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Microsoft Certifications  > Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)

MCSA on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Certification Requirements

Content Updated: August 20, 2003 |

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On this page

| Core Exams
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| Elective Exams
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| Upgrade Exam
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Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) candidates on the Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 track are required to satisfy the following requirements:

Core Exams (3 Exams Required)

Two networking system exams
One client operating system exam

Elective Exams (1 Exam Required)

Together with the core exams, the elective exams provide a valid and reliable measure of technical proficiency and expertise to successfully manage and maintain the typically complex computing environment of medium-to- large-sized companies. MCSA candidates should have 6–12 months of experience administering client and network operating systems.

Upgrade Exam (1 Exam Required)

Microsoft has designed an upgrade path that will enable a current MCSA on Windows® 2000 to earn the Windows Server 2003 credential in a time- and cost-effective manner.

For more information about the Windows Server 2003 exams, see the Frequently Asked Questions.

The following tables list Official Microsoft Learning Products courses and Microsoft Press books designed to help Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) candidates prepare for the required exams. See individual Exam Preparation Guides for exam availability.

Core Exams (3 Exams Required)

Core Exams: Networking System (2 Exams Required) | Courses | Books

Exam 70–290: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment

Course 2273: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment (5 days)

OR

Course 2274: Managing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment (5 days)

Course 2275: Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment (3 days)

OR

Course 2208: Updating Support Skills from Microsoft Windows NT® 4.0 to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (3 days)

MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-290): Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment

MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit: Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Core Requirements, Exams 70-290, 70-291, 70-293, 70-294

Exam 70–291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure

Course 2276: Implementing a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Network Hosts (2 days)

Course 2277: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure: Network Services (5 days)

OR

Course 2208: Updating Support Skills from Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 to Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (3 days)

MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-291): Implementing, Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure

MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit: Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Core Requirements, Exams 70-290, 70-291, 70-293, 70-294

Core Exams: Client Operating System (1 Exam Required) | Courses | Books

Exam 70–270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Course 2285: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional (2 days)

OR

Course 2272: Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows XP Professional (5 days)

MCSE Training Kit: Microsoft Windows XP Professional (Exam 70-270)

Exam 70-2101: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional

Course 2151: Microsoft Windows 2000 Network and Operating System Essentials (3 days)

Course 2152: Implementing Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional and Server (5 days)

MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit: Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, Second Edition (Exam 70-210)

MCSA Self-Paced Training Kit: Microsoft Windows 2000 Core Requirements, Second Edition (Exams 70-210, 70-215, 70-216 and 70-218)

Elective Exams (1 Exam Required)

Elective Exams (1 Exam Required) | Courses | Books

Exam 70–086: Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0

Course 828: Deploying and Supporting Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 (5 days)

Course 827: Administering Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 (3 days)

MCSA/MCSE Microsoft Systems Management Server 2.0 Training Kit (ISBN: 1-57231-834-1). This book is out of print. Check with your local retailer for availability.

Exam 70-227: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000, Enterprise Edition | Course 2159: Deploying and Managing Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2000 (3 days) | MCSE Training Kit: Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2000
Exam 70-228: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000 Enterprise Edition | Course 2072: Administering a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Database (5 days) | MCSE Training Kit: Microsoft SQL Server 2000 System Administration

Exam 70-284: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003

Course 2400: Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003

Workshop 2011: Troubleshooting Microsoft Exchange Server 2003

MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-284): Implementing and Managing Microsoft Exchange Server 2003

Exam 70-299: Implementing and Administering Security in a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network

Course 2823: Implementing and Administering Security in a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network

MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-299): Implementing and Administering Security in a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network

As an alternative to the electives listed above, these certifications or certification combinations may substitute for an MCSA elective:

Certification | Courses | Books
MCDST | See MCDST requirements | See MCDST requirements
MCSA on Microsoft Windows 2000 | See MCSA requirements | See MCSA requirements
MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000 | See MCSE requirements | See MCSE requirements

MCSE on Microsoft Windows NT 4.02

NA

NA

CompTIA A+
and
CompTIA Network+

Currently, corresponding Official Microsoft Learning Products are not available.

A+ Certification Training Kit, Third Edition

Network+ Certification Training Kit, Second Edition

CompTIA A+
and
CompTIA Server+

Currently, corresponding Official Microsoft Learning Products are not available.

A+ Certification Training Kit, Third Edition

Server+ Certification Training Kit

CompTIA Security+3 | Course 2810: Fundamentals of Network Security (4 days) | Security+ Certification Training Kit

Upgrade Exam

For an MCSA on Windows 2000:

Networking: An MCSA on Windows 2000 has the option to take Exam 70-292 instead of the two core network exams. However, an MCSA on Windows 2000 can choose to take both core network exams.
Client: An MCSA on Windows 2000 has already passed Exam 70-210 or 70-270, which also satisfies the client requirement for MCSA on Windows Server 2003; therefore, no further action is required.
Elective: Elective exams are required so that candidates prove technical breadth, interoperability skills, or additional technical depth. For an MCSA on Windows 2000, the current MCSA credential satisfies the elective requirement for Windows Server 2003 because it proves the ability to support another version of the platform; therefore, no further action is required.

Upgrade Exam for an MCSA on Windows 2000 (1 Exam Required) | Courses | Books

Exam 70-292: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000

Course 2299: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment for an MCSA Certified on Windows 2000 (available November 2003)

OR

Workshop 2209: Expert Track: Updating Systems Administrator Skills from Microsoft Windows 2000 to Windows Server 2003

MCSA/MCSE Self-Paced Training Kit (Exams 70-292 and 70-296): Upgrading Your MCSA/MCSE Certification to Microsoft Windows Server 2003

Note: No additional core or elective exams are required for an MCSA on Windows 2000 who passes Exam 70-292.

1Candidates who passed Windows NT 4.0 Exams 70-067, 70-068, and 70-073 had the option to take the comprehensive Exam 70-240: Microsoft Windows 2000 Accelerated Exam for MCPs Certified on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0. By passing this exam, candidates met the MCSA exam requirements for 70-210. Exam 70-240 is no longer available.

2 Although exams are no longer available for the MCSE on Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 certification, individuals who earned this credential remain certified.

3 CompTIA Security+ certification satisfies both the MCSA elective requirement and an MCSA: Security specialization requirement.

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