Don’t study a dead exam
Retired certifications — and what to take instead
Old certification names linger in search results, course catalogs, and résumés long after the exams close. If you’ve run into one, here are 33 retired certifications, when they retired, and the current certification to pursue instead— with the retirement date, so a stale result doesn’t cost you time or money on a credential you can no longer earn.
How to read this
A retired cert isn’t worthless — it’s just unearnable
Retiring a certification doesn’t erase the skills behind it, and you can still list one you hold (with the year). What changes is that the exam is gone, the objectives are dated, and employers look for the current role-based credential. So the only move that matters now is knowing which live certification each retired one maps to. (Coverage currently centers on Microsoft’s legacy tracks and grows as more vendors’ lifecycle data is verified.)
Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)
| Retired certification | Take this instead |
|---|---|
| MCSA: BI ReportingRetired Jan 31, 2021 | Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst AssociateSource: Microsoft Learn certification retirement post confirms remaining MCSA/MCSD/MCSE exams retired on 2021-01-31; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/posts/mcsa-mcsd-mcse-certifications-retire-with-continued-investment-to-role-based-certifications |
| MCSA: Microsoft Dynamics 365 for OperationsRetired Jan 31, 2021 | Dynamics 365 role-based certifications (Finance/SCM)Source: Microsoft Learn certification retirement post confirms remaining MCSA/MCSD/MCSE exams retired on 2021-01-31; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/posts/mcsa-mcsd-mcse-certifications-retire-with-continued-investment-to-role-based-certifications |
| MCSA: SQL 2016 BI DevelopmentRetired Jan 31, 2021 | Microsoft Certified: Fabric Analytics Engineer AssociateSource: Microsoft Learn certification retirement post confirms remaining MCSA/MCSD/MCSE exams retired on 2021-01-31; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/posts/mcsa-mcsd-mcse-certifications-retire-with-continued-investment-to-role-based-certifications |
| MCSA: SQL 2016 Database AdministrationRetired Jan 31, 2021 | Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator AssociateSource: Microsoft Learn certification retirement post confirms remaining MCSA/MCSD/MCSE exams retired on 2021-01-31; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/posts/mcsa-mcsd-mcse-certifications-retire-with-continued-investment-to-role-based-certifications |
| MCSA: SQL 2016 Database DevelopmentRetired Jan 31, 2021 | Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator AssociateSource: Microsoft Learn certification retirement post confirms remaining MCSA/MCSD/MCSE exams retired on 2021-01-31; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/posts/mcsa-mcsd-mcse-certifications-retire-with-continued-investment-to-role-based-certifications |
| MCSA: SQL Server 2012/2014Retired Jan 31, 2021 | Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator AssociateSource: Microsoft Learn certification retirement post confirms remaining MCSA/MCSD/MCSE exams retired on 2021-01-31; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/posts/mcsa-mcsd-mcse-certifications-retire-with-continued-investment-to-role-based-certifications |
| MCSA: Universal Windows PlatformRetired Jan 31, 2021 | Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer AssociateSource: Microsoft Learn certification retirement post confirms remaining MCSA/MCSD/MCSE exams retired on 2021-01-31; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/posts/mcsa-mcsd-mcse-certifications-retire-with-continued-investment-to-role-based-certifications |
| MCSA: Web ApplicationsRetired Jan 31, 2021 | Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer AssociateSource: Microsoft Learn certification retirement post confirms remaining MCSA/MCSD/MCSE exams retired on 2021-01-31; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/posts/mcsa-mcsd-mcse-certifications-retire-with-continued-investment-to-role-based-certifications |
| MCSA: Windows Server 2012Retired Jan 31, 2021 | Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator AssociateSource: Microsoft Learn certification retirement post confirms remaining MCSA/MCSD/MCSE exams retired on 2021-01-31; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/posts/mcsa-mcsd-mcse-certifications-retire-with-continued-investment-to-role-based-certifications |
| MCSA: Windows Server 2016Retired Jan 31, 2021 | Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator AssociateSource: Microsoft Learn certification retirement post confirms remaining MCSA/MCSD/MCSE exams retired on 2021-01-31; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/posts/mcsa-mcsd-mcse-certifications-retire-with-continued-investment-to-role-based-certifications |
Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)
| Retired certification | Take this instead |
|---|---|
| MCSD: App BuilderRetired Jan 31, 2021 | Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer AssociateSource: Microsoft Learn certification retirement post confirms remaining MCSA/MCSD/MCSE exams retired on 2021-01-31; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/posts/mcsa-mcsd-mcse-certifications-retire-with-continued-investment-to-role-based-certifications |
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)
| Retired certification | Take this instead |
|---|---|
| MCSE: Business ApplicationsRetired Jan 31, 2021 | Microsoft role-based certificationsSource: Microsoft Learn certification retirement post confirms remaining MCSA/MCSD/MCSE exams retired on 2021-01-31; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/posts/mcsa-mcsd-mcse-certifications-retire-with-continued-investment-to-role-based-certifications |
| MCSE: Core InfrastructureRetired Jan 31, 2021 | Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect ExpertSource: Microsoft Learn certification retirement post confirms remaining MCSA/MCSD/MCSE exams retired on 2021-01-31; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/posts/mcsa-mcsd-mcse-certifications-retire-with-continued-investment-to-role-based-certifications |
| MCSE: Data Management and AnalyticsRetired Jan 31, 2021 | DP-xxx role-based data certificationsSource: Microsoft Learn certification retirement post confirms remaining MCSA/MCSD/MCSE exams retired on 2021-01-31; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/posts/mcsa-mcsd-mcse-certifications-retire-with-continued-investment-to-role-based-certifications |
| MCSE: Productivity Solutions ExpertRetired Jan 31, 2021 | Microsoft role-based certificationsSource: Microsoft Learn certification retirement post confirms remaining MCSA/MCSD/MCSE exams retired on 2021-01-31; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/posts/mcsa-mcsd-mcse-certifications-retire-with-continued-investment-to-role-based-certifications |
Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)
| Retired certification | Take this instead |
|---|---|
| MTA: Database FundamentalsRetired Jun 30, 2022 | Microsoft role-based certificationsSource: Archived official Microsoft Learn MTA Retirement FAQs confirms MTA retired on 2022-06-30; source=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004214330/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications/mta-retirement-faqs |
| MTA: HTML5 Application Development FundamentalsRetired Jun 30, 2022 | Microsoft role-based certificationsSource: Archived official Microsoft Learn MTA Retirement FAQs confirms MTA retired on 2022-06-30; source=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004214330/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications/mta-retirement-faqs |
| MTA: Introduction to Programming Using HTML and CSSRetired Jun 30, 2022 | Microsoft role-based certificationsSource: Archived official Microsoft Learn MTA Retirement FAQs confirms MTA retired on 2022-06-30; source=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004214330/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications/mta-retirement-faqs |
| MTA: Introduction to Programming Using JavaRetired Jun 30, 2022 | Microsoft role-based certificationsSource: Archived official Microsoft Learn MTA Retirement FAQs confirms MTA retired on 2022-06-30; source=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004214330/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications/mta-retirement-faqs |
| MTA: Introduction to Programming Using JavaScriptRetired Jun 30, 2022 | Microsoft role-based certificationsSource: Archived official Microsoft Learn MTA Retirement FAQs confirms MTA retired on 2022-06-30; source=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004214330/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications/mta-retirement-faqs |
| MTA: Introduction to Programming Using PythonRetired Jun 30, 2022 | Microsoft role-based certificationsSource: Archived official Microsoft Learn MTA Retirement FAQs confirms MTA retired on 2022-06-30; source=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004214330/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications/mta-retirement-faqs |
| MTA: Mobility and Device FundamentalsRetired Jun 30, 2022 | Microsoft role-based certificationsSource: Archived official Microsoft Learn MTA Retirement FAQs confirms MTA retired on 2022-06-30; source=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004214330/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications/mta-retirement-faqs |
| MTA: Networking FundamentalsRetired Jun 30, 2022 | Microsoft role-based certificationsSource: Archived official Microsoft Learn MTA Retirement FAQs confirms MTA retired on 2022-06-30; source=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004214330/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications/mta-retirement-faqs |
| MTA: Security FundamentalsRetired Jun 30, 2022 | Microsoft role-based certificationsSource: Archived official Microsoft Learn MTA Retirement FAQs confirms MTA retired on 2022-06-30; source=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004214330/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications/mta-retirement-faqs |
| MTA: Software Development FundamentalsRetired Jun 30, 2022 | Microsoft role-based certificationsSource: Archived official Microsoft Learn MTA Retirement FAQs confirms MTA retired on 2022-06-30; source=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004214330/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications/mta-retirement-faqs |
| MTA: Windows Operating System FundamentalsRetired Jun 30, 2022 | Microsoft role-based certificationsSource: Archived official Microsoft Learn MTA Retirement FAQs confirms MTA retired on 2022-06-30; source=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004214330/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications/mta-retirement-faqs |
| MTA: Windows Server Administration FundamentalsRetired Jun 30, 2022 | Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator AssociateSource: Archived official Microsoft Learn MTA Retirement FAQs confirms MTA retired on 2022-06-30; source=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004214330/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/certifications/mta-retirement-faqs |
MICROSOFT_365_ROLE_BASED
| Retired certification | Take this instead |
|---|---|
| Microsoft 365 Certified: Teamwork Administrator AssociateRetired Aug 31, 2020 | Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Administrator AssociateSource: Microsoft Learn official certification page marks credential retired; cached HTML retrieved 2026-06-12; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/m365-teamwork-administrator/?WT.mc_id=api_CatalogApi |
MICROSOFT_DYNAMICS_365_ROLE_BASED
| Retired certification | Take this instead |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 + Power Platform Solution Architect ExpertRetired Jun 30, 2021 | Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Solution Architect ExpertSource: Microsoft Learn official certification page marks credential retired; cached HTML retrieved 2026-06-12; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/power-apps-and-d365-solution-architect-expert/?WT.mc_id=api_CatalogApi |
| Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Functional Consultant AssociateRetired Jun 30, 2023 | Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Functional Consultant AssociateSource: Microsoft Learn official certification page marks credential retired; cached HTML retrieved 2026-06-12; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/d365-functional-consultant-manufacturing/?WT.mc_id=api_CatalogApi |
MICROSOFT_DYNAMICS_365_FUNDAMENTALS
| Retired certification | Take this instead |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 FundamentalsRetired Jun 30, 2021 | Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Fundamentals (CRM) / (ERP)Source: Microsoft Learn official certification page marks credential retired; cached HTML retrieved 2026-06-12; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/d365-fundamentals/?WT.mc_id=api_CatalogApi |
MICROSOFT_POWER_PLATFORM_ROLE_BASED
| Retired certification | Take this instead |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Certified: Power Apps + Dynamics 365 Developer AssociateRetired Dec 31, 2020 | Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Developer AssociateSource: Microsoft Learn official certification page marks credential retired; cached HTML source=data/cache/major_vendor_oem_sources/learn-microsoft-com_1d02b67824e490.html; source=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/credentials/certifications/power-apps-and-d365-developer-associate/?WT.mc_id=api_CatalogApi |
WAVE2_VENDOR_NOT_CURRENT
| Retired certification | Take this instead |
|---|---|
| Salesforce Certified AI AssociateRetired 2026-02 | Salesforce Certified Agentforce SpecialistSource: Official credential page says Salesforce is retiring AI Associate in February 2026 as the catalog evolves toward Agentblazer Status. |
Common questions
Retired certifications, answered honestly
- Is my MCSA / MCSE / MTA certification still valid?
- Those certifications were retired by Microsoft — MTA, MCSA, MCSE, and MCSD exams are no longer offered, and the MCSA/MCSE/MCSD tracks retired on January 31, 2021. A retired certification doesn’t erase what you learned, and you can still list it (with the year), but you can no longer earn it, and employers increasingly look for the current role-based certifications. The table above maps each retired track to the certification to pursue now.
- Should I study for a retired certification I found in an old course?
- No. If a study guide or course targets a retired exam, the exam can’t be taken and the objectives are dated. Find the current certification it maps to (above) and study that instead — same general domain, current and earnable.
- Why does a retired certification still appear in search results?
- Old blog posts, course listings, and résumés keep retired certifications visible long after the exams close. That’s exactly why this page exists: to give you the retirement date and the current replacement, so a stale search result doesn’t cost you time or money.
Plan the current credential, cited
Once you know the live certification, see what it costs, what it counts toward, and the role it maps to — all cited. RoleMath sells nothing and isn’t influenced by who pays us.