Below is a summary showing general requirements. Requirements vary by competency. Further details on these requirements will be added as they become available.
Requirement
Competency
Advanced Competency
Credentials
Two Microsoft Certified Professionals
(applicable exams below). (2)
OR
Qualifying standard application tests
Four Microsoft Certified Professionals with advanced credentials, not holding any other advanced competency (3)
Two Microsoft Certified Professionals with advanced credentials, not holding any other advanced competency, and a qualifying standard application test (4)
Qualifying advanced application tests (5)
Joint Microsoft
and Partner Plan
Not applicable
Revenue commitment
Starting October 2010, partners will need to commit to a minimum revenue bar based on their respective geography and Competency. Starting October 2011, to maintain advanced competency status, partners will need to meet the revenue bar by their next reenrolment date.
After achieving an advanced competency, partners will be required to complete a simple business plan detailing the activities that will support their plan. If applicable, a Microsoft representative will contact the partner to support the creation of this business plan.
Business
Training and
Assessments (6)
(Beginning
October 2010)
One individual who passes a Microsoft Licensing overview assessment (beginning October 2010)
One MCP that has passed a Volume Licensing competency exam
AND
One individual who passes an online sales and marketing competency assessment (beginning October 2010)
Two individuals who pass an online sales and marketing competency assessment (beginning October 2010)
Customer Evidence
Three unique customer references per competency
Five unique customer references per competency. (7)
Participate in Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) Index
Commitment
Full Profile
Annual Competency Fee $3,487
Annual Advanced Competency Fee $6,045
(2) Partners can attain multiple competencies. Your employees or contractors who pass the applicable competency exams are eligible toward multiple competencies. (3) Partners can attain multiple advanced competencies. Your employees or contractors who pass the applicable advanced competency exams are only eligible toward one advanced competency. A person who has attained a Master or Architect Certification qualifies for two Microsoft Certified Professionals with advanced credentials. (4) Partners can attain multiple advanced competencies. Your employees or contractors who pass the applicable advanced competency exams are only eligible toward one advanced competency. A person who has attained a Master or Architect Certification qualifies for two Microsoft Certified Professionals with advanced credentials. (5) Qualifying standard tests and qualifying advanced application tests refer to products that pass Microsoft hardware and software test, and apply to the ISV competency or other competencies through the ISV track. Qualifying application tests vary by product. (6) Requirements vary by competency. (7) Partners may use customer references from a competency toward an advanced competency. (8) Competency and advanced competency fees vary by geography. Partners will pay the competency or advanced competency fee one time, per year, per location—no matter how many competencies are attained. If partners attain an advanced competency after first attaining a competency, then partners only pay the difference between the two membership fees, unless they are within their 90-day reenrolment period.