24 Microsoft exams retiring in 2017

It's been a busy 2016 for Microsoft, a major certification restructure was announced in September, which will see the retirement of all 13 existing MCSD and MCSE certifications on March 31st 2017.

These were replaced with a streamlined set of 5 certifications aligned to the latest job roles and the removal of recertification. Despite this huge shake-up, built on by a new technology launch across every core Microsoft platform, the number of exam retirements is surprisingly light.

The reason, exams and curriculum aligned to the retiring MCSE and MCSD certifications are simply being reshuffled under the new certifications as electives. With that in mind, let's take a look at the changes.

Microsoft Dynamics 365

With the launch of Dynamics 365, combining the existing CRM and ERP platforms, it is unsurprising that we see a range of retirements affecting CRM 2013 and AX 2012.

Retired on December 31, 2016:

• MB2-700: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013 Applications
• MB2-701: Extending Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013
• MB2-702: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013 Deployment
• MB2-703: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013 Customization and Configuration
• MB5-705: Managing Microsoft Dynamics Implementations
• MB6-700: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 Project
• MB6-702: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Financials
• MB6-703: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Trade and Logistics
• MB6-704: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 CU8 Development Introduction
• MB6-884: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Lean Manufacturing
• MB6-885: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Public Sector
• MB6-886: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Process Manufacturing Production and Logistics
• MB6-889: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Service Management
  
  

Retiring on March 31, 2017:         

• MB6-701: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 Retail
• MB6-705: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3 CU8 Installation and Configuration
  
  

SharePoint

Despite the launch of SharePoint Server 2016, there are currently no plans to retire exams aligned to SharePoint 2013. The only retirements associated with the platform are in the form of recertification exams for the MCSE and MCSD certifications, which are no longer a requirement.

Retiring on March 31, 2017:

• 70-383: Recertification for MCSE: SharePoint
• 70-384: Recertification for MCSE: Communication
• 70-385: Recertification for MCSE: Messaging
• 70-517: Recertification for MCSD: SharePoint Applications
  
  

SQL Server

As with SharePoint, we see only the planned retirement of recertification exams. Despite the existence of SQL Server 2014 and the arrival of SQL Server 2016, there are still no plans to retire exams aligned to SQL Server 2012 and the associated MCSA.

Retiring on March 31, 2017:

• 70-469: Recertification for MCSE: Data Platform
• 70-470: Recertification for MCSE: Business Intelligence

 

Visual Studio and .NET

The most interesting exam retirements planned for Visual Studio are 70-354 and 70-355, which align to the Universal Windows Platform. These will coincide with the retirement of the MCSD: Universal Windows Platform.

In place of these exams comes 70-357: Developing Mobile Apps, which forms the second requirement for the new MCSA: Universal Windows Platform.

Retiring on March 31, 2017

• 70-354: Universal Windows Platform – App Architecture and UX/UI
• 70-355: Universal Windows Platform – App Data, Services, and Coding Patterns
• 70-490: Recertification for MCSD: Windows Store Apps Using HTML5
• 70-491: Recertification for MCSD: Windows Store Apps Using C#
• 70-494: Recertification for MCSD: Web Applications
• 70-499: Recertification for MCSD: Application Lifecycle Management
  
  

Retiring on July 31, 2017

• 70-488: Developing SharePoint Server 2013 Core Solutions
• 70-489: Developing SharePoint Server 2013 Advanced Solutions
  
  

Windows

With a rather quiet exit, the MCSA: Windows 8.1 retired on December 31, with the removal of exams 70-687 and 70-688.

Retired on December 31, 2016:

• 70-687: Configuring Windows 8.1
• 70-688: Supporting Windows 8.1
• 70-689: Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows 8
• 70-692: Upgrading Your Windows XP Skills to MCSA Windows 8
  
  

Windows Server

Despite being almost 8 years old, numerous planned and failed retirements, MCSA: Windows Server 2008 is finally set for legacy status. The retirement of aligned exams 70-640, 70-642 and 70-646 is scheduled for July 31, 2017.

Retiring on March 31, 2017

• 70-980: Recertification for MCSE: Server Infrastructure
• 70-981: Recertification for MCSE: Private Cloud

Retiring on July 31, 2017

• 70-640: TS: Windows Server 2008 Active Directory, Configuring
• 70-642: TS: Windows Server 2008 Network Infrastructure, Configuring
• 70-646: Pro: Windows Server 2008, Server Administrator

Retiring on January 31, 2017

• 74-697: OEM Preinstallation

Retiring on March 31, 2017

• 70-673: TS: Designing, Assessing, and Optimizing Software Asset Management (SAM)

Retiring on July 31, 2017:

• 70-243: Administering and Deploying System Center 2012 Configuration Manager
  
  

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