Microsoft has announced the new Microsoft Certified Architect Program (MCAP). The goal of the MCAP is to identify the top industry experts in IT Architecture. This is a very high level certification.

The certification process has 8 steps:

  1. The Microsoft Certified Architect candidate is expected to have at least 10 years of verifiable experience as a practicing architect prior to applying for the program
  2. The candidate applies for acceptance into the program by:
    • Contacting Microsoft directly (via the Microsoft.com web site) during an open enrollment period
    • Being referred by his or her employer
    • Being referred by an existing Microsoft Certified Architect or Microsoft Certified Architect Review Board member
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    • The candidate’s application is screened for the necessary work experience
    • Upon verification of experience, the candidate is accepted into the program and assigned a program mentor
    • In addition to a program mentor, the candidate is given access to a library of self-paced technical and non-technical content to assist them in the preparation of their solution
    • The candidate submits his or her solution to the Review Board in preparation for formal presentation to the Board.
    • The candidate attends the Review Board Meeting and presents his or her solution to the Review Board members. Upon conclusion of the presentation, the candidate fields a series of questions about his solution and presentation from the Review Board
    • After the formal presentation and a positive vote from the Review Board, the candidate is awarded the Microsoft Certified Architect credential
      • </OL> I think this is a great move. This cert will single out the best of the best in IT Solution Architecture. However, I don't really agree with the initial requirement of 10 years of verifiable experience as a practicing architect prior to applying. I think they should maybe recomend 10 years but require maybe say 5 year of experience. Someone with 10 years of experience could be at the same level as someone with 5 years of experience. Everybody learns at different rates (I'm not complaining about the requirements because I want to apply for it now.) I wouldn't want to see someone have to wait 5 more years to be able to be accepted into the program just because (even though they are qualified) they only have 5 years of expereince. Who knows, maybe some day I'll become MCAP certified. For More Info: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/architect/