微软认证开发专家英文全称Microsoft Certified Professional Developer，简称MCPD 
 
「微软认证开发专家(MCPD)」与「微软认证IT专家(MCITP)」共属于技术专家系列认证，分别侧重开发能力和IT应用管理能力两个方面。「微软认证开发专家」提供了一个简单明确的架构来展现开发人员的经验与技能，证明开发人员能够综合而全面地使用微软开发工具，在工作岗位上成功开展工作。 
 
侧重于某一职业角色
必须预先具备「微软认证技术工程师（MCTS）」认证
每2－3年需要重新认证

Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD)
When you earn the Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) credential, you demonstrate your ability to use Microsoft Visual Studio and the Microsoft .NET Framework to excel in a specific, real-world job role. An MCPD credential validates a comprehensive set of skills required to be successful on the job, and gives hiring managers and potential customers a reliable indicator of your job performance. This credential offers a simple, targeted framework that makes the certification paths easier to understand and allows you to stand out from the crowd.

MCPD: Microsoft Visual Studio 2008
If you plan to develop applications by using Visual Studio 2008 and the Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5, you can earn an MCPD on Visual Studio 2008 to validate your skills and abilities on those platforms. There are three MCPD certification paths. Choose the path that is right for you:

• MCPD: Windows Developer 3.5
• MCPD: ASP.NET Developer 3.5
• MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer 3.5
• Learn more about the MCPD on Visual Studio 2008 certification

If you hold an MCPD credential on Microsoft Visual Studio 2005, you can follow a simple path to upgrade your skills to Visual Studio 2008.

MCPD: Microsoft Visual Studio 2005
If you develop applications by using Visual Studio 2005 and the.NET Framework 2.0, you can earn an MCPD on Visual Studio 2005 to validate your skills and abilities on those platforms. There are three MCPD certification paths. Choose the path that is right for you:

• MCPD: Windows Developer
• MCPD: Web Developer 
• MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer

After you earn your MCPD on Visual Studio 2005, you can follow a simple path to upgrade your skills to Visual Studio 2008.

Visual Studio .NET Credentials
The Microsoft Certified Solution Developer (MCSD) for Microsoft .NET credential is the top-level certification for advanced developers who use the .NET Framework 1.1. These developers design and develop leading-edge enterprise solutions by using Microsoft development tools and technologies in addition to the Microsoft .NET Framework.

Note The exams that support the MCAD and MCSD certification paths will retire on March 31, 2009. If you are already on your way to achieving an MCAD or MCSD certification, you should plan to finish before the exams retire. If you are just starting out on your certification path, consider switching to either the Visual Studio 2005 or Visual Studio 2008 path.

Certifications will retire when Microsoft discontinues mainstream support for the related technology.