Contents

Section 1: Benefits of MCT Certification

Section 2: How to Become an MCT

Section 3: MCT Competencies

Section 4: 2005 Program Requirements

Section 5: Certification Status

Section 6: Renewing Your MCT Certification

Section 7: Reinstating Your MCT Certification

Appendix 1: Definitions

Section 1: Benefits of Microsoft Certified Trainer (“MCT”) Certification 

Microsoft certifies professional trainers who demonstrate and maintain technical and instructional expertise using Microsoft® technologies and who apply their skills to today’s learning environment for Information Technology (“IT”). MCT Certification means that these professional trainers meet Microsoft’s high standards for delivering Microsoft training.

The Microsoft Certified Trainer credential allows students, training providers, and organizations to identify skilled professionals who can deliver training on Microsoft technologies and products. With an MCT Certification, trainers have a competitive edge in their career and are a vital resource in today’s technical training community.

In addition to industry recognition, Microsoft provides MCTs with a valuable set of trainer resources to help them become some of the best technology trainers in the world. Members of the MCT community receive a number of program benefits, including:

          Exclusive Internet access to Trainer Kits for all Official Microsoft Learning Products and MBS Learning Products (including—but not limited to—Microsoft Official Courses, Microsoft Official Workshops, Microsoft Official Seminars and Microsoft Official Clinics) More information on the Microsoft Learning product portfolio is available on the MCT Member Site at https://partnering.one.microsoft.com/mct/features/blended_learning.aspx). Trainer Kits are available to download through an MCT Download Center. These Trainer Kits include Official Microsoft Learning Products, MBS Learning Products, and other selected titles. Additional content is added throughout the year.

          Ability to acquire full-packaged Trainer Kits for Official Microsoft Learning Products and MBS Learning Products and access to available on-line virtual labs. MCTs may acquire Trainer Kits at a discounted cost from their local fulfillment center, and online virtual labs and e-Learning courses may be acquired at https://www.microsoftelearning.com.

          Exam discounts. Trainers receive a forty-five (45%) discount on MCP and MBS certification exams in countries where the exam cost is equivalent to US $125 or more.  In countries where the exam cost is less than the equivalent of US $125, MCTs receive a twenty percent (20%) discount.

          Courseware support. MCTs may use a special support alias to ask questions or report problems about Official Microsoft Learning Products and MBS Learning Products components. This support service can assist you with classroom setup problems, lab issues, content clarification, or other matters related to the courseware materials. Coverage is worldwide, although resolutions are delivered in English only.

          Exclusive access to the MCT Member Site and the monthly MCT Flash newsletter. The MCT Member Site and MCT Flash newsletter provide timely updates on MCT Program announcements, Microsoft Certification and courseware information, trainer events, and special promotions.

          Special offers for the MCT community. Many products and services are offered free of charge or at a discount for MCTs. These special offers can be found on the MCT Member Site.

          MCT Member newsgroups on the Internet. The newsgroups allow you to share training tips and exchange information with your peers and Microsoft.

          Invitations to regional and national Microsoft events. These events include various trainer-readiness events, both regional and international. Attending these events will help you stay current and competitive with Microsoft technology.

          Microsoft Certified Trainer logo. The MCT Logo and other materials allow you to identify yourself to Microsoft Certified Partner for Learning Solutions (“Learning Solutions Partner”) and other Authorized Customers and students.

Go back to top

Section 2: How to Become an MCT

To become an MCT, you must complete these steps, as further detailed below:

1.       Earn an accepted Microsoft Certified Professional (“MCP”), Microsoft Business Solutions (“MBS”), or Microsoft Operations Framework (“MOF”) credential,

2.     Prove your instructional presentation skills, and

3.     Apply to become an MCT and pay the annual fee.

If you have questions about the MCT Certification requirements, please contact your region’s Microsoft Regional Service Center for assistance at http://www.microsoft.com/training/worldsites. 

Before you apply to be an MCT, you must earn one of these credentials:

          Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Professional (MCDST)

          Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) on Microsoft Windows 2000

          Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) on Microsoft Windows Server 2003

          Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Microsoft Windows® 2000

          Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) on Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003

          Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD) for Microsoft .NET

          Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) on Visual Studio 6.0

          Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) for Microsoft .NET

          Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA) on Microsoft SQL Server™ 2000

          Microsoft Certified Professional: Exam 70-301, Managing, Organizing, and Delivering IT Projects by Using the Microsoft® Solutions Framework

          Microsoft Certified Professional: Exam 70-[TBD], Microsoft Operations Framework

          Certified Master – Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains Application

          Certified Master – Microsoft Business Solutions Great Plains Installation and Configuration

          Certified Master – Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon Application

          Certified Master – Microsoft Business Solutions Solomon Installation and Configuration

          Certified Master – Microsoft CRM Applications

          Certified Master – Microsoft CRM Installation and Configuration

          Certified Master – Microsoft Business Solutions Navision Applications

          Certified Master – Microsoft Business Solutions Navision Installation and Configuration

          Certified Master – Microsoft Business Solutions Navision Development

          Certified Master – Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta Application

          Certified Master – Microsoft Business Solutions Axapta Installation and Configuration

The purpose of this requirement is to verify that MCTs have a proven technical base of skills and job role competency from which to teach. Earning a Microsoft certification acknowledges that you have demonstrated your understanding of and proficiency in working with Microsoft products and technologies in a field or job role(s) associated with your credential. You may only teach Microsoft Courses that map to the certifications you hold (see Section 3, MCT Competencies). 

The following requirements are for MCT candidates in North America.  MCT candidates outside North America may complete one of the following options, or you may contact your local Microsoft Regional Service Center (“RSC”) for alternative requirements in your region.

To demonstrate that you possess instructional presentation skills, you must have completed at least one of the following requirements (please indicate on your MCT Application which one(s) you have achieved):

          Achieve the Certified Technical Trainer (CTT+) certification from CompTIA.

          Attend and pass an instructional presentation skills or train-the-trainer course taught by an approved Microsoft training provider, or by a training provider who is a member of the CompTIA Learning Alliance (CLA) Program. See http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mct/
guide/three.asp for information on approved training providers.

          Provide evidence of your certified instructor credential from one of the following vendors:

·       Cisco Systems

·       Citrix

·       Novell

·       An accredited academic institution

The MCT Enrollment Tool is available on the MCP Member Site at https://partnering.one.microsoft.com/mcp. You must complete the online application, pay the annual program fee, and submit the appropriate documentation to the address that is specified in the MCT Enrollment Tool.

Fees vary depending on your country of residence. Please refer to the online fees table at http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mct/guide/fees/default.asp for specific information.

If you do not hold an MCP certification, you will need to provide your        Registration ID in order to access the MCP Member Site. Your registration ID is typically found on your exam score report and transcript for the following certifications:

·         Microsoft Business Solutions Certified Professional

When you enter the MCP Member Site using your Registration ID, you will be able to access the MCT Application, but you will not be able to access many of the other features of the MCP Member Site.

Please allow two weeks for processing. When your Application has been approved, you will be notified by e-mail, you will receive an MCT Welcome Kit, and you will be granted access to the MCT Member Site.

Go back to top

Section 3: MCT Competencies

The MCT Program encompasses the instruction of a wide range of Microsoft technologies.  To reflect proficiencies with particular technologies, MCTs are assigned to a Competency based on the certification(s) that they hold. The following table lists the MCT Competencies and their associated certifications.

MCTs conducting public training are restricted to teaching Microsoft Courses associated with their Competency. A list of Microsoft Courses associated with each Competency is available at [TBD].  The MCT transcript will list the Microsoft Courses that an MCT is qualified to teach.

Public, open-enrollment training using Official Microsoft Learning Products or MBS Learning Products may only be taught at a Learning Solutions Partner location, a Microsoft IT Academy location, or on-line.  MCTs may provide private training using Official Microsoft Learning Products or MBS Learning Products at a Learning Solutions Partner’s location or their customer’s location or via a Microsoft Certified Partner at its location, its customer’s location, or another classroom, as long as the hardware in any of such venues complies with the hardware requirements in the Trainer Kits that correspond with the Microsoft Course being taught. MCTs must comply with the terms of conditions of the EULA included with any Microsoft Courseware . 

MCTs may belong to more than one Competency, but they must hold all necessary certifications for each Competency to which they belong.  Some Microsoft Courses may in fact require that the trainer belong to multiple Competencies in order to conduct training (see Restrictions on Microsoft Course Delivery above).

Go back to top

Section 4: 2005 MCT Program Requirements

Microsoft recognizes and promotes MCTs as professionals who are skilled in Microsoft software, technologies, and learning products. Because MCTs play such an important role in the learning process, it is important that MCTs perform instructionally and technically at the level required to deliver the best possible training to IT professionals and developers. For this reason, the MCT Program requires that MCTs consistently maintain a high level of customer satisfaction and a minimum level of training activity throughout the Program Year.

The 2005 Program Year is divided into 4 program quarters:

• Quarter 1: October 1, 2004 through December 31, 2004
• Quarter 2: January 1, 2005 through March 31, 2005
• Quarter 3: April 1, 2005 through June 30, 2005
• Quarter 4: July 1, 2005 through September 30, 2005

To simplify the process of collecting evidence in support of requirements, Microsoft will use information collected by the Metrics that Matter (“MTM”) program to determine MCT Certification status.  More information about the MTM program is available at http://www.knowledgeadvisors.com.

On an annual basis, at least 70% of your customer satisfaction scores as reported by the MTM program must be in the Very Satisfied (VSAT) range (8 or 9 points on a 9-point scale).

On a quarterly basis, no more than 10% of your customer satisfaction scores as reported by the MTM program may be in the Dissatisfied (DSAT) range (1-4 points on a 9-point scale).

MTM reporting is provided to Microsoft automatically on an ongoing basis. At various times during the Program Year Microsoft will conduct reviews and audits to ensure reporting compliance and integrity.

To remain an MCT in good standing, you must deliver training using Microsoft Courses—in a valid venue (Learning Solutions Partner, IT Academy, customer site, etc.)—to a total of at least 15 students during any given 12 month period using the approved Courseware listed below.  Compliance will be determined based on student evaluations received and recorded in the Metrics that Matter program.

The following are approved Microsoft Courses:

          Official Microsoft Learning Products, (including Microsoft Official Courses, Microsoft Official Workshops, Microsoft Official Seminars and Microsoft Official Clinics).

Includes both classroom and instructor-led on-line training

·       Custom courses made up of at least fifty percent (50%) Official Microsoft Learning Products or 3 Official Microsoft Learning Product modules (whichever is less)

          MBS Learning Products

Microsoft Courses using MBS Learning Products must be delivered by an MCT who has achieved Master Certification only (Application Installation and Configuration,  or Development as applicable under the associated Competency)

          MSF or MOF

·       MSF courses must be delivered by endorsed MSF Practitioners only.

·       MOF courses must be delivered by endorsed MOF Trainers only.

Microsoft Academic Learning Series (“ALS”) courses when delivered at a Microsoft IT Academy

Microsoft will review MCT compliance with the requirements listed above on a quarterly basis.  Microsoft will use data provided by the MTM program to determine whether MCTs are compliant with program requirements.  Failure to remain compliant may result in decertification.

Microsoft will conduct audits each year to ensure that MCTs are fulfilling MCT Program requirements. You should prepare and keep a file with records that indicate delivery of Microsoft Courses to which you attested during your renewal. These proofs of compliance should match the items that you list in your renewal application. If you are contacted regarding an audit, you will be required to provide proof that you fulfilled these requirements.

Audit candidates are selected randomly. However, your chances of being selected for an audit may increase if you meet one or more of the following conditions:

• Your average customer satisfaction score ranks in the top quartile of all MCTs.
• Your average customer satisfaction scores change significantly between two consecutive program quarters.
• More than 25% of your MTM program evaluations are entered by you or a Learning Solutions Partner administrator rather than your students.
• You have a disproportionate number of anonymous evaluations.

If the audit determines that you have intentionally falsified your credentials, or you cannot produce evidence of compliance, you will be decertified. Depending on the severity of noncompliance, you may be permanently decertified. In this case, you will also permanently lose your MCP certifications. This strict application of MCT Certification requirements is intended to protect the majority of MCTs who abide by the requirements of the MCT Program.

MCTs may lose their MCT Certification for these reasons:

                Teaching a Microsoft Course without using student course materials in their original form (for example, using photocopied student or trainer materials).

                Teaching an Official Microsoft Course without using the relevant Official Microsoft Learning Product.

                 Teaching an MBS Course without using the relevant MBS Learning Product

                 Cheating on MCT Program requirements.

                 Cheating on an MCP or MBS exam or helping another candidate cheat on an MCP or MBS exam.

                 Using the MCT Logo in a manner that violates the terms and agreement you signed in the MCT Application.

                 Not representing Microsoft or the Learning Solutions Partner, Authorized Academic Institution, or Microsoft Certified Partner professionally and ethically.

                 Using trainer materials in a manner that is not consistent with the end-user license agreement (“EULA”) that accompanies the trainer materials.

                 Teaching a Microsoft Course in a Competency in which you are not certified.

If you are decertified as an MCT for any of the preceding disciplinary reasons, you will also be decertified as an MCP.

Go back to top

Section 5: MCT Certification Status

The MCT Program is an annual program for individuals. Individuals who are not currently MCTs may elect to join at any time during the Program Year.  Individuals who are MCTs in good standing may renew their MCT status during the Renewal Period (October 1, 2004 through November 30, 2004).  MCTs who do not renew their MCT status may still elect to re-enroll in the MCT Program later in the Program Year.

MCTs who are decertified for cause (see Section 4 above) will not be allowed to re-enroll in the MCT Program for a period of one year following their decertification.  Where the cause is sufficiently severe, the individual may be prohibited from re-enrolling in the MCT Program in perpetuity.

Go back to top

Section 6: Renewing Your MCT Certification

If you are an MCT in good standing, you may renew your MCT Certification during the Renewal Period (October 1, 2004–November 30, 2004). Renewal includes these steps.

Review the 2005 MCT Program requirements (Section 4).

Review this MCT Program Guide and the Microsoft Certified Trainer Agreement (the “MCT Agreement”) to be entered into between Microsoft (or such other Microsoft entity designated therein) and you, the individual MCT.

The MCT Enrollment Tool is available on the MCT Member Site. The enrollment tool will verify your profile information and your MCT Certification status. You will be asked to acknowledge your understanding of the MCT Program requirements, agree to the MCT Program Guide and the MCT Agreement, and provide an electronic signature. Several methods of payment are accepted, depending on your region: credit card, check, money order, or wire transfer. 

You will receive an e-mail confirmation of your renewal status when your Application and fee have been processed.

Note: Fees vary depending on your country of residence. Please refer to the online fees table at http://www.microsoft.com/traincert/mcp/mct/guide/fees/default.asp for specific information.

If you are unable or choose not to renew your MCT Certification during the Renewal Period (October 1, 2004–November 30, 2004), please review Section 7 for options on reinstating your MCT Certification.

Go back to top

Section 7: Reinstating Your MCT Certification

If you cannot or do not choose to renew your MCT Certification during the 2005 Renewal Period, you will be decertified. This means that you will lose your MCT benefits and will no longer be certified to provide training using Official Microsoft Learning Products or MBS Learning Products. However, you may apply for reinstatement any time.

To have your MCT Certification reinstated, you must apply by using the MCT Enrollment Tool, which you can access from the MCP Member Site. When you are reinstated, you maintain your MCT Certification start date although your transcript will reflect the interruption in your MCT Certification history

Go back to top

Appendix 1: Definitions

All terms not defined in this Appendix 1 or the MCT Program Guide will have the meaning given such terms in the Microsoft Certified Trainer Agreement that must be entered into by and between Microsoft (or such other entity indicated therein) and each MCT (the “MCT Agreement”).

“Competency” means a classification system for MCTs that identifies the Microsoft technologies in which the MCT has demonstrated proficiency by earning the Microsoft certification corresponding to a particular Competency.

“Metrics that Matter” or “MTM” means a program conducted by Knowledge Advisors™, in cooperation with Microsoft, for collecting, compiling, and reporting customer satisfaction information.

Microsoft Authorized Customers (authorized education channels) include Microsoft Certified Partners for Learning Solutions (Learning Solutions Partners), Microsoft Certified Partners, and institutions in the Microsoft IT Academy Program (IT Academy).

Learning Solutions Partners is the premier training channel authorized to teach Microsoft Courses to IT professionals. These companies are Microsoft Certified Partners who meet specific requirements to earn the Learning Solutions competency, which include the proper hardware, trainer, and training environment for Official Microsoft Learning Products and/or MBS Learning Products.

Microsoft Certified Partners are independent companies that encompass a broad range of expertise and vendor affiliations. Microsoft Certified Partners who have not earned Learning Solutions competency status are authorized to acquire Official Microsoft Learning Products and MBS Learning Products; however, they may only offer private training as part of a larger customer solution or training to their internal staff. They do not need to meet all of the same requirements as Learning Solutions Partners but may not advertise or offer public training using Official Microsoft Learning Products and/or MBS Learning Products.

Microsoft IT Academy Program (“IT Academy”) includes accredited institutions that are authorized to deliver Microsoft Courses (less than 12 hours per week) to students enrolled at that institution.

“Microsoft Course(s)” means those courses, clinics, seminars, and workshops which are developed by Microsoft for a variety of audiences by using different brands of Microsoft Courseware. These brands include the following:

Official Microsoft Learning Products include Microsoft Official Courses, Workshops, Seminars, and Clinics that Microsoft Learning designates as Official Microsoft Learning Products from time to time to educate professionals and other who support, implement, and develop with Microsoft products, technologies, and solutions..  More information on this product portfolio is available on the MCT Member Site at https://partnering.one.microsoft.com/mct/features/blended_learning.aspx)

MBS Learning Products is courseware developed by or on behalf of the Microsoft Business Solutions Training Program or Microsoft Learning that educates professionals engaged in MBS products and technologies, and/or planning, design, development, implementation, management and/or support of the same.  MBS Learning Products were previously taught via an MBS Education Center.

Academic Learning Series (“ALS”) courses and Microsoft Official Academic Courses (“MOAC) are designed specifically for the academic community. Materials are divided into lessons appropriate to be delivered over several weeks.

“Program Year” means the MCT 2005 program year, which runs from October 1, 2004 - September 30, 2005. All program requirements must be met during this period.

“Renewal Period” means the MCT 2005 renewal period, which runs from October 1, 2004 to November 30, 2004. During this period, you can renew your MCT Certification by using the online MCT Enrollment Tool on the MCT Member Site.

“Trainer Kits” shall mean kits containing trainer materials prepared by or on behalf of Microsoft for use by MCTs in teaching a particular Microsoft Course.

Go back to top

© 2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Subject to change from time to time. Microsoft, Windows, and Windows Server are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Other company or products names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.