Microsoft certification update: MCSA & MCSE certifications retired

Introduction

It may have come as a shock to you that two of the leading Microsoft certifications, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) and Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), will be retired very soon. This may leave you with a lot of questions if you currently hold one of these certifications or you are progressing toward earning one.

This article will provide you with a high-level view of how these changes will impact you, how COVID-19 fits into these changes and other questions you may have about retiring two of the most well-recognized certifications in the IT industry.

These certifications are being retired?

In February of 2020, Microsoft announced that they will retire their MCSA and MCSE certifications and all associated certification exams. This may have come to a shock to many but probably not as shocking as the changes that have occurred within the last few months. As with most things in life, COVID-19 has affected the retirement of these exams, a fact which will likely raise more questions for you.

Whether you are just finding out about this retirement or want to know how the COVID-19 crisis has impacted it, this article will address these issues and explain the path forward.

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Retirement date extension

COVID-19 has affected how nearly all of us go about the normal course of things and unfortunately, it has frustrated the process of earning certifications as well. 

When Microsoft issued the original retirement date announcement, the retirement date was June 30th, 2020. Due to the impact of COVID-19, Microsoft has extended the MCSA and MCSE certification and exams retirement date to January 31, 2021. This will make it easier for those still preparing for exams, those who have been putting off their exam, and even those still considering earning these certifications, as (Read more...)