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What does Charter Member actually mean?

This autumn is very special for Microsoft certifications as a whole host of exams are released based on new MS technologies that focus on the reinvented MCSA and MCSE. As MS certifications now aligned to solutions rather than just product, these exams are truly special. The following exams are available from September/October:

70-687 – Configuring Windows 8

70-410 – Installing and configuring Windows Server 2012

70-411 – Administering Windows Server 2012

70-412 – Configuring Advanced Windows Server 2012 Services

70-413 – Designing and implementing a Server Infrastructure

70-414 – Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure

70-415 – Implementing a Desktop Infrastructure

70-416 – Implementing Desktop Applications Environments

70-417 – Upgrading Your Skills to MCSA Windows Server 2012

So during September/October we are going to see the first set of Windows Server 2012 MCSAs and MCSEs in the world. These individuals are also going to gain the prestigious Charter Member status.

Microsoft currently confers Charter member status to those individuals who gain the certification within the first 6 months of its availability.

In the past it was a bit different:

Around 2008, it used to be the case of the first 200 people to gain the certification became a Charter Member. This is where I first became aware of it. At a company Christmas party, a colleague of mine (who end up becoming my boss) encouraged me to take beta exams and before I knew it I was holding several Charter Member certifications.

Prior to this in 2002, Charter Member status was being conferred to the first 5000 certified MCSEs.

As for me, I’ve been fortunate enough to gain one Charter Member Status this year, the MCSE: Private Cloud

Hoping that’s it’s the first of many.

All the best to everyone taking exams!