Evolving Technologies Domain Updates
Senior-level IT professionals need to keep pace with the rapidly changing technology landscape that help drive business outcomes.

CCNA Data Center Overview
Viewing this video requires the latest version of Adobe Flash Player with JavaScript enabled.
Careers in IT Networking
Viewing this video requires the latest version of Adobe Flash Player with JavaScript enabled.
We offer five levels of network certification: Entry, Associate, Professional, Expert and Architect, the highest level of accreditation within the Cisco Career Certification program.
Not sure which certification to pursue? Explore the Career Guide.
Entry
Both the CCENT and the CCT certifications serve as starting points for individuals interested in starting a career as a networking professional. |
Associate
The Associate level of Cisco Certifications can begin directly with CCNA for network installation, operations and troubleshooting or CCDA for network design. Think of the Associate Level as the foundation level of networking certification. |
Professional
The Professional level is an advanced level of certification that shows more expertise with networking skills. Each certification covers a different technology to meet the needs of varying job roles. |
Expert
The Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE) certification is accepted worldwide as the most prestigious networking certification in the industry. |
Architect
Cisco Certified Architect is the highest level of accreditation achievable and recognizes the architectural expertise of network designers who can support the increasingly complex networks of global organizations and effectively translate business strategies into evolutionary technical strategies. |
The Specialist designation certifies the specific expertise of technical professionals, including those with Cisco Career Certifications at the associate, professional or expert levels. By earning specialist certifications, network professionals can enhance their core networking knowledge in technologies such as security, data center or video.
Many Specialist certifications align with the requirements of the Cisco Partner Specialization program.
Network Programmability
Operating System SoftwareService Provider |
Customer Success |
Upon the retirement of any certification, no new certifications will be issued nor will it be available for recertification. The certification will remain active until its unique expiration date held by the candidate.
Retired Certifications
- July 2018 - Cisco Cybersecurity Specialist
- May 2018 - Cisco Business IT Roadmap Specialist
- February 2018 - Cisco Enterprise IT Business Specialist
- February 2018 - Cisco Business Value Practitioner Specialist
- December 2017 - Cisco Business Value Analyst
- December 2017 - Cisco Business Value Specialist
- July 2017 - Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Design Specialist
- July 2017 - Cisco Data Center Unified Computing Support Specialist
- July 2017 - Cisco Data Center Unified Fabric Design Specialist
- July 2017 - Cisco Data Center Unified Fabric Support Specialist
- April 2017 - Cisco Business Application Engineer Specialist
- January 2017 - Cisco Network Programmability Design Specialist
- January 2017 - Cisco Network Programmability Engineer Specialist
- December 2016 - Cisco Learning Virtual Classroom Instruction Specialist
- November 2016 - CCT TelePresence
- August 2015 - CCNA Voice
- August 2015 - CCNP Voice
- January 2015 - CCNA Service Provider Operations
- January 2015 - CCNP Service Provider Operations
- January 2015 - CCIE Service Provider Operations
- July 2014 - Cisco Data Center Application Services Design Specialist
- Jul 2014 - Cisco Data Center Application Services Support Specialist
- May 2014 - Cisco Unity Design Specialist
- May 2014 - Cisco Unity Support Specialist
- May 2014 - Cisco Unified Presence Specialist
- May 2014 - Cisco Rich Media Communications Specialist
- April 2014 - Cisco ASA Specialist
- April 2014 - Cisco Firewall Security Specialist
- April 2014 - Cisco IOS Security Specialist
- April 2014 - Cisco IPS Specialist
- April 2014 - Cisco Network Admission Control Specialist
- April 2014 - Cisco VPN Security Specialist
- February 2014 - CCIE Voice
- July 2013 - CCIE Storage Networking
- June 2013 - Cisco Data Center Networking Infrastructure Design Specialist
- June 2013 - Cisco Data Center Networking Infrastructure Support Specialist
- June 2013 - Cisco Data Center Storage Networking Design Specialist
- June 2013 - Cisco Data Center Storage Networking Support Specialist
- May 2013 - Cisco TelePresence Installations Specialist
- October 2012 - CCIP Certification
- April 2012 - Cisco Advanced Wireless LAN Design Specialist
- April 2012 - Cisco Advanced Wireless LAN Field Specialist
- November 2011 - CCSP Certification
- February 2011 - Cisco Certified Voice Professional (CCVP)
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 your certification current, recertify by advancing to the next level of certification, or by completing the recertification requirements for your current certification.
And remember:
- Cisco does not provide extensions. It is your responsibility to recertify on time.
- We do send renewal email reminders to the email address in your Certification Tracking System profile, so make sure to keep your email address up to date.
- Always review the 5-day Exam Retake Policy before scheduling any exam.
Recertification Renewal Timeframes
Certification | Duration |
---|---|
Entry-level, Associate-level, and Professional-level | 3 years |
Expert-level Certifications | 2 years |
Specialist certifications | 2 years |
Cisco Certified Architect | 5 years |
Renewal requires certification holders to register for and pass the appropriate Cisco recertification exam(s). In addition to passing the designated recertification exam(s), Cisco Continuing Education Program offers expert-level certification holders an alternative option to recertify by earning credits.
In order to recertify, certification holders must complete the recertification requirements prior to the certification expiration date. If an individual allows their certification(s) to expire, then the individual must repeat the entire certification process to regain their certification(s).
Visit the Cisco Career Certifications Tracking System to check the status of your certification(s).
Please use the following links for detailed information on how to recertify a specific Cisco certification:
Certification Recertification Table
Certification | Entry | Associate | Professional | Expert | Architect |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cloud | CCNA Cloud | CCNP Cloud | |||
Collaboration | CCNA Collaboration | CCNP Collaboration | CCIE Collaboration | ||
Cyber Ops | CCNA Cyber Ops | ||||
Data Center | CCNA Data Center | CCNP Data Center | CCIE Data Center | ||
Industrial | CCNA Industrial | ||||
Design | CCENT | CCDA | CCDP | CCDE | CCAr |
Routing & Switching | CCENT | CCNA Routing and Switching | CCNP | CCIE Routing & Switching | |
Security | CCENT | CCNA Security | CCNP Security | CCIE Security | |
Service Provider | CCNA Service Provider | CCNP Service Provider | CCIE Service Provider | ||
Wireless | CCENT | CCNA Wireless | CCNP Wireless | CCIE Wireless |
Cisco Technical Specialists Recertification Table
Collaboration | |
---|---|
Data Center |
|
Internet of Things | |
Network Programmability | |
Operating System Software | |
Security | |
Service Provider |
Cisco Digital Transformation Specialists Recertification Table
Business | |
---|---|
Customer Success |
Get Help
Need help understanding or scheduling certifications? Search our online answers or submit a case.
Track your Progress
View your certification progress and exam history, request logos for your earned certifications, and more.
Certification Tracking SystemPrepare with the Cisco Learning Network
The Cisco Learning Network has exclusive content and discussion boards for certification candidates
Cisco Learning NetworkCisco Learning Network Store
Access valuable certification study tools, practice tests, and specialized learning material.
Cisco Learning Network StorePreview the Agreement
Candidates are required to acknowledge several agreements as part of their participation in the Cisco certifications program.
Learn More