Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)

Credential: Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)  GI Bill resource
Credentialing Agency: Microsoft Corporation

Renewal Period: Lifetime

The Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification is an entry-level certification designed to help individuals take the first step toward a career as an IT professional or developer. Students, those changing careers or just starting, or those exploring a technology career are best suited towards earning an MTA certification. The next step in the Microsoft certification path is Microsoft Technology Specialist (MCTS), which requires hands-on experience with the Microsoft technology platform. There are a number of MTA exams available in the area of IT infrastructure, database or developer. Passing one exam earns the MTA certification.

Note that individuals who already have an in-depth understanding of and hands-on experience with Microsoft technologies, might want to start with a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification or one of the Professional Series tracks. Please review the VA website to check which Microsoft exams in this certification track are eligible for GI Bill reimbursement.

More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Attainability:    high

Eligibility Requirements 

  • Credential Prerequisite
  • Experience
  • Education
  • Training
  • Membership
  • Other
  • Fee

Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required.

Exam Requirements (View Details)

  • Exam
  • Written Exam
  • Oral Exam
  • Practical Exam
  • Performance Assessment

Exam Administration (View Details)

  • In-person exam
  • Remote proctored on-line exam
  • Third-party test vendor

RECERTIFICATION SUMMARY

Renewal Period: Lifetime

  • Continuing Education
  • Exam
  • Continuing Education OR Exam
  • Fee
  • Other

AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Microsoft Corporation

One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA  98052-6399

Phone: (800) 636-7544

Contact Page

The MTA certification is awarded after successfully passing one exam. The exams below are geared towards those seeking certification in the area of IT Infrastruture. Other MTA exams related to the Database and Developer tracks can be found on the Microsoft website.

Show Written Exam Requirements / Hide Written Exam Requirements

  • Understanding Network Infrastructures (30-35%)
    • Understand the concepts of Internet, intranet, and extranet
    • Understand local area networks (LANs)
    • Understand wide area networks (WANs)
    • Understand wireless networking
    • Understand network topologies and access methods
  • Understanding Network Hardware (20-25%)
    • Understand switches
    • Understand routers
    • Understand media types
  • Understanding Protocols and Services (45-50%)
    • Understand the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model
    • Understand IPv4
    • Understand IPv6
    • Understand names resolution
    • Understand networking services
    • Understand TCP/IP

  • Understanding Security Layers (25-30%)
    • Understand core security principles
    • Understand physical security
    • Understand Internet security
    • Understand wireless security
  • Understanding Operating System Security (35-40%)
    • Understand user authentication
    • Understand permissions
    • Understand password policies
    • Understand audit policies
    • Understand encryption
    • Understand malware
  • Understanding Network Security (20-25%)
    • Understand dedicated firewalls
    • Understand network isolation
    • Understand protocol security
  • Understanding Security Software (15-20%)
    • Understand client protection
    • Understand email protection
    • Understand server protection

  • Understanding Server Installation (10-15%)
    • Understand device drivers
    • Understand services
    • Understand server installation options
  • Understanding Server Roles (25-30%)
    • Identify application servers
    • Understand Web services
    • Understand remote access
    • Understand the file and print services
    • Understand server virtualization
  • Understanding Active Directory (20-25%)
    • Understand accounts and groups
    • Understand organizational units and containers
    • Understand Active Directory infrastructure
    • Understand group policy
  • Understanding Storage (10-15%)
    • Identify storage technologies and their typical usage scenarios
    • Understand RAID redundancy
    • Understand disk types
  • Understanding Server Performance Management (10-15%)
    • Identify major server hardware components
    • Understand performance monitoring
    • Understand logs and alerts, Event Viewer
  • Understanding Server Maintenance (15-20%)
    • Identify steps in the startup process
    • Understand business continuity
    • Understand updates
    • Understand troubleshooting methodology

  • Understanding Operating System Configurations (15-20%)
    • Configure Control Panel options
    • Configure desktop settings
    • Configure native applications and tools
    • Configure mobility settings
    • Configure and use management tools
  • Installing and Upgrading Client Systems (15-20%)
    • Identify Windows operating system editions
    • Identify upgrade paths
    • Understand installation types
    • Understand operating system architecture
  • Managing Applications (15-20%)
    • Configure applications
    • Configure user account control (UAC)
    • Configure antivirus settings
    • Understand services
  • Managing Files and Folders (15-20%)
    • Understand file systems
    • Understand file and print sharing
    • Understand encryption
    • Understand libraries
  • Managing Devices (15-20%)
    • Connect devices
    • Understand storage
    • Understand printing devices
    • Understand system devices
  • Understanding Operating System Maintenance (15-20%)
    • Understand backup and recovery methods
    • Understand maintenance tools
    • Configure updates

  • Understanding core database concepts (20-25%)
    • Understand how data is stored in tables
    • Understand relational database concepts
    • Understand data manipulation language (DML)
    • Understand data definition language (DDL)
  • Create database objects (20-25%)
    • Choose data types
    • Understand tables and how to create them
    • Create views
    • Create stored procedures and functions
  • Manipulate data (25-30%)
    • Select data
    • Insert data
    • Update data
    • Delete data
  • Understand data storage (15-20%)
    • Understand normalization
    • Understand primary, foreign, and composite keys
    • Understand indexes
  • Administer a database (10-15%)
    • Understand database security concepts
    • Understand database backups and restore

Exam Preparation Resources

There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) examination:

An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.

Testing Information

  • Exam Administration

    Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) credential where checked:

    • In-person exam
    • Remote proctored on-line exam
    • Third-party test vendor

  • For more information on the Microsoft Corporation testing process, visit the agency website.

RECERTIFICATION

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)

Renewal Period: Lifetime

The Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) credential has the following recertification information:

  • This certification has no recertification requirements and cannot be renewed.  Once Microsoft determines that a certification no longer reflects the latest technology or is no longer relevant in the marketplace, it will be retired and will eventually transition to a Legacy status for certification holders. For the most current certification status, refer to the Retired certifications page.

  • Note: Marine Corps COOL will only pay recertification fees for the current year, no arrears will be paid. Voucher requests for recertification fees must be submitted with proof of the current status of the certification (for example, a screen shot of your credentialing agency dashboard or a copy of a current fee receipt).

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand. The U.S. Department of Labor sponsored CareerOneStop's analysis indicates the certification is frequently mentioned in online job postings.

Click for external link to CareerOneStop's Credentials Center.

COOL Bucks

See your installation Education Service Officer for credential exam information and coordinating instructions.

COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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COOL Summary

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Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

CA Eligible

This certification is eligible for CA.

Star

Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improves the MOS technical proficiency.

Skill Level

The Skill Level reflects the level, based on MOS training and/or experience, the Soldier should be the most prepared to successfully earn the credential. See the Table Legend for details about each level.

Navy Bucks

Credential voucher or reimbursement for credential exam, re-certification, or maintenance fee has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. To get a voucher request form, click Menu at the top of any page, then click "2 Complete Voucher and Apply" under Credentialing Steps.

CG Bucks

Current Coast Guard policy states all credentials listed on CG COOL may be reimbursed assuming the enlisted service member meets the eligibility requirements as outlined in the Coast Guard Voluntary Credentialing Program Policy (COMDTINST 1540.1(series))

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted E1 through E4

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E5 through E6

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E7 through E9

Early Career

1-3 years experience; Enlisted “A” School through E5

Mid Career

4-10 years experience; Enlisted E6 through E7

Late Career

10+ years experience; Enlisted E8 through E9

Early Career

1-6 years experience; Officer O1 through O2

Mid Career

6-12 years experience; Officer O3 through O5

Late Career

12+ years experience; Officer O6 and Above

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click to go to the external link for GI Bill licensing and certification information.

ANAB (ANSI)

This credential has been accredited by ANAB (ANSI).

Click to go to the external ANAB web site.

ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC.

Click to go to the external ICAC web site.

ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC.

Click to go to the external ABSNC web site.

NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA.

Click to go to the external NCCA web site.

IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS.

Click to go to the external IAS web site.

Low

May be difficult to attain: minimum education requirement is a Bachelor's degree, and/or minimum experience is 10 or more years.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

Medium

Moderate ease of attainment: minimum education requirement = Associate's and/or prerequisite and/or minimum experience = more than 2 years and less than 10 years of experience.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

High

Highly attainable: minimum education requirement = HS or less and/or minimum experience = 2 years or less experience and no additional requirements.

Note: In some cases “years of experience” refers to time actively on duty or while holding a certain occupation or prior certification and not always in consecutive calendar years. Additional years required for certain preliminary stages may not be included in this classification. For requirements measured in hours, 1080 hours was considered a year. For days, 365 days was considered a year. Please review all prerequisites and requirements for eligibility, and additional information for details.

MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty
AOC is Area Of Concentration Officer
Functional Area
Branch

Army e-learning

State-of-the art Computer Based Training available for free to the Army Workforce. Click for more information.

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NKO e-learning

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Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Registered Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship program is registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Go to the Apprenticeship Finder and enter career path or location to find apprenticeship opportunities.

Click here for External link to: My Next Move for Veterans - Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Click here for External link to: My Next Move salary info for Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job

Click here for external link to: My Next Move for Veterans State Map for Network and Computer Systems Administrators

This is an official U.S. Marine Corps website
Updated: October 30, 2020
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