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Microsoft Technology Associate Certificate Programs Coming to an End
The Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification exam program will be ending on June 30, 2022, Microsoft explained in a Tuesday announcement.
In addition, new sales of the MTA exams will end on June 30, 2021. That 2021 date is important to note because people won't be able to purchase the rights to take or retake the exams on and after it.
According to a Microsoft FAQ document, this advance notice of the end of the MTA certifications is giving aspirants sufficient time to complete the tests before the deadlines fall due. Those people passing the MTA exams will have the certification show "in the active section of your transcript for two years from June 30, 2022," Microsoft promised.
All told, 12 MTA exams will end on June 30, 2022. They represent topics such as database and Windows Server fundamentals, security fundamentals, Java and Python programming, and HTML5 app development, plus networking fundamentals, among others.
Other Dead Certs
Microsoft isn't just singling out MTA certifications. It ended other certification programs earlier this year. For instance, the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) and Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification programs all went away on Jan. 31, 2021.
Microsoft has been ending some of its certification programs in favor of a roles-based effort. It kicked off that approach in 2018, and now bases its newer exams on six roles:
- Azure Administrator
- Azure Developer
- Azure Solutions Architect
- Azure DevOps Engineer
- Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator
- Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator.
Alternatives
The MTA exams are going away, and so Microsoft's announcement suggested that people starting out their careers should instead check out the Microsoft Fundamentals certifications, which are listed at this page. There are also free Microsoft Learn educational materials that are "aligned to roles," the announcement indicated.
Microsoft keeps a running list of the certifications that it has "retired" from the Microsoft Certified Professional program at this page.
About the Author
Kurt Mackie is senior news producer for 1105 Media's Converge360 group.