Trika Harms zum Spreckel from the Marketing Communications team of Microsoft Learning has stated in her blog that Microsoft are developing a new “lifecycle” policy for their new generation of certification exams which will take effect in around two years

As I understand it holders of the new Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) certification will have to take a refresh exam every three years to maintain their certification. This will bring Microsoft in line with other certification vendors such as Cisco Systems which have had this policy in place for some time

The Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification will be retired when mainstream product support for the particular technology expires.

Existing MCP, MCSA and MCSE certificate holders on Windows NT4, 2000 and 2003 will retain these certifications