Microsoft Discontinues the MCA Certification

On May 1, 2010, about five years after the program's inception, Microsoft has discontinued the more vendor-neutral arms of its Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) program in favor of focusing on the certifications more tightly linked to Microsoft technologies. According to Microsoft, the need for broad-based IT architect certification programs is now being met by other organizations, and thus Microsoft is removing itself from that particular arena. The MCA certifications that focus on Microsoft technologies will still be offered, and in fact several additional technology designations are in the works.


Microsoft is passing the vendor-neutral architect baton to both the International Association of Software Architects (IASA) and the Open Group. Individuals who currently hold an MCA: Solutions or MCA: Infrastructure certification can elect to receive either an IASA Certified Information Technology Architect Professional (CITA-P) certification plus a 1-year membership to IASA or a 3-year membership to the Association of Open Group Enterprise Architects (AOGEA). Whichever one is chosen, Microsoft will foot the bill.

The IASA, which currently boasts about 70,000 members, is a nonprofit created in 2002 to further the profession of software architecture in the enterprise, product, education, and government sectors. As part of that, they created the Certified Information Technology Architect (CITA) program. The CITA currently has two levels - Foundation and Professional. The foundation level is based on passing an exam, while the professional level requires a board examination, submission of case studies, proof of related experience, and professional references. Transferring MCAs get fast-tracked under a new grandfathering program, which requires submission of documents and a telephone interview.

The Association of Open Group Enterprise Architects (AOGEA) is the largest professional association of certified architects. It recognizes The Open Group's two certification programs - ITAC and TOGAF - as well as FEAC (Federated Enterprise Architecture Certification) as qualifications for membership. Now it will recognize the MCA as well. Transferring MCAs are not grandfathered in to any Open Group certification; however, they will receive a 3-year membership to the AOGEA paid for by Microsoft. The Open Group's IT Architect Certification (ITAC) program has 3 levels: basic, Master, and Distinguished Certified IT Architect. The top two require passing a peer-review board exam. Individuals who wish to pursue ITAC certification will need to pay an initial assessment fee of $1250 and thereafter an ongoing annual $175 fee in order to maintain certification.

Microsoft has posted a FAQ that answers questions about selecting either the IASA or the AOEGA option. Once again, Microsoft will foot the bill for one or the other, but not both. This program will only be available through December 31, 2010. Even though the MCA: Solutions and MCA: Infrastructure certification programs are discontinued, Microsoft will still consider them to be valid certifications and continue to provide the associated benefits.

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