• Blog
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us
  • Locations
1-844-BOOTCAMP
or 1-941-218-0007
Certification Camps
  • BOOTCAMPS
    • Microsoft 365 Enterprise
      • MCE Microsoft 365 Enterprise Administrator
      • MCE Microsoft 365 Teams Voice Engineer
      • MCA Microsoft 365 Messaging Administrator
      • MCA Microsoft 365 Security Administrator
      • MCA Microsoft 365 Teams Administrator
      • MCA Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop
    • Microsoft Azure Admin
      • MCE Azure Solutions Architect
      • MCE Azure DevOps Engineer
      • MCA Azure Administrator
      • MCA Azure Security Engineer
      • MCA Windows Server Hybrid Administrator
      • MCS Azure Virtual Desktop
    • Microsoft Azure Data
      • MCA Azure Database Administrator
      • MCA Azure Data Engineer
      • MCA Azure Data Analyst Power BI
    • Microsoft Power Platform
      • MCE Microsoft Power Platform Combo
      • MCE Power Platform Solution Architect
      • MCA Power Platform Functional Consultant
      • MCA Power Platform Developer
    • Microsoft Developer
      • MCE Azure DevOps Engineer
      • MCA Azure Developer
      • MCA Power Platform Developer
      • MCA Microsoft 365 Developer
    • Microsoft Security
      • MCE Cyber Security Architect Expert
      • MCA Identity & Access Admin
      • MCA Information Protection Admin
      • MCA Security Operations Analyst
    • Combo Classes
      • Azure Admin & Azure Architect
      • Azure Developer & Azure DevOps
      • Microsoft 365 Desktop & Enterprise Admin
      • Microsoft 365 Security & Enterprise Admin
      • Power Platform Consultant & Architect
    • Amazon Web Services
      • Architecting on AWS Accelerator
      • AWS Cloud Prac Solutions & Architect Associate
      • AWS Certified Developer Associate
      • AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional
    • CompTia
      • CompTia A+ Essentials
      • CompTIA Cloud+ 5 Days (1 Course, 1 Exam, 1 Cert)
      • CompTIA CySA+ (Cyber Security Analyst+)
      • CompTia Network+
      • CompTia Security+
    • Information Security
      • EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
      • (ISC)² CISSP
    • Cisco
      • Cisco CCNP Routing and Switching
      • Cisco CCNA
  • Find Training
    • Training By Job Role
      • Developer
      • Administrator
      • Architect
      • Data Engineer
      • DevOps
      • Security
    • Vendors
      • Microsoft
      • Amazon
      • Cisco
      • CompTIA
      • Ec-Council
    • Microsoft Technical
      • Azure
      • Microsoft 365
      • Power Platform
      • Security
      • Messaging
      • Modern Desktop
      • Windows Server
      • SQL Server
    • Click here to find your course
  • SCHEDULE
  • Role Based Certifications
  • Pay an Invoice
Home > Microsoft Bootcamps

Microsoft Certification Levels: Where Should You Start?

July 19, 2019

microsoft certification levels

You probably know that certifications can help your career, but do you know where to start? Microsoft’s new tiered certifications program makes it easy!

This year Microsoft has rolled out a brand-new certification system known as ‘role-based certifications’. This new approach on getting certified focuses upon more specific job-targeted training, instead of more general sector overviews, and is designed to help develop professionals that are highly knowledgeable in the areas most pertinent to their career pathway.

In combination with this new addition to Microsoft’s certification lineup, new certification levels are also being rolled out. This is a boon for both individuals, as it helps increase their employability, as well as employers, as not only do they gain a more detailed insight to an applicant’s skill set, but also are set to gain a more specialized and skilled addition to their workforce.

However, as with any new rollout, it can be confusing to figure out the changes, and if you decide this new option is suited to you, where to start.

In this article, we’ll be looking at where you should start when it comes to Microsoft’s new certification levels.

Why Certification Levels?

In 2019, Microsoft has introduced certification levels, otherwise known as badges, which breakdown their courses into three tiers. This was implemented for many reasons, which benefit both attendee and prospective employer in a few ways:

  • Makes Microsoft courses more accessible to both beginners and IT veterans
  • Encourages those of all levels to become certified, helping to produce a clearer industry standard
  • Makes it easier for employers to select skilled professionals based on the type of knowledge base they require
  • Provides IT professionals with long-term goals for continuing professional development
  • Provides greater clarity to skill level of certification

What are the Certification Levels?

Microsoft has actually had their own skill levels within their certification portfolio for some time.

However, due to a lack of clarity combined with the breadth of courses available, this tier system was largely overlooked.

The new certification system provides this much needed clarity, which is as follows:

  • Level 1: Fundamentals (MTA)
  • Level 2: Associate (MCA, MCSA, MCSD)
  • Level 3: Expert (MCE, MCSE)

These tier levels, combined with the new role-based certifications provide a clear career pathway that IT newbies can follow in its entirety to become highly skilled professionals, as well as providing the opportunity for existing professionals to expand on their career knowledge base through the associate and expert levels.

Where Should I Begin?

In regards to where you should start your Microsoft certification journey, the new tier levels make the process simple.

On their website Microsoft even clearly advises you upon where they recommend you start, which we’ve summarized below:

Tier Level: Fundamentals

Requirements: No requirements, the starting point for IT beginners

Microsoft Recommendations: Ideal for individuals just starting their IT career, or individuals looking for a career change.

Tier Level: Associate

Requirements: Two years of comprehensive work experience.

Microsoft Recommendations: It can be helpful to have a related fundamentals certification before undertaking an associate course.

Tier Level: Expert

Requirements: Two to five years of intensive technical experience.

Microsoft Recommendations: While not all, many expert level certifications will require attendees to already possess the related associate certification.

How Should I Prepare for Certification?

Microsoft has also offered some great advice for how best to prepare for your certification course. While some of these suggestions might seem simple, if you’ve been out of the education system for some time or are apprehensive, remembering this simple advice will hopefully make you feel more confident and more prepared to achieve your goals.

Microsoft Learn: If you’re a total newbie with only a layman’s understanding of IT, and are nervous about gaining Microsoft certifications, you can help allay your fears by taking part in free training options through Microsoft Learn.

Microsoft Learn is designed to help anyone learn basic computing concepts at their own pace, as well as providing free access to training materials, code samples, and even the opportunity to test-drive some of Microsoft’s software.

Instructor-Led Training: There are a variety of Microsoft certified learning partners who can help ensure you have the knowledge needed to succeed in your exams. Instructor led training courses are a great option, as they closely mimic the learning environment of a college, helping you to get your head in the game.

Choosing instructor led training is also a great option as it allows you to interact with a seasoned professional, giving you the opportunity to ask questions and work through your weaknesses, as well as build upon your strengths.

Exam Practice: Microsoft truly wants all its certification hopefuls to succeed as part of their wider goal for a highly trained IT community and workforce. With this goal in mind, Microsoft also offers official practice tests that you can take to help prepare for your certification exams.

This can be a great option for those who have been out of education for some time, as sometimes the anxiety surrounding taking tests and exams can have an impact on overall performance, regardless of the strong knowledge base you no doubt have.

Allaying these anxieties in advance can help ensure when it comes to your exam you’re focused, confident, and sure to succeed.

Get Certified Fast

Take Certification Exams While Attending Boot Camp Training. Interact Face-To-Face With Vendor Certified Trainers.

96% of our students pass their certification on the first attempt with our camps.

View Bootcamps

Search our Blog

Popular Blog Posts

Azure Certifications Guide
Microsoft Certifications Guide
What is MCSE?
MCSA VS MCSE
How long to get MCSA Certified

Latest Blog Posts

  • Microsoft Azure Certifications Guide (2022 Update)
  • What are the Highest Microsoft Certifications?
  • What is the Microsoft Data Scientist Certification?
  • How Do I Become A Microsoft Certified Developer?
  • The Best IT Certifications in 2023

About

  • About Us
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us
  • Blog

Bootcamps

  • SQL Server
  • Microsoft 365 Enterprise
  • Windows Server
  • Microsoft Azure Admin
  • Windows Client
  • Exchange Server
  • System Center
  • Microsoft Developer
  • Information Security
  • CompTia
  • Cisco

Vendors

  • Microsoft
  • Amazon
  • Cisco
  • CompTia
  • Ec-Council

Job Role

  • Developer
  • Administrator
  • Architect
  • Data Engineer
  • DevOps
  • Security

Registration

  • More Info
  • Register for a Bootcamp
  • Pay Invoice

Copyright © 2023 Certification Camps. All rights reserved.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy