Microsoft Certified Master Certification

Microsoft recently announced a brand new certification called the Microsoft Certified Master.

It is currently offered for Exchange Server 2007, SQL Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008.

The MCM credential is given to highly experienced professionals after undergoing intensive training and passing the in-class lab and written exams.

The prerequisites are demanding and it may not be everybody's cup of tea. For instance, to be considered for the MCM training on Exchange Server 2007, the candidate must have 5 or more years of hands-on experience on Exchange 2003, 1 or more years on Exchange 2007, fluency in English, MCTS on Exchange Server 2007, MCITP on Exchange Server 2007 and an MCSE on Windows Server 2003 (or an MCTS on Windows Server 2008 AD)!

Even though the new certification makes it easier to identify well-experienced professionals, it may be viewed by some customers as a Microsoft scheme to make more money from Learning solutions and certification.

Bottom line - as the number of under-qualified MCSE's flood/pollute the job market, Microsoft is taking steps to help experienced and highly skilled professionals to stand out from the crowd.