Want to boost your resume? Looking to make your job prospects better and wider? Have in-depth knowledge of Microsoft products?

If your answer to all these three questions is a yes, you can be a great fit to become a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT). MCTs are highly knowledgeable about Microsoft products and services, along with excellent teaching skills. Becoming an MCT can not only widen your job prospects but can also take your IT career to the next level. Do not confuse MCT with the Microsoft Educator Course. They are two separate courses.

Intrigued by the prospect? This article will tell you all you need to know, including how to become a Microsoft Certified Trainer.

Who is a Microsoft Certified Trainer?

As mentioned previously, MCTs are people with in-depth knowledge of Microsoft products. They are also expert trainers with stellar teaching skills. Microsoft describes MCTs as “premier technical and instructional experts in Microsoft technologies.”

This certification allows you to train other people and gives you access to exclusive membership benefits, including product discounts, career opportunities, and various Microsoft resources. You can also teach other professionals all about different Microsoft technologies. 

Benefits of becoming an MCT

Becoming an MCT brings innumerable benefits for you. MCTs are in high demand within the job market. This is because they are not only experts in Microsoft technologies but can also train other employees. 

Here are some benefits of becoming an MCT.

Expand Technical Skills 

One of the major benefits of becoming an MCT is that you will get to expand your technical skills. You will learn new and latest Microsoft technologies. A huge percentage of companies around the globe use Microsoft products, and all of them seek experts in the field. Becoming an MCT will make you an invaluable asset to your organization. With access to an exclusive online community for Microsoft experts, you can also hone your skills and learn directly from them.

Grow your Network

In any industry, having a professional network and connections is crucial to success. It helps you grow your career, access new opportunities, and find new perspectives. Becoming an MCT will give this to you and more. As an MCT, you will also enter its membership program. You will be able to connect with other members and Microsoft experts. This will help you grow your professional network and access all the benefits that come with it. 

Leadership Quality

Developing leadership qualities is essential to success. As a Microsoft trainer, you will be responsible for training other professionals on Microsoft technologies. You will function as a mentor and trainer. As a leader and a trainer, you must have the ability to explain the most complex concepts simply and concisely. Becoming an MCT will help you develop this skill and more. 

Credibility 

MCT is a coveted certification. It is rigorous and challenging to become a Microsoft trainer. This gives the credential high credibility. As an MCT, others will know of your expertise and skills in Microsoft technologies without having to communicate them. You can earn the trust of your colleagues, partners, and employers easily. 

The benefits of MCT do not disappear after you stop participating in the MCT program. As an MCT alumnus, you will receive the following benefits.

• Access to Microsoft resources that help you stay ahead of their latest technologies.

• Become a part of MCT Central. You can use this to stay updated with the latest news, connect with fellow MCTs, and find jobs. Many respected and intelligent people also have access to it, which makes it a perfect place to network and learn.

• Access to MCT Alumni content that has resources customized for MCT community engagement.

• You will also receive a discount on different exams that help you keep your certifications and allow you to re-enter the MCT program.

• You can also use discounts on books that can be used for exam preparation and development.

• On another note, you will be treated with the respect that comes with the MCT title. 

Entry Requirements

To become an MCT, you must fulfil the following entry requirements.

• Have a qualifying Microsoft certification

• Have instructional skills verified by any institution listed by Microsoft

According to Zippia, 68.9% of MCTs have a bachelor’s degree, and 13.8% have a master's degree. So, having a bachelor’s degree might be a good option, but it’s not mandatory. 

How to become a Microsoft Certified Trainer?

You can become an MCT by following these steps. 

Get Microsoft Certified

To become an MCT, you must be Microsoft certified. You must have one of the following certifications.

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Stack Hub Operator Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Scientist Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Network Engineer Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Enterprise Data Analyst Associate

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Administrator Associate

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Voice Engineer Expert

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Security Administrator Associate

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Messaging Administrator Associate

• Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Application Developer Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Developer Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Solution Architect Expert

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Power Platform App Maker Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Power Automate RPA Developer Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Customer Service Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Marketing Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Business Central Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Finance Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Field Service Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps Developer Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps Solution Architect Expert

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Commerce Functional Consultant Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Security Operations Analyst Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Information Protection Administrator Associate

• Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert

The list also includes a couple of MOS certifications. However, they are no longer available for new MCTs. They can only be accessed by renewing MCTs. You can check the list at the official website of Microsoft Certified Trainer. 

Demonstrate Instructional Skills

Demonstrate your terrific instructional skills by doing a course from one of the following providers.

• CompTIA CTT+

• MCT-ISC

• Fourth Dimension Technologies, Inc.

• IAMCT Approved Technical Trainer (IAMCT ATT)

• Sinerji Egtim

• Marcom Deli

• Friesen Kaye and Associates

• Learning and Performance Institute Trainer Performance Monitoring and Assessment (TPMA)

• Advanced Modern Presentation Skills (AMPS) (MSFT internal only)

• Microsoft Customer Service & Support (CSS) Trainer Certification (MSFT internal only)

• Essential Educate Trainer (MSFT internal only)

You can also demonstrate these skills by showing proof of at least one year of experience as an instructor.

Apply for the Program

The next step is fairly simple. Now that you fulfilled the requirements, you can apply on Microsoft's website to become an MCT. Go through the terms and conditions carefully, submit the necessary proof and documentation, and pay the program fees. 

Salary and Career Prospects of MCT

MCT is a lucrative career option that opens the door to exciting career prospects. According to Zippia, the average annual salary of MCTs in America is $56,806. As an MCT, you can go on to become an information technology manager, senior project manager, senior information technology manager, and chief technology officer. Of course, you must have the right experience and expertise to reach this level.

Fees of MCT

The program fees vary as per your employment status and region. Depending on these factors, it can cost anywhere between $150 to $1,000. You will also have to pay a fee to renew your membership annually. 

You can also avail of discounts of 25-100% through several ways. One of them is to work for a Microsoft Certified Partner for Learning Solutions. 

Renewal of MCT Certification

MCT is an annual program. As an MCT, you must renew your membership annually. You must satisfy the following requirements for successful renewal.

• Complete the application form and pay the fees.

• Be an active member.

• Hold a qualifying certification.

• Teach at least one relevant class.

If you do not renew your membership on time, you will lose your membership and all the benefits that come with it. 

Application Process 

The MCT application process can look like this.

• Fill out the application form available in the MCT enrolment tool. You can find the MCT enrolment tool in your certification dashboard. 

• Review the requirements and sign the agreement.

• Update your profile. 

• Share your employment status. Add your employer’s ID number if you are working with a Microsoft Learning partner.

• Pay the fees. 

Skills Required for MCTs

Here are some of the skills that can help you become a successful MCT. 

Communication

MCTs are excellent instructors. As an MCT, you must have stellar communication skills that allow you to explain even the most challenging concepts with ease. While you will primarily teach professionals, not all professionals need to have an equal amount of skills with technology. Therefore, you must have the ability to communicate and instruct people from different backgrounds. 

In-depth Knowledge of Microsoft Products

It goes without saying that having in-depth knowledge of the Microsoft suite is essential. As an MCT, you are the premier expert capable of teaching other professionals. If there are any tools or technologies you do not know well, you can do an online course to learn them. 

Assessment and Feedback 

A good instructor can easily identify errors, fix them, guide learners, and provide regular feedback. As a Microsoft trainer, you must know how to do all four. You must have excellent observational skills that enable you to recognize mistakes and provide constructive criticism. 

Difference between Microsoft Certified Trainer and Microsoft Certified Educator Course

Many people can confuse Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) with Microsoft Certified Educator Course (MCE). However, they are two different courses. An MCT is someone who can teach other professionals about Microsoft technologies. An MCE, on the other hand, is someone with the knowledge of applying technology tools in the six different content domains. They may not necessarily be experts in Microsoft technologies.

Best Microsoft Certifications

Certifications are an exceptional way of proving your skills and expertise in a field. They help you prove your ability to prospective employers and also advance in your career. If you do not want to enter the MCT program but would still like to get Microsoft certified, here are some of the most popular certifications you can do. 

• AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator: AZ-104 certification validates your ability to implement and manage an organization's Azure environment. This includes managing identities and governance in Azure, managing virtual networking, maintaining Azure resources, and implementing storage. 

• AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals: AZ-900 is one of the most popular beginner-level certifications. It covers the fundamentals of cloud computing and Microsoft Azure, Azure architecture and services, and Azure management and governance. 

• DP-203: Data Engineering on Microsoft Azure: DP-203 validates your ability to integrate, transform, and consolidate data from different sources and make it suitable for developing analytic solutions. 

• Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 Sales Functional Consultant Associate: Microsoft Dynamics 365 certification benefits functional consultants. It validates your skills in configuring Dynamic 365 Sales, managing core sales tables, and configuring additional tools and services. 

• AZ-204: Microsoft Certified Azure Developer Associate: AZ-204 certification is highly beneficial for cloud developers involved in all development phases. The skills covered under this certification include developing Azure compute solutions and Azure storage, implementing Azure security, monitoring and troubleshooting Azure solutions, and connecting to Azure services. 

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed all facets of the MCT Program, along with how to become an MCT. MCT is a great career choice for anyone with stellar instructional skills and deep knowledge of Microsoft technologies. The credential comes with multiple benefits, including but not limited to access to MCT Central, discounts on books, early access to tools and technologies, etc.