Should I wait for the SQL Server 2008 certifications?

It seems like most of us are just learning SQL Server 2005, but SQL Server 2008 is already just around the corner. A common question I hear is should I pursue the SQL Server 2005 MCITP certifications, or wait for the SQL Server 2008 MCITP certifications?

My opinion - Get the 2005 certification that's important to you now.  Here's why.

• SQL Server 2008 MCITP Certifications won't be available until perhaps 2009.
• Differences in SQL Server 2008 from SQL Server 2005 are minimal in relation to the exams.

First, SQL Server 2008 MCITP certifications aren't even being discussed on any of Microsoft channels. There is a lot of hoopla surrounding Microsoft's launch of Windows Server 2008, Visual Studio 2008, and SQL Server 2008 and the closer we get to the official launch date of Feb 27, 2008 the louder the hoopla will become.

Information for MCITP certifications for Windows Server 2008 can be found on the Web. But at this writing, there isn't even a trickle about certifications for SQL Server 2008. It takes time and effort to create quality exams and Microsoft's apparent first priority is Windows Server 2008. I suspect it won't be until 2009 before the exams are developed, go through beta phases, and are ultimately released.

Second, the changes in SQL Server 2008 are incremental.  I like the words of fellow author Robert Schneider - SQL Server 2008 is "evolutionary, not revolutionary."  If you're heavy into the Business Intelligence (BI) features of SQL Server, then SQL Server 2008 will be welcome to you.  However, for most of us, the changes will barely be noticeable.

I've been doing a lot of work with a Community Technology Preview (CTP) release of SQL Server 2008 and I've found that just about everything I've been doing is working the same on both versions.  From a skill set perspective, this is great news.  What you learn on SQL Server 2005, you also learn on SQL Server 2008.

The exception is some of the high end BI tools such SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS).  However, the number of people pursuing the MCITP: Business Intelligence certification is very small in relation to other certifications.

As of September, 2007 Microsoft shows the number of people holding SQL Server 2005 MCITP certifications are:

• MCITP: Database Administrator - 2917
• MCITP: Database Developer - 1155
• MCITP: Business Intelligence - 106