Yes, the 70-653 and 70-654 exams will count toward obtaining the Small Business Specialist designation

Back in August I posted that Yes, the Beta SBS 2008 exam does count towards competency requirements since this was raised as a question by a few Partners. Now, I am receiving questions about the 70-653 (TS: Windows Small Business Server 2008, Configuring) and 70-654 (TS: Windows Essential Business Server 2008, Configuring ) exams and whether or not those will count towards achieving the Microsoft Small Business Specialist designation now that they have gone from beta to live exams.

The answer to this is, yes, the 70-653 and 70-654 exams do qualify towards the obtaining of the Microsoft Small Business Specialist designation and can be used in place of the 70-282, 74-134, 70-631, or 70-236 exams if you choose to take them instead.

Thank you and have a wonderful day,

Eric Ligman
Global Partner Experience Lead
Microsoft Worldwide Partner Group
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights

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