3/9/2009 -- IT professionals who want to prove expertise working with and managing Windows XP and applications on embedded devices can now do so by passing a new exam, 70-577 TS: Windows Embedded Standard 2009, Development. The exam went live some time last month, according to this MSDN blog post.

Exam 70-577 is designated as a Technology Specialist exam; according to the exam objective guide, Microsoft recommends that candidates have at least a year or two of experience working with Windows XP Embedded, particularly in developing and building runtime images and working with Windows internals.

Those who pass the exam earn the MCTS: Windows Embedded Standard 2009, Development certification.

Microsoft's exam objective guide lists no official self-study resources related to this exam. A search on Google produced no resources from third-party providers. (Note to publishers: If you're planning to publish any resources related to this exam, please send details .)

The exam is available at Prometric centers worldwide in English; other language variations are forthcoming. Price of the exam in the U.S. is $125. Michael Domingo