How to Become an Azure MCT: Requirements, Process, and What Nobody Tells You

I get asked constantly: "How do I become an MCT?"

The Microsoft website has information, but it's scattered and doesn't tell you what the experience is actually like. Let me give you the complete picture — requirements, process, costs, and the honest truth about whether it's worth it.

What Is an MCT?

MCT stands for Microsoft Certified Trainer. It's Microsoft's official credential for people who deliver Microsoft training, whether in classrooms, virtual sessions, or through learning partners.

Being an MCT means:

• You can officially deliver Microsoft Official Curriculum (MOC)
• You get access to trainer-only resources and prep materials
• You join a global community of Microsoft trainers
• Your profile appears in Microsoft's trainer directory

It's not just another certification — it's a different category entirely.

The Requirements (2026)

1. Technical Certification Requirement

You must hold at least one qualifying Microsoft certification. For Azure-focused MCTs, the common ones are:

Role-based certifications:

• AZ-104: Azure Administrator Associate
• AZ-204: Azure Developer Associate
• AZ-305: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• AZ-400: DevOps Engineer Expert
• AZ-500: Azure Security Engineer Associate
• AZ-700: Azure Network Engineer Associate

Specialty certifications:

• AZ-140: Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty
• DP-203: Azure Data Engineer Associate
• AI-102: Azure AI Engineer Associate

One qualifying certification is enough to apply. Multiple certifications strengthen your profile but aren't required.

2. Instructional Skills Requirement

This is where it gets more complex. Microsoft wants proof you can teach, not just pass exams. You must provide one of the following:

Option A: Trainer Certification

• CompTIA CTT+ (Classroom Trainer or Virtual Classroom Trainer)
• Fourth Credential from Training Associates
• Friesen Kaye and Associates certification
• IAMCT Approved Instructional Skills Certification
• IPM Instructional Competence Certification

Option B: Experience/Reference

• One year of instruction experience backed by reference
• This is evaluated case-by-case

Option C: Microsoft Certification Trainer (MCT) for a Partner

• If you're already training for a Microsoft Learning Partner, they can sponsor your application

Most people go through Option A with CompTIA CTT+ or Option B with documented experience. The CTT+ route is clearer — you take an exam and submit a video of yourself teaching. The experience route requires documentation and is less predictable.

3. Annual Agreement

You'll sign Microsoft's MCT program agreement, committing to:

• Maintain your certifications
• Follow program guidelines
• Deliver quality training

It's renewed annually.

The Application Process

Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility

Before applying:

• Confirm your technical certification is current
• Gather your instructional skills proof
• Have reference contact information ready (if using experience path)

Step 2: Create Your MCT Profile

1. Go to the Microsoft Learning portal
2. Navigate to MCT program enrollment
3. Sign in with your Microsoft account (same one as your certifications)
4. Complete the profile form

Step 3: Submit Documentation

Upload or provide:

• Instructional certification proof (certificate, transcript)
• Or reference information for experience-based path
• Any additional supporting documents

Step 4: Pay the Fee

The MCT program has an annual fee:

• $165 USD (approximate, varies by region)
• Covers 12 months of membership
• Renews annually

Some Microsoft Learning Partners cover this fee for their trainers.

Step 5: Wait for Approval

Processing typically takes:

• 5-10 business days for certification-based applications
• 2-4 weeks for experience-based applications (reference checks take time)

You'll receive email notification when approved.

What You Get as an MCT

Immediate Benefits

Microsoft Official Curriculum Access

• Full courseware for Microsoft courses
• Trainer prep guides
• Lab environments for students
• Presentation slides and demos

Trainer Toolkit

• Demo subscriptions for Azure and M365
• Exam vouchers (quantity varies)
• Access to beta exams

Community Access

• MCT Central community forums
• Regional MCT events
• Direct feedback channels to Microsoft

Career Benefits

Credibility

• MCT is recognized globally
• Listed in Microsoft's trainer directory
• Differentiates you from non-MCT trainers

Learning Partner Access

• Microsoft Learning Partners prefer MCTs
• Required for many training contracts
• Access to partner-only opportunities

Continuous Learning

• Early access to new courses
• Exposure to emerging technologies
• Forced to stay current (renewal requirements)

The Costs (Be Realistic)

Direct Costs

• MCT annual fee: ~$165/year
• CTT+ exam (if needed): ~$350 for the certification
• Technical certification (if needed): ~$165-$330 per exam

Indirect Costs

• Time: Preparing for CTT+, creating teaching demo video, maintaining certifications
• Continuing education: You must maintain qualifying certifications
• Materials: You may need to invest in presentation tools, demo environments

ROI Consideration

MCT pays off if you're:

• Delivering training regularly (for a company or learning partner)
• Building a training business or consultancy
• Using it for career differentiation in cloud roles

It's harder to justify if you're:

• Only occasionally helping colleagues
• Not planning to deliver formal training
• Looking for quick credential stacking

What Nobody Tells You

The Certification Treadmill

Microsoft certifications expire or require renewal. If your qualifying cert lapses, so does your MCT status. You're committing to ongoing certification maintenance.

Teaching Is Different from Knowing

Passing AZ-104 doesn't mean you can teach Azure administration effectively. The instructional skills requirement exists for a reason. Teaching is a skill that requires development.

The Community Varies by Region

MCT community engagement differs significantly by geography. Some regions have active meetups and collaboration; others are quiet. Don't assume you'll get community benefits automatically.

It's Not a Job

MCT is a credential, not employment. Having MCT doesn't mean training work comes to you. You still need to find opportunities, build relationships with learning partners, or create your own training business.

Quality Matters

The MCT title means something because Microsoft maintains standards. If you get MCT and deliver poor training, you damage both your reputation and the program's reputation. Take the responsibility seriously.

My Honest Advice

Pursue MCT if:

• You genuinely enjoy teaching
• You want to make training a significant part of your career
• You're willing to maintain certifications long-term
• You have opportunities to deliver training

Wait on MCT if:

• You're unsure about training as a career path
• You don't have near-term training opportunities
• You're just looking for another credential to list

The MCT journey isn't just about getting the credential — it's about becoming an effective educator. If that mission excites you, the credential is worth pursuing.

If you just want letters after your name, there are easier paths.

Your Next Step

If you've read this far and you're still interested:

1. Check your current certifications against the qualifying list
2. Research the instructional skills path that makes sense for you
3. Connect with existing MCTs in your network for honest perspectives
4. Start teaching informally to validate that you enjoy it

The credential validates skills. But the skills need to come first.

I'll see you in the MCT community.