Instructional Skills Certificate Provider Program

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The Instructional Skills Certificate Provider (ISCP) Program enrolls businesses providing high quality instructional skills courses. Enrolled ISCPs partner with the Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) Program to verify the instructional capabilities of professionals seeking to become MCTs and deliver Microsoft courses through Training Services Partners.

The ISCP Program follows an annual enrollment cycle. A finalized list of ISCPs is set for each fiscal year beginning July 1. This list of enrolled ISCPs is incorporated into the MCT application process.

  • ISCPs submit the names of MCT candidate students qualifying for the Instructional Skills Certificate through their programs.
  • MCT candidates select their ISCP providers in the MCT online application.
  • Each candidate’s ISCP selection is verified against the student information submitted to Microsoft by the ISCP organization.
  • ISC Providers are required to comply with annual audits to ensure MCT candidates receive instructional skills from reliable, high-quality programs.

Through this process the MCT Program ensures all new MCT candidates have received an instructional skills certificate from an approved provider. ISC Providers be removed from the ISCP Program if the quality of their instructional skills training fails to meet Microsoft standards.

ISCP Enrollment Requirements

Microsoft maintains rigorous standards for the companies verifying instructional capabilities of MCT candidates. Our Instructional Skills Certificate Providers are vetted following a clear rubric. Only organizations meeting all requirements and quality standards are invited to enroll in the ISCP Program.

The ISCP application process will require the following from enrolling organizations:

  • Valid business URL and contact information
  • Instructional Skills Certificate course outline in clear format on company website
  • Clear pricing of the instructional skills program on the company website
  • Documented rubric for evaluating instructional skills capabilities
  • Publicized schedule of available sessions
  • Disclosure of any requirements on minimum number of attendees per session
  • All languages supported
  • Regions where the course is localized
  • Number of sessions offered annually per course
  • Commitment to consistently report ISC recipients to Microsoft in a timely manner
  • Commitment to send a company point of contact to virtual ISCP Program meetings offered each quarter of the fiscal year
  • Commitment to follow all requirements and processes associated with the Microsoft ISCP program

Annual ISCP Program Enrollment Process

The opportunity to enroll as an Instructional Skills Certificate Provider will open on March 15 each year for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins July 1. Organizations must complete the application by April 15 and provide all requested documentation verifying the quality and standards of their instructional skills programs offered to MCT candidates. Current ISCPs seeking to re-enroll the program must also submit an application.

When the enrollment period is open, organizations can complete the application form at aka.ms/iscpApplication. (This form is only open to submissions during the specified enrollment period.)

  • Organizations will be notified of the results of their ISCP application by May 15.
  • The points of contact at enrolled organizations must attend a required meeting with the MCT Program team in June.
  • On July 1, ISCPs will be incorporated in the MCT Program online application process.
  • Through the fiscal year, ISCPs must report to Microsoft all MCT candidates achieving their Instructional Skills certificate in a timely manner.
  • New MCT candidates must be on their ISC Provider’s list of ISC recipients to have their MCT application approved and join the MCT Program.