CompTIA Certification Retirement Announcement!

The CompTIA Mobile App Security+ ADR & iOS (ADR-001 & iOS-001) certification exams will be retiring on June 26, 2015. CompTIA will not replace these exams. Therefore, anyone studying for these exams is encouraged to complete their studies and seek certification prior to the retirement date. Exam vouchers already purchased for these exams will be valid through June 26, 2015. Exam vouchers not used by the retirement date will expire and become void. Anyone who has received the certification will remain CompTIA Mobile App Security+ ADR & iOS certified, as the exam is retiring but the certification will stay valid.

Why Microsoft Lync 2013 Exams are Retiring in July 2015

Everything Lync is becoming Skype for Business. This means Microsoft is working on replacing their Lync exams with Skype for Business exams. Microsoft is still working on the availability date for the Skype for Business exams, but needed to announce the retirement of the Lync exams (July 2015) to give notice to those who are planning to take the exams soon or who are currently in-path. But don’t worry— Microsoft won’t pull the Lync exams out of market until the Skype for Business exams are available.

The new Skype for Business exams will count toward MCSE: Communication certification like the Lync 2013 exams currently do.

Stay tuned for more information on the new Skype for Business exams.

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FAQ

Q: Should I hold off on taking exams until the Skype for Business exams are available?
A: Not at all. Skype for Business builds on Lync’s features and functionality. The Lync exams provide you with a solid foundation for your Skype for Business implementation. See what’s new in Skype for Business.

Q: Will there be an upgrade exam for those who have completed both Lync exams and want to move to Skype for Business?
A: No. Once you’ve earned your MCSE: Communication certification you cannot re-earn it. You can, however, keep it current through recertification.

Q: What about recertification?
A: Holders of the MCSE: Communication credential must recertify every three years. Recertification is a great way to ensure that you stay current in the latest technology, such as Skype for Business. Microsoft will be providing more information about recertification options for MCSE: Communication this summer.

Q: I’m a partner with the Microsoft Partner Network. I have the Communications Competency and just took the Lync exams to qualify. Do I still qualify?
A: Retirement of an exam from Microsoft learning does not retire it as a qualifying exam for a Competency. Lync Exams for the Communications Competency will still qualify for a period of time. Always check the Microsoft Partner Network competency requirements.

New Certification: MCSD Azure Solutions Architect

Microsoft is pleased to announce the release of a new certification entitled Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD): Azure Solutions Architect. This certification is awarded by passing three Microsoft Azure specialist exams, validating competence in the design, development, and administration of solutions powered by Microsoft Azure.

The new certification is earned by passing all three of the following exams:

• Exam 532: Developing Microsoft Azure Solutions
• Exam 533: Implementing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions
• Exam 534: Architecting Microsoft Azure Solutions

With a focus on app development and deployment, this certification is classified under the MCSD suite of certifications and, as such, carries a two-year recertification requirement.

The MCSD: Azure Solutions Architect certification went live on June 1, 2015.

For more details on this new certification, please visit the Azure Certification landing page.

Microsoft Exams Scheduled to retire on July 31 2015

Find exams scheduled to be retired on July 31 2015, listed by technology. (The information that follows is subject to change.)

Lync and Lync Server:

• 74-322: Microsoft Lync Server 2010—Advanced Design and Deployment
• 74-335: Lync Network Readiness Assessment
• 70-336: Core Solutions of Microsoft Lync Server 2013
• 70-337: Enterprise Voice Online Services with Microsoft Lync Server 2013
• 74-338: Lync 2013 Depth Support Engineer

Project and Project Server:

• 70-177: TS: Microsoft Project Server 2010, Configuring
• 70-178: TS: Managing Projects with Microsoft Project 2010

SQL Server:

• 70-433: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2008, Database Deployment
• 70-450: PRO: Designing, Optimizing, and Maintaining a Database Administrative Solution Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008
• 70-451: PRO: Designing Database Solutions and Data Access Using Microsoft SQL Server 2008

Visual Studio:

• 70-518: PRO: Designing and Developing Windows Applications Using Microsoft .NET Framework 4
• 70-519: PRO: Designing and Developing Web Applications Using Microsoft .NET Framework 4
• 98-363: Web Development Fundamentals
• 98-372: Microsoft .NET Fundamentals
• 98-374: MTA: Gaming Development Fundamentals

Windows:

• 70-681: Windows 7 and Office 2010, Deploying
• 98-349: Windows Operating System Fundamentals

Windows Server:

• 70-643: TS: Windows Server 2008 Applications Infrastructure, Configuring
• 70-647: Pro: Windows Server 2008, Enterprise Administrator
• 70-649: TS: Upgrading Your MCSE on Windows Server 2003 to Windows Server 2008, Technology Specialist
• 70-659: TS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Server Virtualization
• 70-669: TS: Windows Server 2008 R2, Desktop Virtualization
• 70-693: PRO: Windows Server 2008 R2, Virtualization Administrator

Other technologies:

• 70-158: TS: Microsoft Forefront Identity and Access Management, Configuring
• 70-595: TS: Developing Business Process and Integration Solutions by Using Microsoft BizTalk Server 2010
• 74-674: TS: Delivering Value Planning Services