Microsoft's SQL Server platform left behind IBM a few years ago to take second place in DBMS market share (As per Gartner's Magic Quadrant for Operational Database Management Systems), and it ranks third in overall database engine popularity as of October 2016.
SQL Server offers a wide variety of tools and add-ons for business intelligence, data warehousing and data-driven applications of all types. That probably explains why Microsoft offers database-related credentials at every level of its certification program, from the Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) all the way to the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) program.
In September 2016, Microsoft announced significant changes to its certification program, adding five new certifications to the MCSE and Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) programs alone. These certifications are designed to support Windows Server 2016 and Microsoft SQL Server 2016, among other technologies.
