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

• All CCNA, CCNP, CCIP, CCDA, CCSP and CCDP certifications are valid for three years.
• All CCIE certifications and Specialist certifications are valid for two years.

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 Certifications Tracking System to check the status of your certification(s).

Recertification Options

Visit the About Recertification page for detailed information on how to recertify each of the Cisco Certifications.

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.