The Beta MCP exam for CE 6.0 has been extended to March 3rd 2008 (more information below, and on the MSDN Certification site)

Now through March 3, 2008, you can take a Beta version of the exam for free. That’s right, it’s free ($125 US value). If you pass, you receive the real certification.  If you fail, you’ve gained valuable experience and will be more prepared to pass when the exam is released later this year. This certification counts toward MSPP points, and will become a requirement of the Windows Embedded Partner Program over the coming year.  To learn more about the exam, visit the official Preparation Guide.

Beta exams, like all MCP exams, are offered at Prometric testing centers – you cannot take the exam online at your desk.  To register, go to the Prometric registration web site and use Promotional Code EMBCE. If you have problems registering online, please call your local Prometric center and register by phone. Beta not available in China, Pakistan and India.

Soon you can become officially certified as a Windows Embedded CE 6.0 developer. The Microsoft Certification Program (MCP) will offer a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) level certification for CE 6.0, available in late May, 2008.

Microsoft certifications validate real-world skills development or implementation of Microsoft technologies. To be successful passing this exam, Microsoft recommends that you have two to three years of experience in an embedded system environment developing for embedded devices, one year experience using Windows Embedded CE, and six months of experience using Windows Embedded CE 6.0. Candidates usually fill the role of embedded developer, embedded engineer, device driver developer, board support package engineering developer, field application engineer, and/or quality assurance engineer. Candidates typically develop, implement, test, and support embedded devices.

- Mike