MCSA: Dynamics 365 for Operations Certification Has Been Retired

This certification has been replaced by Microsoft with new certification(s).

Certification Details

MCSA: Dynamics 365 for Operations

Microsoft certifications authenticate the IT professional's technological knowledge through industry-proven exams. Acquiring any of these confirms the individual's expertise in the field at beginner, intermediate, and expert levels. Also, there are role-based options for those focused on specific skill set and additional tests for knowledge upgrade.

Certification Overview and General Details

The MCSA: Dynamics 365 for Operations certificate establishes a foundation for aspiring individuals to become a Dynamics 365 developer among other various esteemed posts. It is also the first step in achieving the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification.

This particular MCSA targets those who have a firm grasp of the basic development knowledge essential for operating Microsoft Dynamic 365 technologies. It opens up the path for various prestigious jobs such as Business Analyst and is one of the best choices for programmers, technicians, and other IT professionals. Notice, that the candidates should be capable of handling SQL database infrastructure along with the development and deployment of Microsoft Dynamics 365 finance.

Required Exams

To earn the MCSA: Dynamics 365 for Operations certification, one has to successfully complete the following requirements:

  • Get a passing score on MB6-894 exam that covers deployment, development, and extensions, and for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance.
  • Ace either 70-764 test or 70-765. They focus on a SQL database infrastructure administration and SQL database provisioning, respectively.

The exams contain 40 to 60 questions each that need to be completed within 120 minutes for MB6-894 or in 180 minutes for 70-764 or 70-765. The passing score is 700 out of 1000 and the registration fee is $165.

MB6-894 Exam Overview

MB6-894 exam is targeted towards IT specialists with knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Commerce architecture and familiarity with their components. Experience with object-oriented programming concepts as well as Visual Studio is essential for this test as well.

Generally, MB6-894 is divided into 5 domains:

  • Architecture and development environment (20-25%)
  • Application Explorer and using it to develop new elements (20-25%)
  • Basics of X++ (20-25%)
  • Managing User Interface and Security for Developers (20-25%)
  • Developing and extending retail components (15-20%)

To be eligible, one should also understand Lifecycle Services (LCS) along with their various elements and components and be able to create and manage various types of data and tables. Furthermore, the exam-takers have to be knowledgeable in the X++ programming language and need be able to work with its statements, classes, and exceptions. It is also essential for the applicant to have insight into the user interface, its various components, properties, and security in the development environment during preparation. The examinee's comprehension of the development and monitoring of retail components will also be assessed in this exam.

70-764 Exam Overview

The Microsoft 70-764 exam is designed for professionals working with databases, with fluency in installing, maintaining, and configuring as well as backing up, storing, and securing data. It is organized into the following domains:

  • Configuration of data access and auditing (20-25%)
  • Management of database backup and restore (20-25%)
  • Management and monitoring of SQL Server Instances (35-40%)
  • Management of high availability and disaster recovery (20-25%)

To tackle all the mentioned themes, the examinee should be able to work with encryption and have knowledge about configuring data access, which includes managing database object permissions, maintaining users and custom roles, and configuring Azure SQL database. The candidate should also be skilled in managing, auditing, and configuring the SQL server.

In addition, this exam assesses the applicant's comprehension of a backup strategy, handling backups of large databases, and setting up backup automation. Knowledge of restoring the database and maintaining database integrity is equally important in this test. Also, one needs to know how to monitor database activity, queries, SQL Server instances, along with managing indexes and statistics. Finally, the examinee should be able to properly implement log shipping and failover cluster instances.

70-765 Exam Overview

The Microsoft 70-765: Provisioning SQL Databases exam is the best for developers, architects, and infrastructure professionals who have sound knowledge and experience in working with cloud service models, data storage, and synchronization techniques. The test measures one’s proficiency in the following domains:

  • Implementation of SQL in Azure (40-45%)
  • Management of databases and instances (30-35%)
  • Management of Storage (30-35%)

To answer all the included questions, exam-taker should be capable of deploying the Azure SQL database and should know how to choose the proper service tier, create sysadmin, and more. It is also essential to know about the deployment of SQL Server Instances, infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Azure virtual machine, and automation in the deployment of SQL server along with other related topics. Also, the candidate should be able to properly deploy SQL Server database in Azure virtual machine, migrate the database to Azure VM, and tune performance.

The examinee should be able to work with firewall rules, Always Encrypted technology, data masking, and transparent data encryption. In addition to that, the areas such as configuration of SQL server performance and managing SQL server instances are also tested. The applicant also has to be skilled in the management of SQL storage, SMB file shares, storage pools, and other server storage-related elements. Finally, the ability to properly maintain the database, automate maintenance, and provide recovering from database corruption will be assessed as well.

Career Opportunities

Acquiring the MCSA: Dynamics 365 for Operations certification will open up various career pathways with a decent average annual salary. To name a few, these are as follows:

  • System Administrator: $63k
  • Information Technology Manager: $89k
  • Senior Systems Administrator: $86k
  • Business Analyst: $61k

The aforementioned average annual salaries are as seen on PayScale.

Further Certification Path

After the successful completion of required exams and earning the MCSA: Dynamics 365 for Operations certification, one can further improve in the field by earning any of the role-based Dynamics 365 certificates of the associate level. After achieving this stage, the expert-level ones such as Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365 + Power Platform Solution Architect Expert and Microsoft Certified: Dynamics 365: Finance and Operations Apps Solution Architect Expert become available.