I previously wrote about SQL Server 2012 certification in March and at the time of writing the post, the information on the Microsoft website about the SQL Server certification paths that you could take spoke of “Professional Level Certifications”.

I also wrote that there did not appear to be a comparative MCTS to MCITP achievement path and that in order to be qualified, you had to take five exams. Thankfully Microsoft has changed things since and now there is a similar structure of accreditation which is comparable to the SQL Server 2008 certification path.

There is a little surprise here also. A previously used acronym for a qualification has been re-used but at the same time, renamed into something new.

SQL Server 2012 certification exams and qualifications

The qualifications you can attain are as follows:

• MCSA – Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate
• MCSE – Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (previously this stood for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer)

So how does this compare to the SQL Server 2008 path? If you were comparing with SQL Server 2008 qualifications then the two are now aligned in terms of the number of achievements you can attain.

Previously in SQL Server 2008 in order to get your MCITP, you had to first pass an exam and attain the MCTS, followed by another for the MCITP. With SQL Server 2012, you have to become a MCSA before you can attain the MCSE.

I wrote before that there were five exams to take before you can achieve a SQL Server 2012 certification. That is still the case and the split is three exams for the MCSA and two exams for either the “Data Platform” or “Business Intelligence” MCSE.

MCSA

• Exam 70-461: Querying Microsoft SQL Server 2012
• Exam 70-462: Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases
• Exam 70-463: Implementing a Data Warehouse with Microsoft SQL Server 2012

MCSE – Data Platform

• Exam 70-464: Developing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Databases
• Exam 70-465: Designing Database Solutions for Microsoft SQL Server 2012

MCSE – Business Intelligence

• Exam 70-466: Implementing Data Models and Reports with Microsoft SQL Server 2012
• Exam 70-467: Designing Business Intelligence Solutions with Microsoft SQL Server 2012

SQL Server 2012 certification – upgrading from SQL Server 2008

Upgrading from any MCTS to MCSA involves taking 2 exams:

• Exam 457:  Transition your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012 – Part 1
• Exam 458:  Transition your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012 – Part 2

Upgrading your MCITP to MCSE involves taking 3 exams with the last one differing depending on the MCITP qualification which was previously attained.

Upgrading from Database Administrator or Database Developer in SQL Server 2008

• Exam 457: Transition your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012 – Part 1
• Exam 458: Transition your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012 – Part 2
• Exam 459: Transition your MCITP: Database Administrator 2008 or MCITP: Database Developer 2008 to MCSE: Data Platform

Upgrading from Business Intelligence Developer in SQL Server 2008

• Exam 457: Transition your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012 – Part 1
• Exam 458: Transition your MCTS on SQL Server 2008 to MCSA: SQL Server 2012 – Part 2
• Exam 460: Transition your MCITP Business Intelligence Developer 2008 to MCSE: Business Intelligence

I’m really pleased that Microsoft has now clarified this information on their website, you can get more information on it here – SQL Server 2012 certification. It is now clear that you can attain something part way through your exams, albeit because of the new types of qualifications, you have to take three exams for an MCSA instead of previously just one before you attained an MCTS.

Finally, at the very top of the SQL Server 2012 certification ladder is the MCSM (Microsoft Certified Solutions Master) and for more information on that, you can visit this link.

It’s worth noting that SQL Server 2012 qualifications require re-certification every three years.

So there are now more exams and there is more cross over in the SQL Server 2012 certifications.

For a DBA who does not do a lot of development or a SQL developer who does not do a lot of administration, there is a lot to learn and subsequently, if you are not regularly doing what you have learned for your SQL Server 2012 certification because you are production DBA for example, then you will in time be forgetting some of what you have studied.

On the flip side, if you want to get a SQL Server 2012 certification, you have to broaden your skill sets. That may open new opportunities for you in your career as a SQL Server professional.