Guest

Evolving Technologies Domain Updates

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

Learn more

Evolving Technologies Domain Updates

CCNA Data Center Overview

Close

Viewing this video requires the latest version of Adobe Flash Player with JavaScript enabled.

Get the Flash Player

Careers in IT Networking

Close

Viewing this video requires the latest version of Adobe Flash Player with JavaScript enabled.

Get the Flash Player

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.

Technical Specialists

Collaboration

Internet of Things

Network Programmability

Operating System Software

Data Center

FlexPod

Security

Service Provider

Digital Transformation Specialists

Business Architecture

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

 

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 completing the recertification requirements.

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.

Follow Us

Track your Progress

View your certification progress and exam history, request logos for your earned certifications, and more.

Certification Tracking System

Prepare with the Cisco Learning Network

The Cisco Learning Network has exclusive content and discussion boards for certification candidates

Cisco Learning Network

Cisco Learning Network Store

Access valuable certification study tools, practice tests, and specialized learning material.

Cisco Learning Network Store

Preview the Agreement

Candidates are required to acknowledge several agreements as part of their participation in the Cisco certifications program.

Learn More