Being a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) provides delegates with the skills and certification necessary to support a Microsoft server or server related products.

There are several Microsoft course modules that exist to becoming an MCP. The first core subjects for both the MCSA and MCSE are known as "Pro and Server". This is generally the common method to becoming a Microsoft Certified Professional. Reasoning behind this is that all Microsoft Server related products rely on running on top of the Windows Server based operating systems and therefore a sound knowledge of the O/S is required.

The MCP is achieved when the delegate does either of the core exams for operating systems, that is either one of the desktop operating systems Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP Professional, or the Windows Server based examinations.

The Microsoft Certified Professional certification can also be achieved by passing one of Microsoft's Server Add-on services like Exchange Server, Internet Security and Acceleration Server (ISA), security based exams and database modules. Generally a single MCP in one of these products is sought by professionals supporting that product on site and who have the necessary knowledge of networking and server requirements.

The MCP is therefore either the stepping stone-building the core to your MCSA/ MCSE, or the certification and skills necessary to support employer/ enterprise specific needs.