IT Certification and Career Paths

Recertification is an important indicator to IT professionals and their employers, ensuring that the certification holder has kept up with current trends in networking technology. Valid certifications may be renewed indefinitely, but without timely renewal, certifications expire or become inactive. To keep certifications current, individuals should recertify by advancing to the next level of certification or passing the designated recertification exam(s).

Recertification Renewal Timeframes

• CCENT, CCNA, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CCNA Wireless, CCDA, CCNP, CCDP, CCSP, CCVP, and CCIP certifications are valid for three years.
• All CCIE certifications and Specialist certifications are valid for two years.
• Cisco Sales Expert (CSE) designations are valid for two years and must be recertified regardless of other certifications you have achieved, are currently pursuing or are in the process of recertifying.

How to Recertify

Renewal requires certification holders to register for and pass the appropriate Cisco recertification exam(s). In order to recertify, exam requirements must be met prior to the certification expiration date. Individuals with an expired certification(s) must repeat the entire certification exam process in order to regain their certification(s). Visit the Cisco Career Certifications Tracking System to check the status of your certification(s).

• CCENT, CCNA, CCDA certifications
• CCNA Voice, CCNA Security, CCNA Wireless
• CCNP, CCDP, CCIP, CCSP, CCVP certifications
• Specialist certifications
• CCIE certification
• Cisco Sales Expert designation

Next Steps

• Start now and prepare with the help of an authorized Cisco Learning Partner or through self-study material from Cisco Press.
• Use the Learning Locator to locate a course near you.
• If you are a Cisco Partner employee, you may use the Partner E-Learning Connection to prepare for your recertification exam(s).
• Register and pass the certification exam(s) with Pearson VUE. Register by phone or by using Pearson VUE's online registration system at www.pearsonvue.com/cisco/.
  
  Learn more about Pearson VUE, Primary Test Delivery Partner for Cisco.