 2 exams (and their associated courses):

• MS-300: Deploying Microsoft 365 Teamwork
  • MS-300T01 Managing Office 365 Content Services (2 Days)
  • MS-300T02 Managing SharePoint Online (1 Day)
  • MS-300T03 Enabling Microsoft Teams for Collaboration (1 Day)
  • MS-300T04 Enabling Office 365 Workloads for Collaboration (2 Days)
• MS-301: Deploying SharePoint Hybrid
  • MS-301T01 Implementing SharePoint 2019 Infrastructure (2 Days)
  • MS-301T02 Implementing SharePoint 2019 Service Applications (2 Days)
  • MS-301T03 Implementing SharePoint Hybrid Scenarios (1 Day)
  • MS-301T04 Migrating to SharePoint Online (1 Day)

The exam MS-302: Deploying SharePoint Server Hybrid (beta) transition exam is for candidates who have already completed the 70-339: Managing Microsoft SharePoint Server 2016 exam. This exam retires on July 31^st, 2019.

The Microsoft Certified: Security Administrator Associate certification courses and exam are currently scheduled to be released towards the end of March 2019, and consists of 1 exam (and its associated courses):

• MS-500T01 Managing Microsoft 365 Identity and Access
  • MS-500T02 Implementing Microsoft 365 Threat Protection (1 Day)
  • MS-500T03 Implementing Microsoft 365 information Protection (1 Day)
  • MS-500T04 Administering Microsoft 365 Built-in Compliance (1 Day)

Business Apps

The Business Apps category consists of exams and certifications for Sales, Customer Service, Field Service, Marketing, Financial Consultant, Manufacturing Consultant and Supply Chain Consultant personnel working in the Dynamics 365 field.

We start off with the optional 1-day MB-900: Dynamics 365 and Power Platform Fundamentals course and exam.

• MB-900: Dynamics 365 and Power Platform Fundamentals (optional) – currently scheduled for release at the end of March 2019.
  • MB-900T01 Details TBD.

This course and exam is likely to be along the same lines as the AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals exam and course i.e. an optional exam on an overview of the products and some basic understandings of their operation and security features.

The Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 for Sales Functional Consultant Associate certification (available now) requires passing the following exams/courses:

• MB-200: Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement Core exam consists of the following courses/topics:
  • MB-200T01 Dynamics 365: Power Platform Applications (2 Days)
  • MB-200T02 Dynamics 365: Power Platform Automation (1 Day)
  • MB-200T03: Dynamics 365: Power Platform Integrations (1 Day)
  • MB-200T04: Dynamics 365: Power Platform Test and Deploy (1 Day)

• MB-210: Dynamics 365 for Sales exam consists of the following courses/topics:
  • MB-210T01 Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement for Sales (1 Day)

The Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 for Customer Service Functional Consultant Associate certification (available now) requires passing the following exams/courses:

• MB-200: Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement Core exam consists of the following courses/topics:
  • MB-200T01 Dynamics 365: Power Platform Applications (2 Days)
  • MB-200T02 Dynamics 365: Power Platform Automation (1 Day)
  • MB-200T03: Dynamics 365: Power Platform Integrations (1 Day)
  • MB-200T04: Dynamics 365: Power Platform Test and Deploy (1 Day)
• MB-230: Dynamics 365 for Customer Service exam consists of the following courses/topics:
  • MB-230T01 Dynamics 365 for Customer Engagement for Customer Service (1 Day)

The Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 for Marketing Functional Consultant Associate certification (currently scheduled for release at the end of March 2019) requires passing the following exams/courses:

• MB-200: Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement Core exam consists of the following courses/topics:
  • MB-200T01 Dynamics 365: Power Platform Applications (2 Days)
  • MB-200T02 Dynamics 365: Power Platform Automation (1 Day)
  • MB-200T03: Dynamics 365: Power Platform Integrations (1 Day)
  • MB-200T04: Dynamics 365: Power Platform Test and Deploy (1 Day)
• MB-220: Dynamics 365 for Marketing, consisting of the following courses:
  • MB-220T01 Configure Settings and Core Functionality in Dynamics 365 for Marketing (3 Days)
  • MB-220T02 Set Up Events and Surveys in Dynamics 365 for Marketing (1 Day)

The Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 for Field Service Functional Consultant Associate certification (currently scheduled for release at the end of March 2019) requires passing the following exams/courses:

• MB-200: Dynamics 365 Customer Engagement Core exam consists of the following courses/topics:
  • MB-200T01 Dynamics 365: Power Platform Applications (2 Days)
  • MB-200T02 Dynamics 365: Power Platform Automation (1 Day)
  • MB-200T03: Dynamics 365: Power Platform Integrations (1 Day)
  • MB-200T04: Dynamics 365: Power Platform Test and Deploy (1 Day)
• MB-240: Dynamics 365 for Field Service, consisting of the following courses:
  • MB-240T01 Configuring Dynamics 365 for Field Service (duration TBD)
  • MB-240T02 Work Order and Delivery Execution for Dynamics 365 for Field Service (duration TBD)
  • MB-240T03 Universal Resource Scheduling for Dynamics 365 for Field Service (duration TBD)

The Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 for Financials Functional Consultant Associate certification (currently scheduled for release at the end of March 2019) requires passing the following exams/courses:

• MB-300: Dynamics 365 Unified Operations Core, consisting of:
  • MB-300T01 Title, content and duration TBD
  • MB-300T02 Title, content and duration TBD
  • MB-300T03 Title, content and duration TBD
• MB-310: Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, Financials, consisting of:
  • MB-310T01 Title, content and duration TBD
  • MB-310T02 Title, content and duration TBD
  • MB-310T03 Title, content and duration TBD

The Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 for Manufacturing Functional Consultant Associate certification (currently scheduled for release at the end of March 2019) requires passing the following exams/courses:

• MB-300: Dynamics 365 Unified Operations Core, consisting of:
  • MB-300T01 Title, content and duration TBD
  • MB-300T02 Title, content and duration TBD
  • MB-300T03 Title, content and duration TBD
• MB-320: Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, Manufacturing, consisting of:
  • MB-320T01 Title, content and duration TBD
  • MB-320T02 Title, content and duration TBD
  • MB-320T03 Title, content and duration TBD

The Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 for Supply Chain Management Functional Consultant Associate certification (currently scheduled for release at the end of March 2019) requires passing the following exams/courses:

• MB-300: Dynamics 365 Unified Operations Core, consisting of:
  • MB-300T01 Title, content and duration TBD
  • MB-300T02 Title, content and duration TBD
  • MB-300T03 Title, content and duration TBD
• MB-330: Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, Supply Chain Management, consisting of:
  • MB-330T01 Title, content and duration TBD
  • MB-330T02 Title, content and duration TBD
  • MB-330T03 Title, content and duration TBD

A Windows Server certification update.

At the beginning of this year, Microsoft updated the Windows Server certifications, such that, if you pass either the MCSA: Windows Server 2012 or the MCSA: Windows Server 2016 exams, and then pass just one of the exams from the list of electives below, you will achieve the new MCSE: Core Infrastructure (Earned: 2019)

Elective Exam Pool

• 70-413: Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure
• 70-414: Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure
• 70-473: Designing and Implementing Cloud Data Solutions
• 70-745: Designing and Implementing Big Data Analytics Solutions
• 70-537: Configuring and Operating a Hybrid Cloud with Microsoft Azure Stack
• 70-744: Securing Windows Server 2016
• 70-745 Implementing a Software-Defined Datacenter

And Finally 

For further details, Microsoft’s Role-based Certifications webpage can be found here, and please note that New Horizons can supply you with “bundle packs” for most of the above certification tracks to make your studies easier – just check our web site https://www.nhaustralia.com.au or contact your account executive for further information.

Microsoft Exams Vouchers Promotion

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