Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
Prove your expertise in systems administration on Windows Server operating systems by earning a Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) credential. This credential helps you advance your career by showing customers and employers that you have the skills necessary to successfully manage and troubleshoot network environments running on Windows server systems.Level: | One to twelve months of experience in working with a desktop operating system, a network operating system, and an existing network infrastructure |
Audience: | IT professional |
Type: |
The Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) credential validates your ability to manage and troubleshoot network environments in the Windows operating system. It reflects a unique set of skills required to succeed in a variety of job roles, such as systems administrator, network administrator, information systems administrator, network operations analyst, network technician, and technical support specialist.
MCSA candidate profile
An MCSA candidate should have one to twelve months of experience in working with a desktop operating system, a network operating system, and an existing network infrastructure.
Why get certified?
Earning a Microsoft Certification validates your proven experience and knowledge in using Microsoft products and solutions. Designed to be relevant in today's rapidly changing IT marketplace, Microsoft Certifications help you utilize evolving technologies, fine-tune your troubleshooting skills, and improve your job satisfaction.
Whether you are new to technology, changing jobs, or a seasoned IT professional, becoming certified demonstrates to customers, peers, and employers that you are committed to advancing your skills and taking on greater challenges. In addition, certification provides you with access to exclusive Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) resources and benefits, including opportunities to connect with a vast, global network of MCPs.
MCSA on Windows Server 2003
The enduring strength of Windows Server 2003 in the market suggests that demand for related IT expertise will continue for many years. Earn the MCSA on Windows Server 2003 to demonstrate your expertise to customers and employers. Prove your skills in Windows administration, including system environment management and troubleshooting.
To earn the MCSA on Windows Server 2003 certification, you must pass four exams (in any order):
Two exams on networking systems
One exam on client operating systems
One elective exam
Note Many of the exams in this certification track are retired. If a required exam is retired and you have not yet passed that exam, you cannot complete the certification track. You must fulfill all listed requirements to earn the certification. If you passed a required exam before it retired, it can be applied toward certification. The credential will not expire.
Exams on networking systems: Both required | Exam number |
---|---|
Managing and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Environment | |
Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure |
Exams on client operating systems: Choose one | Exam number |
---|---|
TS: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client Note You may apply this exam toward either the elective requirement or the client operating systems requirement—not both. | |
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Windows XP Professional | |
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. | Exam 70-210 |
Elective exam: Choose one | Exam number |
---|---|
Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. | Exam 70-086 |
Planning, Deploying, and Managing Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 Note This exam can count toward both the MCSA and the MCSE elective exam requirements. | |
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. This exam can count toward both the MCSA elective requirement and an MCSA: Security Specialization requirement. | Exam 70-227 |
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. This exam can count toward both the MCSA and the MCSE elective exam requirements. | Exam 70-228 |
TS: Developing Business Process and Integration Solutions Using Microsoft BizTalk Server | |
TS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Configuring | |
TS: Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 – Implementing, Managing, and Troubleshooting | |
Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Note This exam can count toward both the MCSA elective requirement and an MCSA: Messaging Specialization requirement. | |
Implementing and Administering Security in a Windows Server 2003 Network | |
Implementing Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004 Note This exam can count toward both the MCSA elective requirement and an MCSA: Security Specialization requirement. | |
TS: Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006, Configuring | |
TS: Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007, Configuring | |
TS: Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007, Configuring | |
TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance | |
TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence – Implementation and Maintenance | |
TS: Microsoft Windows Mobile Designing, Implementing, and Managing | |
TS: Microsoft Forefront Client and Server, Configuration | |
TS: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client Note You can apply this exam toward either the elective requirement or the client operating systems requirement—not both. | |
TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops | |
TS: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Configuring | |
TS: Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Configuring | |
TS: Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007, Configuring | |
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) | |
MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server | |
MCSA on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server | See the requirements in the next section |
MCSE on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 Note This certification is discontinued, but if you already earned it, you can apply it toward this certification. | Discontinued |
Specific third-party (CompTIA) certifications |
If you have the MCSA on Windows Server 2003 certification, you can upgrade to the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) and Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) on Windows Server 2008 certifications.
MCSA on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
This certification is for administrators who want to demonstrate their ability to successfully implement, manage, and troubleshoot Microsoft Windows 2000 Server environments.
To earn the MCSA on Windows Server 2000 certification, you must pass four exams (in any order):
Two exams on networking systems
One exam on client operating systems
One elective exam
Note Many of the exams in this certification track are retired. If a required exam is retired and you have not yet passed that exam, you cannot complete the certification track. You must fulfill all listed requirements to earn the certification. If you passed a required exam before it retired, it can be applied toward certification. The credential will not expire.
Exams on networking systems: Both required | Exam number |
---|---|
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. | Exam 70-215 |
Managing a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Environment Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. | Exam 70-218 |
Exams on client operating systems: Choose one | Exam number |
---|---|
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. | Exam 70-210 |
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Windows XP Professional | |
TS: Configuring Windows Vista Client Note You can apply this exam toward either the elective requirement or the client operating systems requirement—not both. |
Elective exam: Choose one | Exam number |
---|---|
Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. | Exam 70-086 |
Planning, Deploying, and Managing Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 | |
Implementing and Administering Security in a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. | Exam 70-214 |
Implementing and Administering a Microsoft Windows 2000 Network Infrastructure Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. | Exam 70-216 |
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. | Exam 70-224 |
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. | Exam 70-227 |
Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. | Exam 70-228 |
TS: Developing Business Process and Integration Solutions Using Microsoft BizTalk Server | |
TS: Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Configuring | |
Supporting and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 Network Note This exam is retired, but if you already passed it, you can apply it toward this certification. | Exam 70-244 |
TS: Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 – Implementing, Managing, and Troubleshooting | |
Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 | |
Implementing and Administering Security in a Windows Server 2003 Network | |
Implementing Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004 | |
TS: Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2006, Configuring | |
TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance | |
TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Business Intelligence – Implementation and Maintenance | |
TS: Microsoft Windows Mobile Designing, Implementing, and Managing | |
TS: Microsoft Forefront Client and Server, Configuration | |
TS: Configuring Microsoft Windows Vista Client Note You can apply this exam toward either the elective requirement or the client operating systems requirement—not both. | |
TS: Deploying and Maintaining Windows Vista Client and 2007 Microsoft Office System Desktops | |
TS: Microsoft Office SharePoint Server 2007, Configuring | |
TS: Windows SharePoint Services 3.0, Configuring | |
TS: Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007, Configuring | |
Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) | |
Specific third-party (CompTIA) certifications |