>Okay, I received a response this time, albeit a uninformative one. All they said was, "We understand your concerns in this matter. Microsoft Certifications are valid as long as the exams used to achieve the certification have not been retired." That doesn't really answer my question. I guess I'll have to post elsewhere to find out.

Well, from what I understand the answer they gave you is wrong, relative to the Visual Studio 6 exams. From http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2001/Oct01/10-11MCPUpdatesPR.asp,

"... Credential Versions Replace Decertification Policy

Historically, Microsoft has periodically retired credentials earned on older versions of its products. With the increased complexity of IT environments, however, it has become difficult for the company to accurately predict the appropriate timing for such retirements. The policy changes the company is announcing today will eliminate the need for such predictions. Going forward, the MCP program will recognize credentials for as long as they are in demand in the marketplace, and will assign credential version designations to differentiate individuals who have updated their skills to the latest Microsoft technologies. A key result of this program change is that Microsoft Certified Systems Engineers in the Windows NT® 4.0 operating system will remain certified indefinitely, and MCSEs in Windows 2000 will now be formally referred to as MCSE on Microsoft Windows 2000...."