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Windows .NET 4 Certifications expiring soon? Why? RRS feed

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    To start with, if what I've read is true, I'm more than irritated with Microsoft, I'm disgusted. 

    I am currently certified in multiple .NET 4.0 Windows Development technologies.  I just read that my certifications expire July 31st, 2013.  Seriously?

    First off, I understand that 2012 and .NET 4.5 are out.  I understand there a major differences between them.  But, to say my certifications are expired for a framework that many businesses are still using or haven't even upgraded to, is egregious.

    I'm fine with canceling the exams.  But why keep earning certifications if they are to expire when a new framework version is introduced?  Not every business refactors or upgrades their codebase whenever Microsoft releases a new .NET version. 

    Just look at the expiration dates from other framework versions.  2005 is expiring Sept. 30, 2012, 2008 will expire July 31st, 2013, and 2010 will expire July 31st, 2013.  So you've accepted 2005 for 7 years, 2008 for 5 years, and 2010 for 3 years.  In what world is this logical?

    This decision undermines the effort and personal time I wasted to study and pass these exams.  If Microsoft still supports the framework, they should support my certification in the framework. Since 2010 will have a short shelf life, Microsoft should reimburse us or better yet, offer free upgrade path exams for the corresponding 2010 certifications earned.




    • Edited by CinciJosh Monday, September 17, 2012 4:53 PM
    Monday, September 17, 2012 4:29 PM

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    Hi,

    Would you mind pointing me to the URL that says that the certifications expire?  My understanding is that the VS 2010 certifications do not expire once you earn them.  After the July 2013 date you will no longer be able to register for the exams that make up the .NET 4 certifications. Therefore, you wil no longer be able to earn those certifications.

    For the 4.5 exams and beyond, the MCSD certifications will require renewal.  As a "solutions" expert, the technologies that you will need to be competent on will change.  For example, I would expect that you will need some Azure knowledge and Skydrive knowledge for the VS 2012 exams.  These two technologies will probably become much more important for the next version of Visual Studio.

    Cheers,

    Mike

    Please do not forget to click “Vote as Helpful” if any post helps you and "Mark as Answer”if it solves the issue.

    • Proposed as answer by Mr. Wharty Monday, September 17, 2012 11:03 PM
    • Marked as answer by Horizon_NetEditor Monday, September 24, 2012 12:27 PM
    Monday, September 17, 2012 5:44 PM

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    Hi,

    Would you mind pointing me to the URL that says that the certifications expire?  My understanding is that the VS 2010 certifications do not expire once you earn them.  After the July 2013 date you will no longer be able to register for the exams that make up the .NET 4 certifications. Therefore, you wil no longer be able to earn those certifications.

    For the 4.5 exams and beyond, the MCSD certifications will require renewal.  As a "solutions" expert, the technologies that you will need to be competent on will change.  For example, I would expect that you will need some Azure knowledge and Skydrive knowledge for the VS 2012 exams.  These two technologies will probably become much more important for the next version of Visual Studio.

    Cheers,

    Mike

    Please do not forget to click “Vote as Helpful” if any post helps you and "Mark as Answer”if it solves the issue.

    • Proposed as answer by Mr. Wharty Monday, September 17, 2012 11:03 PM
    • Marked as answer by Horizon_NetEditor Monday, September 24, 2012 12:27 PM
    Monday, September 17, 2012 5:44 PM
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    Here is the link:

    http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/mcpd.aspx#vs2010

    If you expand the Windows Developer 4 section under MCPD on Microsoft Visual Studio 2010, you will see it has a note that this certification expires July 31st, 2013.


    • Edited by CinciJosh Monday, September 17, 2012 7:03 PM
    Monday, September 17, 2012 7:03 PM
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    Wow, I feel like an idiot.  I misread what the certification page stated.  Feel free to delete this thread to avoid confusion for anyone else.


    • Edited by CinciJosh Monday, September 17, 2012 7:05 PM
    Monday, September 17, 2012 7:04 PM
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    Hi CinciJosh,

    Don't feel too bad and your question is quite valid. 

    Exam expiration causes a lot of confusion and many people mis-read the information the first time round.  That's why we have forums such as this :-)

    Cheers

    Jeff

    BTW, I have undeleted the reply which contains the link to the expiration information as that information is valid and will assist others with similar questions to yours

    When you see answers and helpful posts, please click Vote As Helpful, Propose As Answer, and/or Mark As Answer

    Jeff Wharton
    MSysDev (C.Sturt), MDbDsgnMgt (C.Sturt), MCT, MCPD, MCSD, MCITP, MCDBA
    Blog: Mr. Wharty's Ramblings
    Twitter: @Mr_Wharty
    MC ID: Microsoft Transcript

    Monday, September 17, 2012 11:07 PM