I’m currently preparing to take the test to become a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist. More specifically I’m taking exam 70-432 to achieve the “MCTS: SQL Server 2008, Implementation and Maintenance” certification. The title is quite a mouthful.

I’ve followed the Microsoft database certs for quite a while now and have watched them grow and become more specialized as many other MS certs have as well. As it currently stands there are six certifications for SQL Server 2008. Not counting the Microsoft Certified Master and Microsoft Certified Architect tracts. The six core tests are divided into three tracts: Implementation and Maintenance, Development, Business Intelligence. Each of these tracks are divided into the Technology Specialist (MCTS) level and the “Pro” level the “Microsoft Certified IT Professional”.

Thus if you are a pure-DBA, only playing in the Implementation and Maintenance realm of SQL Server you can get your MCTS and then MCITP in just that realm. Or if like myself you are both a developer, dba and do work in BI you may end up wanting to go the full gauntlet.

As it stands though, that’s six tests. I’m committed to the MCTS for Implementation and Maintenance as well as 70-433, MCTS in Database Development. After that I plan to evaluate whether to continue on.

In fact, those two certifications will be my first. I toyed with the idea of getting certified in SQL 2005 but never bit the bullet. After some contemplation, I’ve found that I want to become certified in SQL Server 2008.

I’m using the certification process to be sure I’m up to snuff in all areas concerning SQL 2008, as my primary environment is now SQL 2008 and I expect that I’ll have my entire environment upgraded to SQL 2008 by the end of the year. I feel quite lucky in this, as I know many people who are still in SQL 2000, just looking to go to 2005 or have quite a mix of 2000, 2005 and 2008.

Others use certifications as a statement for their resume. Which is nice, but I think it is commonly known that certification does not make an expert. Certification is simply another litmus test of someone’s proficiency.

For me though, I’ll become certified, and that’s quite nice I suppose, but more importantly I’ll have a nice focused avenue to be sure I’m up to date fully on the new capabilities of SQL Server 2008. I like nice concise packages and with how Microsoft certifications are now done this fits the billet.