Microsoft is being urged to reconsider plans to retire its Master tech certification programme from 1 October 2013 by IT pros angered by the move.
The software giant has emailed programme members to inform them of its plans to stop offering Masters and Architect level training courses from the start of next month.
The changes will affect people who hold the Microsoft Certified Master, Microsoft Certified Solutions Master, and Microsoft Certified Architect qualifications.
The certifications are typically sat by IT pros that want to demonstrate their depth of knowledge about Microsoft products.
"As technology changes, so do Microsoft certifications and as such, we are continuing to evolve the Microsoft certification programme," the email states.
"Microsoft will no longer offer Masters and Architect level training rotations and will be retiring the Masters level certification exams as of October 1, 2013."
Although IT pros will soon be unable to acquire these certifications, Microsoft said individuals that already hold them can continue to use them to flaunt their tech credentials.
"As a Microsoft Certified Master, Microsoft Certified Solutions Master, or Microsoft Certified Architect, you have earned one of the highest certifications available through the Microsoft Certification program," the email continued.
"Although individuals will no longer be able to earn these certifications, you will continue to hold the credential and you will not be required to recertify your credential in the future".
The email then goes on to urge readers to continue contributing to the Master community because it is such a valuable resource.
"Within the coming weeks, you will receive invitations to an updated community site. This...will require you to sign in with a Microsoft account and will replace the need for a Microsoft Partner account as is required today," it added.
The announcement has incurred the wrath of Microsoft tech pros that have aired their dismay at the decision in the firm's support forums.
Many users have taken issue at how little notice they've been given about the change, as many of them are already in the throes of working towards attaining these qualifications.
"It is a disgrace to tell my customers this certification is nothing worth anymore," commented one forum poster.
"They believed in it as I did. I offered them a reliable proof of my knowledge and they trusted in it. But now... what will they think what this certification was ever worth?"
Another one added: "It's very unprofessional to do it without any grace time during which any candidate who already registered for any rotation/exam could use the last chance.
"I'm estimating my company's investments in my certification preparation as minimum of 320 hours without certification fee," the posted continued.
News of the certification's demise follows on from the announcement in June about Microsoft calling time on its TechNet subscription service, which was widely used by IT pros to beta test software and acquire tech support from their peers.
