How Do I Earn a Microsoft MCDBA Certification?

<p>In September 2012, Microsoft retired its MCDBA certification. It was replaced by two alternative certifications. One is the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Business Intelligence designation; the other is the MCSE: Data Platform designation. Those who earned the MCDBA credential can still claim it as a legacy certification, Microsoft notes. </p> <p>The MCDBA certification was designed for database administrators who had experience with Microsoft SQL Server 2000. The MCDBA certification gave database administrators the tools to solve problems effectively and develop solutions that were in line with business needs. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutMCDBACertification">Important Facts About MCDBA Certification</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> Certification Duration </td><td> Typically three to six months, depending upon prior experience with servers, networks and SQL</td></tr> <tr><td> Prerequisites </td><td> 12 months of experience with Microsoft servers and databases is highly recommended, but not required</td></tr> <tr><td> Possible Careers </td><td> Database administrator, database analyst, database developer, web application developer, Internet developer</td></tr> <tr><td> Continuing Education </td><td> Visual Basic .NET for Web, Visual C# Web Applications, Microsoft .NET Applications, and other certifications are available</td></tr> <tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $96,710 (<i>for all database administrators</i>)*</td></tr> <tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> 8% growth (<i>for all database administrators</i>)*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p> <h3 id="section---ExamRequirements">Exam Requirements</h3> <p>To earn the MCDBA certification, students had to pass exams in SQL server administration, SQL server design and networking systems. Students also passed an additional elective exam to prove competency in a particular Microsoft server product. </p> <p>Exams to fulfill the SQL Server Administration requirement included: </p> <ul><li>Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition </li><li>Administering Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 </li></ul><p>To meet the exam requirement for SQL Server Design, students could have taken: </p> <ul><li>Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition </li><li>Designing and Implementing Databases with Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 </li></ul><p>For the Networking Systems core requirement, students could have chosen between: </p> <ul><li>Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment </li><li>Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure </li><li>Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Server </li></ul><p>In addition to these core areas, there were 15 elective exams to choose from. Students were only required to complete one elective exam. It was recommended that an elective exam be taken in an area that strengthens the existing knowledge of a particular IT area. </p> <h3 id="section---PreparingForAndSchedulingCertificationExams">Preparing for and Scheduling Certification Exams</h3> <p>When this certification was available, students could look to training centers nationwide that offered Microsoft-approved courses to prepare for the individual exams. All Microsoft certification exams were given through Prometric. A list of exam sites and online exam registration is available through <i>www.prometric.com</i>.</p>