Upcoming exam requirement changes for Dynamics CRM Partner Programs
Microsoft have recently announced that the exam requirements for the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Partner Programs will be changing on September 1st 2016.
These changes are being implemented to take into account the new Microsoft Dynamics products which are being released. The following competencies will be affected: SPA, CSA, MPN, CRM and CRM Cloud.
This article will introduce the requirements for Partners to obtain or maintain a Dynamics CRM Silver or Gold competency, and list the changes that will come in September.
Dynamics CRM Silver and Gold competencies – how does it work?
Microsoft Dynamics Silver and Gold competencies allow Partners to gain access to a set of core benefits provided by Microsoft. For more information about these benefits, visit the Partner Network Core benefits and Requirements page.
In order to gain Dynamics CRM Silver and Gold competencies, Partners must meet a number of requirements in various categories (exams, the organisation’s profile, customer evidence and company revenue).
Exam requirements
This requirement makes it especially important for Partner companies to employ consultants who have passed the latest certification exams. This can be accomplished more easily by hiring contractors who have the right qualifications.
Current Dynamics CRM Exam requirements
Partners must employ or contract with three individuals (for Silver) or six (for Gold) who have, in aggregate passed all of the following exams:
Exam MB2-703: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013 Customization and Configuration
OR Exam MB2-707: Microsoft Dynamics CRM Customization and Configuration
Exam MB2-700: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013 Applications
OR Exam MB2-704: Microsoft Dynamics CRM Application
Exam MB2-702: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013 Installation and Deployment
OR Exam MB2-708: Microsoft Dynamics CRM Installation
OR Exam MB2-706: Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Deployment
Partners also need to meet track requirements as follows:
VAR track:
Two individuals (for Silver) or three (for Gold) who have each passed: Exam MB5-705: Managing Microsoft Dynamics Implementations
Application track:
One individual who has passed: Exam MB5-705: Managing Microsoft Dynamics Implementations
What will be changing on September 1st 2016?
Exam requirements for Microsoft Dynamics competencies are regularly updated to include the newest products. Starting September 1st 2016, Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2015 or 2016 exams and assessments will be required – whereas CRM 2013 exams will no longer be accepted.
The exams listed above will be replaced with the following:
Exam MB2-712: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016 Customization and Configuration (available February 2016)
OR Exam MB2-707: Microsoft Dynamics CRM Customization and Configuration (2015)
Exam MB2-711: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016 Installation (available February 2016)
OR Exam MB2-708: Microsoft Dynamics CRM Installation (2015)
OR Exam MB2-710: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016 Online Deployment (available February 2016)
OR Exam MB2-706: Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Deployment (2015)
Exam MB2-714: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016 Customer Service (available February 2016)
OR Exam MB2-713: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016 Sales (available February 2016)
OR Exam MB2-709: Microsoft Dynamics Marketing
OR Exam MB2-704: Microsoft Dynamics CRM Application (2015)
Sales Specialist Assessment for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016
Presales Technical Specialist Assessment for Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2016
Detailed requirements for Dynamics CRM MPN competency, Dynamics CRM MPN Cloud Competency, Dynamics CRM CSA (On-Premise) competency, Dynamics CRM CSA (Online) competency and Dynamics CRM SPA competency can be found on the PartnerSource article: Changes to Microsoft Dynamics Exam Requirements.
Organisation’s profile
The information that you provide about your organisation to the Microsoft Partner Network must be pertinent.
Customer evidence
Partners will need to provide three (for Silver) or five (for Gold) unique customer references for solutions they have provided in the previous 12 months. The solutions will need to be based on the products associated with the sought competency.
Revenue Goal
To become an MPN member with a Silver or Gold competency, your organisation will need to meet a minimum revenue goal based on your market and track.
Additional information
Details and additional information regarding each of these criteria can be found on the MPN Customer Relationship Management competency page.
About us: 365 Talent Portal is the first online platform that gives Dynamics partners and end-users instant access to hundreds of consultants. With a network spanning 101 countries, it allows companies to search for consultants based on their skills, rates and available dates, enabling them to find the best person for their projects without incurring the hefty fees typical of recruitment agencies. Register here –365talentportal.com.