We are close to the end of the “MPN Transition Period” which we have been communicating via multiple channels and also mentioned 6 months ago in this blog.  You may have seen a reminder in the recent MPN Partner Newsletter that was sent out on October 7^th – but we felt that it was important to speak to our Project Partners directly about these changes.

At the end of October 31^st, please note that the following will happen:

• Project 2007 Exams will be removed from both the Silver and Gold PPM Competency Requirements.  Training partners can still train for these exams as they will remain available via Prometric Testing Centers, however, MCPs with these certifications will not meet the new requirements for PPM competences.
• All Partners with Anniversary Dates between November 1^st and December 31^st should contact Kevin Custer to receive additional FREE Exam Vouchers that need to be used by the end of the calendar year.
• Exam Packs discounts are still available here: www.prometric.com/microsoft/partners
  
• No more Grace Period.  After November 1^st, you will need to have all of your requirements met for the Silver and Gold PPM competencies before your company's Microsoft Partner Anniversary Date. If your MCPs do NOT have the required Project 2010 Exams past your next anniversary date, you will not be eligible for Silver or Gold partner benefits. 
  
• Certified and Gold Certified Partner logo use is  to be discontinued after October 31^st.  The correct Microsoft Partner logo(s) for your company will be available in the MPN Logo Builder and will represent the competencies that you have earned.
  
• Internal Usage Rights Microsoft software licenses – the software benefits tied to the Certified and Gold Certified Partner Benefits have changed and Partners should discontinue using (and uninstall) legacy software unless partners have been awarded these software usage rights under the new Microsoft Partner Network membership structure.   Here are some resources to assist you if you haven’t addressed this area yet:
• Existing partners may review their current license entitlement via the License Summary to access this site, you must have the appropriate access granted to you by your program administrator.
• The License Calculator may also be used to assist your organization in your competency benefit scenario planning.
• Access the Partner Membership Center to manage your membership.
• Call your local Regional Service Center with any questions.

PPM Competency EXAM Retirements and Requirements will now look like this:

Retiring exams from the silver and gold competencies: 

• 70-632:  Microsoft Office Project 2007, Managing Projects 
• 70-633:  Microsoft Office Project Server 2007, Managing Projects
• 70-634:  Microsoft Office Project Server 2007, Managing Projects and Programs
• 70-639:  Microsoft Office Project Server 2007, Configuring 

For the silver competency, two MCP’s must each pass one of the 2010 exams:

• 70-177: TS: Microsoft Project Server 2010, Configuring
• 70-178: Microsoft Project 2010, Managing Projects

For the gold competency, four MCP’s must each pass the following 2010 exams:

• 70-177: TS: Microsoft Project Server 2010, Configuring
• 70-178: Microsoft Project 2010, Managing Projects
• 70-667 TS: Microsoft SharePoint 2010, Configuring

Thank you for your dedication to Project 2010! Your Project Partner Team.