MCTS: SQL Server 2005 Certification Requirements

The Technology Specialist certifications enable professionals to target specific technologies and distinguish themselves by demonstrating in-depth knowledge and expertise in their specialized technologies.

Microsoft Certified Technology Specialists in Microsoft SQL Server 2005 (MCTS: SQL Server 2005) implement and maintain databases using specific instructions and specifications. They have thorough knowledge of the product, understand how to use the tools and Transact-SQL language, and know how to explore the user interface. Technology Specialists typically pursue careers as database administrators, database developers, or business intelligence developers. They may also be developers and systems administrators who do not work with SQL Server daily but who want to show their breadth of technology experience.

How to earn your MCTS: SQL Server 2005

MCTS candidates must pass one exam that focuses on the implementation and maintenance of SQL Server 2005. The following table lists Official Microsoft Learning Products and Microsoft Press books that are designed to help you prepare for the required exams. See the individual exam preparation guides for exam availability.

Required exams for MCTS: SQL Server 2005 (one exam required)

• Exam 70–431: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - Implementation and Maintenance

Audience profile

Candidates for this exam are professionals who typically pursue careers as database administrators, database developers, or business intelligence developers. Additionally, they can be people who do not work with Microsoft SQL Server as a part of their primary job functions but who want to show their breadth of technology experience, such as developers, systems administrators, and others. Candidates have sought out knowledge and experience with Microsoft SQL Server 2005 to enhance their technical expertise, and they can implement and maintain databases by using specific instructions and specifications.

Candidates for this exam should be experts in following areas:

• Tools usage
• UI navigation
• Wizards usage
• Writing code in the appropriate language (Transact-SQL, CLR language, and other scripting languages)
• Code debugging or syntactic issue resolution
• Troubleshooting
• Accomplishing specific focused tasks by using code or UI navigation

Credit toward certification

When you pass Exam 70-431: TS: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 – Implementation and Maintenance, you complete the requirements for the following certification:

• Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist: SQL Server 2005

Exam 70-431 is also credit toward the following certifications:

• MCITP: Database Administrator
• MCTS and MCITP upgrade from MCDBA
• MCITP: Database Developer
• MCSA on Microsoft Windows 2000
• MCSA on Windows Server 2003
• MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000
• MCSE on Windows Server 2003